Do I take a generator on the lap ?

Peter_n_Margaret · Guru

Do I take a generator on the lap ?

Farmhat · Senior Member

iana wrote:
This question would also hinge on whether you intend to go camping only when the sun is high in the sky (summer months) or low in the sky (winter months), solar panels mounted on the roof are best for when the sun is high in the sky. Angles panels for winter.

-- Edited by iana on Sunday 2nd of September 2018 10:31:15 AM

Angle panels for winter. - Only if you don't have enough. smile

Joe

Aus-Kiwi · Guru

Genie has got us out of trouble a few times . For some reason our motor batteries went flat ! Thank goodness we have seperate battery for geni . After 20 min or so with 50 amp charger . We where on our way . We would be stuffed if we didnât have some other source of charging . !! Man the stomach sinks to your knees when engine wonât turn I tell you !! It all really depends on your lifestyle on the road . Most the time we free camp itâs miles away from anyone . Not that a built in genie is noisy with good sound deadening .

Radar · Guru

Aus-Kiwi wrote:
Genie has got us out of trouble a few times . For some reason our motor batteries went flat ! Thank goodness we have seperate battery for geni . After 20 min or so with 50 amp charger . We where on our way . We would be stuffed if we didnât have some other source of charging . !! Man the stomach sinks to your knees when engine wonât turn I tell you !! It all really depends on your lifestyle on the road . Most the time we free camp itâs miles away from anyone . Not that a built in genie is noisy with good sound deadening .

Carrying a generator in a bus based motorhome is some what different to having one floating about in car or caravan.

A good set of jumper leads would be more useful with a car and caravan with its weight restrictions.

Aus-Kiwi · Guru

Yes obviously if your up to weight limits you cannot take it ! OP wanted AC so assume he would require genie to have AC . Itâs all about preparation. Unless they sit in tug with AC on ?

Mephisto · Member

Hi Peter,

to cut a long story short, we replaced all three batteries in our tug at various times when we went to the cape. The Waeco in the truck cut out on the way back, and on advice from the auto electrician at Georgetown, we invested in a 240v battery charger asap. We thought the redarc bcdc25 was faulty and had it tested at Mt Isa. Nope, all fine. The Dmax has a 'smart' alternator and should be pumping charge out the other side of the bcdc, but alas, not enough when we only travel an hour or so. The battery management system in the caravan has a 35amp charger built in. My thinking is that if I run a generator into the van, its getting a 35amp charge (minus whatever is turned on at the time) and I can run a separate lead to the truck to run the 240v 7 stage 12amp battery charger at the same time.

The auto elec at Georgetown explained it thus; all batteries are slowly reduced daily as outgoing power is more than incoming. If we rely on solar, we may not be able to top them up sufficiently. If we rely on driving and the bcdc charging them, they definitely will not get sufficient charge. If we pull into a van park and charge everything to 100% every 4-5 days, we should be okay for them to slowly drain away again when we leave. If we have a generator, we don't have to go back to a van park to juice them all up. With all three options at our disposal, we should not have trouble keeping sufficient power to both tug and van, hopefully

-- Edited by Mephisto on Sunday 2nd of September 2018 06:51:13 PM

Bill B · Guru

Mephisto wrote:

Hi Peter,
The auto elec at Georgetown explained it thus; all batteries are slowly reduced daily as outgoing power is more than incoming. If we rely on solar, we may not be able to top them up sufficiently.

What size battery bank & how much solar do you have ?

It sounds like you need more solar if your batteries aren't getting fully recharged each day.

Meredith · Senior Member

Mephisto wrote:

The auto elec at Georgetown explained it thus; all batteries are slowly reduced daily as outgoing power is more than incoming. If we rely on solar, we may not be able to top them up sufficiently. If we rely on driving and the bcdc charging them, they definitely will not get sufficient charge. If we pull into a van park and charge everything to 100% every 4-5 days, we should be okay for them to slowly drain away again when we leave. If we have a generator, we don't have to go back to a van park to juice them all up. With all three options at our disposal, we should not have trouble keeping sufficient power to both tug and van, hopefully

-- Edited by Mephisto on Sunday 2nd of September 2018 06:51:13 PM

Sounds like all you need to do is add more solar, another 1 or 2 panels on the roof.

goannaway · Veteran Member

As a few have said, Yes if you have a gene take it, just watch your weight etc, I have 3 panels on my roof, 2 x120ah batteries and I have still used my gene at times, shade is a factor and of course dull and rainy days, my panels were charging but not enough on these days so used the gene to top up.

