Battery help needed

[Buckmaster7600]

2 years ago I put a “cheap” solar system in at my camp 4 panels,  4 deep cycle batteries, charge controller etc. I thought it would replace the need for the generator but it’s not enough. I don’t have a great angle at the sun and during the fall and short days it can’t keep up. 
 

Not a big deal I use my inverter during peak use and the solar works fine for the rest of the time. 
 

Im looking for a way to charge the batteries while the generator/inverter is running. My house is off grid with solar and when I bought my charge controller it has a 120v in feed built in for backup charging. That is a much more expensive system and something I’m not willing to get into for a camp that’s only used 8-9 weeks a year. A regular  battery charger like we all have is too slow and  at 15 amps only brings the batteries up 2 or 3/10’s of a volt in 6 hours of running. My other thought was a 4 bank marine charger like I have on my boat but after emails and a lot of searching I can’t find out how many amps they use to see if my inverter will run it. 
 

If anyone has any ideas or knowledge on the subject it is greatly appreciated!

[Otto]

No real knowledge on it, but would a small windmill work? 

[Buckmaster7600]

2 hours ago, Otto said:

No real knowledge on it, but would a small windmill work? 

Have never looked into it but being in a low wooded area I can’t imagine a windmill being very effective.

Edited December 7, 2023 by Buckmaster7600

[Moho81]

More expensive lithium ion batteries might be an option for you. Not sure what your willing to spend but people that dry camp with their travel trailers that’s the batteries they use along with solar panels. 

[Moho81]

Or a larger inverter generator. Not sure what size you’re using but people swear by the harbor freight predator series. I just picked up the 3500 for $699 on sale Black Friday. They also have a 9500 version as well. 

[Wolc123]

I’d look into replacing your solar panels with new ones.  Those have been getting more efficient exponentially.  2 years is a long time at that rate. 

[Buckmaster7600]

13 minutes ago, Moho81 said:

More expensive lithium ion batteries might be an option for you. Not sure what your willing to spend but people that dry camp with their travel trailers that’s the batteries they use along with solar panels. 

The lithium equivalent to the batteries I have now are 1,000$ each, not worth it to me.

[Buckmaster7600]

11 minutes ago, Moho81 said:

Or a larger inverter generator. Not sure what size you’re using but people swear by the harbor freight predator series. I just picked up the 3500 for $699 on sale Black Friday. They also have a 9500 version as well. 

My inverter is a 3000 Yamaha, way overkill for running camp. I’m just looking at a better way to charge the batteries while the inverter is running.

[DoubleDose]

31 minutes ago, Moho81 said:

More expensive lithium ion batteries might be an option for you. Not sure what your willing to spend but people that dry camp with their travel trailers that’s the batteries they use along with solar panels. 

Lithium ion batteries have a different charging profile than traditional lead acid batteries and need Li ion appropriate charger.

[dbHunterNY]

unless you have some other means of mechanical charging with an alternator setup then solar is what it is. can't keep up then you need to add solar panels or put them in a different location and run more wire.

[dbHunterNY]

your wires are sized well? if under sized they can slow down charging due to losses. probably not to make up the difference you need though.

[Buckmaster7600]

49 minutes ago, dbHunterNY said:

unless you have some other means of mechanical charging with an alternator setup then solar is what it is. can't keep up then you need to add solar panels or put them in a different location and run more wire.

I guess I Didn’t word it properly. That’s what I’m looking for is an easy/efficient means of charging while I’m running the gas inverter. The solar works perfect for my needs most of the time I/e at night when sleeping/mornings when I don’t want to run the gas inverter. The problem is during the fall after a week of clouds it runs down. I currently use a 30amp harbor freight charger and it’s extremely slow inefficient for charging the 4 big batteries.

[dbHunterNY]

38 minutes ago, Buckmaster7600 said:

I guess I Didn’t word it properly. That’s what I’m looking for is an easy/efficient means of charging while I’m running the gas inverter. The solar works perfect for my needs most of the time I/e at night when sleeping/mornings when I don’t want to run the gas inverter. The problem is during the fall after a week of clouds it runs down. I currently use a 30amp harbor freight charger and it’s extremely slow inefficient for charging the 4 big batteries.

depends on a lot of things but sounds like however many amp-hr capacity your batteries have is enough. Sounds like you have a little RV Ready Inverter that's 3600W. what goes in is what you're getting out to charge the batteries. idk if you're saying you have a little gasoline powered suitcase sized portable generator, a bigger portable gas power generator, or a propane fed actual generator set. if the latter it sounds like you need a bigger inverter. if one of the first two you might be limited to the power you're pushing out of the generator and it's not the 30A output (@120V) Predator inverter that's the problem. 

[Larry]

I have a friend who powers his camp with one of those generac backup generators he runs it on propane has it setup far enough a way you can't hear it to much 

[Buckmaster7600]

1 hour ago, dbHunterNY said:

depends on a lot of things but sounds like however many amp-hr capacity your batteries have is enough. Sounds like you have a little RV Ready Inverter that's 3600W. what goes in is what you're getting out to charge the batteries. idk if you're saying you have a little gasoline powered suitcase sized portable generator, a bigger portable gas power generator, or a propane fed actual generator set. if the latter it sounds like you need a bigger inverter. if one of the first two you might be limited to the power you're pushing out of the generator and it's not the 30A output (@120V) Predator inverter that's the problem. 

This is the generator I have.

 

https://global.yamaha-motor.com/business/pp/generator/lineup/120v-60hz/1-3/ef3000ise/