motorhome,generator

[trevskoda]

strange that you are against using a generator but would run your vehicle engine to charge the battery, all very well if on the move but not very practical if staying in one spot especially with modern diesel engines, I certainly wouldn't be running my 3.9 diesel engine when I have a perfectly good small generator that is more than adequate

True but most folk have 1.9/2.8 donky and i would say move on in morning to charge or have solar panels,how much power do folk require,lights tv toilet flush radio,we bit of heat.

 

[FULL TIMER]

True but most folk have 1.9/2.8 donky and i would say move on in morning to charge or have solar panels,how much power do folk require,lights tv toilet flush radio,we bit of heat.

Ah but moving on would do us no good as no split charge system although that is in hand just dropped onto an Antares 24volt - 12volt 30 amp charger, we already have a 150 watt panel but not much good this time of year especially when parked in woods, to be honest the only time we do use a genny is when at a rally or somewhere behind a pub for a long weekend etc.

 

[Johnnygm7lsi]

Hi Wull,
Truma heaters and similar brands produce plenty heat on gas (which can fairly guzzle the gas when it`s sub zero outside), but on electric, the heat output is pretty dismal, I think it needs about 2KW to run it at max, but there is a lower setting of about 1.5KW, we have used this on 2KW on a campsite in mid winter at about -2 cent, and we had to run the gas at the same time to keep the temp comfortable, also you will need a bit extra for your 240v tv, satellite box if you have that, and any other devices you have like your onboard charger. I looked at gennys when I first bought my MH, but the thought of filling it up with fuel on a night of blowing a gale, pissing rain, or snow, and trying to keep the electrics dry kinda put me off, and I had a genny on a previous MH, so I know what that involves. Solar panels are fine if it`s sunny, but even in bonny Scotland the sun is scarce, and solar panels are fine in mid winter if you sit and listen on a wynd up radio with one led light on, and get up on the roof to adjust and face to the brightest bit in the sky (not sun, just a bright bit) but it all depends on what comforts you require when wilding. In the end I went for a Sterling Battery to Battery charger which runs off of my van engine and charges 4X110ah batteries, which runs a 2KW inverter, which runs my microwave, toaster, sky box, tv, laptop, phone ect. a short drive of about 40 minutes, or just idling the engine, recharges my batteries, and a full charge runs the van for about 4 days, cost of that to install was about £1200, and if your driving every other day, there's no extra genny fuel costs, but you need room for extra batteries, looking at your van, if its the fixed bed model, under the bed is the only place you can add extra batteries. Everyone has different requirements and expectations, and mine is perfect for me as I use the van all year round and don`t rely on campsites except for cassette emptying and topping up water.

Enjoy your new adventure, Johnny.

 

[jagmanx]

Genny

Not for us.
We wild camp over 95% of the time and we use (ie live in) our vehicle fo the full 6 months in the summer
We have
1 x 120Watt Solar Panel
1 x 85 amp-hour Leisure battery

I have a cheapo voltmeter which enables me to monitor the battery.
( I appreciate this is not an accurate figure to show charge)

However my battery has never gone below 12.6.
We use the Truma gas heating
we do not watch the (12V) tv very much.

The space in particular, as well as all the other considerations, put me off generators.
So we more than make do..
The only time we use EHU is in late September
OK we are "lucky" in that we do not need to/ wish to use our vehicle in the winter.

If we did
I would simply

1 get a second LB or maybe a really good "new Lithium" one
2 check into a campsite every 2 or 3 or 4 days to use EHU to fully charge the battery.
This maybe not needed if you drive for say 1 hour and maybe do this late afternoon

My suggestion is to......try to do without a genny and see how you get on.
I appreciate that some people will want / need one if they "camp up in remote spots for (dare I say) 4 or more days.
However you probably need to move anyway for
1 Sewage
2 Grey water
3 Fresh water
4 Food

 

[David Morison]

Dont understand why folk require hair driers m/wave curling tongs etc,towel to dry hair if you still have any or like me cut it v/short,a towel can be dried over a hot engine.
M/wave why bother you have gas,curling tongs,well my tail is curly from birth.
Join the army and they will teach you how to live with out all these silly trappings.

