Generator advice please

You say you don’t have solar panels. I’d reckon getting solar would be a much better place to start than buying a generator.
Nabsim’s advice, while sound. You’d need to understand that he is almost full time, and has an odd attraction for Scotland in winter.
I wouldn’t have thought that you’d win many friends running a genny. Solar panels , once paid for are free to run.
No smelly petrol
 
Trotter said:
You say you don’t have solar panels. I’d reckon getting solar would be a much better place to start than buying a generator.
Nabsim’s advice, while sound. You’d need to understand that he is almost full time, and has an odd attraction for Scotland in winter.
I wouldn’t have thought that you’d win many friends running a genny. Solar panels , once paid for are free to run.
No smelly petrol
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Thank you for the advice. It is much appreciated. Thea
 
I would like to thank everyone who has taken the time to reply and give their advice.
Unfortunately, I have more important things that I must deal with at the moment due to an upcoming HUGE bill for my motorhome repair.
It's quite scary thinking what it can be, but I have no option but to get the work done. Otherwise, the motorhome will be of no use.
I'm hoping that it all gets sorted soon, but I'm not holding my breath.
Thanks again
Thea
 
Fifer said:
It is more in case I do wild camping eg at Druridge Bay.
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We have a built-in generator. To start it, you just press a button. Despite that, we almost never use it. You really shouldn't need a generator for wild camping.
 
Geek said:
We have a built-in generator. To start it, you just press a button. Despite that, we almost never use it. You really shouldn't need a generator for wild camping.
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Thanks for your reply.

I'm going to forget about a generator. If anything, I may use the portable solar panel - once I suss out how to connect it! 😆
 
Fifer said:
Thanks for your reply.

I'm going to forget about a generator. If anything, I may use the portable solar panel - once I suss out how to connect it! 😆
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I forgot it was yourself who asked about generator and mentioned you had a solar panel. Could have had a little chat about this at Druridge and maybe answered some questions on how to connect when you picked up the Sat System.
maybe next time (y)
 
wildebus said:
I forgot it was yourself who asked about generator and mentioned you had a solar panel. Could have had a little chat about this at Druridge and maybe answered some questions on how to connect when you picked up the Sat System.
maybe next time (y)
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Druridge been and gone Dave 🙄. Unless you are talking about next year, or even a private, don’t tell anyone, secret meet.
I know when I’m not wanted
 
Molly 3 said:
Honda has a very good reputation for reliability and noise level
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Yes, in my opinion Honda are the best, though not the cheapest.
Yes, they are quiet, but they are not silent.
They run on stinky flammable petrol which you need to carry in a can.
They are a thief magnet so they have to be chained to the van, which means they have to be too near for quiet.
And you have to get them out, connect them up, fill them, start them every time.
And the reverse before you can drive off.
Not very good for wild camping where you want to be self contained and discreet.
Not very good for campsites where you have neighbours.
In summary, Honda are the best but they are still not very good.
There is a better alternative, at a huge price.
We have a built-in Traveller 2500 with a Honda engine that runs from the underslung LPG tanks and has remote electric start.
Even with that, it's really questionable whether it is worth it.
Although we sometimes start it to run the microwave, it is mostly used on the very few really hot days when we want the roof aircon running (very rare) but have no hookup available (almost always).
A generator is not very suitable for battery charging unless you can charge at something like 50A.
 
Had an old Hymer that I installed a self built generator. Modified a 5 Hp Honda industrial engine to run on Propane and installed a car alternator that charged the batteries directly. Would start it when we left for our morning walks and it would automatically stop when the battery was charged. Did not need AC power at the time so, I figured that generating 230 AC to power a 12V charger would be a waste. Only had 40W of solar back then.
Now I have 405 W of solar so, no need for a generator.
 
Geek said:
Yes, in my opinion Honda are the best, though not the cheapest.
Yes, they are quiet, but they are not silent.
They run on stinky flammable petrol which you need to carry in a can.
They are a thief magnet so they have to be chained to the van, which means they have to be too near for quiet.
And you have to get them out, connect them up, fill them, start them every time.
And the reverse before you can drive off.
Not very good for wild camping where you want to be self contained and discreet.
Not very good for campsites where you have neighbours.
In summary, Honda are the best but they are still not very good.
There is a better alternative, at a huge price.
We have a built-in Traveller 2500 with a Honda engine that runs from the underslung LPG tanks and has remote electric start.
Even with that, it's really questionable whether it is worth it.
Although we sometimes start it to run the microwave, it is mostly used on the very few really hot days when we want the roof aircon running (very rare) but have no hookup available (almost always).
A generator is not very suitable for battery charging unless you can charge at something like 50A.
Click to expand...
Thanks for your guidance and advice.
 
HTF said:
Had an old Hymer that I installed a self built generator. Modified a 5 Hp Honda industrial engine to run on Propane and installed a car alternator that charged the batteries directly. Would start it when we left for our morning walks and it would automatically stop when the battery was charged. Did not need AC power at the time so, I figured that generating 230 AC to power a 12V charger would be a waste. Only had 40W of solar back then.
Now I have 405 W of solar so, no need for a generator.
Click to expand...
Thanks for your reply.
 
Fifer said:
Thanks for your advice. I've decided not to buy a generator.
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Think you’ve made the right choice, even if it leaves me stuck with a generator to sell.
 
All I can say is thank gawd for generators when I am off grid all Winter and away from campsites haha
 
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