Mephisto · Member

I had the one 120ah battery for the last trip, but had another added when the van was serviced a fortnight ago. I realise that adding more panels is the simple answer, but lying flat on the roof, under a shade tree, does not help me much. I spent 5 day at Gregory River, by the water surrounded by lots of trees, and the solar was not up to the job. Not sure that extra panels would have helped much. Many people had folding panels moved into the sunny spots, and a lot had there generators going. Its okay if you are in the middle of a paddock or desert sand dune, but often the river sites are first rate, but not solar friendly. by the time we left for Cloncurry, the battery was 12.1 volts. Its not like we left the lights burning or ran the fans all night- we were quite frugal with using power. A generator would have been handy. The original reason for my post is that I came across many people saying they did not use or need a generator for their lap- it could be that parked in sunny spots all the way, or used more caravan parks than I intend to. My camping style is 'comfortable seclusion at poverty prices'. I'll give the jumping pillows and water parks a miss.

Noelpolar · Veteran Member

I have one with me... about 50% of my camping is near the Murray with lots of shade. I have a 160w golding panel, but chasing the sun with that doesn't always work. I plug the genie it into the van from time to time as needed and also have a 30a charger to plug into the anderson at rear of car to charge aux battery for car fridge. Generally, it's a nice carefree plan C to have. Just a Honda EU20.... and a 5l can.

Also.... wife might want to use the hair dryer occasionally etc... just works.

-- Edited by Noelpolar on Sunday 2nd of September 2018 08:45:02 PM

Bagmaker · Senior Member

Dc to Dc charger

Radar · Guru

Mephisto wrote:
I had the one 120ah battery for the last trip, but had another added when the van was serviced a fortnight ago. I realise that adding more panels is the simple answer, but lying flat on the roof, under a shade tree, does not help me much. I spent 5 day at Gregory River, by the water surrounded by lots of trees, and the solar was not up to the job. Not sure that extra panels would have helped much. Many people had folding panels moved into the sunny spots, and a lot had there generators going. Its okay if you are in the middle of a paddock or desert sand dune, but often the river sites are first rate, but not solar friendly. by the time we left for Cloncurry, the battery was 12.1 volts. Its not like we left the lights burning or ran the fans all night- we were quite frugal with using power. A generator would have been handy. The original reason for my post is that I came across many people saying they did not use or need a generator for their lap- it could be that parked in sunny spots all the way, or used more caravan parks than I intend to. My camping style is 'comfortable seclusion at poverty prices'. I'll give the jumping pillows and water parks a miss.

Hi, my plan C is to race out and buy a generator when the time comes for me to really need one and that may come at some time when its not convenient but as we do in life we deal with it.

So my real advice probaly hang of purchasing the generator, travel without the generator until you are sure you need it, then spend the money.

I believe you will go a long way before you need it as for the hair dyer, plug it into a suitable 12 to 240volt inverter, I carry a small inverter for the computer etc and am about to buy a 600watt inverter to run the washing machine which I found on our last 10 week tour could of been handy to rinse the clothes out. It has taken 2 years for me to reach that conclusion after 14 months of touring.

Aus-Kiwi · Guru

Yep weight and size of batteries soon out weighs the and size of a good generator. Anything to do with heat sucks the storage out a batteries . Try telling the Mrs she has to stop using the dryer etc . Good luck !! Lol

Mephisto · Member

I hear ya, Noelpolar.

I feel that I would be in the same position. Solar will need lots of panels to offset the shade trees, and the combined weight would negate the argument of the generators weight. I will still take the solar blanket to put out of the shade, but alas its only 100w so will not make a massive difference if the rooftop panel is not performing. I'm still to be convinced that the solar blanket will be as robust or long lasting as a folding panel, but its easy to store and lightweight.

Aussie1 · Guru

Taking the generator takes away any doubts as to whether the solar will cope or not. And it is only dependant on a small amount of fuel and a simple "pull" of the cord and hey presto, you have it all. As I said above, we have solar but the generator is essential for Air conditioner and the brides hair dryer. I will never be convinced otherwise. Enjoy your travels.

Aus-Kiwi · Guru

Btw I would not fit it on your lap ! Be a little dangerous and heavy !! Aha

denmonkey · Senior Member

Food for thought only.

What happens if you don't take one and you get caught short on power ?

No tv for the night, use the head torch and get an early night to keep warm biggrin

My internet went out a few days ago and whilst most would be on the phone to their provider ASAP , I like to take that time to remind myself, life existed before the internet and prove that I can get by without it. I just wait for it to come back on. It is a virtue after all.

I'm guessing you have a gas fridge and stove. So you're covered there. If it means just giving the other things a miss even if only for a few days. I'm sure you'll live.

