Generator ! (1 Viewer)

Howard H

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Thinking of buying this purely as an emergency backup to recharge leisure batteries if we ever the need arises. Now I now generators are very controversial but it would only be used as a emergency so do you think it would do the job ?
 

Ivory55

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May 23, 2012
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It’s a £200 insurance policy, have you ever needed one before. It’s not going run much like a hair dryer. Seems a lot of money for just in case.
 
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Howard H

Howard H

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It’s a £200 insurance policy, have you ever needed one before. It’s not going run much like a hair dryer. Seems a lot of money for just in case.
No I haven’t needed one before but have always stopped on site with hookup but hope to retire this year and get a little more adventurous and wild camp a bit more . I thought at price it was cheap but was more concerned if it would actually do the job (y)

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Ivory55

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Why not try before you buy. You may be surprised how long you’re existing set up lasts , you can always go to a site to recharge if it’s not working rather than spending money on things be it generator or solar etc before you know for sure.
 

pappajohn

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If it's just to charge batteries a solar panel is a far better option for probably less money.
Much lighter to lug around, no ongoing cost and works every time the sun comes out.
 
Jan 19, 2014
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If you can make a tilt system on your solar panels the output goes up a lot, not measured it but it more than doubles.
 
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Howard H

Howard H

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If it's just to charge batteries a solar panel is a far better option for probably less money.
Much lighter to lug around, no ongoing cost and works every time the sun comes out.
I do have a solar panel (120watts ? I think) but just a 90 amp battery it is pre wired for another battery which I will get , but hate the thought of being stuck somewhere with a flat battery or worse still a flat engine battery.

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May 7, 2016
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I used a 1000w generator for a while but it would trip out soon after I turned the charger on. The charger was on a separate circuit and the only item connected to the generator. I was using a Sterling 40a charger which was within the1000w technically available but I think that after the initialsation process there was a short surge as the full load cut in and this was enough to trip the generator. I could trick it into working by attaching a 10a charger first and then swapping them over but it was a faff. I am now proceeding down the route of solar and battery to battery charger. Some will say the b to b is not needed but with a smart alternator I find that the effective charging period, through a standard split charge relay, is too short to be fully effective.
 
Jan 19, 2014
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I do have a solar panel (120watts ? I think) but just a 90 amp battery it is pre wired for another battery which I will get , but hate the thought of being stuck somewhere with a flat battery or worse still a flat engine battery.
Get a good battery monitor and it will never happen, the BM1 monitor is excellent, you know exactly what's left in the battery and how long you've got left. Just run the engine in an emergency. If your engine battery is being drained something needs fixing.
 

Ivory55

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I do have a solar panel (120watts ? I think) but just a 90 amp battery it is pre wired for another battery which I will get , but hate the thought of being stuck somewhere with a flat battery or worse still a flat engine battery.
Have you got a set of jump leads ? You will find people are very helpful if you’re battery is flat and can not start. I would guess 2 batteries will last you a lot longer then you think.

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Howard H

Howard H

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Thanks for all your replies , I think I might go down the extra battery and jump lead route for now anyway ! But for £200 you never know .
I used to be indecisive but I am not sure now .lol (y)
 
Apr 11, 2015
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Think ours is an 800, have used it a couple of times, despite solar and 2 new batteries. Need it for medical purpose, not manage to run the CPAP on gas yet.

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jollyrodger

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I bought one of the 1200w inverter Genny's from Lidl last year £129.99 , bulkier but not that noisy ,used it while out wilding and no sun .handy for use around the boat .
Thinking of getting one of these
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:D
 

Terry

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Hi Howard your engine battery should not be wired to your leisure battery...very surprised if it is
... so you should always be able to start your engine which in turn should charge the LB.....if you can manage for a couple of nights now adding another LB will double that to 4 nights
When I carried a genny yrs ago the only time I used it was to lend it out for someone to run a compressor to blow tires up ...dont bother and save your money ...yes it should charge your batts
Terry
 
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Howard H

Howard H

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Nov 10, 2015
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Hi Howard your engine battery should not be wired to your leisure battery...very surprised if it is
... so you should always be able to start your engine which in turn should charge the LB.....if you can manage for a couple of nights now adding another LB will double that to 4 nights
When I carried a genny yrs ago the only time I used it was to lend it out for someone to run a compressor to blow tires up ...dont bother and save your money ...yes it should charge your batts
Terry
Excellent advice thanks Terry

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Terry

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I would think it's ok to carry 5 lts of fuel in a approved vessel ..... if unsure phone your ins co and ask for a definative answer...would think Gas would be a lot risky than petrol
 

JJ20

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I bought this and it's saved me a couple of times already, it starts my 2.8jtd engine lovely and that's from a really flat battery, accidentally left interior lights on when we put the motorhome in storage......ooops. It's an amazing bit of kit and worth every penny.

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Howard H

Howard H

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Nov 10, 2015
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I bought this and it's saved me a couple of times already, it starts my 2.8jtd engine lovely and that's from a really flat battery, accidentally left interior lights on when we put the motorhome in storage......ooops. It's an amazing bit of kit and worth every penny.
That’s brilliant my brother bought me one or a very similar one for Christmas I thought it was just a gimmick and something that small could never start a diesel but if it can that’s the flat battery scenario taken care off . Happy days thanks
 

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