Deep cycle energy batteries are crucial to numerous vehicles, particularly those employed for leisure, such as RVs and boats. These types of batteries offer continuous power over an extended period, rendering them suitable for energizing equipment and devices during prolonged journeys.
Hence, charging a deep-cycle battery while in transit can be arduous due to its distinct characteristics. In this guide, we will scrutinize the significance of energizing your deep cycle battery while on the go, the method to execute it, the time it takes, and the optimal techniques to ensure efficient performance.
Why Should You Charge the Battery While Driving?
Charging your deep cycle battery while driving offers several benefits:
- Extended battery life: Regularly charging your battery helps maintain its overall health and prolongs its lifespan.
- Uninterrupted power supply: Keeping your battery charged ensures a continuous power supply for your devices and appliances, preventing disruptions during your journey.
- Cost savings: If you choose to charge the battery while driving, it’ll eliminate the need for additional charging equipment. You will also save yourself from relying on external power sources.
- Convenience: The ability to charge your devices while on the move eliminates the inconvenience of locating a charging station or enduring a long charging time upon arrival at your destination.
How To Charge A Deep Cycle Battery While Driving?
You can charge a deep-cycle battery while driving in a few different ways.
- Alternator Charging: A widely employed technique for recharging a deep cycle battery while operating a motor vehicle involves linking said battery to the vehicle’s alternator. You can utilize a battery isolator or DC-DC charger to do so safely, allowing the deep cycle battery to harness the vehicle’s generated power during motion. This method is a reasonable and economical choice, utilizing the ample energy produced by the vehicle’s engine to recharge the deep-cycle battery.
- Solar Panels: Using solar panels on your automobile is an environmentally conscious and sustainable strategy to juice up your deep cycle battery while operating your vehicle. Solar panels stand out as the most frugal or the only method that’s free of cost to create energy utilized to charge your battery.
This technique is especially apt for recreational vehicles (RVs) and other conveyances with a substantial rooftop area for panel deployment. Solar charging is an excellent choice for those who dedicate significant amounts of time outside or in remote locations with scant access to customary charging alternatives.
- Portable Generators: Using a portable generator is another way to charge your deep-cycle battery while driving. Simply connect the generator to your battery using a compatible charger and let it run as you drive. This method can be beneficial during long trips or when you need additional power for your devices and appliances. Keep in mind that portable generators require fuel, so factor in the cost and availability of fuel when considering this option.
See full this video: How to Effectively Charge RV Batteries While Driving
How Long Does It Take To Charge A Car Battery While Driving?
The time it takes to charge a car battery while driving depends on several factors, like –
- the capacity and size of the battery,
- the condition and age of the battery,
- the output and efficiency of the alternator,
- the electrical load and demand of the car’s accessories,
- and the speed and duration of driving.
Generally, it takes anywhere between four to eight hours of driving at highway speeds (60 mph or more) to charge a healthy 12-volt car battery. But, it’s estimated and can vary depending on the aforementioned factors. Also, note that your car’s battery can not be charged up to 100 percent while driving.
Furthermore, if the car battery is low or dead, it may require jumpstarting before charging. To jumpstart a car battery, connect it to another vehicle’s battery using jumper cables or a portable jump starter.
Best Way To Charge Car Battery While Driving
The best option is to utilize the vehicle’s alternator to maximize the potential for charging your vehicle battery while in motion. As most vehicles are designed to have an alternator to charge the starting battery while the engine is operational, you can take advantage of this technology by incorporating a battery isolator or a DC-DC charger to charge your deep cycle battery simultaneously.
Using the alternator in this way can exploit the generated power from the vehicle’s engine, guaranteeing a stable and dependable charge. Furthermore, this technique eliminates the need for any supplementary charging equipment or reliance on external power sources, saving you considerable money over time.
FAQs
Can I charge my battery while driving?
Yes, you can charge your battery while driving using alternator charging, solar panels, and portable generators.
Does driving charge a battery faster than idling?
Yes, driving charges a battery faster than idling. When the engine runs, the alternator generates more power, which can charge the battery faster than when the engine is idling.
Does a car battery charge itself while driving?
Yes, a car battery charges itself while driving. The alternator generates power that charges the battery while the engine is running.
Does my travel trailer battery charge while driving?
Your travel trailer battery doesn’t automatically charge while driving. But if you use methods like alternator charging, solar panels, and portable generators. Then the trailer battery can be charged while driving.
Does a car battery charge faster when driving?
Yes, a car battery charges faster when driving than when idling. When driving the car at higher speeds (60 mph+), the alternator generates more power, resulting in faster battery charging.
Can we use two batteries at once while driving?
Yes, you can use two batteries at once while driving. You can connect both batteries in parallel using a battery isolator or a DC-DC charger, allowing them to charge while driving simultaneously.
Conclusion
So, that’s everything about how to charge a deep cycle battery while driving, the best methods, and some common FAQs related to it. Before attempting any method, please read all the instructions mentioned on the batteries and be careful.
