generators

[gandb]

Im just looking for recommendations on mini generators to be used a wild camping.

Can anyone tell me which ones are great and those to stir clear of.

thanks

 

[Nesting Zombie]

Hi ya,
As a Fulltime Livaboard I LOVE a good mini Generator,
I’ve got the MXR3500w, it’s Fairly Quiet, Fairly Light, Extremely Easy to start & very economical with its automatic throttle.
Yep I think it’s Brilliant, (I will try & find the pic)
(Currently on offer on Amazon) However I’m guessing that there’s going to be a fair few Negative comments on this thread so I’ve got the Coffe on & a Fridge full of snacks at the ready on this one

 

[r4dent]

I think the best generators are those that plug into the mains.

Followed by those that run on the Sun.

 

[Nesting Zombie]

Just a caution though….

Although Fairly Quiet, it’s NOT Silent as described in my view.

I’ve got mine built in to a Fire Dampened, Sound Muffled & Vented Cupboard on the Rear near side corner of my Motorhome & can have it on when aboard, Yep you can hear it, Yep It’s great when you turn it off, But it’s very put up able for an hour now & again as the benefits for my lifestyle FAR FAR outweighs not having it.

 

[caledonia]

If you can afford a Honda it’s worth it for reliability.

 

[Obanboy666]

Honda every time.
Have 3 in various sizes, never let me down and they get well used. Bought the last one an EU22i from Southern Ireland. Saved around £300.00 versus buying in uk.
Which ever generator you buy I suggest you use a fuel preservative as petrol ‘goes off’ for want of better word after 6/8 weeks. https://www.briggsandstratton.com/eu/en_gb/products/care-products/fuel-fit.html

 

[trevskoda]

Have a honda and its sh one t, never went or stayed going from day one, dont see why one would be required if you have solar and a good set of batteries.

 

[marchie]

Having had one running outside our M/Home less than 6 feet away, for over 3 hours last night, and over 2 hours this morning, the best generator is one that will not work ...

Steve

 

[Nesting Zombie]

Having had one running outside our M/Home less than 6 feet away, for over 3 hours last night, and over 2 hours this morning, the best generator is one that will not work ...

Steve

I know how you feel,

I was in a park up just a few nights ago & this small campervan had its Engine running on idle for probably 2hrs after arriving in the late evening, THEN turned its Night Heater on for the rest of the night Roaring away for the next 5 or 6 hrs before starting the engine on idle again at bloody 06:30 for ANOTHER hours engine idling the following morning.
The night was noticeably punctuated by what turned out to be the two male occupants taking it in turns to empty their bladder & let the dog out at regular intervals with a -
CLICK RUMBLE RUMBLE RUMBLE to open the door then RUMBLE RUMBLE RUMBLE CLONK to close it, have a Wee Then
CLICK RUMBLE RUMBLE RUMBLE to open the door, Then CLICK RUMBLE RUMBLE RUMBLE CLONK to close it Every time one or the other got in & out.
Give me the background sound of a muffled responsibly used genny for an hour or so before 20:00 over that kinda disrespectful disruption any day
I should have put my Genny on !.

 

[Nesting Zombie]

 

[Boris7]

At Oulton Park circuit last year the guy next to us kept running his generator to heat water for a shower, drove me mad for 2 nights. On the third night he used gas (as kept asking him too) because someone had taken his genny and padlock.

On Monday morning he got up and his genny was back, along with a note

 

[Nabsim]

I can highly recommend the Hyundai HY100Si if a continuous 900W is enough for you (can run a 30amp mains charger no problem). Son in Law has my old one and we started it yesterday (first pull) after it's been stood since December. It now has 659 hours on it and we can stand over it an speak normally to each other without and problem hearing so fairly quiet, slightly louder than the 1Kw Honda but its marginal

 

[trevskoda]

I can highly recommend the Hyundai HY100Si if a continuous 900W is enough for you (can run a 30amp mains charger no problem). Son in Law has my old one and we started it yesterday (first pull) after it's been stood since December. It now has 659 hours on it and we can stand over it an speak normally to each other without and problem hearing so fairly quiet, slightly louder than the 1Kw Honda but its marginal

Just wondering does skoda make a genny.

 

[Wully]

The best is the one that has a double use no good sitting in a van doing nothing for nine months of the year. I bought one from Oban boy a Honda IU20 about seven years ago it’s never missed a beat use it for work every week. I’ve only used it 5 times for the van in fact I’ve loaned it out to people who were stuck at meets more than I’ve used it myself. But 100% go for the Honda.

 

[mistericeman]

Have a honda and its sh one t, never went or stayed going from day one, dont see why one would be required if you have solar and a good set of batteries.

For folks that still use their vehicles off season ...
When the solar is doing cock all AND not moving on each days off grid...

Then I can see that a genny SENSIBLY used could be an asset

Personally speaking ....it's almost never that we would've have use for one AND frankly the noise drives me scatty ...

BUT then any sort of noise other than waves on the beach / wind in the trees etc has that effect

 

[trevskoda]

Id rather here the sound of a genset outside a van than the sound of a fart inside the van.

 

[Nesting Zombie]

The trouble is, when Fulltimeing (is that spelt right ?), Year around with not the luxury of a storage unit, Address, because your ‘Actually Travelling’ covering ground & not just parked up in one geographical area, I just don’t see an issue to choose your park up in order to Run your genny for an hour or so to run your Washing machine, Spin your Clothes, Batch cook a fe meals on your electric fryer, Heat your Water to sanitise & Wipe everything down & then Shower while topping up your batteries during the day once a week or so.

I’ve done it for 10years or more .


Come on let’s talk about Getting rid of Toilet waste or Parking on someone else’s land as if it’s somehow our right instead.

In my view it’s all about Respect & Attitude.

Simpulls

 

[Disco Duck]

I fitted a small 4 stroke genie in front passenger foot well .
Extended the exhaust through a hole I drilled in the passenger step.
1/2" pipe hangs down 6" .
It charges my dc power pack boils the kettle and runs a 400W heater .
Not all at the same time .
Bonus heat from the gennie.
No fumes or exhaust gasses.
I drove heavy plant for 50 years so the little noise from my gennie I hardly notice.

 

[Geek]

For various reasons, this winter our motorhome has been unused. As a result, it was feeling a bit cold and sad. About a month ago the batteries seemed to be low, so I ran the (built in) generator for an hour on three non-consecutive days. The 50A charger brought the battery bank up and running the aircon in dehumidifier mode at the same time probably helped too.

The reason this is relevant is that this is the first time in well over a decade that it has been necessary for me to boost the batteries using a generator.

If you regularly need a generator, there is something wrong with your setup. I find the generator valuable for two things: to use the combi microwave to cook a meal, or to run the aircon in a heatwave.

And to answer the original question, Honda. Mine is a Dometic, which has the ubiquitous Honda 160cc engine.

 

[alcam]

I fitted a small 4 stroke genie in front passenger foot well .
Extended the exhaust through a hole I drilled in the passenger step.
1/2" pipe hangs down 6" .
It charges my dc power pack boils the kettle and runs a 400W heater .
Not all at the same time .
Bonus heat from the gennie.
No fumes or exhaust gasses.
I drove heavy plant for 50 years so the little noise from my gennie I hardly notice.

Think it is people in the other vans that notice !
Having said that I've been next to generators on many occasions and have barely noticed.
But motorhomers in general seem to be hypersensitive to noise .
Read reviews on the popular apps and the vast majority of comments are about noise .
I presume they all live in leafy suburbs