I still use my old service issued mess tins in the camper, compact (one fits inside the other) and has folding handles. We used to shave from them in the field as well as cook.

 

[trevskoda]

I still use my old service issued mess tins in the camper, compact (one fits inside the other) and has folding handles. We used to shave from them in the field as well as cook.

Yep same here though i dont use my mbc and mask unless iv eaten beens,still dont understand why folk require toasters m/waves when they have gas to cook on and a grill.
Folk here in countryside in the not so far away past had no lecy and lived just fine,wifes second aunt had no lecy running water or c/heating and lived to almost 100.
Im not saying live like a hermit but why double up on stuff which adds extra weight to van for what purpose.

 

[IanH]

strange that you are against using a generator but would run your vehicle engine to charge the battery, all very well if on the move but not very practical if staying in one spot especially with modern diesel engines, I certainly wouldn't be running my 3.9 diesel engine when I have a perfectly good small generator that is more than adequate

Full Timer, you misunderstand me!

I would never consider starting my Mh engine just to charge a battery. The solar panel does that well enough. BUT, when going to the town for the day, or visiting some other place then it makes sense to use the otherwise redundant (more or less) alternator to do some work and further charge the batteries if needed. I also wouldn't want to be camped near someone running their engine, poss for some time, BTW!!!

IanH

 

[Sky]

OK, never mind all these opinions of who likes what, we’re all different and have different needs. Here are the simple facts:

Solar Panels

Pros

· Great when the days are bright and long.
· Once fitted, forget about them.
· You can stay in one place and still get a charge.

Cons

· Absolutely useless from October to March in the UK.
· You’ll need a second leisure battery in most setups.
· Slow to charge flat batteries.
· Require installation and basic electrical knowledge.


Battery To Battery Charger

Pros

· Fit and forget.
· Once fitted, forget about them.
· Charge your batteries very quickly.

Cons

· Require installation and basic electrical knowledge.
· Only works when your engine is running.


Generator

Pros

· Power when you need it.
· High current available if you want to use a hairdryer, microwave or similar.
· No installation required – just plug in and go.


Cons

· Take up space.
· Need to carry fuel as well as additive to stop it going off.
· Unless you’re lucky to have a garage or sealed area your van will stink of fuel.
· Takes ages to charge your batteries (unless you fit a higher power charger).
· Carrying fuel is an added fire-risk.
· They are mostly unreliable unless you spend £1000.00 or more on a Honda.
· They’re noisy and will upset anyone within earshot (including you).
· People like to steal them.
· Most are heavy.

I've probably missed a few points, but the answer is that only YOU can decide which system will work best for you based on your power demands.

I hope that helps . . .

Oh - I forgot.

You'll only need a small genny to power your telly. Around 700w is the smallest around and will do a lot more as others have said.

 

[Mick H]

OK, never mind all these opinions of who likes what, we’re all different and have different needs. Here are the simple facts:

Solar Panels

Pros

· Great when the days are bright and long.
· Once fitted, forget about them.
· You can stay in one place and still get a charge.

Cons

· Absolutely useless from October to March in the UK.
· You’ll need a second leisure battery in most setups.
· Slow to charge flat batteries.
· Require installation and basic electrical knowledge.


Battery To Battery Charger

Pros

· Fit and forget.
· Once fitted, forget about them.
· Charge your batteries very quickly.

Cons

· Require installation and basic electrical knowledge.
· Only works when your engine is running.


Generator

Pros

· Power when you need it.
· High current available if you want to use a hairdryer, microwave or similar.
· No installation required – just plug in and go.


