Charge trailer batteries with alternators

austingta · September 14, 2016

I can tell you that idling the LML for a long period of time will plug the DPF. The truck has to be run at above 30MPH to clean out the DPF. This is right out of the LML manual...

9-12 Driving and Operating Diesel Particulate Filter The vehicle has a Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF) as part of the exhaust system to reduce vehicle emissions. The DPF requires a unique exhaust tailpipe with an exhaust cooler. The exhaust cooler mixes air with the exhaust to lower the temperature before it leaves the tailpipe. The DPF, the tailpipe, or other exhaust system components must not be altered. Inspect regularly and clean any mud or dirt from the exhaust cooler, especially where the exhaust cooler connects to the tailpipe and the openings where fresh air enters the cooler. The DPF will clean itself as part of normal operation. Several factors including fuel consumed, hours of engine operation and miles driven are monitored by the Engine Control Module (ECM). The self-cleaning occurs approximately once per tank of fuel. { Caution Permanent damage can occur to the DPF or related components if the required Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel (15 ppm sulfur maximum) or low ash CJ-4 engine oil is not used. This damage would not be covered by the vehicle warranty. Under certain driving conditions, such as stop-and-go traffic, the filter cannot clean itself. A message comes on when the DPF is dirty and needs to perform a self cleaning. See Diesel Particulate Filter Messages on page 5-14. For the filter to clean itself, the vehicle must be driven above 50 km/h (30 mph) until the message goes off. This will take about 30 minutes. See Diesel Particulate Filter Messages on page 5-14. { Warning During DPF self cleaning or during extended idling in P (Park), the exhaust system and exhaust gases are very hot. Things that burn could touch hot exhaust parts under the vehicle and ignite. You or others could be burned. Do not park, or idle for an extended period of time, near or over papers, leaves, dry grass, or other things that can burn. Keep the exhaust area clear of material that could ignite or burn. See Parking over Things That Burn on page 9-11 for more information. { Caution Extended idle should be avoided because the DPF system is not capable of self cleaning at idle. (Continued) Chevrolet/GMC Duramax Diesel Supplement (GMNA Localizing-U.S./Canada- Black plate (13,1) 7132827) - 2015 - CRC - 10/21/14 Driving and Operating 9-13 Caution (Continued) During extended idle operation, monitor the instrument cluster telltale lights and Driver Information Center for messages and take appropriate indicated action. Continued idling with the warning light/message on could cause irreversible damage to the DPF requiring repair and possible replacement that might not be covered by the vehicle warranty. You will also notice a change in the exhaust sound and engine idle speed. This is normal. See Vehicle Messages on page 5-12. If you continue to drive with the DPF warning message on and the exhaust filter is not cleaned as required, the malfunction indicator lamp and the ENGINE POWER IS REDUCED message will come on and dealer service is necessary. See Malfunction Indicator Lamp on page 5-8 and Engine Power Messages on page 5-13. Vehicles with DPF have specific fuel and engine oil requirements. See What Fuel to Use in The U.S. on page 9-22 or What Fuel to Use in Canada and Mexico on page 9-26 and Engine Oil on page 10-6 for more information on those requirements. Extended idling in P (Park) can cause exhaust parts and gases to become very hot. Keep the exhaust area clear of material that could ignite or burn. See Parking over Things That Burn on page 9-11. If equipped with a Power Take-Off (PTO), monitor the instrument cluster for lights related to the DPF. See Accessories and Modifications on page 10-1 for important information if you are considering adding accessories or modifying the vehicle.

Crap.

You have helped me today. I'll just buy a generator like everybody else, and never use the dual alternators and dual batteries I have already paid for.

But seriously, I appreciate it.

The truck won't go into regen and clean the DPF at extended (long-term) idle the way it goes into high-idle during regular driving (like at a stoplight I'm at 900 RPM or so?) ?

vertigo · September 14, 2016

Austingta, if it's any consolation, think of it as having an extra alternator. All of the Duramax diesels use 2 batteries so you didn't pay any extra for the battery.

timdan94 · September 14, 2016

Crap.

