Generators

[Airecraft]

There is nothing worse than pulling up in an ideal quiet spot only to have another van pull up beside you and get out the bloody noise-generating machine.

Inconsiderate people don't need a generator to spoil your day, they have stereos and unruly kids for that. I wouldn't dream of running a generator within earshot of anyone else and physically check it cannot be heard near another 'van.

If you want to generate power at night, try a wind generator - they are quiet and disturb no-one.

I spent £500 on a wind generator for my boat and removed it after 6 months because of the noise and vibration; I use a genny on board now which is much quieter.

 

[derekfaeberwick]

a, correct

b, correct

 

[vwalan]

derek keep your eyes on ebay or have a word with a factory maintenance man . they swap them and get rid of them often .i find big truck batteries work for me.did invest in a 24 volt to 12volt charger from durite, works atreat . but if parked disconect trailer belt n braces , keep one 12 volt in truck so its always getting charged .then run a cable to others in trailer, on a suzie type conector when on the move. dont like gennies but sometimes they are a must. tried welding from batteries not good. used to carry oxy acet. but these new inverter welders are as light as a pair of shoes in a shoe box .cheers alan.

 

[John H]

Inconsiderate people don't need a generator to spoil your day, they have stereos and unruly kids for that. I wouldn't dream of running a generator within earshot of anyone else and physically check it cannot be heard near another 'van.

Unfortunately, there are many people who are not as considerate as you - and a lot of them have parked next to me. On the other hand, when people with wind generators park next to me I hear nothing.

 

[derekfaeberwick]

The original question WAS asking whether any of us had generators or not and what we would recommend, so if I can turn one person away from the noisy beasts then I am happy.

The original question was,
'Any suggestions as to size or recommendations would be great. Many thanks.'


Not alternatives designed not to offend people who are not likely to be in earshot of said gennie anyway!

 

[John H]

The original question was,
'Any suggestions as to size or recommendations would be great. Many thanks.'


Not alternatives designed not to offend people who are not likely to be in earshot of said gennie anyway!

You're not a professional politician are you? Look again at the FIRST part of the original question and then tell me why you are so anxious for me not to give an answer to it. As for the bit about not offending people who are not likely to be in earshot, all I can say is that if I hadn't been in earshot of a generator how would I know that they bloody annoy me - even the so-called quiet ones? You may like them but you are not entitled to tell me that I am not allowed to dislike them. Others can make their choices but the important thing is that there is a choice

 

[derekfaeberwick]

You're not a professional politician are you? Look again at the FIRST part of the original question and then tell me why you are so anxious for me not to give an answer to it. As for the bit about not offending people who are not likely to be in earshot, all I can say is that if I hadn't been in earshot of a generator how would I know that they bloody annoy me - even the so-called quiet ones? You may like them but you are not entitled to tell me that I am not allowed to dislike them. Others can make their choices but the important thing is that there is a choice

'Do any/many/most of you carry a generator?'

You mean that part? Nowhere do I see a plea for a rant about, noisy bloody antisocial gennies, more a question about what size and make suits those who do use them and why the criteria suits or not. Seems quite a lot of things that campers do annoys you.

 

[John H]

'Do any/many/most of you carry a generator?'

You mean that part? Nowhere do I see a plea for a rant about, noisy bloody antisocial gennies, more a question about what size and make suits those who do use them and why the criteria suits or not. Seems quite a lot of things that campers do annoys you.

Yes that part - to which my answer is no, for the reasons stated. As for the bit about lots of things annoying me, the only things I recall complaining about on this site are noisy generators, dog-fouling and not joining the euro when it stood at 1.50 to the pound. Are you in favour of dog fouling and paying more for trips to Europe?

 

[derekfaeberwick]

the only things I recall complaining about on this site are noisy generators, dog-fouling and not joining the euro when it stood at 1.50 to the pound.

And dinette tables!!!

 

[John H]

And dinette tables!!!

You've got me! Happy travels

 

[guerdeval]

I had a gasparini 12 volt genny on my last van, after all its 12 volt batteries you're trying to recharge. It worked on lpg, very good.

 

[rickboy]

agm battery

Tell me more, sounds good.

