Generator-Charger mis match

Hi Allan,
I did try just one battery and got the same result.
Also, my charger instructions said that the smart charger had to be connected to the battery before being switched on so it knows what sort of battery it is connected to so I didn't try connecting it last of all.
I was so Pis**d off I sold the generator but since I still had all the specs that I used to make the decision to purchase I just wanted to ask you guys where I went wrong.
So I don't make the same mistake next time.
Oh! and it was a Gentrax.

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Ah yes, I forgot about the common need to have the battery connected before power-up. There is a way around that though. The charger merely has to 'see' a battery voltage before it will boot-up so if you connect a resistor (say about 36W 12v lamp) in series with the charger negative lead it will see the battery voltage but limit the current. A switch connected across the lamp can then be closed to commence charging. Yes, messy I know, but if desperate...?
I actually asked the brand of the *charger*.

I don't think you "went wrong". It is an often encountered problem with power supplies and generators that they are too quick to respond to brief surges and so trip.
Maybe next time, negotiate with the supplier to trial the genny before committal. Not possible with online purchases however.

Yes it was an online puchase Alan.
The charger brand is iTechworld 30
Thanks for your input.

FYI I contacted the manufacturer of the charger. Here is their response.
I have also asked for specs re the starting surge. If they reply I will post again.


Hi Michael,

Our 30a 240v charger uses 384w on input.

Any generator which is larger than 384w will run this battery charger.

On Sun, Oct 23, 2022, at 09:48 AM, Michael *****wrote:

Product Question ------------------------------- What size generator do i need to run your 30 amp smart charger?

It is interesting how issues persist despite advances in tech. In the 1990s a group I worked with needed very clean 12V power to run instruments and dataloggers for extended periods, so the batteries needed charging. The tech designed a system whereby the generator fed (pretty noisy) 240V to a 36V battery charger connected to 3x12V deep cycle lead acid batteries. To get the ripple and spike free power, he pulled the 12V off the middle battery. I did get an explanation of the details of why this was the way to go but it has faded from memory.

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Warren,
The tech was possibly aiming to utilise the two outboard batteries as an impedance to filter-out the ripples and spikes. The concept has some merit.

Thank you Peter that's a trick worth remembering :)

Yes Gentrax. Not from Outbax.
I lost my patience with it and it has gone to a new owner.
The only other thing I powered from it was a 12 volt fridge which it handled without a problem.