Cons

· Take up space.
· Need to carry fuel as well as additive to stop it going off.
· Unless you’re lucky to have a garage or sealed area your van will stink of fuel.
· Takes ages to charge your batteries (unless you fit a higher power charger).
· Carrying fuel is an added fire-risk.
· They are mostly unreliable unless you spend £1000.00 or more on a Honda.
· They’re noisy and will upset anyone within earshot (including you).
· People like to steal them.
· Most are heavy.

I've probably missed a few points, but the answer is that only YOU can decide which system will work best for you based on your power demands.

I hope that helps . . .

Oh - I forgot.

You'll only need a small genny to power your telly. Around 700w is the smallest around and will do a lot more as others have said.

This is probably the most balanced post, regarding the charging of motorhome batteries, in my opinion.

To those who advocate ANY particular method, just consider that, not so many years ago, we couldn't have solar, most of us didn't even have mains electric hook ups, and certainly didn't carry gennys.

Did we have a problem with flat batteries, or have to stop camping, because we required more battery power?

Of couse NOT!

No one actually needs solar, gennys, or battery to battery chargers. They may be desirable, but none are essential.

 

[trevskoda]

OK, never mind all these opinions of who likes what, we’re all different and have different needs. Here are the simple facts:

Solar Panels

Pros

· Great when the days are bright and long.
· Once fitted, forget about them.
· You can stay in one place and still get a charge.

Cons

· Absolutely useless from October to March in the UK.
· You’ll need a second leisure battery in most setups.
· Slow to charge flat batteries.
· Require installation and basic electrical knowledge.


Battery To Battery Charger

Pros

· Fit and forget.
· Once fitted, forget about them.
· Charge your batteries very quickly.

Cons

· Require installation and basic electrical knowledge.
· Only works when your engine is running.


Generator

Pros

· Power when you need it.
· High current available if you want to use a hairdryer, microwave or similar.
· No installation required – just plug in and go.


Cons

· Take up space.
· Need to carry fuel as well as additive to stop it going off.
· Unless you’re lucky to have a garage or sealed area your van will stink of fuel.
· Takes ages to charge your batteries (unless you fit a higher power charger).
· Carrying fuel is an added fire-risk.
· They are mostly unreliable unless you spend £1000.00 or more on a Honda.
· They’re noisy and will upset anyone within earshot (including you).
· People like to steal them.
· Most are heavy.

I've probably missed a few points, but the answer is that only YOU can decide which system will work best for you based on your power demands.

I hope that helps . . .

Oh - I forgot.

You'll only need a small genny to power your telly. Around 700w is the smallest around and will do a lot more as others have said.

Not sure why you think honda are good,i have one and its s--t plus would not recomend there outboard engines as there clap to,in fact so bad we dont even service them as salt eats through heads in short time.
As you say for charging batts through van charger a cheepo at around 700w will do fine but may be running half the day,you would be better going for a 30ml drive as alt will be 70ah or above .

 

[FULL TIMER]

This is probably the most balanced post, regarding the charging of motorhome batteries, in my opinion.

To those who advocate ANY particular method, just consider that, not so many years ago, we couldn't have solar, most of us didn't even have mains electric hook ups, and certainly didn't carry gennys.

Did we have a problem with flat batteries, or have to stop camping, because we required more battery power?

Of couse NOT!

No one actually needs solar, gennys, or battery to battery chargers. They may be desirable, but none are essential.

Agree but when you are living in your van full time you really don't want to be making do when with a few extra's you can be very comfortable, we have solar with dual controller ,3 separate battery banks, one 24v vehicle , one for habitation yet another set aside for the diesel heater, two very good quality on board battery chargers Sterling 24v 25 amp supplies vehicle battery, Xantrex 40 amp 12v supplies the two habitation banks independently, soon to be fitted totally automatic 24v dc to 12v 30 amp dc battery charger for when on the move, or could replace the Xantrex if on hookup /genny all of which works well, along with the tiny Hyundai genny I think we have all options covered.

 

[Johnnygm7lsi]

LOL Wull, bet u wished you'd never asked.