Derek I will tell you a little more.(but not where I get mine,sorry)

AGM (absorbrd glass matt) batteries are usually sealed ,heavy lead batteries used for computer and lighting standby power among many other uses.If you can find the people who change them over on a date basis they are a good cheap source of 12v power.They are often used in series so watch the polarity markings.Hawker(yes the plane people)
Powersafe red batteries are one of the best.Google it and see the new price,best sit down first ,there is a lot of lead in them thats why they last well and are tollerant of deep cycling and low temps with a long shelf life.
Dont try to boost charge them,give them some time.You will see agm's sold as leisure batteries,I have one.But the quality of the commercial stuff is much better.Ex military stuff can be good,they use them in aircraft and tanks ect.Motorsport folks use them because they are sealed and very rugged.
Good luck.

 

[rickboy]

Hawker agm battery

Derek -Like this one on eBay item no 400068116850

An sbs 60 is actually 50ah -advantage is you can run them quite low and they will recharge well,so a lot of their capacity is usable.

But they are very heavy due to high lead content.Try to source locally,anywhere they have computor systems they will have a backup power supply.

Power to the people.

 

[bigboack]

Noise.

Dont think anyone noticed when I switched the gene on while at Hayfield,if they did i didnt hear them with all the noise.

 

[derekfaeberwick]

Dont think anyone noticed when I switched the gene on while at Hayfield,if they did i didnt hear them with all the noise.

I know of someone who heard it, and he was in Scotland at the time!

 

[fred ee]

Generators come with the territory (of living away from mains power). Solar panels are useless in N. Europe in winter, useful in summer or the sunny Med. Many MHers use their vehicles in winter, ergo a generator is 'useful' or even necessary for the longer periods away from base.

Get over the noise problem people. Like I said, gennies come with the territory. You knew that when you bought your MH (or should have!).

The only caveat to gennie users is 'be reasonable' with the times you run 'em. Most folk are.

 

[John H]

Solar panels are useless in N. Europe in winter, useful in summer or the sunny Med. Many MHers use their vehicles in winter, ergo a generator is 'useful' or even necessary for the longer periods away from base.

I knew there was a reason why I like to spend my winters in the Med - that must be it!

 

[biggirafe]

Generators come with the territory Many MHers use their vehicles in winter, ergo a generator is 'useful' or even necessary for the longer periods away from base.

Get over the noise problem people. Like I said, gennies come with the territory. You knew that when you bought your MH (or should have!).

Why? Whats so nessasary that you need to run a flippin geny, why go out into the countryside wilding if all you want to do is pollute it with noise and exhaust, whats so important, television, having a microwave????

I don't get it. I have never found a need for a generator in 35 years of camping and now MH'ing.

If you wanna use a geny thats fine so long as I can't hear it but why not find ways of not using up your batterys instead, maybe get some LED lights, double up your battery, read books and not watch telly. Cook on gas and not use a microwave. The possiblitys are endless there are plenty of people here who last days without having to top up the batterys.

You knew that when you bought your MH (or should have!).
I don't think so (and please don't tell me what I should know or think) ,oooh can I spend 17k on my motorhome and btw I think I will need a generator as well as the on board electrics are not going to be good enough.

Just my umble opinion of course

 

[vwalan]

there is atime and place for gennies. cant weld broken springs without them .for normal camping m,homing i dont need a gennie .its an insurance hopefully i wont need to use it. does get used though due to the extreme adventures we under take in our trucks. grinders asnd drills used the most but once snapped two sets of springs on the trailer up a mountain in maroc so had to do it. have fun we do. cheers alan.

 

[biggirafe]

there is atime and place for gennies. cant weld broken springs without them .for normal camping m,homing i dont need a gennie .its an insurance hopefully i wont need to use it. does get used though due to the extreme adventures we under take in our trucks. grinders asnd drills used the most but once snapped two sets of springs on the trailer up a mountain in maroc so had to do it. have fun we do. cheers alan.

I can see your point mate, I'm sure if I was off to the mountains for a few months I would take a geny, as you say you can't run a welder off of a car battery
Some seem to need em for a few days in Wales