motorhome,generator

[Weewull]

hi all
just bought a motorhome and wish to do wild camping as apposed to camping sites and want to purchase a mobile petrol generator,,,,,what output wattage genny will aye need to power the traumatic blow heating and a 240v telivision

 

[trevskoda]

Hi change the tv to a 12 volt one ,does the heating not work of 12v,how many batterys do you have and any solar panels.
If you wish to stick to 230v we require the wattage total of you units,think a tv is about 80/100w.
Most folk dont use a genny for wilding and only stay a day/overnight etc so engine will recharge battery bank up when driving next day.

 

[Weewull]

I have 2 leisure batteries which need renewed,and wish to keep the 240v tv,,,,,,so I was thinkin of a genny for doing the nc 500 sometime next year and will prob stay more than a couple of nights in the one place,ps I have no solar panels

 

[The laird]

What model of camper do you have wullie?strongly recomend solar system it's the way to go.we done the nc this year never had to worry about our battery,led bulbs in all interior lights,12v/240 tv built in DVD.
Moved every two days or so and again never used the gennie.
If you do use a gennie make sure you don't annoy other folks as some power units are noisy,think I've used mine twice in the last two years or so but always out the way .

 

[Weewull]

swift kontiki 660 ,,was going to opt for genny that is as quiet as poss.i have been looking at them but being new to m/h I don,t know how much power the heating uses

 

[mikigough]

:welcome::have fun:

 

[trevskoda]

swift kontiki 660 ,,was going to opt for genny that is as quiet as poss.i have been looking at them but being new to m/h I don,t know how much power the heating uses

If you must have a genny dont go mad buying a expensive one as you will find very rarely required,i have a 650w 230v & 12v output cosmo same as wolf ,there two stroke but strangly qt and will run 4hrs on 4ltrs ,never used it in anger,cost from about £50/75.
The wolf ones are 850w,think b&q did them at one stage but i got mine trade.

 

[trevskoda]

By the way have you changed if not done all lights to led,big power saving.:wave:

 

[Weewull]

just bought m/h ,I will have to check bulbs and see if they are led

 

[yorkieowl]

As others have said, you'd prob be better investing in solar with 12v TV, (both pretty cheap nowadays), we bought a genny when we got our mh 9+ years ago and bet I haven't used it more than a couple of times, it was a complete waste of money for us.

 

[molly 2]

I have a truma 2400 blown air heater it uses 1/2 amp on low 1 amp on high ,100 amph battery should run for 100 hours on low ,that is without the thermostat turning it off .Less the amps that other consumers use .The IMPAX 800 pure signwave genny from screwfix under £200, 8klg would be deal .

 

[The laird]

Will there's a comp on line bulbs foe u I think it is led bulbs cheap but eBay shops also very cheap as well

 

[chrismilo]

I have a Honda EM 500 to get me out of trouble used maybe once for battery charging cost £90 on Fleabay
It will run the 12volt TV and propex heater and lighting 1 gallon 6hrs
I've a Sterling battery to battery charger 60amp puts 5 or more times power into the batteries only having to drive a short distance
300 watt solar panels for when that big yellow ball shows it's self.
And 1500 watt inverter 220 amp battery

 

[phillybarbour]

I'm a big gennie fan, but mainly for skiing. Like others have said only used it in the U.K. a few times in 8 years. I run a 2000w model but a 1000w model would be fine.

 

[big tom]

As others have said, you'd prob be better investing in solar with 12v TV, (both pretty cheap nowadays), we bought a genny when we got our mh 9+ years ago and bet I haven't used it more than a couple of times, it was a complete waste of money for us.

Same here being I had a under slung gas tank I fitted a 2.5 kw in the gas bottle cupboard it was there 10 + years and used three times and only then because it was there we could have managed without, solar panels are the way to go. If you are wilding through winter it would be useful perhaps necessary.

 

[Kontiki]

Not a fan of generators having been peacfully parked up when somebody sticks their genny on with the annoying drone, in my experience none are what I would call silent. In over 30+ years camping/motorthoming only one I got stuck with a flat battery once & was thankful to a French guy for lending me his genny to charge my battery, this was on a van less than a couple of months old, other than that like others said solar panels & a couple of good leisure batteries will be sufficient. If you want to stick to 240 volts then get an inverter, as an alternative to solar panels there are some battery to battery fast chargers made bt the likes of Sterling that will charge your batteries quickly. Are you considering using the genny for heating your van or heating with gas & the power is just for the fan? The fan will use very little but the heating on 12 volt electric isn't that efficient (unless you are on electric hook up then you can leave it on 24/7).

 

[The laird]

Having had a geny and now not having one, I do firmly believe they can be very handy if off grid for long periods, and more so during the winter.
I also believe, there is nothing wrong with a geny if used with consideration. It is not the geny at fault, but inconsiderate users. Use when neighbours have gone for walkabouts!
A geny is not required to run TV's etc, get 12 V equipment and solar panels
My own preference is Honda, but they are expensive, however do last and hold value!

I agree fully about improper useage ,sitting in a spot peacefull enjoy the quiet,joe comes along .table,chairs and awning out ,barbie on then oot comes the Gennie:mad2::mad2::mad2:but you won't need your gennie cause he's parked that close you can use his lead for your van.
Ok get the ghetto blaster oot now,

 

[Nesting Zombie]

Hi Gang,
There has been a few Genny Threads recently that may be worth a tap in the search Bar for a read. I LOVE my Genny for my Fulltime Livaboard needs, I Like Solar but chose NOT to have an installation this time.
Do a Power Audit.
Add 30% on the Power Out Figures.
Subtract 30% from the Power In Figures.
Make your Choice taking into account Your Day to Day Lifestyle Disciplines, At what time of day is your Power actually required, Battery Power Storage Capacity.

 

[yorkieowl]

Hi Gang,
There has been a few Genny Threads recently that may be worth a tap in the search Bar for a read. I LOVE my Genny for my Fulltime Livaboard needs, I Like Solar but chose NOT to have an installation this time.
Do a Power Audit.
Add 30% on the Power Out Figures.
Subtract 30% from the Power In Figures.
Make your Choice taking into account Your Day to Day Lifestyle Disciplines, At what time of day is your Power actually required, Battery Power Storage Capacity.

I agree with you there, if I was fulltiming then I would probably have one, but not just for wilding, sooner move on to charge the batteries than have the drone of a genny, we did have a Honda suitcase one at one time, (used for work), but still noisy.

 

[barryd]

As has mostly been said if its Spring, summer and Autumn solar is the way to go. If your going to do a lot of wilding get your van set up so everything is 12v. Are you sure your TV isnt already 12v? many small ones that appear to be 240v will actually run of 12v also. Does it use just a standard power cable or does it have a box / adaptor in the lead? Check the voltage requirements on the back. A 12v one is less than a £100 these days though.

Solar in Spring and summer will allow you to stay in one place as long as you like really whereas a Gennie will not only be annoying it will use fuel and has a shelf life I guess. Just about everyone who has one says they hardly ever use it or need it.

Just get the van fitted out completely to be self sufficient. Solar, decent MPPT controller for the solar, LED bulbs, low power usage TV and you will be all set.