Quote: Originally posted by LobeyDosser on 11/1/2015
Hi Jay, could you not rig up a Steam Powered Genny.
u might laugh but i do have a 12volt dynamo connected to my vintage stationary engine its a petter junior 2 stroke 1.5hp during the day when its running for public i run a extention lead and charge my batterys,sometimes i take a flat belt 240v dynamo can power who caravan with that...
------------- lunar solar ecclipse 4 berth. living in caravan permantly on site.
Quote: Originally posted by mangler on 11/1/2015If the first 3 answers are the norm for this forum,I don't know why I bothered to ask a question.
As for the Honda generators, why pay twice the price to be 11 Decibel's quieter?
Hi,
No generator is 'silent' - but some are much worse than others.
Honda are quiet, but expensive - particularly the EU10i which only puts out 900 watts and has partially plastic valve gear (honest)
Personally, I wouldn't buy a second hand EU10i - the E20i will give you 1600 watts and is better made, but is even more expensive.
The very best deal for a 'quality' generator imo) is the SDMO iPro 2000 (1600 watts). This is a clone of the Yamaha 2000i, made in Japan by Yamaha for SDMO and is technically superior to both the Honda models in virtually every way. It's also claimed to be the quietest at 53dB at 1/4 load - and sells for around £950
The cheap end of market (including 'Clarke') is pretty dire - except for a remarkable 'no name' Chinese 4-stroke inverter model that is generally available on ebay for £160.
This is an 800 watt model - with maximum revs of about 3,500 (compared with an equivalent Kippor model which thrashes away at 6,000 rpm
The 'no-name' model is pretty quiet due to the low revs - on a normal site it can scarcely be heard on the adjacent pitch. I've owned one for 2 years, and have had a number of people ask me where I bought it, and comment that it was quiet.
It's also the smallest and lightest generator of its type currently available.
I've owned Honda generators in the past, and this is by far the best value. I really didn't expect it to last when I bought it - but is starts first time, runs smoothly (swapped to NGK plugs) and is ideal for charging the battery. It also has a fuel tap (unlike the Honda models) which means that the carb can be run dry in 30 seconds, this avoiding stale fuel being left in the float chamber.
Having said all that, we also use a 100 solar panel - which, in the summer, is excellent and will put around 25 amps back into the battery in a typical day.
There are still times, however, when solar won't cut it - and for anyone camping (as we do) on non-EHU sites a sensibly used generator is invaluable.
In practice you'll find that no-one minds a quiet generator that is used considerately - I've never had nay complaints, which could also mean that I've never camped next to any UKCS members, I suppose
Quote: Originally posted by Hooray For Horace on 12/1/2015
In practice you'll find that no-one minds a quiet generator that is used considerately - I've never had nay complaints, which could also mean that I've never camped next to any UKCS members, I suppose
..or perhaps they just couldn't hear it over your barking dog(s)?...
Joking aside...that's just the nub of it though,isn't it...
a)The ones that you'd notice rattling away on campsites obviously aren't "quiet"....
b) ..and unfortunately a good many folk just aren't considerate...
(..just as long as their missus can watch her soaps or plug in her hair straighteners...And not forgetting the "boys with toys" factor.. )
Just how many folk are going to fork out around £1000 for a quality, "quiet" generator just to go "camping"?(..that SDMO id £1049 at Screwfix)
Fine. if someone's Long Terming /"Wildcamping" off grid but for just powering a table top fridge and a microwave whilst "camping" in a caravan....?
What's wrong with gas for a fridge and then just not compiling your "menu" around a microwave?........?
We have a Honda EU10 which is used for charging our battery and maybe the odd soap, it fits just under the back of our van with the exhaust sticking out
And honesty you can't hear it from the front However now we have a 100 watt panel as well which has cut down on its use..
Have you heard a steam engine working hard? Not exactly a quiet chuff, more like a throaty bark.
Generators needn't be a problem if the users are sensible and sensitive to others and non users are a little tolerant.
On a pitch with EHU then anyone using a genny is a p**ck.
On a non EHU pitch, a genny could be used sensibly. Positioned away from others, exhaust not pointing at others, only using for the minimum time and only between 10am and 6pm
If you wanted to recharge your battery there was a generator that you could use. That was situated in a farm building in a field on the opposite side of a public road and you had to carry your battery to it.
No gennys allowed on the site.
All very sensible. You got your battery charged and the site remained peaceful.
Call me a miserable old fart, but if I went on holiday and had to sit listening to a generator screaming away all day I'd go mad! One of the reasons to go camping is to be able to sit outside the tent with a brew, good book and listen to the birds/kids playing/people laughing and having fun. If I wanted to listen to a generator I'd go to the car park called the M25!
------------- Nick
2017
April - New Forest(9)
May - Dorset (9)
August - Camping Le Pin Parasol, Vendee (18)
October - East Mersea (8)
and five nights in the one man tent!
Quote: Originally posted by saxo1 on 06/3/2015
You're a miserable old fart!
Happy now?
saxo1
Much happier now - Thank You
------------- Nick
2017
April - New Forest(9)
May - Dorset (9)
August - Camping Le Pin Parasol, Vendee (18)
October - East Mersea (8)
and five nights in the one man tent!
A day of all things motorhome and campervan. The show is held both in the main indoor arena and across the grounds. Catering, hot drinks and food options are available. Easy access to the site and free parking included. Win one of five pairs of day tickets
Topic: Generators
