Generators

shortcircuit said:
I no this is unfair but when I read all the anti generator brigade with their solar panel, gas fires, led lights, paper backs and no tele etc, I immediately think of Ebenezer Scrooge sitting there counting his pennies by candle light with his fingerless gloves on, balaclava and chittering with ice off his nose .

What is life about. We have the technology to enjoy the outdoors and as I stated originally concerning generators, its "just down to your responsible use."

I have had a couple of instances when I had electrical/battery problems and the generator was a god-sent as it kept the home fires burning. If I could fit a convection gas heater it would be magic but as it is I need power to run my heating system
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This is a fun thread, certainlylearning a lot about different peoples aumptions and ways of camping.

I guess I am part of the anti geny brigade but I also have a satalite dish and plenty of high tech electrical equipment. I just accept when I go 'Wilding' that I might not be able to use it. If I want all the luxury of home when out I go to a campsite. It just seems odd to me that people want to go 'wilding' but they still want all the things that come with being on a mains supply.

I do accept that when people are out for extended periods or in extreme places its a must have, but come on guys we've all met people who are 20 miles from home for 2 nights who arrive and start the geny get the satalite up and fire up the microwave so they can have a prepackaged pizza whilst watching scum dancing. Each to there own but if they are inconsiderate to those of us who go out to escape the rat race then why don't we have the right to complain about it? If it was a noisy neighbour at home we have the right and the law is on our side....
 
John Thompson said:
Gaparini Self Energy EG-20 info at Conrad Anderson website Self Energy EG-20 12V Automatic Generator | Conrad Anderson UK

Best bit of kit I have had fitted. If I want 240v I get it from a 1600w inverter. This system ensures that my 2 x110ah + an 85ah leisure batteries are always topped up automatically. If I run a heavy 240v load this unit cuts in to supply another 20A to my batteries and then cuts out when the batteries reach 14.5v. It can also be used to recharge the vehicle battery if required. Low LPG consumption.

I always check the noise level outside and have often spoken to people passing outside the van and asked them it it is disturbing them. The common answer is "I didn't even realise you were running a generator". I checked this at Peterborough Show, where you are packed together like sardines in a can, just after having it fitted. It was noiser then than it is now, as it has run in.

I am about to have the remote oil filler kit fitted as it is a pain crawling under the van to put oil in it. Joan does this job and gets oil all over her. We have had it 2 years and needed to refill the oil tank twice. It uses Synthetic two stroke oil. We probably use this system more than most average users will.
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As I suspected, £2,699. :eek:
 
At last I have the solution - only park next to rich people with silent generators!
 
I have been trying to follow a few long threads on here this week and I may be getting confused.

OK then, this is what I have learned so far;

If you have a genny, it should be run off LPG (preferably Gaslow), it should be small enough to stand on a dinette table so the noise does not annoy anybody but should be far enough away from the toilet because of the risk of explosion.

I will get me coat.
 
I'm wondering whether I should apologise for starting what I thought would be an interesting topic but turned into quite a slanging match. Think I'm probably off to buy a Honda (1Kw or 2Kw, depending on value and price I think) just for insurance purposes. Will try to stay away from John H!!

I'm in awe of the confidence of you all seem to have in the 'wild' and would suggest that those that drive 20 miles down the road and then fire up their genny just don't have that confidence.

And I'm totally confused by which threads Maingate must have been reading this week - could you point me in the direction of the thread on the risk of explosion in the loo, please?

Oh, and please carry on with the discussion on generators - I've still got lots to learn !

Fiftysomething (and getting to know better!)
 
fiftysomething said:
I'm wondering whether I should apologise for starting what I thought would be an interesting topic but turned into quite a slanging match. Think I'm probably off to buy a Honda (1Kw or 2Kw, depending on value and price I think) just for insurance purposes. Will try to stay away from John H!!

I'm in awe of the confidence of you all seem to have in the 'wild' and would suggest that those that drive 20 miles down the road and then fire up their genny just don't have that confidence.

And I'm totally confused by which threads Maingate must have been reading this week - could you point me in the direction of the thread on the risk of explosion in the loo, please?

Oh, and please carry on with the discussion on generators - I've still got lots to learn !

Fiftysomething (and getting to know better!)
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No appology required, the banter is good its not yet a slanging match. I think one thing that I have learned is that some people are very set in there ways about this topic. I certainly was not aware that you could get a 12v geny and I'm also interested in the Gepari discussed although the price is staggering.
I'm sure that everyone here who uses a geny does so responsibly and if they don't they should now be aware of how much they can upset those of us that choose not to use them. All I would say is before spending a great deal of money on purchasing a geny investigate whether you can achieve the result of staying out longer by other means, such as a second batttery, led lights etc. I was surprised how much difference these things made for me.

