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Post Info TOPIC: Generator size


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Generator size


What size generator would I need to run the air conditioning and lights in a caravan? Im new to caravanning and looking for some advice. Thanks



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At least a 2.4KVA. Most air conditioners require nearly 2KVA on start up, and even though a generator maybe rated at 2KVA, generally that is for a very short peak moment, not for any short time (ie start up of a air con). The continuious rating of a generator is about 80% peak ie 2.4= 2KVA.

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5% more than Max load . Oh yea . Remove muffler and run all night . They are loved here !!

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Thanks much appreciated 



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Frank, I run mine at 2.00am cos everyone is asleep then and won't hear it.

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Thank you. I thought u were serious about the muffler etc. then I realised you were being sar



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they take the micky sometimes on here, there is a lot that will tell ya to get solar panels and nothing else is anygood and ya probably need kick ass lithium batteries. Me, well I am old school and run a 4500kva geni when needed and wetcel lead acid batteries and 400w of solar

If you listen to the prime minister he will tell ya the wind don't blow and the sun don't shine every days so ya need back up, a genie
cheers

blaze
ps
happy caravaning

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To FrankCarolyn

Your lights should run of your house battery you would not want to run a generator for lights also some of the older air conditioner have a higher start up and high watt draw and some of the 2kva generators even the honda 2.2 will not run them best to borrow someones and check before you buy.I have a honda 2.2 and i know it will run a ibis 3 and truma aventa but would not  run the older dometic air con but the yamaha 2.4 will cheers



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blaze wrote:

they take the micky sometimes on here, there is a lot that will tell ya to get solar panels and nothing else is anygood and ya probably need kick ass lithium batteries. 


And they are probably right! Why would you put up with the hassle and mess of carrying petrol when,every day,the sun rises and you can generate as much free electricity as you want? Initially,I bought a brand new Yamaha 2800i,having been told that it is the be-all and end-all of generators,but it has never even been started,and is retired in the back of my shed! Cheers



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yobarr wrote:
Why would you put up with the hassle and mess of carrying petrol when,every day,the sun rises and you can generate as much free electricity as you want?

Judging from the other thread your solar system would have cost around $10,000 and goodness only knows what it weighs and, despite that, if you were parked in a forest in Victoria in winter (as I was for 10 weeks) then you probably won't have enough power. Solar is fine, I use it, but it has limitations.

My Honda EU20i generator runs the AC in my van - keep in mind generators are heavy and the more electricity they can produce the heaver they are, filled with petrol and oil mine weighs around 28kg.



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Hi FrankCarolyn, I'm sure by now you've got an idea of how this forum goes...

Being new to caravanning, I expect you'd be keen to examine the merits of alternative methods and ideas in all things, as you're in the process of setting up. Some in here are quick to condemn alternative power sources for example, but old school isn't always best. Navigate through the sarcasm and personal jibes, and you may find a piece of advice or an idea that works for you. Personally I wouldn't rely 100% on solar in some regions/seasons, and whilst I wouldn't outright condemn backing up with a generator, they are dinosaur era technology i.e. you need calculate the added burden on your payload, the fuel you need to carry, the environment you'll be using it in etc. There are alternatives if these issues become problematic, and to some extent your budget may dictate. By the way, we rarely use our AC now, mainly because it's noisy inside and the small fans we fitted work really well most of the time.

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Only issue with solar and wanting to run AC ? The loads are that high that solar isnt enough . Its like pushing string .

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Aus-Kiwi wrote:

Only issue with solar and wanting to run AC ? The loads are that high that solar isnt enough . Its like pushing string .


Graham,I think you know better than that,or have I misunderstood your post? My AC (2.5kw MHI) can run 24 hours a day,and my batteries never drop below 94% charged. The only time that I have had a bit of a problem was in testing,when overnight I set the heater to 30 degrees,with ambient of 6 degrees.Cheers



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p

Mike Harding wrote:
yobarr wrote:
Why would you put up with the hassle and mess of carrying petrol when,every day,the sun rises and you can generate as much free electricity as you want?

Judging from the other thread your solar system would have cost around $10,000 and goodness only knows what it weighs and, despite that, if you were parked in a forest in Victoria in winter (as I was for 10 weeks) then you probably won't have enough power. Solar is fine, I use it, but it has limitations.

My Honda EU20i generator runs the AC in my van - keep in mind generators are heavy and the more electricity they can produce the heaver they are, filled with petrol and oil mine weighs around 28kg.


