BedfordMJ
Guest
You opened the can of worms? I manage quite well with the charge from driving and hook up. I have a generator for use in very rare occasions.
You'll get very opposing opinions here and some people are reckless when disturbing people with running generators I'm not.
You'll get very opposing opinions here and some people are reckless when disturbing people with running generators I'm not.
Channa
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Agreed and Agreed.
Last year in France, a French chap in front was using a generator. The bloke in front of him who was German, came up to his genny, poured sugar in the fuel tank and cut the cables
When I asked him what he was doing ...I come here for x years for peace and quiet not to listen to that !
I told the French chap about the fuel contamination and a quick strip down all was in order.
But it does seems generators divide the masses.
Channa
BedfordMJ
Guest
GARY ENGLISH
Guest
alimein
Have you thought about wind power,you can get some small wind turbines for top van.
Have you thought about wind power,you can get some small wind turbines for top van.
robjmckinney
Guest
Solar Panel
What must be remembered on solar panels is that despite what the manufacturers claim they are only 25% efficient in use. You could run your batteries to some extent off your existing charging system but of course this will mean running your engine occasionally. A simple wiring/relay kit can be bought off ebay cheap or indeed they have various suitcase generators that are quite quiet and low cost.
Don't try to buy the suitcase type solar panel, try to get the biggest panel you can afford with a controller to prevent overcharging. Combining solar with the vehicle charging might be worth considering!
Wind generators are a joke and are less than 5% efficient at best, don't waste your money, leave them to Middle Class plonkers for their roofs, they can afford to throw money away!
What must be remembered on solar panels is that despite what the manufacturers claim they are only 25% efficient in use. You could run your batteries to some extent off your existing charging system but of course this will mean running your engine occasionally. A simple wiring/relay kit can be bought off ebay cheap or indeed they have various suitcase generators that are quite quiet and low cost.
Don't try to buy the suitcase type solar panel, try to get the biggest panel you can afford with a controller to prevent overcharging. Combining solar with the vehicle charging might be worth considering!
Wind generators are a joke and are less than 5% efficient at best, don't waste your money, leave them to Middle Class plonkers for their roofs, they can afford to throw money away!
tresrikay
Guest
Deep intake of breath in anticipation of the Wrath of........... Solar panels, I have a 43 watt and a 90a/h battery and have never wanted extra power, I can charge my laptop, camera, and phone with no need of any extra power. I run a 150 inverter too and even in winter I can use my laptop.
Solar panels are working all the time (in daylight) do not need extra hazerdous fuel, or be hooked up ......... and most of all .... you have to point out the fact that you have one to fellow campers. I have never annoyed a single neighbour with my panel but have been driven to near murder by Genny's
The problem is that those that use a genny inconsiderately, are usually watching a loud telly inside , on the 8 th can of special brew and dont give a s**t about their neighbours.......... Before the deluge of abuse .... I am AWARE that most users on here only use the Genny in full consideration of fellow campers. and only in dire emergencies...... which is why i blow the trumpet for the panal.... as it is WORKING, ALL, THE TIME.
........... Solar panels, I have a 43 watt and a 90a/h battery and have never wanted extra power, I can charge my laptop, camera, and phone with no need of any extra power. I run a 150 inverter too and even in winter I can use my laptop.Solar panels are working all the time (in daylight) do not need extra hazerdous fuel, or be hooked up ......... and most of all .... you have to point out the fact that you have one to fellow campers. I have never annoyed a single neighbour with my panel but have been driven to near murder by Genny's
The problem is that those that use a genny inconsiderately, are usually watching a loud telly inside , on the 8 th can of special brew and dont give a s**t about their neighbours.......... Before the deluge of abuse .... I am AWARE that most users on here only use the Genny in full consideration of fellow campers. and only in dire emergencies...... which is why i blow the trumpet for the panal.... as it is WORKING, ALL, THE TIME.
