Lets talk about generators

[Admin]

I don't have an issue with generators.

I have an issue with inconsiderate generator owners.

People who use "silent" generators after 10 am and before 6 pm are fine with me if they do their best to limit the impact of the noise on other people.

These can be:

• Running the generator on a long lead to position it away from other motorhomes.
• Ensuring the exhaust is pointing away from other motorhomes.
• Using an acoustic enclosure that limits the noise pollution from the generator.
• Parking away from other motorhomes.

It is also a good idea to upgrade your motorhome mains charger to be 25% - 30% per (depending on your battery type) of your battery bank capacity. So if you have a 220Ah (2x110Ah) battery bank then your charger should be rated at between 55 and 66 Amps. This should be a multi-stage charger to protect the batteries from overcharging. I have not pulled 25% - 30% out of thin air, this is accepted the value for modern batteries in leisure vehicles.

Finally

When we have a rally we have to consider everyone who is attending. Not everyone shares my opinions on generators and we cannot guarantee the type of generator used or the owners consideration when using it. This is why we have always had a no generator rule unless there are special circumstances. Maybe we need to discuss a set of generator rules to allow there use at some rallies.

I have posted a poll on this thread to gauge the opinion of our members. This is not a ballot.

 

[Campervanannie]

Are you thinking about buying another generator young Philip and just getting a feel for who your going to pee off ???

 

[Admin]

Are you thinking about buying another generator young Philip and just getting a feel for who your going to pee off ???

Nope, I am going to be upgrading my solar at some point and I may go over to lithium phosphate batteries in 2019.

The reason for the post is that this is not WC and we have a chance to reshape things in a way that people want. If people want to allow generators with a set of rules that govern the type of generator, noise levels and usage hours, then I am happy to look into it.

 

[Wully]

With the right generator and under certain circumstances think it’s worth having one for back up only and used sparingly I carry mine only used it a couple of times but when I’ve needed it it’s been invaluable in fact it’s been used by others more than me. But still think there should be rules as to time cut offs and decibel levels of machines.

 

[The laird]

Think it would be a gre5 idea as long as users abide by the rules that get laid down and do not suit themselves as to when and how long ,
Sorry we were away a walk or sorry we were in town so thought we would just put it on now at 7 and switch it off at nine
Well tough you missed the slot imho
Also certain areas for gen users only?

 

[Minisorella]

I'm not fond of generators at all but I've voted yes with rules because there's nothing worse than being cold and miserable in the winter. Hope it's not giving carte blanche for lots of people to run them for 8 hours solid though. Consideration for others is key.

 

[yorkslass]

Only had an issue with generators once,

Attending a motorhome show and had three RV owners parked in front of us,

They were waiting outside at 8am to switch on, and ran them all day till turn off time.

We were in the show for a lot of the day, but it would have been nice to have some respite from them.

10am-6pm seems a reasonable time to run them.

 

[Mr and Mrs Tupcox]

Any one that buys a motorhome to enjoy the peace and gawjess country side .
Then buys a generator. Should be shot.

 

[Campervanannie]

Any one that buys a motorhome to enjoy the peace and gawjess country side .
Then buys a generator. Should be shot.

I’m a little bit with you on this one though they do have there uses in certain circumstances medical flat batteries but if you need to run them 24/7 and need that much power maybe better off on a campsite.

 

[Molly 3]

Running a generator should be allowed if used with consideration .not all vans have space for large solar set ups and need to top battery's for heating in winter especially on winter meets with no hook up .

 

[Jeanette]

I don’t have a problem with generators I’m with Molly3 we have a silent one and did use it with the other van,we always went where it was just us and friends and always away from the vans, but I agree as I’ve said with Molly3

 

[jeffmossy]

I personally don't have a problem with generators running for certain times of the day at rallys or meets but if you are on a meet on a pub car park or certain venues were vans are enclosed then only for emergencys should they be used

 

[nabsim]

Well I may need to think about not putting my name down for meets so much maybe as I do not yet know how long I can go in winter months. I certainly would not Fisk trashing my batteries.

