Question

Lancashirelass

Guest
Hi
We have only had a Motorhome for the last year and love it, we mostly stay at sites that have Power/Water but love doing a bit of Wild Camping now and again therefore have just purchased a generator (1100 watt Clarke) for times when we are parked-up away from others and would want to use it for 800watt microwave, TV, etc without disturbing anyone.
My question is, Can I simply plug it into the mains input on side of vehicle and if so is there a correct procedure for doing this.
I only ask as I don't want to damage any wiring or cause a fire risk!
Would be Grateful for advice.
Tony.
 
Lancashirelass said:
Hi
We have only had a Motorhome for the last year and love it, we mostly stay at sites that have Power/Water but love doing a bit of Wild Camping now and again therefore have just purchased a generator (1100 watt Clarke) for times when we are parked-up away from others and would want to use it for 800watt microwave, TV, etc without disturbing anyone.
My question is, Can I simply plug it into the mains input on side of vehicle and if so is there a correct procedure for doing this.
I only ask as I don't want to damage any wiring or cause a fire risk!
Would be Grateful for advice.
Tony.
Click to expand...
Hi tony
I don't think it really matters, but am sure someone will come along soon and tell you.
if I need my generator on all I do is plug my lead into the Motorhome first then into the generator and then start it up 😊
Paul
 
i'd do it the other way round- start the genny ,then plug it in,in case of surges
 
I seem to remember somebody posting elsewhere that they used an anti surge lead to connect, but I can't find such a product.

Somebody else may know of one?
 
Not sure you jenny would power microwave 800 Watt is the power output of the microwave not the Imput check the power spec on rear of oven you may have to run a 2kw inverter. To run of. Battery and jenny . Any comments from people that run a microwave of gridd
 
molly 2 said:
Not sure you jenny would power microwave 800 Watt is the power output of the microwave not the Imput check the power spec on rear of oven you may have to run a 2kw inverter. To run of. Battery and jenny . Any comments from people that run a microwave of gridd
Click to expand...


Yes we do, it`s a 550 watt microwave that was fitted in the van from new.

It takes 900 watt input power so our Honda EU10i runs it OK but i need to be careful.

I always start the gennie first then connect the EHU lead and let it run for a few minutes before the microwave is turned on.

I think the 800 watt one that the OP sates might be too high a power and will need at least 1200 or even 1400 watt to run it.
 
I have a 800w microwave but I use my Honda eu20i or I can also use my 2000w pure sine wave inverter
Paul
 
wisper said:
I have a 800w microwave but I use my Honda eu20i or I can also use my 2000w pure sine wave inverter
Paul
Click to expand...

I have that same 2kw Honda generator. My mate has the 1k version. I can run the 800w microwave from my 2kw Honda but his 1kw Honda just trips if he tries to use it on the same microwave. I wondered why that was happening on a 800w microwave but having read this thread it all makes sense.

Tony: I hope you haven't wasted your money on the generator you have bought.
 
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Yes, but:

Always start the gennie first and allow it to run for a few minutes.

Before plugging into the van, make sure everything is turned off. A big surge can cause a spark and that can do all sorts of damage to appliances as well as you and the gennie.

Small gennies are a waste of time really. Most van's battery charger will be pulling 12 amps or more before you even get any other appliance going.

As you have a smallish gennie, I would suggest using a direct lead to one appliance at a time.
 
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Sky is right, the other thing is your genny is to low powered. 12vlt TV's and Microwaves are now as cheap as chips, and do you rearly want the noise of the genny? :ditto:
 
molly 2 said:
Not sure you jenny would power microwave 800 Watt is the power output of the microwave not the Imput check the power spec on rear of oven you may have to run a 2kw inverter. To run of. Battery and jenny . Any comments from people that run a microwave of gridd
Click to expand...

Learning all the time, very grateful.
 
1100watt Genny

eurodat said:
I have that same 2kw Honda generator. My mate has the 1k version. I can run the 800w microwave from my 2kw Honda but his 1kw Honda just trips if he tries to use it on the same microwave. I wondered why that was happening on a 800w microwave but having read this thread it all makes sense.

Tony: I hope you haven't wasted your money on the generator you have bought.
Click to expand...

To be Honest it was 8 month old when I bought it last week and it's like new, it cost less than half the price of new one, so will advertise it and get myself a Decent Honda as most folks seem to favour.
Really Grateful for everyone's help.
 
A lot seem to swear by Kippor generators too, in effect a copy of the Honda

Channa
 
channa said:
A lot seem to swear by Kippor generators too, in effect a copy of the Honda

Channa
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I used to have a kippor generator, was not happy with it at all,it was very noisy even tho they clame to be as quiet as the Honda ,
so I soon sold it and got a Honda 2.0
paul
 
I have the 3kW Kipor and I find it excellent. It's every bit as quiet as the Honda and runs my 800W microwave on tickover.

I appreciate that the Hondas are far better generators and only got this one as it was the right price (£200) and had only been run for a few hours.

I only use it when I have to charge the batteries if I've not been driving much. I'll use that opportunity to use the microwave, the electric kettle, recharge everything and watch some TV.

I prefer to cook rather than eat ready meals - it's a lot cheaper and at least then I know what I'm eating. ;)

Positives; great for emergencies and if higher power is needed.

Negatives; noisy, smelly, heavy, you need to carry fuel and they take up a lot of space.
 
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