Generators

Memphes · Newbie

Generators

KFT · Guru

Welcome Memphes

This is a subject that will ignite passionate discussion bot for and against anytime it is raised.

We have one and use it appropriately when needed by us. We use it at home too due to long blackouts in summer.

Thinking I might stock up on popcorn ready for the show.

Cheers
KFT

Whenarewethere · Guru

There are views at both ends of the spectrum from extreme to off the chart if you do a search!

But at least get a decent 2.5mm² extension lead:

lead https://thegreynomads.activeboard.com/t67027186/extension-cord/

outlaw40 · Guru

Popcorn and beer Locked and loaded .

travelyounger · Guru

Memphes wrote:
There are mixed reviews about the use of generators. What is the general concessus of grey nomads. We bought one as a back up to run air conditioning if free camping when hot or cold

Hi Memphes

There have been many comments on this subject in previous posts by members some nice some not so nice if you type in generators in search function .Here is my thoughts on generators

I have a Honda and use it mainly for air conditioner and charging up battery when free camping if I am in the shade as I have a compressor fridge and 240 amp agm battery.

For campers who go to van parks with power all the time will probably never use it.

Some travellers who spend up big on their electrical systems like lots of solar panels dcdc chargers high amp lithium battery storage they probably would not need one.

RVs with compressor fridges are more likely to need a generator at some stage as they can use up to 4 amps an hour that's up to nearly 100 amps a 24 hour period and in winter or shade you will need a battery charge from some where

At the end of the day the sun does not always shine so I would rather have one than not.

Cheers

Mike Harding · Guru

Without a generator I could not camp in the places I wish.

Dougwe · Chief one feather

KFT wrote:
Welcome Memphes

This is a subject that will ignite passionate discussion bot for and against anytime it is raised.

We have one and use it appropriately when needed by us. We use it at home too due to long blackouts in summer.

Thinking I might stock up on popcorn ready for the show.

Cheers
KFT

Here are mate, this will do both of us.

Popcorn 3.jpg

-- Edited by Dougwe on Thursday 29th of October 2020 07:12:23 AM

Dougwe · Chief one feather

I have a Honda 20i and have done for 9 years now and use it when needed, with consideration for others. I wouldn't travel without it and I tell you that for free.

I use my genie around 2.00am ish cos everyone is asleep then and won't hear it. See, told ya I was considerate.

Keep Safe on the roads and out there.

travelyounger · Guru

Dougwe wrote:
I have a Honda 20i and have done for 9 years now and use it when needed, with consideration for others. I wouldn't travel without it and I tell you that for free.

I use my genie around 2.00am ish cos everyone is asleep then and won't hear it. See, told ya I was considerate.

Keep Safe on the roads and out there.

Hi dougwe

Instead of a sticker saying kids on board

A sticker saying generator on board

Old and Grey · Senior Member

Hi Memphes,

Welcome,

It should be mandatory kit, to supply every new van, motorhome, RV with a Generator made here in Australia to create manufacturing jobs. We have a honda 2000i for outback trips to power the AC and top up the batteries if needed.

Those solar things blow off the tops of RV roofs and do bad damage to people and property.

Im sick of Pop Corn Dougue, gets stuck in my teeth.

I like a good red and some cheese and olives.

If you can't beat em, join the party and power up. wink

Grey

Peter_n_Margaret · Guru

Portable generators are serious air polluters, serious noise polluters, are anti social, scare the wild life and use dangerous fuel.
In this day and age there are better alternatives and I suspect they will be banned at some stage in the future.
Some people are sensitive about those issues and others have no consideration.
Cheers,
Peter

yobarr · Guru

Memphes wrote:
There are mixed reviews about the use of generators. What is the general concessus of grey nomads. We bought one as a back up to run air conditioning if free camping when hot or cold

Hi Memphes.(Do you have a name?) At the top of this page you will find a "search" facility.If you type in "generators" you will see many threads,but the one that I suggest you read is the one that was started by "Barnesey" on April 11,2020.There,you are likely to find all that you need to know about generators. My van runs entirely from Solar power, including my 2.5kw MHI airconditioner/heater,and I carry no gas supply at all. Unless you are free camping alone,I suggest that it is absolutely inconsiderate to disturb the peace and tranquility that many free campers hope to enjoy in these locations.Cheers.

-- Edited by yobarr on Thursday 29th of October 2020 09:02:24 AM

Radar · Guru

my thoughts on generators.

First off travel until the day you genuinely need a generator.

Like I was encouraged by other long time caravan owners to carry plenty of water, so I had a 3rd water tank fitted, now after 4 years of touring of mixed camping with mostly free camping, I thinking I may drop that 3rd tank out to save weight.

Just other month I revalued our power supply, now have one battery instead of 2, a weight saving of approx 40 kilo. Just returned home from 6 weeks, 4000ks of touring Queensland worked just great.