You have helped me today. I'll just buy a generator like everybody else, and never use the dual alternators and dual batteries I have already paid for.

But seriously, I appreciate it.

The truck won't go into regen and clean the DPF at extended (long-term) idle the way it goes into high-idle during regular driving (like at a stoplight I'm at 900 RPM or so?) ?

It will try but it will not get hot enough to burn out the DPF correctly. you will get a message that you need to keep driving and if you don't the DPF completely plugs up and the truck goes into limp mode and will have to be towed to a dealer for a forced regen. If a dealer has to do a manual regen the rpms go up to 2000+ rpms just sitting there so it gets hot enough to correctly burn out the DPF.

I would also buy the generator so you aren't putting the hours on a $15000+ engine when a generator only costs $1000 to $2000

rocnrol · September 14, 2016

So just to take this to the RV side of things for a bit, with a family of 5 adults, we can go for 5 days on our battery with zero issues. That's with the fridge on propane, the water heater going, using the bathroom, Bluetooth stereo, the bbq that's plumed into the trailer, lights on at night while going in or out making some drinks.

My process for going camping is usually 3-4 days before we leave I plug the trailer in, and cool the fridge on 110 and charge the battery.

We usually random camp, that is, find a spot on crown land some where and set up house. We do have a 3000 watt inverter generator, but it's more for watching movies if it's raining

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

austingta · September 14, 2016

Austingta, if it's any consolation, think of it as having an extra alternator. All of the Duramax diesels use 2 batteries so you didn't pay any extra for the battery.

Oh yeah I did. It was just in the diesel package.

Thanks for all the help guys...a generator it is. I have a line on a reasonably priced diesel generator, and I can plumb in a little fuel line from my aux tank so I don't have to mess with cans.

austingta · September 15, 2016

So just to take this to the RV side of things for a bit, with a family of 5 adults, we can go for 5 days on our battery with zero issues. That's with the fridge on propane, the water heater going, using the bathroom, Bluetooth stereo, the bbq that's plumed into the trailer, lights on at night while going in or out making some drinks.

My process for going camping is usually 3-4 days before we leave I plug the trailer in, and cool the fridge on 110 and charge the battery.

We usually random camp, that is, find a spot on crown land some where and set up house. We do have a 3000 watt inverter generator, but it's more for watching movies if it's raining

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I live in Austin TX.

However, I can go camping in the winter. It's down to the 60's in January. The summers are a different story. AC is a necessity.

Colossus · September 16, 2016

Please make sure you take all precautions with the exhaust from the generator. I've seen too many get sick as a result of generator exhaust from a motor home/camper/trailer.

RhinoGuy · September 16, 2016

It should work fine. Travel trailers don't draw much off of the batteries except for when you are moving the slides or when the heater fan is blowing.

The interior 12v lights probably don't draw anymore than the exterior running lights you use everytime you tow the trailer at night.

Sent from my SM-N930V using Tapatalk

austingta · September 16, 2016

It's just the AC I'm concerned about, and it only runs on some version of 120VAC.

RhinoGuy · September 16, 2016

I'm not sure if you can run the a/c off of the batteries. I'm pretty sure that you will need a generator to run the a/c.

Sent from my SM-N930V using Tapatalk

austingta · September 17, 2016

I'm not sure if you can run the a/c off of the batteries. I'm pretty sure that you will need a generator to run the a/c.

Sent from my SM-N930V using Tapatalk

Yes. That's what this thread is about. I need a generator or a big enough inverter and then I can use the alternators on my truck already. It seems clear that the generator is the best way.

rocnrol · September 18, 2016

Yes. That's what this thread is about. I need a generator or a big enough inverter and then I can use the alternators on my truck already. It seems clear that the generator is the best way.

Trust me, generators are the way to go. Most serious camping folk have one, and although they're more expensive, the invertor type are the ones to get. They're supper quite so you don't get bitched out in a campground for running it

Sent from my Z30 using Tapatalk