Talk of people needing shooting if they run generators is pathetic, if wilding you don’t need genny because engine is charging batteries, at a meet you aren’t travelling so talk like that means I won’t bother going even though I do not have a generator at the moment.

Are we not adults who can make their own mind up if we NEED to do something ir not? Sorry folks but I left school 50 years ago and since then I have made my own mind up about things.

 

[Campervanannie]

Well I may need to think about not putting my name down for meets so much maybe as I do not yet know how long I can go in winter months. I certainly would not Fisk trashing my batteries.

Talk of people needing shooting if they run generators is pathetic, if wilding you don’t need genny because engine is charging batteries, at a meet you aren’t travelling so talk like that means I won’t bother going even though I do not have a generator at the moment.

Are we not adults who can make their own mind up if we NEED to do something ir not? Sorry folks but I left school 50 years ago and since then I have made my own mind up about things.

I think your rising to an off the cuff tongue in cheek remark by Mike I don’t think we need to make mountains out of molehills and I don’t think anyone is treating anyone like a schoolchild it’s just Philip asking opinions to which we are all entitled to express I personally am not a fan of generators but if someone I was parked next to had a flat battery I would have no objection whatsoever in them using one what I don’t want is to go to a meet with 30/40 vans and have 10/15 of them running generators all day long.

 

[Mr and Mrs Tupcox]

And i would have no problem hooking someone up to 1 of my solar panels .
In a emergency.

I

 

[Linda]

Can I just say this is MY opinion and not Lee's.

We don't have a generator, We go south in the coldest months, but even when we are away here we don't seem use much battery power - gas heater and gas water heater, no TV and we read kindles so don't even use much in the way of lighting!

I understand that the newer MH rely more on power so in the winter may use hook up or generators. My concern would be the proximity of a generator to our van - even the 'silent' ones can be irritating if close next door and running all the time....

I'm with Annie- I would not want to go to a meet where there were several generators going at one time. Been there done that.....

 

[wildebus]

***** forum s/w! deleted duplicates then orginal post goes!
in essense my post was to say 100% with Neil/Nabsim.

 

[2cv]

I find generators really annoying and there is no such thing as a silent one. I don’t understand why they are necessary. For the space and weight occupied in a van by one at least an extra 200ah of battery could be fitted, thus eliminating the need for a generator unless parked for a very long time, certainly longer than any meet.
Having said that, if some find that they cannot live without one at a meet I’d rather everyone ran them at one set time rather than having their noise incessantly.
Personally I find the noise of a running van less objectionable.
Until I got solar last year I could easily do 4 days on my little 110ah lb, even in winter this would now be longer.

 

[maingate]

Adding a lot more Leisure Battery capacity is likely to burn out your onboard charger as they are not designed to cope with that much extra work. Selfbuilds can be built from scratch to do that but not factory built vans.

 

[Full Member]

I personally don't have a problem with generators providing, like any intrusive device, they are used with consideration.
I've been asked very politely by a German guy if I minded a generator running beside my moho whilst his wife used a spin dryer (!). It worked well for both of us.
If there are several attendees who wish to run generators for an extended period perhaps they could be asked to gather together away from those who don't use them? This could easily be arranged at Rutland, Applewood, Greywell...………...
Some folks don't like intrusive dogs. Or children. Or smokers. Or drunks. Or bad language. Or music. Or smoke from a fire. Or the smell of BBQs. Or people arriving late. Or...……...……..

If we can be sufficiently adult to cope with other types of intrusion then surely we can find a way to cope with generators?

Colin

 

[Wully]

how boring would a motorhome forum be without the generator banter we would loose half the content right away and all the fun of discussing How much we love or hate them as long as someone brings up the subject once a month then we’ll always have something to bust our chops over a generator thread is always good for mischief ? and filling in space on a motorhome forum ?