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Jacques le foot
Guest
Here here Teriskay, I agree with every word you've said.
Jackie
Jackie
robjmckinney
Guest
Solar Panel
While you may trumpet such a low wattage panel, low power use of values discribed probably would be sufficient. I infact run a similar setup off the vehicle battery, never had starting problems and hours running time. 43 watts some 3.5 amps would be alright for light use but I assume with two 110ah no doubt larger power drains are likely. Therefore assuming higher power uses are needed then much larger currents to recharge the batteries. Perhaps the questioner would best answer the question on the type of loads he intends to use, that will confirm who is right or wrong.
So Alimein tot-up your intended load, items you intend to run then simple sums will calculate your power needs, then opt for the best charging options. I would also suggest a little extra for future needs, how long you intend to stop, over several days perhaps a higher power system, simple one day stops not to much power or short bursts to top up!
I have used solar panels extensively on my boats, must say I was disappointed with their performance, plus extensive research on the subject. What I can offer is assistance in toting up your power needs as a past vehicle electrician and domestic appliance engineer!
While you may trumpet such a low wattage panel, low power use of values discribed probably would be sufficient. I infact run a similar setup off the vehicle battery, never had starting problems and hours running time. 43 watts some 3.5 amps would be alright for light use but I assume with two 110ah no doubt larger power drains are likely. Therefore assuming higher power uses are needed then much larger currents to recharge the batteries. Perhaps the questioner would best answer the question on the type of loads he intends to use, that will confirm who is right or wrong.
So Alimein tot-up your intended load, items you intend to run then simple sums will calculate your power needs, then opt for the best charging options. I would also suggest a little extra for future needs, how long you intend to stop, over several days perhaps a higher power system, simple one day stops not to much power or short bursts to top up!
I have used solar panels extensively on my boats, must say I was disappointed with their performance, plus extensive research on the subject. What I can offer is assistance in toting up your power needs as a past vehicle electrician and domestic appliance engineer!
Channa
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I asked a similar question to the OP re a defunct battery I have and the best options going forward. Solar, Wind or genny and new battery 85 ah or 110 ah
my conclusion is the former are great in terms of 'green' but the latter does a more accomplished job. Bangs for Buck has they say.
It seems to me there is a lot of 'emotion' expressed on this subject.
perhaps the most effective method would be more useful to those of us who are'nt particularly mechanical and then the ecological merits considered as a secondary consideration ?
Unless of course an OP specifically requests that 'green' is their thing.
The reason for my rant is quite simple, most motorhomers are recreational therefore environmental impact is minimal. In the grander scale there are far bigger pollutants than our motorhomes.
BTW before I am flamed, I am not directing criticism at any particular individual or school of thought.
But firstly what is most efficient bang for buck and then we can discuss the negatives
Regards
Channa
my conclusion is the former are great in terms of 'green' but the latter does a more accomplished job. Bangs for Buck has they say.
It seems to me there is a lot of 'emotion' expressed on this subject.
perhaps the most effective method would be more useful to those of us who are'nt particularly mechanical and then the ecological merits considered as a secondary consideration ?
Unless of course an OP specifically requests that 'green' is their thing.
The reason for my rant is quite simple, most motorhomers are recreational therefore environmental impact is minimal. In the grander scale there are far bigger pollutants than our motorhomes.
BTW before I am flamed, I am not directing criticism at any particular individual or school of thought.
But firstly what is most efficient bang for buck and then we can discuss the negatives
Regards
Channa
Lazy
Guest
go solar
Hi I agree that a hook up to the car charge system is the way to go. I will be in Europe in about 3 weeks for somer months and will be putting a solar panel on as well as the hook up. We only need to run lights and a couple of computers. We will have 220 amp hours of batteries and looking a 2 80 watt 12 volt panels which should replace about40 amphours per day
cheers Lazy
Hi I agree that a hook up to the car charge system is the way to go. I will be in Europe in about 3 weeks for somer months and will be putting a solar panel on as well as the hook up. We only need to run lights and a couple of computers. We will have 220 amp hours of batteries and looking a 2 80 watt 12 volt panels which should replace about40 amphours per day
cheers Lazy
derekfaeberwick
Guest
Sounds like belt and braces if that's all you are running but there's nowt wrong with that.