 Hi Mike....yeah,the Solar cost a dollar,and weighs a bit,with 6x12kg batteries and a 30kg inverter,but I could not care less! With the set up I have there is no need to ever visit a caravan park.At $30/night,that is over $10,000/year that I can spend on other stuff.Always I can be comfortable,with either the AC or the heater to regulate temperatures,and in really low temperatures (there is NO such thing as a cold temperature) I can use the diesel heater.No petrol,no noise,no hassle.....the AC is inaudible at two metres,and if it was not for the water dripping out of it,I would have to actually touch it to see if it is working.Cheers



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and if it was not for the water dripping out of it,I would have to actually touch it to see if it is working.Cheers


 So you are turning sunlight into water. Great backup system it you are stranded in the outback!



-- Edited by Whenarewethere on Saturday 24th of August 2019 07:46:36 PM

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Air conditioners, solar, batteries, generators=$$$$ Our solution is- $200 room type mistral airconditioner 500w fit under kitchen bench purchased shop soiled in Darwin Bunnings normal price $420. Weighs 18kg Can be powered with 240v. Will purchase a Gentech 800w genny ebay for $259. 16' van. What more do you need? Spend what you like, We are happy. Tony

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yobarr wrote:
blaze wrote:

they take the micky sometimes on here, there is a lot that will tell ya to get solar panels and nothing else is anygood and ya probably need kick ass lithium batteries. 


And they are probably right! Why would you put up with the hassle and mess of carrying petrol when,every day,the sun rises and you can generate as much free electricity as you want? Initially,I bought a brand new Yamaha 2800i,having been told that it is the be-all and end-all of generators,but it has never even been started,and is retired in the back of my shed! Cheers


What a stupid statement Yobarr you have lost all credibility" When every day the sun rises and you can generate as much free electricity as you want"

If the sun is covered with thick cloud,and it is dark and rainy.you certainly don't get all the free electricity want.



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Plain Truth wrote:
yobarr wrote:
blaze wrote:

they take the micky sometimes on here, there is a lot that will tell ya to get solar panels and nothing else is anygood and ya probably need kick ass lithium batteries. 


And they are probably right! Why would you put up with the hassle and mess of carrying petrol when,every day,the sun rises and you can generate as much free electricity as you want? Initially,I bought a brand new Yamaha 2800i,having been told that it is the be-all and end-all of generators,but it has never even been started,and is retired in the back of my shed! Cheers


What a stupid statement Yobarr you have lost all credibility" When every day the sun rises and you can generate as much free electricity as you want"

If the sun is covered with thick cloud,and it is dark and rainy.you certainly don't get all the free electricity want.


You obviously know little about Solar,and I am not going to waste my time attempting to enlighten you,but I strongly suggest that you do some research.I always get as much free electricity as I want.....and that,my friend,is the Plain Truth.Cheers



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As long as Mrs is happy . Cant see too much under 5amp AC being very efficient 5

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yobarr wrote:
Plain Truth wrote:
yobarr wrote:
blaze wrote:

they take the micky sometimes on here, there is a lot that will tell ya to get solar panels and nothing else is anygood and ya probably need kick ass lithium batteries. 


And they are probably right! Why would you put up with the hassle and mess of carrying petrol when,every day,the sun rises and you can generate as much free electricity as you want? Initially,I bought a brand new Yamaha 2800i,having been told that it is the be-all and end-all of generators,but it has never even been started,and is retired in the back of my shed! Cheers


What a stupid statement Yobarr you have lost all credibility" When every day the sun rises and you can generate as much free electricity as you want"

If the sun is covered with thick cloud,and it is dark and rainy.you certainly don't get all the free electricity want.


You obviously know little about Solar,and I am not going to waste my time attempting to enlighten you,but I strongly suggest that you do some research.I always get as much free electricity as I want.....and that,my friend,is the Plain Truth.Cheers


That is not what you said,you said what"you want"not what Yobarr wants.That is the Plain Truth.Cheers

Enlighten me more



-- Edited by Plain Truth on Sunday 25th of August 2019 07:42:32 PM

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biggrin ah, so it's turned into one of these threads



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UNF V BPT ., lol Ahhhh !!!

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denmonkey wrote:

biggrin ah, so it's turned into one of these threads


 Hi Brett...You will note that I declined to respond,as Alan clearly was confused.Sometimes best to just let it ride.Cheers



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The off topic brigade made a meal of the question asked. The question was a simple one and a simple answer was all that was required.



-- Edited by Phillipn on Wednesday 28th of August 2019 06:19:35 AM

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