Use Honda generator with 12 v battery charger?

Question

I just brought a Honda 500em generator, puts out “120 v AC at 3.8 amps” ; or it has a DC output “charges 12 v abtteries at DC 8 amps”. The DC is unregulated and I have been told I will get better results with a 12v battery auto type charger plugged into the generators AC outlet . Theoretically I should be able to use 20-30 amp DC charger , (AC 120 v 3.8 amps converts to DC 12 v 38 amps, a little less for efficiency/ heat loss) BUT all the 12v 20 amp battery chargers I have looked say: 120v Input : 6 amps (or more amps). Q. why is the charger needing so many more amps; what will happen if I use the charger, will it blow the generator circuit, or just put less juice. Also wondering if the 12 v battery is only partially discharged will it be drawing less than 120 v 6 amps the charger says it needs ( is the 6 amp the max amps it would use ) ?

More detail... It will be for backwoods camping,
so no 110 AC house outlet ; I want to run the generator as little as possible and not have to keep checking the charge on the battery so I wold like to use a highr amperage "smart " battery charger

Answer 1

The 6A is the max it would use. As the battery charges, it will use less current and therefore the current will decrease on the input.

Why don't you just plug the charger into an electrical outlet? Is this for a trolling motor or some other device where there is no outlet and a generator is required?

Answer 2

Honda Generator Battery

Answer 3

I have a small Honda generator although a little more powerful. Max. load is 9A @120V. The 12v output is not regulated an at times reach 17.5V. This could boil the battery if not watched. Hooking up a regulated battery charger will work and to answer your question of the extra amperage , on hookup there is a surge and they have to indicate it on the product to avoid customer complaints. The charger probably runs at a steady 2-3 amps after the surge. You could put a delay fuse in the generator to cover that brief time.

Answer 4

i own a shop and all the battery chargers are designed to put out low amperage so it will charge the battery a little slower,if it tried to charge it fast it would damage the cells in it,the battery will receive a good full charge,the generator current is not stable enough to use as a 12 volt power supply though,it wont create the amperage needed to run most devices now, but you can use a 12 volt battery with a charger hooked to it to keep it charged up,the charger will never put out more than its rated for,good luck with it.

Answer 5

Good point "fordman"

Also, they put the 12V output on the generator as an emergency convenience so you don't have to lug around a battery charger WITH your generator.

Answer 6

how long should I recharge battery,with my Honda 3000 gernater