Notwithstanding the competition currently running for a Clarke IG1200 on the equipment section of this website, does anyone have/use a generator on site.
We are thinking about getting one but seem to remember reading somewhere that they can be noisy and some campsites don't allow them.
With the today's technology are they quieter?
What size do people recommend. We don't take a tv, have an electric heater and kettle and a lamp. Would like to charge iPad or laptop.
I'm new to camping, but as a narrow boater, do know that the portable generator of choice, for reliability and noise is the Honda eu20i 2kw. Not cheap at around £1k, but are far superior to other suitcase generators. Kipor do a half decent copy, but not as good, and louder. I would only consider using a generator if I was camping in a remote place, with no nearby neighbours. Even the so called quiet Honda genies are loud, and on the river we have restrictions on times we can run them.
It used to be true that some camp sites banned generators, but not any more. These days, MOST camp sites ban them. 'Silent' ones are anything but silent, in the main, and anything even close to silent will cost a grand plus. They are ideal for rallies, if you attend a lot of them, as they tend not to have restrictions, but, for 'normal' camp sites, forget it, as, even the ones that allow them, will often restrict use to certain times.
I prefer to go EHU, but, because we camp with family / friends sometimes, and go to one or two festivals, we, actually, end up going without EHU more often than not. As a result, I have geared my camper up to run totally on gas / EHU. Water, fridge, oven, hob and grill all run on gas, lighting, pumps, TV, phone chargers, microwave etc, all run on 12V. An 80W solar panel keeps the leisure battery topped up indefinitely, is truly silent, and welcomed everywhere. Of course, the one issue I do have is heating. I have a couple of portable cannister gas heaters, which are great for taking the chill off, but not safe for long term use. As already pointed out, though, a 1KW generator will not be up to running anything other than the smallest oil filled rads, or similar heaters, anyway.
------------- The one good thing about being wrong is the joy it brings to others..
I've found that with LED lighting, a well charged 85ah Leisure battery will easily do a week. And if you have a charger in the boot, you can generally find somewhere to charge it if you get in trouble.
Echo GCM,
It'll be much easier just to book an electroc hook up. That's a lot of nights camping you can have instead of a £1000 generator, which will really just make you the most hated person on the campsite ;)
------------- Doing whatever the rice krispies tell me to.
I have just heard a generator - not on a site I hasten to add.
Will NOT be getting one.
For the sake of a few pounds for EHU, its worth it to get heat, lights, battery charged up for the mover, hairdryer, shaver, computer/iPad charged, electric oven and all gizmo's whenever we want.
With the weather over the recent days it would be miserable without some heat to take the damp and chill out of the camper - and keep us snug.
Yep, have put the generator idea out of mind.
Thanks for the posts.
Amazing family weekend with old steam engines, classic car displays, market stalls, and full catering and bar. And camping on site - Save £25 by booking in advance.
Topic: Does anyone use a generator?
