Generators

Robruno · Member

Generators

Peter_n_Margaret · Guru

What do you want to run with it?
If you add up the risk of carrying dangerous fuel, cost and weight, you will be much better off spending the same money on solar.
Solar runs all day at no cost and is silent.
Cheers,
Peter

Phillipn · Guru

We use both solar and a generator. Solar not much use at night or when the weather is overcast for a few days. That is when the generator is very handy.

blaze · Guru

Most people seem to use 2kva Hondas, I have a 4kva normal have 2 vans hooked up to that, makes it easy for the daughter with the grand kids
cheers
blaze
ps
all so have320 w of solqar on my van

Tony Bev · Guru

I have a 2kva Honda, which came with my second hand motor home

I tried it out, and it does run my roof top air conditioner, so I carry it, just in case

I also have solar, and a 20 amp DC/DC engine/solar charger

I carry a 240 Volt, 15 amp, smart battery charger, in case my batteries run down

But...
I find it easier to just start the vehicle engine, which gives 20 amps to the house/leisure batteries on engine tickover, than to pull the genset out and use the battery charger

LLD · Guru

Anything bigger that 2kva is too heavy to lift, anything smaller will only power a light bulb. Have a Yamaha. Only used it a few times in about 2 years. Our solar works OK but when it's over 38C we weaken and use the A/C. Used generator on ute / van battery when it was over 38C and we ran out of battery / solar trying to keep the fridges working. Used it to fire up an air-fryer to cook a batch of chips several times.

yobarr · Guru

Peter_n_Margaret wrote:
What do you want to run with it?
If you add up the risk of carrying dangerous fuel, cost and weight, you will be much better off spending the same money on solar.
Solar runs all day at no cost and is silent.
Cheers,
Peter

Aint that the truth! I have a brand new Yamaha 2800i that hasnt even had the first lot of engine oil put into it,but my Solar setup has been so successful that I may well leave the generator at home! It weighs only 35kg,and takes up little room,but probably not needed? Cheers

fwdoz · Guru

Have used our Westinghouse 2.4 generator half a dozen times free camping in the last 2 years. Did the job adequately & also reasonably quiet.

Our new van coming up will have a reasonable amount of solar/battery storage. The generator will go along as we see how the trip pans out; will be there as backup if we need it.

Mike Harding · Guru

Peter_n_Margaret wrote:
Solar runs all day at no cost and is silent.

Horses for courses.

Solar is fine in the sunny locations but won't be much use in Victoria in winter - and sometimes not in the other seasons when we get a few days of poor weather.

If the panels are fixed to your van it also has the disadvantage you need to park in full sun (if you can) rather than shade.

Solar is good, I use it, but in Vic (and some other areas) it often needs to be supplemented by a generator.

As to which generator you should buy? Where will you travel and what appliances do you intend to run from it?

Peter_n_Margaret · Guru

Every car has a large generator built in. It is called an alternator.
With a small investment it can be organised to provide huge charge rates to batteries.
I can get 70A of battery charging from mine (in addition to the solar).
Cheers,
Peter

cjt55 · Senior Member

We have been on the road full-time since January last year. I off loaded the generator when I passed through my brothers place 12 months later because I never used it. I have good solar on the roof with 2 good size batteries in the rig. Only once this year (due to overcast conditions) we got a bit low on charge so I hooked up the car to the rig 9I have an extension cord for the Anderson Plug) and ran the motor long enough to give me enough charge. When the sun shone bright again I had no problems. We also have a gas heater for when it gets cold. We bought 2 Ryobi fans from Bunnings which run off a battery or 240 volt for when it gets hot. We plan to sell the generator in the near future.

Spend the money on a decent solar system and ensure you have 2 bateries and a decent inverter.

the rocket · Guru

We travel fulltime n have a 2.4 yamaha generator. Do not think a 2 would b big enough to start aircon. So bought next size up to b sure. From my experience a yamaha is only slightly noisier than a honda. Does a good job. We have solar. Genie only gets used on overcast days And very hot days when we r freedom camping. So not much use. Handy to have.

