Generators

[Chris63]

I am contemplating buying a generator for use at this time of year when using Aires , etc. Do they require regular maintenance ?Any thoughts on their use and is there any particular make which is better that the rest.
Thanks and Happy New Year
Chris

 

[David and Sally]

Yes.
You will get pilloried wherever you go.
Honda.
Happy New (quiet) Year.

I have one but dare not use it anywhere near Funsters.

 

[tacr2man]

This is quite well discussed topic I think
<Broken link removed>

before it all kicks off for the new year

 

[Lenny HB]

You will not be popular if use one on an Aire about the last place you should use one, vans are parked far closer together than on a site.
Only really acceptable when wilding miles from anyone else.
No such thing as a quiet generator.

 

[phillipsheila]

I also thought about getting a genny but id rather have friends and windows intact

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[NicM]

I am contemplating buying a generator for use at this time of year when using Aires , etc. Do they require regular maintenance ?Any thoughts on their use and is there any particular make which is better that the rest.
Thanks and Happy New Year
Chris

Honda is probably the best way to go, not much maintenance, the main problem is that the fuel will go off if left to long, especially the new E10, best to drain it, if left.

 

[Carpmart]

Kipor generators are excellent. I abused a 2kw one for many years when motor racing and it just kept on chugging away.

 

[Googlebot]

Do you really need one would be my question?

Forget the question of if you should have one, that’s been done more than once on here.

If you only stay one night and aren’t power hungry, you might find you have plenty of battery power left. Even this time of year with all lights on and heating full blast we only use about 30ah a day. Even with 2 lead acid, that’s 2 full days before needing to charge. I bet if we were careful we could double that.

Generators are heavy to lug around and the fuel stinks.

If I had to use one, it would be an inverter type with an LPG conversion. Just hook up to BBQ point then and no smelly petrol. Also less issues with the carburettor gumming up with lack of use.

 

[Neil S]

If you need electricity there are plenty of Aires with EHU for a nominal cost
CCP have a huge network across France

 

[dpsuk999]

I have a Honda EU10i which has been converted to use LPG for sale if you are interested drop me a PM. It’s had a full service in October and has been run on LPG for the last 3 years so no problem with the carburetor gumming up with old stale petrol.

It simply plugs into the BBQ point on your motorhome and comes with all the quick connections etc.

David

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[GMLS]

Unless you really need loads of power, would one of the new solar generators (Jackery/Poweroak) not be a better solution? Or make your own version?

 

[The Old Man]

I thought long and hard about my power supply while Freedom Camping and finally decided on Generator over Solar.

I Freedom Camp in remote places and need power at the storage site to keep batteries up to the mark.

I usually manage three days 'off grid,' Hab Battery and Fresh Water are usually first to go.

Daily coffee runs might stretch the battery to four days. Water is usually easy to find and getting it gives the battery a small boost.

As the battery tired I would go on site with hook up to reset everything.

Over Covid I have found going on site for one night both expensive and not as easy as it was.

Lack of van use and some 12v issues may have hurt my battery, so I decided that it was time to get a second source of Amps.

A chance meeting on the storage site with a mobile mechanic using a Kipor generator for work led to an interesting conversation. I was impressed by the lack of noise from the Kipor and the price he suggested they were available for. However he did not supply them and pointed me at Amazon.

Still undecided I retreated to think, which led to me deciding against Solar as I didn't think it would work for me as I'm in Wales, mostly camp in Wales, Wales and sunshine are not very positive.

So I decided but couldn't get a suitable Kipor and Amazon suggested a Bohmer. The numbers seemed good but it introduced another variable, so back to thinking!

Now we know how Amazon works, having looked at the Bohmer and put it on a Wishlist, an influx of offers and counter offers flew into my mailbox, including a 'one day' special half price offer on the Bohmer.

Sold - LOL.

It arrived and once sorted I was off to the storage site and connected it up.

Fired up an connected the 240v light glowed on the Control Panel. Switched the fridge on, tested the Microwave, the toaster and watched the Amps flowing into the batteries on the Control Panel meter.

Locked the van and went for a stroll to have a noise check. 50-100 metres away but with five vans between me and the generator I could barely hear it.

This week I gave it the first field test. Alone in a mountainside carpark, fired up an working, I could hear it inside whilst watching TV but it was not intruding. Some walkers returned and I apologised for the noise. They had heard it from about 200meters away but didn't know what it was and assumed that it was a farmer and tractor. We carried on a conversation whilst stood next to the generator running, albeit at idle and not under power.

All in all, I was very satisfied and returned home with more power in the Hab battery than when I left.

Amazon product ASIN B07L6L8XJ3
I paid
£189.99

 

[Carpmart]

Sounds like you’ve got the perfect solution to your needs!

I abused a Kipor generator for many many years! The thing was indestructible, started on demand and was an awesome workhorse.

 

[Chris63]

Thanks for that very informative post. Chris

 

[TinaLes]

So Chris63
To Generator....Or not to Generator....That is the question!
Spill the beans what have you decided, we also need to know the Reg of your van, so that we can keep our distance!

I have reasonably quiet one down the shed, for the electric cement mixer & power tools like concrete breaker etc when working remotely, but I wouldn't dare use it for the van, its too heavy & drinks fuel, and does not run on LPG.
LES

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[Chris63]

Hi TinaL,
The topic is hotly debated , one mate has one and swears by it but he will be off grid
My brother in law said ‘ why’ don’t be daft
To get out at this time of year it is a necessity, still pondering
The quieter the better , there are some good ones out there , Honda obviously but the others like Hyundai ?? Are also good
Only been once this year , saving my pennies for diesel
Chris

 

[stevewagner]

Better off with a decent B2B in my view