Martin_QLD wrote:

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We have finally got our camper up and running now for the fit out. We have a 12v system through the camper and I will need to charge the two 100amp batteries up when off the grid, I am thinking a 1kw genny would be more than enough to do the job, any advice would be appreciated. We have 2 jerry can holders at the front and being old skool I would lean towards the old metal jerry cans but someone said as long as the plastic ones were UV protected they are just as good, any thought and were would I get the better made jerry cans, I have looked at some in camping stores and the quality doesn't seem to be there,

Thanks in advance

martin

 

Hi Martin,  Have you considered solar?

What you need will depend on what you will be running, e.g. type of fridge, lights etc.

We have 3x 300 watt Kickass panels and 315 AH batteries (3x 105ah)

On the road full time we have never come close to needing a generator, nor the agro that comes with it.

If you are mostly weekender camping with the occasional longer trip, solar is much more efficient and much cheaper.

More information would enable respondents to provide better info.

Hope you find a solution that suits your needs. 

-- Edited by Martin_QLD on Sunday 22nd of January 2017 05:13:40 AM

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I agree with the Solar set up. I have solar and good batteries and in over 2 years now have not needed the gene once to charge batteries.

As for jerry, well I carry 2x10lt metal for diesel and 2x10lt plastic for unleaded for the gene if I want to run aircon when not on 240v. They are all stored in the tub of the collie. I only carry the diesel when travelling and only have the unleaded if free/alternative camping so only 2 have fuel at any given time.

Use the same as above but hell when I bought mine they were under $20 and I bitched then about the price.

Get youself a folding 120 watt solar panel that way you can camp in the shade and have the panel in the sun connected to and charging your batteries. I used this system for years without problems. Just make sure you set the solar up even when you arrive fully charged as they will then replace any power used in daylight. It is not good to run batteries down before atemting to charge them. The cost of a solar setup is approximately 300 dollars or less where a good 1kva genny will be double that. Then there is extra fuel to carry and the list goes on with a genny.

Thanks everyone for there comments. I do have an Anderson plug which charges while I am driving. The reason I was thinking about the genny option is because I do a lot of fossicking (and high banking) which takes me away from camp usually from before daylight to about lunchtime, I have heard that people have returned to camp to find they no longer own a solar setup as someone else thought it looked better in there camp. I run a 65 litre fridge freezer and I know from past experience it will slowly get on top of the battery, in this case an Ark Pak and I end up chasing my tail trying to keep it fully charged. I now have 2x100ah + the ark pack and will be off the grid for around a week without having access to 240v power to top things up, I do agree that solar would be the best, cleanest and cheaper than a genny just didn't want to be caught. Thanks again to everyone for your input

Martin,

When I had portable solar panels I made up a stainless cable ~4mm at the marine store with an eye made and crimped on at each end. A bit longer than the electrical cable ++ and then you can lock it to the truck/van and put it through a hole in the panel frames. Stops the casual thieves.

Now I have the panels fixed on top but if I was doing what you do I would take another pair for portable instead of a genny. Or now I just start the motor and charge at 100amps if the batteries get a bit down!   

Jaahn

PS panels are a lot cheaper now so the bastards are not so attracted to them as they were before. 

-- Edited by Jaahn on Monday 23rd of January 2017 04:14:47 PM

Hope you don't mind me jumping in with a newby question but where do you buy solar panels, especially the foldup solar panels/system?

Does it take a Degree in Rocket Science to set them up and connect them?

 

Thanks!

 

NannyJam wrote:

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Hope you don't mind me jumping in with a newby question but where do you buy solar panels, especially the foldup solar panels/system?

Does it take a Degree in Rocket Science to set them up and connect them?

 

Thanks!

 

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 Australian Direct, online company. (Just google it)

They sell complete kits, plug and play and will give you advice on what you need.