Aus-Kiwi · Guru

Every situation is different . Ours is inclosed built in and very quiet .

rockylizard · Guru

Gday...

I have been on various forums for nearly 10 years.

The use of generators have been raising their head and the angst of posters for most of that time. Why???

Do people stand outside their homes and berate the neighbours for using a Victa mower to mow their lawns?

No different surely. A couple of hours of lawn mower vs a couple of hours to recharge batteries/run air con.

I have solar AND carry a genny. I have not used the genny in the past four years of having solar. BUT I definitely will continue to carry it ... same as I have not had a puncture, but I still carry the puncture repair kit, jack, wheel brace and spare.

Jest sayin' hmm

Cheers - John

reikioz · Member

Redback gennie from ITechworld. Aussie made : www.youtube.com/watch

yobarr · Guru

rockylizard wrote:
Gday...
I have been on various forums for nearly 10 years.
The use of generators have been raising their head and the angst of posters for most of that time. Why???
Do people stand outside their homes and berate the neighbours for using a Victa mower to mow their lawns?
No different surely. A couple of hours of lawn mower vs a couple of hours to recharge batteries/run air con.
I have solar AND carry a genny. I have not used the genny in the past four years of having solar. BUT I definitely will continue to carry it ... same as I have not had a puncture, but I still carry the puncture repair kit, jack, wheel brace and spare.
Jest sayin'
Cheers - John

Hi John....your analogy seems to be relevant,but I wonder how many people mow their lawns at night? And it seems that maby travellers are not content to run the genny for a couple of hours,but leave it running while they are away so that their van is cooler when they return.There are ways of eliminating the noise,but we wont go there.A bit of old fashioned consideration for fellow travellers would go a long way.Cheers

Dougwe · Chief one feather

I only let Genny out the back of the Collie to run the teepee aircon in real hot weather when freedom camping. I also make sure she is chained up so she doesn't go walkabout or less chance of that happening anyway. I have always had my 2kva Honda since the beginning of my GN time, she was the very first thing I bought so I am keeping her. Would I buy one now, not sure but to keep cool in the hot ones, probably yes.

I am very thoughtfull of anyone else around me as I only give her a run at 2.00am cos everyone is asleep then and won't hear her.

Keep Safe on the roads and out there.

-- Edited by Dougwe on Tuesday 21st of August 2018 01:54:06 PM

yobarr · Guru

Dougwe wrote:
I only let Genny out the back of the Collie to run the teepee aircon in real hot weather when freedom camping. I also make sure she is chained up so she doesn't go walkabout or less chance of that happening anyway. I have always had my 2kva Honda since the beginning of my GN time, she was the very first thing I bought so I am keeping her. Would I buy one now, not sure but to keep cool in the hot ones, probably yes.

I am very thoughtfull of anyone else around me as I only give her a run at 2.00am cos everyone is asleep then and won't hear her.

Keep Safe on the roads and out there.

-- Edited by Dougwe on Tuesday 21st of August 2018 01:54:06 PM

Well done Doug....very thoughtful of you! I do realise that you jest.... Cheers.

Phillipn · Guru

yobarr wrote:
Dougwe wrote:
I only let Genny out the back of the Collie to run the teepee aircon in real hot weather when freedom camping. I also make sure she is chained up so she doesn't go walkabout or less chance of that happening anyway. I have always had my 2kva Honda since the beginning of my GN time, she was the very first thing I bought so I am keeping her. Would I buy one now, not sure but to keep cool in the hot ones, probably yes.

I am very thoughtfull of anyone else around me as I only give her a run at 2.00am cos everyone is asleep then and won't hear her.

Keep Safe on the roads and out there.

-- Edited by Dougwe on Tuesday 21st of August 2018 01:54:06 PM
Well done Doug....very thoughtful of you! I do realise that you jest.... Cheers.

Doug, I am sure you will get a catch with that bait, I am waiting for the fish to bite.

Ron-D · Guru

Most people that run genies are probably considerate,but in a caravan its not like being at home where if you strike a noisy idiot you have a real problem,we can just move to another site.

Robruno · Member

Thank you for your information.

Robruno · Member

Thank you everyone for their information about generators. It is much appreciated