We have being using a "el cheapo" gennie for 4 - 5 years and yes a couple of issues with same.
Now there is a Caravan camping show on in Brisbane this week, so will check out the products. Honda EU 20i will be I am guessing around $1700 mark. Now I can buy 120 watt or larger solar panel ( Est $400) , 2 new 120amp deep cell batteries ( Est $700 ) and an " el cheapo" gennie and still have enough left over for a slab of beer.
I am for another " el cheapo" and the extras mentioned, but SWMBO wants a Honda.
I know that the Honda lovers will go for Honda and agree with SWMBO.
Just looking for some personal feed back experience re this project from lets say no Honda lovers. No offence meant to Honda.
All jokes aside I think you can get a Honda for about 1600 if you shop around, If you get the solar and batteries you less dependant on the Genny so an el cheapo wins out as long as you can get the noise level down to the 50's
-- Edited by Gundog on Friday 5th of June 2015 09:42:44 AM
Hi John.Mate your caught tween a rock and a hard place ! I purchased my Honda genny nearly 10 yrs ago for use with my heavy duty electric jack hammer .It was used regularly for serious work .Well it is now used on my tinny trips and runs every day on the trips from @ ten in the morn and I just let it go till the fuel runs out [ @ 12 hrs ]we run 6 50 litre fridges off it .[ I supply the genny and 5 mates pay for the fuel ] .it has never let me down and I would go for another in a heartbeat ! The price has never increased in 10 yrs either .I take it in the van boot too as backup .Cheers John
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Westy. Some people I know are like slinkies. They look really funny when you push them downstairs !
Hi John.Mate your caught tween a rock and a hard place ! I purchased my Honda genny nearly 10 yrs ago for use with my heavy duty electric jack hammer .It was used regularly for serious work .Well it is now used on my tinny trips and runs every day on the trips from @ ten in the morn and I just let it go till the fuel runs out [ @ 12 hrs ]we run 6 50 litre fridges off it .[ I supply the genny and 5 mates pay for the fuel ] .it has never let me down and I would go for another in a heartbeat ! The price has never increased in 10 yrs either .I take it in the van boot too as backup .Cheers John
A very good reference for Honda eh. You get what you pay for IMHO.
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Why is it so? Professor Julius Sumner Miller, a profound influence on my life, who explained science to us on TV in the 60's.
Can only say what we've experienced. We have 2 x 120 amp deep cell batteries. We had a Honda 2kva genie, did the lap around Oz and never used the genie. This depends on how long you want to free camp. 2 batteries gave us about 10 days of 12 volt power but the water runs out at about 4 days. A 2kva won't run an air conditioner, but have heard the 3kva does. Water heater and Fridge run off gas, then the stove, oven and bbq does too. We have a 12 volt fan, so didn't need the a/c. Looking back on it, solar panels would have been useful. It's a case of trying it out and determining what you would use. Good luck and safe travels.
Yes, I must agree with your comments. However a decision is now on the back burner until after the wife visits a back specialist re the enormous pain she suffers whist driving etc. Having said that she claims that the Cruiser is more comfortable for her than the Toyota Avalon.
So we could be house sitting for some time this year.
By the way our El cheapo gennie has always been able to run our roof mounted A/C and our Lemar wash mach.
Anyway it is a wait and see for now Thanks everyone for your views.
jay&Dee
John. Hope Dees back problem is just an age and wear and tear thing that we all seem to suffer from as we get older and nothing more serious than that!
If it is just wear and tear - maybe you can solve two problems at the same time - as you drive, let her lie down in the caravan haha.
Seriously though - if it is a wear/tear issue and its the vehicle seat - there are a number of products on the market for back support (and some for bum and back) with keeps the spine a little more in its proper shape or stop more frequently and walk around and stretch (sorry if Im suggesting what you already do or have looked at)
Hope it goes well for her with the Doc ))
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Cheers Bruce
The amazing things you see when nomading Australia
Bruce and Bev.
We appreciate your comments and feeling. Next Tuesday will be a very important visit for Dee.
We really have so much travelling we want to do and see.
Jay&Dee