Can I charge Batterybank with my Car?

[DigitalMind]

Hello Alt. Energy Guru's,

   I have yet another stupid question but i've been wondering for some time now and haven't figured it out on my own.   When a 12 volt Battery bank needs recharging, if we're getting desperate, can we hook up jumper cables from the car battery (while running obviously) to the battery bank ??  Will this recharge the batteries or just blow something up   (SOOO sorry for the stupid question, but when you don't know, you don't know!)  

Thanks as always for your kind answers.

[AbyssUnderground]

Yes this will work but with the car running at idle I wouldn't expect more than 25A for a petrol or 40A for a diesel. You may have to force the throttle open a little to increase the charging current.

Not the best of ways to do it but you can do it if needs be.

[jonas302]

sure you can the alt will regulate it just fine I did this on a three day outage this summer my measly batts wouldn't have lasted long otherwise I just went out and started my truck when the voltage started getting low  I think I burned five dollars in gas saving several hundred in food

[thirteen]

Yes. Just make sure that the cables you use are heavey enough to handle the  load needed to charge your batteries. Alot of jumper cables are light duty and will not handle a heavey load for very long. I would suggest you shut off your system or isolate it while charging your banks with your car. If you are charging your system with one type or another you do not want to back feed something that isn't protected. Welding leads work well for jumper cables they handle the load plus you can make ones that will reach the length of a car. If you are in a place you can not get close to the car you need jumped the 20ft cables are nice.    

[DanB]

If you are desperate yes..  very inefficient use of fuel though.

If you have a small 12V system, a nice arrangement is a small engine (lawnmower engine or something) belted to a car alternator.  A 2 hp engine will do the job, but it's nice to get something larger (5 or 6 hp) so you can run it slowly (quieter and lasts longer).

[DigitalMind]

Hi Guys,

  Thanks for the responses.  This is VERY good to know in case of emergency, i've been wondering for a while.

Abyssunderground : Nice website ... I see that you're a Ham Radio Operator, Cheers from     VE2RIF in Montreal, Quebec, Canada ...

[DigitalMind]

Thanks Danb,

   This seems a little complicated for me since i'm not "mechanically inclined", but too be honest I haven't read all that much about it.  (Which is also why i'm having trouble understanding how you put together a wind turbine)   I guess i'll research a little how alternators work and see if I can put that together.   This is essentially building your own generator right ?  So From what you tell me, I'm GUESSING we need a fuel container of sorts, which would be connected to the lawnmower engine somehow, and the engine will have a place for a BELT, which will be connected to the alternator, which i'm guessing also has a place for a belt, and from the alternator I somehow get a 12volt + output ?!  I'll try and figure it out, if you have any links, they're always welcome.    

[ghurd]

Simple.

http://theepicenter.com/tow082099.html

G-

[DigitalMind]

Thanks Ghurd,

   although it still seems a pain, atleast this is step by step and I'm pretty sure i could figure it out.  Maybe it'll be my sis's birthday present.  (Christmas present is the solar panels and batteries for her offgrid home)  

[wooferhound]

Lawnmower Power

http://www.fieldlines.com/story/2007/11/8/144240/944

http://www.fieldlines.com/story/2007/11/28/18731/063

http://www.fieldlines.com/story/2005/3/24/224248/290

http://www.fieldlines.com/story/2004/3/8/15277/23504

[Speo]

Hi DigitalMind,

Here is another one: http://ca.geocities.com/site@rogers.com/anemometer.html?caller=10#backup

Speo

[AbyssUnderground]

Thanks for the compliments. Cheers from 2E0EZW, Middlesbrough, UK.

[ghurd]

Most I see are built with 2X4s, 2X66s and 4X4s.  Sometimes a turn buckle for tension adjustment.  A fast wearing belt doesn't seem to bother the owners.

The 1-wire alternator is simple.

G-

[microage97]

Hello All,

I have a lawn mower setup that I am planning to use in emergencies to recharge a 12v battery bank. The Alternator is a 65A model and I was wondering how long it will take to recharge my bank? Say I have a 500AH bank and I use @ 100A or there abouts in 24 hours. How long so I need to run the genset to put back the 100A?

Sorry for the noob questions.

Dave