what d people think about petrol genarators, we are due to go away with the inlaws (in there own van) but to keep the battery topped up i am thinking of taking one of my honda generatorswith use to keep both vans going.
portable generators
- Thread starter jongeorge1
- Start date
Very briefly and as you've asked for thoughts, I'm glad I won't be parked next door listening to it. We rarely go on sites with EHU and although there are five of us manage quite well with our silent and odourless solar panel!!
Parksy
Moderator
It's best to let the site where you will be staying know in advance if you plan to use a generator which will give them the option of pitching you well away from other site users or specifying at what times and for how long you can use the generator.
Like Martin we go on C&CC rallies which are often without ehu and we use solar energy to re-charge our 110v leisure battery, as do most other regulars on rally fields nowadays.
Some sites and rallies restrict the use of generators and some don't allow them at all because of their impact on neighbouring campers or for environmental reasons.
Honda generators are fairly quiet and you could shield some of the noise by using windbreaks but prolonged use would make you rather unpopular with fellow site users and there are sometimes complaints to site wardens so let them know about the genny before you pitch up.
Most of us use our caravans to get away from it all, to enjoy a bit of peace and quiet and to listen to the birds singing so let us know where you are going and when so that we can give that site a miss when you're there
Like Martin we go on C&CC rallies which are often without ehu and we use solar energy to re-charge our 110v leisure battery, as do most other regulars on rally fields nowadays.
Some sites and rallies restrict the use of generators and some don't allow them at all because of their impact on neighbouring campers or for environmental reasons.
Honda generators are fairly quiet and you could shield some of the noise by using windbreaks but prolonged use would make you rather unpopular with fellow site users and there are sometimes complaints to site wardens so let them know about the genny before you pitch up.
Most of us use our caravans to get away from it all, to enjoy a bit of peace and quiet and to listen to the birds singing so let us know where you are going and when so that we can give that site a miss when you're there
Sometimes generators are a necessary evil, but for most caravanning there are viable quite alternatives. Space, water heaters and fridges usually have a gas powred optoin, Use a gas kettle. For those electric items that you cant leave behind, things like TV's are often available with a 12V alternative.
Saving power
There are traditionally two things that drain 12V power more so than you might imagine, mainly because they are used for longer periods, Lights and TV's - Each traditional fluorescent fitting uses about 1.2A continuously - that adds up over several hours typical usage - so consider changing the lights to LEDs and that goes for any spot lamps also. regardless of which type of light you have make sure items are turned off after use. Limit the use the TV gets.
No 230V -
quits simply if you don't have an EHU don't use the more powerful devices (hair driers etc) for smaller items you may find that an inverter may provide what you are looking for, but be warned, that a 100W 230V device will still use 100W of 12V power which will be about 9A (allowing for losses) draw through an inverter.
Recharging the 12V battery
The simplest is the use of a solar panel. It is generally found that a panel of 40 to 60W is enough to extend the charge capacity of a battery to over a week or more.
Alternatives
Arrange a second battery box in the car and charge that battery whilst you travel around the location and swap it to the caravan when necessary. This arrangement needs some work to make the car installation safe, but it can be done.
There is a rather expensive alternative,and that is to buy a Fuel cell - clean and quiet by mighty expensive.
Small Generators
All produce some noise, which many people do find very annoying. They are hopelessly inefficient at converting fuel to usable electricity, and they use what is probably the most expensive fuel available - forecourt unleaded.
Add together the cost of purchase, maintenance and fuel, and you could buy a lot of LPG to run the fridge, water heater and space heater.
Saving power
There are traditionally two things that drain 12V power more so than you might imagine, mainly because they are used for longer periods, Lights and TV's - Each traditional fluorescent fitting uses about 1.2A continuously - that adds up over several hours typical usage - so consider changing the lights to LEDs and that goes for any spot lamps also. regardless of which type of light you have make sure items are turned off after use. Limit the use the TV gets.
No 230V -
quits simply if you don't have an EHU don't use the more powerful devices (hair driers etc) for smaller items you may find that an inverter may provide what you are looking for, but be warned, that a 100W 230V device will still use 100W of 12V power which will be about 9A (allowing for losses) draw through an inverter.
Recharging the 12V battery
The simplest is the use of a solar panel. It is generally found that a panel of 40 to 60W is enough to extend the charge capacity of a battery to over a week or more.
Alternatives
Arrange a second battery box in the car and charge that battery whilst you travel around the location and swap it to the caravan when necessary. This arrangement needs some work to make the car installation safe, but it can be done.
There is a rather expensive alternative,and that is to buy a Fuel cell - clean and quiet by mighty expensive.
Small Generators
All produce some noise, which many people do find very annoying. They are hopelessly inefficient at converting fuel to usable electricity, and they use what is probably the most expensive fuel available - forecourt unleaded.
Add together the cost of purchase, maintenance and fuel, and you could buy a lot of LPG to run the fridge, water heater and space heater.
Try living / sleeping next to one for 10 minutes and it will drive you mad.
I have one but would never dream of using it on site. Also some of the electrical outputs on the cheaper ones have weird spikes that can damage your caravans charger.
I have one but would never dream of using it on site. Also some of the electrical outputs on the cheaper ones have weird spikes that can damage your caravans charger.
As the Prof says lights are a killer, on the rally field last one in keeps an eye on anyone having left their awning one on and gives them a knock to prevent a flat battery in the morning. Our van is completely LED, using a variety of bulbs gives us good options on the type of illumination we have.
thanks for your replys, it was just to top up the battery and we do have one of the suit case solar panel as the main charger.
it is a honda generator
it is a honda generator
Honda Generators have earned a very good reputation for low noise, and clean output, and whilst they may still be the quietest (size for size) the still do produce noise.
If you value your neighbours good will, you would be wise to avoid using it unless it is absoluetly necessary.
If you value your neighbours good will, you would be wise to avoid using it unless it is absoluetly necessary.
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