Small Generator Charger Inverter Set

I would try to assess the load profile of the overall system throughout a fairly "heavy" day. Batteries are heavy, expensive, and maintenance-prone, so I would shoot for as little of them as practical. I would not rely on them to run the A/C; rather, select the generator to handle the A/C and any other major loads (e.g., stove and/or water heater). Use any surplus to charge up relatively small batteries, which can handle lighting/computer/sound system loads when the generator is idle.

It is hard to advise without knowing more details of what you want to power, and when.

A smaller baterry would certainly be better. The system I have now powers everything I need with two 12 volt batteries. Is there a generator that will automatically come on when the AC is turned on?

Have some fun today,

PAPADOC

RMFR

Your air conditionner looks rather powerfull for a trailer!

alibaba.com -- wind genators -- solar

Sounds like a big AC unit. Use 6 VDC golf cart batteries instead. You can get 2-4kVA inverter/ charger pretty cheaply if you hunt for them.

hot the auctions sometimes you can get a Electric Forlift --- the battery is what you want -- they last for ever

That is unpractical. The huge weight is part of it, the other is have you worked out how long the battery load will supply the AC (decide on battery size and wight first!)

In such cases you are better off with a portable generator, lighter weight and more powerful over longer times....and even costing may easily come down on the side of the generator......it needs careful thought and planning....

Go for a really quiet, well muffled generator that you cannot hear 20 yards away, more expensive though.

Batteries are heavy, require very careful charging if they are to last more than 2 years, good ones are expensive, you need a PhD in chemistry if you REALLY want a long battery life....there is also a lot of false information about how to charge and maintain batteries around, not the least here as well.....

Batteries are NOT a charge and forget option as many believe.

Filling them 100% slowly destroys them, Gassing them does the same because it is the same, many do not agree, especially the manufacturers! As they just want the guarantee to run out and you buy a new set!!!

Cost of ownership can be a big, big problem when seen over say a 5 year period.....the first 12-24 months will generally be fine though....

Best of luck in whatever you do.

This may help with "The generator would be automatically started when the batteries need recharging."

I have a JLG M450A boom lift that does what you are asking about.

You use the lift on battery power, once that batteries get to a certain level of discharge the two cylinder diesel starts and runs until the batteries are re-charged.

Go to http://csapps.jlg.com/OnlineManuals/Manuals/JLG/JLG%20Boom%20Lifts/E_M400A-AJP/Parts_3121128_5-9-11_ANSI_English.pdf and see page 7-3 for the wiring diagram of the charging system.

You may be able to build this system using the schematic or you may want to try contacting a JLG dealer to see if they could steer you to a source for the re-charge module.

Hope this helps - Good Luck!

What you are proposing is doable provided you refine the system to work well. To begin with the kinds of air conditioner systems typically sold for Travel trailers is not especially great for energy conservation. They are built for price point so manufacturers will buy them as OEM. Secondly They are not often dessigned for soft start. I have demonstrated that one 16kBTU Flagship brand A/C can start on a single 3000 watt inverter and if you sequence the start you can in fact run two such air conditioners on a single nverter.

Furthermore I demonstrated at a trade show that I could star and run a 5.6k BTU air conditioner using our company's 800 watt inverter run from a singl regular Rv battery.

I'm not sure how you determined you need 10 batteries. The ones I use weigh 160 lbs each so you are looking at 1600 pounds or 3/4 ton. Way too much in my estimation.

Two years ago I designed a system to power a 38 boat and the charging was done with a small gasoline generator not a big diesel generator which is usually the case.

Some of my clients have built their own generators but I would not advise going that route unless you have lots of engine and fabrication exxperience.

The RV industry has had start on demand controls when battery goes low for about 15 years now. I'm surprised you failed to turn up any hits looking for theem on he internet.

After building my own diesel powered generator I do not recommend it. Despite what looks like more contra points, it is better.

From your own description you already have the nucleus of a workable system you just need to refine it. But you do not need 10X 12V batteries.