After all, isn't this lap about adventure ?? Live on the edge whilst you're still feet down

disclaimer.
take my advice with a grain of salt because I've never done a lap .

Radar · Guru

denmonkey wrote:
Food for thought only.

What happens if you don't take one and you get caught short on power ?

No tv for the night, use the head torch and get an early night to keep warm biggrin

My internet went out a few days ago and whilst most would be on the phone to their provider ASAP , I like to take that time to remind myself, life existed before the internet and prove that I can get by without it. I just wait for it to come back on. It is a virtue after all.

I'm guessing you have a gas fridge and stove. So you're covered there. If it means just giving the other things a miss even if only for a few days. I'm sure you'll live.

After all, isn't this lap about adventure ?? Live on the edge whilst you're still feet down

disclaimer.
take my advice with a grain of salt because I've never done a lap .

I liked it.

blaze · Guru

I think you should trailer mount a 10 to 15 kva diesel gennie and tow with you and on sell the extra power at free camps. Like its a cool idea. Pull up mid after noon park the gennie in the centre of the camp site with a sign, start her up and wait for customers. Now serious.
I have 320 watts of solar and only a 4kva gennie
cheers
blaze

Ron-D · Guru

Iam thinking about carrying the heavy noisey petrol stinking thing so my misses can use the hair dryer biggrin all jokes aside its up to the individual,I think the huge majority from what I have seen can get by without hauling the things around....

-- Edited by Ron-D on Tuesday 4th of September 2018 08:07:15 AM

Aus-Kiwi · Guru

Itâs a personal thing about YOUR lifestyle . Itâs like carrying a spare tyre, compressor, tools etc . Itâs nice to know you have fail safe back up if batteries go flat . Our motors donât come with crank handles to start them ! Road service isnât available out in Pilbara . Ship Creek etc .. Like you would have phone reception to contact them . Unless sat phone .

Mephisto · Member

Den Monkey, I understand what you are saying and you make sense. If it were me alone, I would be sleeping in a swag under the stars by a fire, without a microwave, laptop, stereo, AC etc. But alas, SWMBO insists on niceties such as a shower, flushing toilet, internet access to the wee bairn, and an inner spring mattress. The shower and toilet were not negotiable, so the caravan was essential and the camper trailer is gathering dust in the shed. Mind you, I don't like the thought of sleeping in a swag for 365 nights in a row and washing in a bucket. If I have to get a gennie, it may as well be a 2.4kva than a 1kva. Its another petrol powered toy to play with, as I have to leave my other toys at home.

dogbox · Guru

Peter_n_Margaret wrote:

"You don't need a generator till the one time you do, and you don't have it with you."

Yes you do have one.

You have an alternator.

A generator plus a (large and expensive) battery charger could give you 25 or 30A of battery charging.

The alternator alone could give you double that for the cost of a decent pair of jumper leads while stationary and 30A via a DC-DC charger while on the move (where your generator is useless).

Old habits are hard to beat. :)

Cheers,

Peter

x2

Aus-Kiwi · Guru

Smart alternators have their issues .. A seperate older style style alternator is a another alternative? 120amp from AU Falcon work fine . Plus doesnât interfere with motor charging if shorts or things go wrong .

denmonkey · Senior Member

Mephisto wrote:
Den Monkey, I understand what you are saying and you make sense. If it were me alone, I would be sleeping in a swag under the stars by a fire, without a microwave, laptop, stereo, AC etc. But alas, SWMBO insists on niceties such as a shower, flushing toilet, internet access to the wee bairn, and an inner spring mattress. The shower and toilet were not negotiable, so the caravan was essential and the camper trailer is gathering dust in the shed. Mind you, I don't like the thought of sleeping in a swag for 365 nights in a row and washing in a bucket. If I have to get a gennie, it may as well be a 2.4kva than a 1kva. Its another petrol powered toy to play with, as I have to leave my other toys at home.

maybe tell her how much it will cost to get one :) that might change her mind.

That said, I have a yammy 2.4kva, which is yet to go camping/vanning with me.

I got it more for remote station ham radio contests.

I have considered taking it with me but I think it is just to big for a 'i might need it' situation.

Plus I go for peace and quiet. Even though the yammy is not loud it's still loud enough to defeat the purpose.

I got rid of a honda 1kva and am now regretting it.

Sure it didn't run an AC (dont have one anyway) but it was really only a back up anyway and you don't need all the bells and whistles at those times.

It was quite a bit smaller and a hell of a lot lighter too. So keep that in mind. the yammy is a heifer for sure.

I know it's a long shot, but have you actually asked the boss rather than assuming what she wants ?

You might be wrong and as she's probably told you by now, you always are biggrin