For me I have also learnt that some people do need a geny, if they are out the country in the wilds or full timing then its a saftey net that I would myself have. However like dog owners there are always a few who will give you a bad name.

Happy Wilding guys
:)
 
i think you have to decide where or when you are going away .i leave tomorrow for 5mths spain portugal (not maroc this year).i will be avoiding campsites so will have no ehu. will be using solar and charging on the move. try to use as little 12volt or 240v as possible ,do use invertor to work household fridge. if necasary or due to break downs may use genny hopefully it will sit there un used.
i cant ever understand the ones who go away every weekend and use a genny or need ehu all the time .even more glad they will not be parking by me . but as i travel with loonies with really load airhorns most get the hint after a while.ha ha.campfires and candles seem quite a nice thought at the moment.
 
ajs said:
i'm staying at home :p... unless i can plug in to overhead powere cables :eek:

regards :rolleyes:
aj
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Yes well you do seem to like to take the entire contents of PC World out with you and as we found out you have NO 12v supply that works ;)

I hear AC/DC have finished touring maybe they can lend you one of their small gennys with the extra power you have you will be able to tow it but it would restrict you to 60 mph which might be a problem :D
 
biggirafe said:
Yes well you do seem to like to take the entire contents of PC World out with you and as we found out you have NO 12v supply that works ;)

I hear AC/DC have finished touring maybe they can lend you one of their small gennys with the extra power you have you will be able to tow it but it would restrict you to 60 mph which might be a problem :D
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i friggin hate motorhome me...:rolleyes::p

regards
aj


.. but i hate puters even more..
 
The way i look at it if you are full-timing then this is your way of life so you would want the full comforts that a bricks and mortar home has.I will not want inconveniance and stress when power has been lost.However we do understand that we will not be owning a washing machine anymore,so some things cant be helped,which brings me onto another point,has anyone tried those washing machine units,how good are they.

Aj you seem to have a limitless supply of smililies:):rolleyes:
 
Yes I've tried one, they're surprisingly good, even the spin dryer works well but of course you need electricity and plumbing:)
 
Stayed a couple of nights in an aires at Le Cretoy in France in October. Walked into town and quite a large MH parked in car park where it stayed all night. Had the rear door wide open with a large garage type boot. Full size washing machine and spin dryer with Honda generator going which all looked well organised.

Big difference from the washing board and mangle our conservationist would advocate. :)
 
shortcircuit said:
Stayed a couple of nights in an aires at Le Cretoy in France in October. Walked into town and quite a large MH parked in car park where it stayed all night. Had the rear door wide open with a large garage type boot. Full size washing machine and spin dryer with Honda generator going which all looked well organised.

Big difference from the washing board and mangle our conservationist would advocate. :)
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I won't let me missus read this with 2 small children her dream is a washing machine when we are out.

The electric I can figure but given the amount of water needed to run a washing machine, even modern ones, they must need to refil after every wash :confused:
 
Where he had parked was at the side of the quay where he was able to get water from a standpipe. I had exactly the same thoughts
 
my mate bought one of the blue twin tub types .its realy good we uesd it between 4 campers last winter for 3 mnths it took it all .it was powered by inverter from battery banks andworked really well even washed the bedding. well worth every penny .he paidfor it i hope we can use it this year.
 
John Thompson said:
Gaparini Self Energy EG-20 info at Conrad Anderson website Self Energy EG-20 12V Automatic Generator | Conrad Anderson UK

Best bit of kit I have had fitted. If I want 240v I get it from a 1600w inverter. This system ensures that my 2 x110ah + an 85ah leisure batteries are always topped up automatically. If I run a heavy 240v load this unit cuts in to supply another 20A to my batteries and then cuts out when the batteries reach 14.5v. It can also be used to recharge the vehicle battery if required. Low LPG consumption.

I always check the noise level outside and have often spoken to people passing outside the van and asked them it it is disturbing them. The common answer is "I didn't even realise you were running a generator". I checked this at Peterborough Show, where you are packed together like sardines in a can, just after having it fitted. It was noiser then than it is now, as it has run in.

I am about to have the remote oil filler kit fitted as it is a pain crawling under the van to put oil in it. Joan does this job and gets oil all over her. We have had it 2 years and needed to refill the oil tank twice. It uses Synthetic two stroke oil. We probably use this system more than most average users will.
Click to expand...

The noise of that is about the same as my Honda generator.
 
In general with generators I find if someone complains you need to ask them to relax and listen to the beat of the engine. Large diesel engines are the best, get them to close their eyes and imagine each firing of each cylinder. They can be really relaxing once you get into it. Diesel fumes also have a lovely smell. Sometimes I run my generator just to listen to the engine I'm sure i've never offended anyone.
 
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