Martin_QLD wrote:

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We have finally got our camper up and running now for the fit out. We have a 12v system through the camper and I will need to charge the two 100amp batteries up when off the grid, I am thinking a 1kw genny would be more than enough to do the job, any advice would be appreciated. We have 2 jerry can holders at the front and being old skool I would lean towards the old metal jerry cans but someone said as long as the plastic ones were UV protected they are just as good, any thought and were would I get the better made jerry cans, I have looked at some in camping stores and the quality doesn't seem to be there,

Thanks in advance

martin

 

-- Edited by Martin_QLD on Sunday 22nd of January 2017 05:13:40 AM

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So you have a camper (trailer type?).

You really need to say what you are going to draw down on those batteries for. Time, effort, weight, mess, fuel, consumables, cost, reliability, noise, etc make generators an absolute last resort.

Therefore I am assuming you need it for a modern portable compressor fridge (>1amp/hour) and for LED night lighting 1-2 amps per night.
Go solar on the roof of your camper. Secure and simple and 300watts will keep those batteries topped up even in southern shade and rain.

macka17 wrote:

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Solar AND Genny.
Most sensible ones do.
It covers all ends of spectrum,
Including tools, Microwave, Air cond, Electric frypan. Air Cond.
Yea, I know A\C twice and thrice and fourth.

I'm on my third in 50 odd yrs and wouldn't go on any serious trip without it.

 

Plenty of info on google for  Solar.

go the fixed  NOT folding and a DECENT regulator

over a cheap one.

with HEAVY wiring. (think of thick, then double it)

 

OH. Jerry cans.

 

Boat fuel tanks as said for petrol,

and H\Duty Plastic for diesel.

-- Edited by macka17 on Monday 23rd of January 2017 11:03:20 PM

-- Edited by macka17 on Monday 23rd of January 2017 11:05:22 PM

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 Cheers Macka

Thanks for this.  It supports pretty much what folks have been recommending to me as well.

Cheers. 

Aussie1 wrote:

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macka17 wrote:

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Solar AND Genny.
Most sensible ones do.
It covers all ends of spectrum,
Including tools, Microwave, Air cond, Electric frypan. Air Cond.
Yea, I know A\C twice and thrice and fourth.

X2

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 This thread us iver 5 years old. Why bother with a generator? Do solar PROPERLY. Cheers

Fixed solar is unlikely to get pinched, & even it it were the solar panels themselves are relatively inexpensive these days. The battery & regulators are the more costly part of the system & can be locked away.

A well thought out solar system is a 'balanced' system. One which will supply sufficient charging input to return your batteries to 'float' every 24 hours (Talking lead acid batteries here not lithium)
To achieve this requires knowledge of what your appliances will use on average, & ensuring sufficient solar input to replace what is used, plus battery capacity to get you through a few days of poor solar weather. Alternator charging (Dc to Dc) gives a great back up, especially if poor solar weather sticks around for longer periods. A bit of a learning curve but well worthwhile.

We have had two travel set ups now, where we have never needed to plug into mains for years & when on the move we do often stay in places for a week or three at a time, out bush. We did buy a Honda EU10i years ago together with mains charger (& if you go the gennie path that is all you need so long as you keep your appliances to those which don't heat or cool) but the only time we used the gennie was when we had to travel for a month or two with a dead alternator in the vehicle. It was useful then, but for the last 5 years our gennie has stayed home.

It's hard to get a gennie quieter than an EU10i, but even with that, when we've used it in the past, we've sighed a sigh of relief every time it was switched off. Not noticeable in busier places, but very noticeable when out in the bush alone. We go bush to enjoy the peace as do many, something to be considered even if you don't mind the noise yourself. When we did use ours, if anyone was in earshot we would always speak to them first before firing it up.

My solar is done "properly" but have a generator for back up if needed. I only ever use it at 2.00am as everyone is asleep and won't hear it. I am very thoughtful if my neighbours.

We cover all bases,a fixed panel on the roof,a 150 watt lightweight folding panel for the 60 litre Engel combi fridge and a EU 10i if it clouds over for to long.