Tips on using a generator please

[David and Sally]

Hi,

Off to the Stratford Rally in a few weeks but they have no EHU.

We don't have solar but do have a Honda 10i generator that we used to use for our caravan many years ago. I guess modern MoHo systems are more complicated.

I would like to top up the batteries on occassions so wonder if there are any Dos or Dont's?

I would start the genny and get it running evenly then plug in the supply lead.
Do I need to do anything else?

The EHU charges the hab and starter batteries.

Many thanks

 

[olley]

There is leccy on the club campsite as you go in, but you have be there early on monday to have any chance of getting it.

 

[Wombles]

There is leccy on the club campsite as you go in, but you have be there early on monday to have any chance of getting it.

Think the OP may be talking about Stratford River Festival Rally & there isn't any electric supply at all to the big field that we use.

 

[bigtwin]

Just be sensible/considerate in your use and don’t leave it running all day.

I’ve been pitched next to Funsters that are noisier than a Honda 10i at full chat so as long as you are considerate you won’t upset anyone.

Ian

 

[Silver-Fox]

Hold the topic I’m just off for some pop corn and a drink

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[Silver-Fox]

Just be sensible/considerate in your use and don’t leave it running all day.

I’ve been pitched next to Funsters that are noisier than a Honda 10i at full chat so as long as you are considerate you won’t upset anyone.

Ian

I wasn’t any where near you at Thetford

 

[Wombles]

We are lucky that at both Stratford River Festival & Lymington Seafood Festival Rallies we have big fields so those with generators including RVs are pitched away from those without & running is limited to daytime use & when needed. Can't do anything about noisy, chatty Funsters though as we are guilty of that!

 

[funflair]

No wishing to turn this into a anti generator thread but why not invest in some solar as it will give you a lot more freedom.

Martin

 

[David and Sally]

I was more thinking of any technical issues. Blowing fuses, chargers etc. I intend to be considerate - I always am

 

[David and Sally]

No wishing to turn this into a anti generator thread but why not invest in some solar as it will give you a lot more freedom.

Martin

Because we are usually on EHU. I know, paying for campsites etc, but we do like our comforts.!

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[bigtwin]

I wasn’t any where near you at Thetford

I know, and I could still hear you!
No matter how loudly you pray, that CCM will not be reliable

Ian

 

[Silver-Fox]

I know, and I could still hear you!
No matter how loudly you pray, that CCM will not be reliable

Ian

You had to mention the bloody bike didn’t you

 

[hilldweller]

as you are considerate you won’t upset anyone.

Ian

This is FUN, they'll upset many just by owning one.

 

[Trout bum]

You will be fine with the gennie running to top up batteries obvious issues are don't have it on too late at night, make sure it's got an earth fitted to a ground spike , keep pets and kids away from it as exhaust gets hot , and don't place it in long grass when operating as it could cause a grass fire. Apart from that enjoy , good thing about the Honda. Gennie you have is it's safe to use with laptops TVs etc , have a good time

 

[David and Sally]

make sure it's got an earth fitted to a ground spike , etc ,

There you see. That's why I asked. Never thought of that.

Thanks

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[Silver-Fox]

I’ve yet to see a genie run with a ground spike.

Interesting

 

[David and Sally]

I’ve yet to see a genie run with a ground spike.

Interesting

Ah.....as you say, interesting

 

[TerryL]

Going to stick my head up here and say I'm one of the anti-generator brigade - there's plenty of others on here who won't admit it of course.

As long as it is a quiet unit, doesn't give off noxious fumes and is only used in considerate hours, e.g. not before 10.00am and not after 7.00 pm. to recharge your batteries I'll tolerate it. But if you're near me don't be surprised if I up-sticks and move to another part of the field. Nothing personal you understand.................

I rely on solar plus an extra leisure battery. If that doesn't cope I'll just take the van out for a run; B2B charger will only need half an hour. Or go home!

 

[David and Sally]

At the rally the organisers have allocated an area of the field for those who wish to run gennies. And, they will only allow occassional use in daylight hours. So I think we have that concern covered.

 

[Paul_Oxon]

You will be fine with the gennie running to top up batteries obvious issues are don't have it on too late at night, make sure it's got an earth fitted to a ground spike , keep pets and kids away from it as exhaust gets hot , and don't place it in long grass when operating as it could cause a grass fire. Apart from that enjoy , good thing about the Honda. Gennie you have is it's safe to use with laptops TVs etc , have a good time

And be aware of where the exhaust is going. Generators give off carbon monoxide which can be lethal - a friend was involved with the rescue of a couple from the caravan who were overcome with fumes and wouldn't have lasted much longer. It's also worth getting a CO alarm for the van if you don't already have one.

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[hilldweller]

At the rally the organisers have allocated an area of the field for those who wish to run gennies..

You'll get to experience both sides then.

We had a genny, I used it once, it annoyed me so much we sold it. Whine whine whine and the change in revs as the load changes, it was terrible.

 

[David and Sally]

You'll get to experience both sides then.

We had a genny, I used it once, it annoyed me so much we sold it. Whine whine whine and the change in revs as the load changes, it was terrible.

Many years ago we used it on our caravan seasonal pitch before we had EHU. I agree. Annoying but if used in moderation then just about ok.

We are moving on to the Bridport Rally - have EHU there!!!!

 

[Jimbohorlicks]

At the rally the organisers have allocated an area of the field for those who wish to run gennies. And, they will only allow occassional use in daylight hours. So I think we have that concern covered.

Yes, it's 3 miles away

 

[bigtwin]

You had to mention the bloody bike didn’t you

 

[bigtwin]

This is FUN, they'll upset many just by owning one.

Yes, indeed.

Is Fun and cantankerous synonymous?

Ian

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[SuperMike]

There you see. That's why I asked. Never thought of that.

Thanks

For a proper ground spike you will need at least a 4ft solid copper pole with most of it driven into the ground. Good luck with that and getting it out afterwards. That's why you rarely see a portable generator properly grounded. Anything less than that ain't proper like.

 

[David and Sally]

Do you know what? Sometimes you have to be extra careful what questions you ask on here.

If the gennie has an earth as part of the supply cable then surely that's just like normal mains?

 

[hilldweller]

make sure it's got an earth fitted to a ground spike ,

Why ?

 

[autorouter]

make sure it's got an earth fitted to a ground spike ,

Why ?

Stands to reason, guv. Best to use an earth rod made of rebar steel (as used for reinforced concrete). It doesn't bend so easily as you're driving it through the generator into the ground.

 

[tonyidle]

For a proper ground spike you will need at least a 4ft solid copper pole with most of it driven into the ground

I used to be involved with over-seeing various aspects of Telephone Exchange commissioning. One requirement for an Exchange is a really, really, good earth. On one occasion in an area of poor earth conductivity it required three trenches 30' long with copper spikes every couple of feet all bonded to meet the spec. Each spike could be joined to another to make it longer. Most were 6ft, a few were 3ft and one managed 9ft. They were driven as far in as possible using a jack hammer hence different lengths as they hit rock.

I'd imagine that would've worked OK with a genny .

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