 

[colinm]

OK, never mind all these opinions of who likes what, we’re all different and have different needs. Here are the simple facts:

Solar Panels

Pros

· Great when the days are bright and long.
· Once fitted, forget about them.
· You can stay in one place and still get a charge.

Cons

· Absolutely useless from October to March in the UK.
· You’ll need a second leisure battery in most setups.
· Slow to charge flat batteries.
· Require installation and basic electrical knowledge.


Battery To Battery Charger

Pros

· Fit and forget.
· Once fitted, forget about them.
· Charge your batteries very quickly.

Cons

· Require installation and basic electrical knowledge.
· Only works when your engine is running.


Generator

Pros

· Power when you need it.
· High current available if you want to use a hairdryer, microwave or similar.
· No installation required – just plug in and go.


Cons

· Take up space.
· Need to carry fuel as well as additive to stop it going off.
· Unless you’re lucky to have a garage or sealed area your van will stink of fuel.
· Takes ages to charge your batteries (unless you fit a higher power charger).
· Carrying fuel is an added fire-risk.
· They are mostly unreliable unless you spend £1000.00 or more on a Honda.
· They’re noisy and will upset anyone within earshot (including you).
· People like to steal them.
· Most are heavy.

I've probably missed a few points, but the answer is that only YOU can decide which system will work best for you based on your power demands.

I hope that helps . . .

Oh - I forgot.

You'll only need a small genny to power your telly. Around 700w is the smallest around and will do a lot more as others have said.

This pretty much sums it up, but I would add the following.
Reading the OP you appear to want to run the genny to power the heating and tv (unless I've misread that), This is not a good idea, it would mean you are reliant on the genny for tv, and to power the heating it would need to be a powerful genny and run for many hours. IMO much better to run the heating on gas setting with the batteries powering the fan which they should easily do, for the tv depending on how much power it uses and how much you watch it, then you may be able to power it throu an invertor or if it has a external PSU it may run direct on 12v, then if you move every day you should be only running on batteries, but in winter if you park up for several days you will only need to run the genny long enough to top up.

 

[jagmanx]

30 Miles = 70 amp-hours

Not sure why you think honda are good,i have one and its s--t plus would not recomend there outboard engines as there clap to,in fact so bad we dont even service them as salt eats through heads in short time.
As you say for charging batts through van charger a cheepo at around 700w will do fine but may be running half the day,you would be better going for a 30ml drive as alt will be 70ah or above .

Thanks Trev.
Very useful info.

As you will have read
1 I do not want a genny
2 Only 1 LB @ 85 amp-hours
120Watt Solar

I Do not need anything more

 

[andromeda]

Totally confused

Nearly 3 years ago I had a smallish van with 2 leisure batteries and a gas fire. Wall mounted combo water heater. Never ran out of power. Now a larger van with hot air heating with combie water heater. Was out one night in autumn battery dead. Children had tv on for couple of hours and had charged phones. Later had to have a new engine battery as was at less than 9% and kept going flat. Would that have affected leisure battery?
I have no technical skills and I am dependent on professionals to fit things like leisure batteries and solar panels this makes the costs of things pretty prohibitive at present. How on earth do I work out amps or voltages or whatever and is there a website or manual to explain stuff so that doing get ripped off by said professionals?
Invertors, split chargers etc are like a foreign language for the likes of me so any help on where to find info gratefully received.

 

[Kontiki]

A point I think people have missed is that he wanted a genny to power a 240volt TV is the convienence. Now I like to watch the TV when I want so being able to turn it on & off at any time. If you need to run a genny to watch TV you are going to have to at least go outside to turn it on & off (unless you go for one of the expensive systems that is fitted in the van). Just imagine it's cold/wet/snowing & you have to get out of a warm bed to turn the genny on to watch the telly or go outside after watching a nights TV to turn it off & put it away. Just my point of view, if you want to run a 240 volt TV then consider an inverter but you can get pretty decent 12 volt TV for under £80, one of the best ones we had was a 21" one from Aldi with a 3 year warranty (wish we had kept it when we sold the van as they don't seem to sell any small TV's now)

