Generator Use

[boapiu]

Just wondering if anyone with a genset can tell me if they have any trouble using the Air Conditioner and the Battery Charger at the same time with their genset. We have a Beneteau 40 and a factory installed Panda Generator. I seem to remember being warned not to power both the named items simultaneously. Yet if we don't keep the batteries charging we get an alarm during the night. Thanks.

 

[Sailm8]

There is something wrong if you get a battery alarm during the night. You should be able to easily make it through the nigh on your house batteries. What are you running and how big is your battery bank? Something isn't adding up.

 

[Paul Mermelstein]

I have a B393, about the same size as your 40. My Fischer Panda is only 4kw and is plenty to run both AC units and the battery charger. (We don't attempt to do all this AND the microwave and wife's hair dryer.)

The 4kw genset is able to put out over 30 amps, and I've never seen my ammeter go over mid-20's.

If you are concerned about it, then run one AC unit and the charger for a couple of hours, then the second AC unit. By then, the charger should be putting out fewer amps.

 

[boapiu]

We just returned from a four night trip and had no problems running the AC among with the charger. The manual cautions to bring load online one at a time so as not to surge the demand. I also realigned the wiring of the batteries and they seem to drain more slowly. We know that the first few years of usage left them sulfated but not certain how badly. Thanks for the help.