Generator vs. Battery

[Robert P]

Hello all,<br />I am a bowfisherman and right at night with a generator almost exclusively. My problem is with my trolling motor batteries, they just seem to wear out fast (1-2 years.) It was brought to my attention to try a power converter from the generator to run the trolling motor instead of a battery. I like the idea but the trolling motor pulls 45amps (12volt) at full throttle and the generator only puts out 30amps (120volts.)<br /><br />I do not pretend to understand electronics but is amps the same whether it is AC or DC? If so I have no choice but to stick with batteries because my generator is big enough. Thanks for any opinions.

 

[JB]

Re: Generator vs. Battery

Ahoy, Robert. Amps are current. Think of them like water flow through a pipe. The 40 amps at 12 volts is like water flowing through a small pipe at 40 Feet per second (fps).<br /><br />The 35 amps from your generator is like water flowing at 35fps, but through a pipe 10 times the size of the 12 volt pipe, thus almost 10 times as much water, or, ten times the power. The measure of power is Watts, it is found by multiplying volts times amps.<br /><br />A 120VAC to 12VDC converter that can put out 40 amps is gonna be a big and expensive item.<br /><br />My suggestion is to get a generator that has both 120VAC AND 12VDC outputs, and resize you trolling motor to match the generator output if necessary.<br /><br />Red sky at night. . .<br />JB

 

[Robert P]

Re: Generator vs. Battery

Thanks for the help. I have found that the converter will be quite expensive so I think I will just go with another battery until I get that fan motor. thanks.

 

[BillT111]

Re: Generator vs. Battery

Hi Guys,<br />I saw your postings, and hope you reply...I have a battery question as well...<br /><br />I want to use solar panels to re-charge my batteries and am thinking about using solar panels to charge 2 or more deep cycle batteried kept in a locker on my dock. I will be using an inverter and batteries to power my 120Volt hydrolift and also want to run dock lights off batteries as well. From my research has told me 12 volt lights will ultimayely use less battery charge as 120volt light will have to be powered via my inverter which uses power to change dc to ac.<br /><br />Do you have any places i can go to to learn more about doing this, or any advice?<br /><br />Thanks, BillT111@aol.com

 

[petryshyn]

Re: Generator vs. Battery

Hello B.Takagi <br /> <br />Stay away from converters and invertors as much as possible. They’re expensive and not very efficient, and it sounds like you need efficiency for your application. <br />Even for your hydro lift, I would consider retrofitting a 12 volt motor.<br /><br />> As far as charging with solar panels, I’d recommend a pulse charger regulator if you want any longevity out of those batteries. I get about 2 years life out of my solar charged batteries without the right charger. I’m going to build an appropriate regulator. <br /><br />>I’m not sure what kind of lighting requirements you have, but the LED lights that Buses and trucks are equipped with for signal and brakes are incredibly efficient, bright and reasonably watertight.<br /><br />good luck

 

[petryshyn]

Re: Generator vs. Battery

Hi Robert P <br /><br />Your generator has plenty of output to satisfy the troller.<br />>generator 120v X 30A = 3600 watts output<br />>troller 12v X 40A = 480 watts required <br /><br />As far as a convertor is concerned, a cheap 40 - 50 amp battery charger will do just fine. <br />If you need further help in the design, just ask.<br /><br />