Pioneer
Guest
hi guys
i intend to do europe for a year and want to be self reliant as much as possible i have two 110 amp lesiure batts is solar the way or generator
any advice most welcome
cheers
ps have bought tin opener now
Hi alimein,
with your 2 x 110 amp/hr batteries already charging from the alternator, do yourself a favour and everyone else (no noise) and fit a solar panel, the bigger the better, and fit with it a controller that prevents overcharge.
Job done.
I only have 2 x 85 amp/hr batteries connected this way, and no problems.
The droning of a genny gets most peoples backs up.
Happy Camping
Droop
Guest
Complainers
Why do some have to continually complain about generators. There are plenty of other 'things' to complain about if you're that way inclined.
One of the joys of wild camping is the ability to move on if you don't like your neighbours - for whatever reason.
I don't like people smoking near to me or my children but it's not my right to tell them to stop. If I don't like it a move on.
Stop complaining and live-and-let-live.
Why do some have to continually complain about generators. There are plenty of other 'things' to complain about if you're that way inclined.
One of the joys of wild camping is the ability to move on if you don't like your neighbours - for whatever reason.
I don't like people smoking near to me or my children but it's not my right to tell them to stop. If I don't like it a move on.
Stop complaining and live-and-let-live.
fred ee
Guest
...which can and often do make more noise than a generator...and for 24 hours a day!
Signed
A boater...
simong
Guest
I'll put my 2p into the mix, why do you got wild camping?? to have a break from everyday life yes?
So why mess with a genny, filling it up, spilling fuel all over cos you had 1 too many the night before, then the constant hum of it over your hang over???
where as solar no mess,no noise it virtually looks after it's self, and more to the point you don't pee anyone off that you was getting on great with the night before but then they found out your about ti run a genny all day to watch your 44" lcd tv
So why mess with a genny, filling it up, spilling fuel all over cos you had 1 too many the night before, then the constant hum of it over your hang over???
where as solar no mess,no noise it virtually looks after it's self, and more to the point you don't pee anyone off that you was getting on great with the night before but then they found out your about ti run a genny all day to watch your 44" lcd tv
wildweekend
Guest
I was in Fort William car park last weekend, 20 odd m/h`s all talking about the hymer on Skye with the constant drum coming from it. LOL
simong
Guest
I don't think even the most grumpiest of people would complain about 5 minutes of use, well saying that there is always one somewhereWe used our Genny twice on our Skye tour for about 5 minutes on each occasion for Kaths hair curlers ( a lady thing)
How could that pee anybody off
and if it did whoopeeee
Bye the way, a French M/H was parked with us and if they had still been there I would have asked (told) them that I would be running a genny for 5 minutes and I would not have expected them to complain for such a short time.
But to run a TV for hours
BedfordMJ
Guest
My previous post about a guy at a meet running a generator all day I've found out the reason why was to run a fridge - that makes sense doesn't it?
We all make choices on what we think we need or want. I preferred the generator stand-by option, hardly used but there if needed.
We all make choices on what we think we need or want. I preferred the generator stand-by option, hardly used but there if needed.
Kontiki
Full Member
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The way you are using your van could well dictate if you need a genny or if you can manage on batteries and solar panel. If like us we tend to travel around quite a bit usually only staying a couple of days, we watch some telly but not a great deal, our 85 watt panel & the 85amp gel battery works ok. If you intend to park up for weeks on end & you are using microwaves, hair dryers etc. then you probably need a generator. If you are travelling around europe there are many aires/stellplatz stopping places where you can get a mains hook up sometimes for FREE.