I left our generator on the shelf 7 years ago, now lives on a s all farm where they use it regularly but if a day comes along I need one we will just go out and buy one. Once again weight saved and next generator will be the latest inverter technology.

yobarr · Guru

Peter_n_Margaret wrote:
Portable generators are serious air polluters, serious noise polluters, are anti social, scare the wild life and use dangerous fuel.
In this day and age there are better alternatives and I suspect they will be banned at some stage in the future.
Some people are sensitive about those issues and others have no consideration.
Cheers,
Peter

Absolutely.....everything so succinctly explained.Cheers

Mike Harding · Guru

yobarr wrote:
Peter_n_Margaret wrote:
Portable generators are serious air polluters, serious noise polluters, are anti social, scare the wild life and use dangerous fuel.
In this day and age there are better alternatives and I suspect they will be banned at some stage in the future.
Some people are sensitive about those issues and others have no consideration.
Cheers,
Peter
Absolutely.....everything so succinctly explained.Cheers

Not again! Are you two planning to get married and does Margaret know? :)

JayDee · Guru

Here we go again!!!!

Yes everyone one has and are entitled to their views on Generators when bush camping. I mention bush camping cause one is not allowed to use the Gennie in Caravan Parks.

We carry a Honda. Like the majority, it only gets used for A/C in Summer and also to top up batteries during prolonged rainy days. Plus we have an on board washing machine.

We have a diesel heater... for winter... next it will be complaints from the fumes.

When we bush camp,which is the majority of our travels, we pick a spot well away from the crowds. If you decide to feel warm and fuzzy by camping next to us, you will be told that we will use our Gennie if and when we have to.

On many occasions when I advise other campers, they laugh and say "I hope our gennie does not annoy you.""

We then all have a laugh and a COLDIE around a campfire.

Only once have I been challenged and abused by a follow Camper ( with beer in hand) when I have told this guy re our Gennie.

He apologised wholeheartedly the next morning for his behavior.

Until Gennies are banned for good, there will always be one in our box on the rear of our van.

Our freedom of choice.

Whether you are for or against Gennies and Diesel heaters, you will be welcomed to our campfire anytime

Jay&Dee

-- Edited by JayDee on Thursday 29th of October 2020 09:56:27 AM

dieseltojo · Senior Member

Knockers every where ....I mean I use a nice quiet electric lawn mower around the van, and need the genny to get it to work.....makes sense to me....

Any way to address the new member...welcome aboard mate. You might notice some of us are a bit jaded. smile

The truth lies some where around the middle ground of using them during the day when required, and not at night to watch telly. Or to power a fridge, or your night mask. Or the air con. All great reasons for the owner of the thing, but not great for any one else.

I mean if you are among three vans in a quiet spot and you are the one with a motor running.... I reckon you get my drift. smile

yobarr · Guru

Mike Harding wrote:
yobarr wrote:
Peter_n_Margaret wrote:
Portable generators are serious air polluters, serious noise polluters, are anti social, scare the wild life and use dangerous fuel.
In this day and age there are better alternatives and I suspect they will be banned at some stage in the future.
Some people are sensitive about those issues and others have no consideration.
Cheers,
Peter
Absolutely.....everything so succinctly explained.Cheers
Not again! Are you two planning to get married and does Margaret know? :)

Sprung!....how did you find out about us? In my initial post,I was going to address the thoughts of those who suggest solar is not viable because they prefer to park in the shade, but I did not do so.However,I now will say that covering the van in solar panels actually keeps it cooler,because the sun does not hit the roof. Thus two birds are killed with one stone....the van is cooler,and the batteries are kept full so the AC can be run 24/7. Easy. You seem to spend a lot of time "in da bush",and have suggested that finding enough sun is problematic,but I never have any problems,with batteries back to 100% very quickly.Forget the generator! Cheers

Rob Driver · Guru

Memphes wrote:
There are mixed reviews about the use of generators. What is the general concessus of grey nomads. We bought one as a back up to run air conditioning if free camping when hot or cold

Hi and Welcome,

The comments are always varied on his subject.

Those who get off on how they can run a small village or weld 1/2 inch steel plate with their solar system will belittle and offer no reasonable input on generators. Most of us understand that this is basically human nature backing their personal choice of equipment and offering negativity toward any other options.

It will be a long time before generators are banned in rural areas.

You choice to use a generator to run your air con is a sensible one and if you are in the bush and off the grid you are entitled to its use. The same applies if you are charging batteries or operating other equipment while off grid.

Be considerate with its use if others choose to camp near you.

The absolute main thing to note is that the use of a Generator IS NOT ILLEGAL.

Regards

Rob

outlaw40 · Guru

Would rather here a honda eu20i purring away then some old fool who THINKS he can play guitar and sing .

