Chassis Battery, Converter/Generator Battery, Solar Battery

[BrandonMc]

Hello, I am just starting to get into the electrical restoration on my 88 Chieftain.


Just wondering what you think of this setup. I'd like to keep the generator connected to a battery with the original setup, and install solar panels on a high tech solar battery charger and inverter connected to Battery. Is this recommended? What am I missing, or shall this be okay? Reason I ask is because this new battery will be large and need a better charging controller than comes with the RV.


Also, I'd rather have the large solar powered battery run the coach, and the generator take care of the Air conditioning. What am I missing here? Thanks for any input.

[BrandonMc]

It appears I need to read more of the operators manual, as I now see that the AC unit is entirely dependent on the generator

[DaveVA78Chieftain]

I recommend you do a lot of reading first.  The generator only connects to the battery for the purpose of 1) starting the generator and 2) providing a trickle charge (5 amps or less) back to the battery to restore the energy used for starting the generator.
Shore Power/Generator - used to power all 110VAC devices
Converter - Converts 110VAC to 12VDC.  Supplies power to all 12VDC device (when AC is available) and recharges the batteries.
Inverter (not stock in 88, User add-on) - Converts 12VDC to 110VAC.  Limited wattage output.  Not intended to power an air conditioner because of the excessive current load.  Short microwave use is OK if unit size id large enough.  Typically used to power TV's/Radios/Computers when Shore Power/Generator AC source is not available.
Solar - Used to power 12VDC devices and recharge the batteries.  Can be used to power AC devices when used in-conjunction with a inverter.

[BrandonMc]

I recommend you do a lot of reading first.  The generator only connects to the battery for the purpose of 1) starting the generator and 2) providing a trickle charge (5 amps or less) back to the battery to restore the energy used for starting the generator.
Shore Power/Generator - used to power all 110VAC devices
Converter - Converts 110VAC to 12VDC.  Supplies power to all 12VDC device (when AC is available) and recharges the batteries.
Inverter (not stock in 88, User add-on) - Converts 12VDC to 110VAC.  Limited wattage output.  Not intended to power an air conditioner because of the excessive current load.  Short microwave use is OK if unit size id large enough.  Typically used to power TV's/Radios/Computers when Shore Power/Generator AC source is not available.
Solar - Used to power 12VDC devices and recharge the batteries.  Can be used to power AC devices when used in-conjunction with a inverter.

thanks for the reply. I am going to remove the converter and rely on the solar panels to charge a solar battery. I originally wanted a converter to use in a pinch for the generator to recharge the solar battery, but this is likely not necessary.


I like this image I saw you post in another thread, it helps a lot.



I can run the generator but no power to any receptacle or the air conditioner, and reset gfci and the generator breaker. Looking at this diagram, do I need to plug the 30A shore power plug into the spare 30A receptacle to get the generator power to the RV? Maybe its that simple, but didn't seem right. Hopefully this can save another newbie from a  D:oH!  moment.

[DaveVA78Chieftain]

Looking at this diagram, do I need to plug the 30A shore power plug into the spare 30A receptacle to get the generator power to the RV? Maybe its that simple, but didn't seem right.

Yes, it should be that simple.  That receptacle should be in the same compartment as the shore power cable.

[MotorPro]

Yep that simple!

[Froggy1936]

How simple it would be to label that outlet as The 110V output from the Generator , For second owners , To understand the system    W%  Frank