Lets talk about generators

Should we allow generators at rallies?

  • Yes, with no rules.

    Votes: 3 3.6%

  • No generators at all.

    Votes: 8 9.5%

  • Yes, but with rules controlling the generator type, noise levels and usage hours.

    Votes: 59 70.2%

  • Yes, but only in special circumstances (medical grounds)

    Votes: 14 16.7%
  • Total voters
    84
Full Member said:
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 :):):)
Click to expand...

Steady Colin - that's verging on common sense and we don't want that on a geny thread:rolleyes: :LOL:
 
Wully said:
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 ?
Click to expand...
Failing that we could discuss GREY waste ???
 
Wully said:
The Ten Commandments for a heated discussion 1] grey waste 2] solar panels 3] generators 4] what type of batteries 5] finding water 6] emptying of cassette 7] silver screens 8] finding lpg 9] fitting refillable lpg 10] volts and amps usually good for a spark or two.
Click to expand...
I think "Are Inverters the evil seed of the devil" would be high up in the top ten :)
 
ok lets make it 20 you’ve defanetly got no 11 with invertor think the over weight issue should be no 12 no 13 taking threads off topic ?? sorry
 
  • Funny
Reactions: 2cv
Campervanannie said:
Failing that we could discuss GREY waste ???
Click to expand...

Please don't advertise what I did at Southend, Annie.
Pretty, please.
.
.
.
.
.
.
(Would a paid-for visit to Patisserie Valerie help calm your conscience?)

Colin ???
 
What chemicals should be put in a casette?
Are diesel heaters too noisy?
Are SOG toilets good?
 
Wully said:
The Ten Commandments for a heated discussion 1] grey waste 2] solar panels 3] generators 4] what type of batteries 5] finding water 6] emptying of cassette 7] silver screens 8] finding lpg 9] fitting refillable lpg 10] volts and amps usually good for a spark or two.
Click to expand...
Oh, and if you to back to biblical times with moses, how about "if Noah's ark had wheels, would it be an RV or a Living Van?"
 
Full Member said:
Please don't advertise what I did at Southend, Annie.
Pretty, please.
.
.
.
.
.
.
(Would a paid-for visit to Patisserie Valerie help calm your conscience?)

Colin ???
Click to expand...
There is no shame in naming but on this occasion my lips are sealed and I forgot to take a photo . ???
 
I think that reading down the comments highlights the issue, not only with generators but campers, or should I say people, in general. You get those who appreciate rules are there to allow the majority of people to enjoy themselves and those who will do want they want. 10 to 6 seems reasonable, but add in a 2 hour lunch break as it’s nice to sit and eat lunch in the peace and quiet. But montitoring the rule is the issue! Been there done that and been called a jobs worth.
 
Possibly 10-6 could be too long if it were to run for the whole time. They seem to mostly run evenings for tv watching, but the 6 pm cut off would stop that.
Policing may be a pain but most folk are pretty decent. Most meets have a good amount of space so if you don’t like your neighbours genny you could move.
 
My opinion is not really valid as I don't camp with others, preferring to remain 100% wild campers, and I have only ever had one genny equipped van a honda suitcase 700w type, but I never used it anyway.

The problem as I see it is less one of noise but more of cost, cheap gennys are not actually that cheap, and the quieter ones would cause a heart attack for most people.

I would vote that it should be:-

Yes, but with rules controlling the generator type, noise levels and usage hours.
 
If it’s not broken don’t fix it, we have had meets for a long time now with the very loose rule that generators are not used at meets except for medical reasons and in emergencies when members batteries have died this seems to be working well without too much fuss and bother the minute you up the anti to them being an acceptable part of s meet genies will be coming out to play and policing the times that they are run will not be an easy task as you will always have the rule breakers and then the bad feeling starts people wanting to know who’s complaining it’s a can of worms we can do without (unless they are lug worms and Edina will make use of them) just my humble opinion.
 
I wonder how much output from a running generator is actually wasted (and the same goes for an idling engine)?

Let's say the average Generator is 1000W - if the intention of running the unit is to recharge the Leisure Batteries via the Camper/MHs battery charger, then that output would drive an ~80A Battery Charger. How Many people have a Battery Charger anywhere close to that?
So my point is - if someone is running a generator, why not get a multi-way adapter and let other people who require power all use it at the same time - I bet you could have 5 vans charging of one unit?

Now taking Phils observation (quoted below) which might mean the above may not be viable
Phil said:
....... 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....
Click to expand...
Let's be realistic now .... plenty of folk here have 220Ah or so battery banks. How many of those have 55A Chargers? I have a 440Ah Bank and I have a 20A mains charger and it works perfectly and does the job I need it to. If my 440Ah battery bank is down to 50%, my Mains charger will get it back to 100% by the morning. (I confirmed that in reality as I used my LB Bank to run the house in a recent 24 Hour power cut). To invest in a charger like a >100A (in my case) unit would be horrendously expensive and pointless. Even a 55A charger would be very expensive.
Sorry, but I have to say I don't get - or agree at all with - the idea that the charger output in Amps should be 25-30% of the battery bank capacity in Ahs.
Given most folk who tend to camp at places without hookups would only ever use their mains charger at home where they can plug in overnight and there is no need to recharge their batteries in a couple of hours, it would be a pointless expense. And those who use campsites are there overnight, using mains power for the heavy draw items and their batteries chargers are ticking away. I can't see any need or rational for a charging capability more applicable to an Electric Traction system then a Leisure Battery requirement.
I would buy a generator before a 100A Battery Charger.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Users who viewed this discussion (Total:0)

Back
Top