Aussie1 · Guru

yobarr wrote:
Mike Harding wrote:
yobarr wrote:
Peter_n_Margaret wrote:
Portable generators are serious air polluters, serious noise polluters, are anti social, scare the wild life and use dangerous fuel.
In this day and age there are better alternatives and I suspect they will be banned at some stage in the future.
Some people are sensitive about those issues and others have no consideration.
Cheers,
Peter
Absolutely.....everything so succinctly explained.Cheers
Not again! Are you two planning to get married and does Margaret know? :)
Sprung!....how did you find out about us? In my initial post,I was going to address the thoughts of those who suggest solar is not viable because they prefer to park in the shade, but I did not do so.However,I now will say that covering the van in solar panels actually keeps it cooler,because the sun does not hit the roof. Thus two birds are killed with one stone....the van is cooler,and the batteries are kept full so the AC can be run 24/7. Easy. You seem to spend a lot of time "in da bush",and have suggested that finding enough sun is problematic,but I never have any problems,with batteries back to 100% very quickly.Forget the generator! Cheers

Forget the generator, no way. Been carrying ours around for 15 plus years. Just like a third arm. So reliable. Pull zee cord, hey presto. instant power. Honda for me and not noisy at all. Fantastic back up for our solar set up on the caravan. Banned in the future, I do not believe so!

Wanda · Guru

GENERATORS are legal, we do live in a democracy(not sure for how much longer), yes they do polute the air but so do our gas guzzlers we all drive(most).
I think with generators you just have to be aware of other people around you
Most generators just travel around not being used or very little in "most" cases
Consideration/respect for other campers around you is the most important thing and not just with generators
If you feel the need just get it
regards
Ian biggrin

Peter_n_Margaret · Guru

bentaxlebabe wrote:
Memphes wrote:
There are mixed reviews about the use of generators. What is the general concessus of grey nomads. We bought one as a back up to run air conditioning if free camping when hot or cold
It will be a long time before generators are banned in rural areas.

It will be some time, but it will happen.

2 strokes have already been banned for the same reasons.

Cheers,

Peter

the rocket · Guru

Hi memphes and a very warm welcome. wow. You went straight for the popcorn with first post. Well done. I am impressed already.

we travel full time and last year free camped at least 200 days and used generator a few times. If it is really hot or really cold we go to showgrounds With electricity. Paid over $2000 and in hindsight, i think we could have put that money to better use. It just sits in back of canopy. Not used this year. But thats us, others use them all the time. Ie. a couple from victoria came and stayed at a donation camp in qld for a month for their holiday n used generator every night cos wife wanted electric blanket.

enjoy.

-- Edited by the rocket on Thursday 29th of October 2020 12:07:19 PM

Mike Harding · Guru

Peter_n_Margaret wrote:
2 strokes have already been banned for the same reasons.

Peter (and, perhaps, Margaret?): Have you considered moving to California? They are banning *all sorts* of things there, you would have a *wonderful* time.

Peter_n_Margaret · Guru

It seems that our children and grand children are more concerned about this planet than we are.
Sad really, but that is OK because we will all be dead soon and they will take better care of what is left than we ever did.
Cheers,
Peter

yobarr · Guru

Peter_n_Margaret wrote:
It seems that our children and grand children are more concerned about this planet than we are.
Sad really, but that is OK because we will all be dead soon and they will take better care of what is left than we ever did.
Cheers,
Peter

The children you mention are only "more concerned about the planet" because they have been brainwashed into believing the rubbish sprouted by those with no real understanding of the subject.Refer Greta Thunberg Cheers

-- Edited by yobarr on Thursday 29th of October 2020 03:25:04 PM

Aussie1 · Guru

Peter_n_Margaret wrote:
It seems that our children and grand children are more concerned about this planet than we are.
Sad really, but that is OK because we will all be dead soon and they will take better care of what is left than we ever did.
Cheers,
Peter

And on that very cheery note I shall just continue with my very happy life. By the way I do not plan to be dead anytime soon, well I hope not anyway because I want to be here long enough to prove generators will never be banned. In fact I would take the opposite approach and wish all campers long and happy lives. Which includes generator users and well as those that appose generators.

Mike Harding · Guru

Peter_n_Margaret wrote:
It seems that our children and grand children are more concerned about this planet than we are.

So you'll be scrapping the OKA very soon? Because, it seems to me, until you do, you don't really have much of a platform upon which to stand....

Peter_n_Margaret · Guru

Is Sir David Attenborough included in those "with no real understanding of the subject" Yobarr?
I suggest that those scientists who do understand the subject speak with a very clear and consistent voice and have been doing so for many years.

And Mike, when we are out and about in our OKA our emissions are less than when we are at home, but yes, within a couple of decades all vehicles will powered by clean renewable energy and our OKA and your RV will be dead and gone. Bring it on.
Cheers,
Peter