 

[trevskoda]

Nearly 3 years ago I had a smallish van with 2 leisure batteries and a gas fire. Wall mounted combo water heater. Never ran out of power. Now a larger van with hot air heating with combie water heater. Was out one night in autumn battery dead. Children had tv on for couple of hours and had charged phones. Later had to have a new engine battery as was at less than 9% and kept going flat. Would that have affected leisure battery?
I have no technical skills and I am dependent on professionals to fit things like leisure batteries and solar panels this makes the costs of things pretty prohibitive at present. How on earth do I work out amps or voltages or whatever and is there a website or manual to explain stuff so that doing get ripped off by said professionals?
Invertors, split chargers etc are like a foreign language for the likes of me so any help on where to find info gratefully received.

Hi there are simple books on lecy stuff or on line google,first amps & watts of power are basicly the same thing but volts is the shunt or driving force.
So a bulb at 100w driven by 230v simply divide 100 by 230 and o.43 will be answer which is less than half a amp draw of power.
So from here we can look at our van with a 12v battery at 100ah capacity,so if you had a tv running using 100w divide 12 into 100=8amps,now subtract 8 from 100 for every hour its running ie 5hrs tv 40ah which would leave battery almost half depleated.
If you have a volt meter fitted then watch as voltage drops to almost 12v from a full charge of about 12.8v its time to switch of or the battery will be damaged.
Next inverters are a electronic box of tricks which step voltage up from say 12v to 230v but in doing so loose some power by wastage,so 12v to 230 with a 100ah battery will give about a hour less run time on a 230v tv that if you had used a 12v tv and thats why folk as a rule buy 12v tv for van rather than use inverters unless your using camp sites plugged into ehu 24/7 where the battery will be getting charged as you use it,hope this helps a we bit other here may be better to explain than i.

 

[Nesting Zombie]

Hi there are simple books on lecy stuff or on line google,first amps & watts of power are basicly the same thing but volts is the shunt or driving force.
So a bulb at 100w driven by 230v simply divide 100 by 230 and o.43 will be answer which is less than half a amp draw of power.
So from here we can look at our van with a 12v battery at 100ah capacity,so if you had a tv running using 100w divide 12 into 100=8amps,now subtract 8 from 100 for every hour its running ie 5hrs tv 40ah which would leave battery almost half depleated.
If you have a volt meter fitted then watch as voltage drops to almost 12v from a full charge of about 12.8v its time to switch of or the battery will be damaged.
Next inverters are a electronic box of tricks which step voltage up from say 12v to 230v but in doing so loose some power by wastage,so 12v to 230 with a 100ah battery will give about a hour less run time on a 230v tv that if you had used a 12v tv and thats why folk as a rule buy 12v tv for van rather than use inverters unless your using camp sites plugged into ehu 24/7 where the battery will be getting charged as you use it,hope this helps a we bit other here may be better to explain than i.

Hi ya,
Yep ish !
the 1st hr Might be around the 8 from the 100 then
But the 2nd hour might be more like 8 from 92 then
the 3rd hour might be 8 from 84 then
4th hour prob 8 from 76 then
5th hour prob 8 from 68
& so on kinda thing, Roughly, Braudly speaking as a Guide ish.
But yep I agree that I agree with you. Same result, But your post is clearer than mine

 

[trevskoda]

Hi ya,
Yep ish !
the 1st hr Might be around the 8 from the 100 then
But the 2nd hour might be more like 8 from 92 then
the 3rd hour might be 8 from 84 then
4th hour prob 8 from 76 then
5th hour prob 8 from 68
& so on kinda thing, Roughly, Braudly speaking as a Guide ish.
But yep I agree that I agree with you. Same result, But your post is clearer than mine

Yep its a simplified rule of thumb and folk forget about lights burning etc which all add up,one thing for sure you can never have to many batterys on board plus plenty of ways to charge the bu--ers.

 

[molly 2]

Forget inverters for TV, modern 12 V TV run as low as 1 amph .