Pete1122 Posted November 9, 2013 Share Posted November 9, 2013 I took my first road trip today in my 1989 Warrior today, I noticed that with all my electronics running my alternator does not put out enough power to charge the house battery. This is with two laptops charging, a 1000 volt inverter, 10" Led monitor, DVD player, gaming chair, network hub and various USB chargers. I guess I need to buy a bigger alternator? Or install solar panels to help supplement it? Other suggestions? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
linda s Posted November 9, 2013 Share Posted November 9, 2013 No I think your house battery can only charge up so far. You probably need more house batteries or a generator. Solar will only keep it charged up in daytime. Bet your playing those games at night Linda S Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete1122 Posted November 9, 2013 Author Share Posted November 9, 2013 Good point, my house battery is only a 55 amp hour AMG. Time to upgrade? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vanman Posted November 9, 2013 Share Posted November 9, 2013 Pete1122 Good point, my house battery is only a 55 amp hour AMG. Time to upgrade? Thats smaller than a group 24, most Toy Rv's use group 27 or 29. When I replace my 27 I'm getting a group 29, it will just fit the battery box. So how big is your battery box?? maybe thats as big as you can fit?? I assume you meant a 1000 watt inverter? john Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete1122 Posted November 9, 2013 Author Share Posted November 9, 2013 The battery box on my 1989 Warrior is an outside compartment that only fits one battery. I plan on making a bigger box for that compartment and using two 6 volt Trojan batteries to give me 225 amp hours. Obviously my 55 amp hour Optima battery is not cutting it. And yes, I mean 1000 watt inverter. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stamar Posted November 10, 2013 Share Posted November 10, 2013 I think 100 watts solar and two27 size rv batteries is a start and then see how you go from there. Im not positive that you just dont drive enough for your electricity usage and you might need a generator. Im not sure if you mean that when these things are plugged in the alternator idling is losing . Or it still is on the highway too. Need to get the voltage at the battery. if the alternator idling isnt enough but its working fine and thats the way you want to power our electronics, the expensive way.... Then you migh needa alternator with moreamps at idle. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stamar Posted November 10, 2013 Share Posted November 10, 2013 100 watts in solar is never bad... If it doesnt make enough juice in the day for all your stuff it still makes some and then you take a break until the next day. I have a low voltage laptop and a cell phone, and one size 27 deep cycle can cover using those all day, and the lights too. the next day i might not make enough in solar to charge back what ive used in which case id just use the cell phone. the next day its almost definitely at full charge again. but what I have doesnt help you if you need a bigger load with the dvd or something. but the theory is the same you just use it when its there and you dont when its not. If you cant be flexible you need a generator. youre going to get your biggest gains by figuring out whats rv friendly and what isnt. eliminate a few things. I mean if you are living in an rv or even weekending in an rv how much electricity do you really need? None? very little? Fortunately technology is meeting the toyhome halfway like 30 years later as electronics need so much less power ala the cell phone line of technology. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete1122 Posted November 11, 2013 Author Share Posted November 11, 2013 Thanks for the advice, I remodeled the Warrior with my twin teenage boys and 8 year old daughter in mind. That mean TONS of electronics and a hefty power requirement. On the road both twins are running gaming laptops and the daughter is using the gaming chair with the DVD and flat screen running. In addition my fridge is running off the inverter, not to mention a few other goodies. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stamar Posted November 13, 2013 Share Posted November 13, 2013 it does sound like you need a bigger alternator then if your usage iis only while running and youuve exceeded the charge coming in. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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