We have had A's and C's as well as our current B. We run the generator for most of the day while traveling in order to keep the Refer cool. If it gets too hot we then run the unit AC. In an A, you usually use 1 gal of gas per hour. I'm not sure about a B. I assume it's around 1 gal per hour. Generally we have found that the dash air is sufficient to keep us comfortable while driving. Since the RT is so small, it only takes a few minutes for the entire unit to get cool.
Larry G
Brenda and Larry - Retired
2001 RoadTrek 200 Versatile
"So, the 120vac from the generator is not in the mix, except indirectly via the converter or inverter."
Thanks Airstreamer67. My concern was not the 120 AC, I understand the converter, inverter mix. I guess I am more concerned that one would sense the DC voltage (charge) of the other and read that incoming charge as the state of the battery. I guess if that were the case the charging sources would constantly be searching and the result would be little or no actual net charge. This is why I thought that it might be better to defeat (switch off) one of the charging sources, probably the one from the alternator, I would think, as the converter would be the superior charging source. Maybe I am over thinking this?
100ton wrote: "So, the 120vac from the generator is not in the mix, except indirectly via the converter or inverter."
Thanks Airstreamer67 . . . better to defeat (switch off) one of the charging sources, probably the one from the alternator, I would think, as the converter would be the superior charging source. Maybe I am over thinking this?
Thanks again,
Robert
I think you are over thinking it. This has been done by many, many people including me in a 2 Class A's and 2 B's. Never a problem. If there was some potential for a problem, it would be in the owner's manual. It is just magic - you just have to believe! Use the Force, Robert, use the Force!
Regards,
Keith
The excellent adventures of Keith and Debbie. Observations about life, at home and on the road in our 2008 Sportsmobile Sprinter. (Warning: Occasional sharp turns to the right.)
The relative simplicity and safety of direct current (dc) is wonderful to behold compared to alternating current, just like ole Thos A Edison told the upstart Westinghouse all those years ago. There is no sine wave frequency to match, no one phase v three phase to worry about, just plain old direct current. As long as the voltage is reasonably matched up, a battery can be charged from more than one source without problems. Almost like magic, the battery only accepts the charging source when it needs it, and like a hard-to-get girl, it only takes the charge that is highest in range. EG, the engine alternator may be offering a charge of 14.8 volts, and the converter may be set to peak at 14.5 volts, in which case the higher bid (voltage) gets the business...in this example the engine alternator will provide the charge, the converter will just sit back and pout. And when the battery is full, it rejects both suitors and sends them home to await for another call for help, at least it will with well-designed and operating systems. Should any of the systems malfunction, that could naturally lead to other problems. But you would see that from the results.
The relative simplicity and safety of direct current (dc) is wonderful to behold compared to alternating current, just like ole Thos A Edison told the upstart Westinghouse all those years ago. There is no sine wave frequency to match, no one phase v three phase to worry about, just plain old direct current. As long as the voltage is reasonably matched up, a battery can be charged from more than one source without problems. Almost like magic, the battery only accepts the charging source when it needs it, and like a hard-to-get girl, it only takes the charge that is highest in range. EG, the engine alternator may be offering a charge of 14.8 volts, and the converter may be set to peak at 14.5 volts, in which case the higher bid (voltage) gets the business...in this example the engine alternator will provide the charge, the converter will just sit back and pout. And when the battery is full, it rejects both suitors and sends them home to await for another call for help, at least it will with well-designed and operating systems. Should any of the systems malfunction, that could naturally lead to other problems. But you would see that from the results.Ain't dc great?!
Too funny and one of THE BEST descriptions I've read since becoming a forum member, of how it all works when running the air with the gen.......heck even I understood it better with your description!
We must be willing to get rid of the life we've planned,
so as to have the life that is waiting for us.
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Too funny and one of THE BEST descriptions I've read since becoming a forum member, of how it all works when running the air with the gen.......heck even I understood it better with your description!
It's sort of like the old Thermo's bottle joke, I know that it works for both hot and cold, but how does it know? LOL.
