Lets talk about generators

[Brakers]

Well I feel quite humbled because I was at that meet too (if you mean the Henley-in-Arden one) and didn't notice any generator noise at all

Yes you are correct I was parked on the playground next to the grass.
Tony

 

[Admin]

The organisers of the meet were all plugged into the schools power

I was the only one of the stewards that used the electric hookup.

 

[Brakers]

I’m quite surprised how intolerant some people are, as I said in my previous message, no one runs a generator just to annoy someone. Perhaps the rules could be similar to those in the New Forest, if I remember correctly it is 10 to 12 and then 4 to 6 In the afternoon.
Best Wishes Tony

 

[2cv]

A factor to maybe consider is the location of a particular meet. For example, if there are houses nearby generator noise may be problematic to local residents, wheras in an isolated location there would be no such considerations unless passers by were affected.

 

[2cv]

Yes you are correct I was parked on the playground next to the grass.
Tony

I did hear generators and engines running there, couldn’t say whose they were. They only ran for an hour or two though. At Lyndon Top some other groups had generators running for most of the day, if in earshot that would be annoying. It seemed to me that many were left running with the caravans empty, so the owners didn’t have to listen to them. Just a sign I think of the modern “It suits me so to hell with everyone else” attitudes that prevail.
Similarly at the Malvern show, a few ran generators incessantly.

 

[2cv]

Passers by? They csn just walk on by and get awsy from the noise! How about grass cutting, hedge trimming etc

I think that some people head for the countryside to experience tranquility. I certainly do.

 

[Brakers]

The only problem I have with allocating a specified time it does encourage people to run a generator even if they don’t need it.
So like at Henley in Arden in my opinion the people who did run generators responsibly only run them as when needed.
I myself was unaware there was a generator ban.
Let’s face it everyone would like it quite all the time, I suppose if you were on a site with EHU you certainly would eliminate generator noise, but still have dogs and children noise.
Best Wishes Tony

 

[2cv]

I was talking about those who may be passing a meet, such as at Bugsworth, rather than the attendees.

 

[2cv]

Walking past a load of ugly motorhomes that most members of the public imagine immediately are gypsies or travellers the last thing on their mind is a faint hum from a generator.

It must add to their abject misery though ?

 

[Brakers]

Just in case you are interested and even if you are not, out of all of last years outings of mine it was only the last one in Henley in Arden that I had to use the generator, that was out of 154 days MHing.
Best Wishes Tony

 

[2cv]

Just in case you are interested and even if you are not, out of all of last years outings of mine it was only the last one in Henley in Arden that I had to use the generator, that was out of 154 days MHing.
Best Wishes Tony

I also found it the tightest electrically, apart from meets we usually travel every day.

 

[paulhelenwilko]

Slight tangent,

One of the initial attractions of Wild Camping Community to us anyway, was there were no rules, just common sense and consideration for others.
We always found ourselves irritated (or even repulsed ) by the rules of the mainstream club sites and meets.

It seems that Motorhomer is going the way of many rules. Perhaps this is necessary as an organisation grows ?

We do find generators irritating, even the low noise ones seem to have a way of penetrating your sub-conscience, we also do not understand the need for them to run for long periods surely it should just be to top up your battery ? We are usually in the motorhome to enjoy the peace and beauty of a location (and then have a few beers and a fire)

Having said all that we have voted 'Yes with rules'. A 2 hour slot seems reasonable ? Only winter meets? and perhaps there could be a genny corner ?

I imagine we have an issue at the rowing club since we are surrounded by houses.

Paul.

 

[Val54]

Let’s not talk about generators anymore, pretty please.............. every time I hit the new post button, up it pops, surely it’s time for grey waste, just for a change ....... Phil must surely have got the gist that there isn’t going to be total agreement whichever route is chosen...

 

[oldish hippy]

justapply a time limit but what applys as medical condition cold because battery are flat

 

[Admin]

Please remember this post is about Motorhomer NOT wildcamping.

Thank you, everyone, who has given their opinion in this thread. It has given me some great feedback.

As I said in my first post, it is not generators that are the problem. It is the impact their use has on others.

We do hold rallies and meets in the winter where solar is not sufficient for some peoples energy needs.

Ultimately the choice to allow generators or not will be down to the rally organiser. But if they are allowed then they must be used within a set of guidelines.

Here are my thoughts on how those guidelines may look.

1) Generators should be reasonably quiet, very loud generators would not be allowed.
2) When possible a section of the site should be allocated for generator users. (large rallies)
3) When possible a section of the site should be allocated as generator free zone. (large rallies)
4) If generators are to be used where there is no allocated generator zone then they should only be operated between 10am-midday and 4pm-6pm.
5) In any case, generators should not be used before 10am or after 6pm.
6) Generators used for medical reasons should still not cause a nuisance to other members.
7) Generators should be used in a way that causes the least nuisance to other members.

Thoughts?

 

[Full Member]

Please remember this post is about Motorhomer NOT wildcamping.

Thank you, everyone, who has given their opinion in this thread. It has given me some great feedback.

As I said in my first post, it is not generators that are the problem. It is the impact their use has on others.

We do hold rallies and meets in the winter where solar is not sufficient for some peoples energy needs.

Ultimately the choice to allow generators or not will be down to the rally organiser. But if they are allowed then they must be used within a set of guidelines.

Here are my thoughts on how those guidelines may look.

1) Generators should be reasonably quiet, very loud generators would not be allowed.
2) When possible a section of the site should be allocated for generator users. (large rallies)
3) When possible a section of the site should be allocated as generator free zone. (large rallies)
4) If generators are to be used where there is no allocated generator zone then they should only be operated between 10am-midday and 4pm-6pm.
5) In any case, generators should not be used before 10am or after 6pm.
6) Generators used for medical reasons should still not cause a nuisance to other members.
7) Generators should be used in a way that causes the least nuisance to other members.

Thoughts?

That's looking good to me, Phil.

I'm wondering how 1) will be policed. As written it's a little subjective and I'm wondering whether the noise level as stated on the generator could be used for guidance? The organisers are volunteers and shouldn't be subjected to debate about the why's and wherefore's of noise levels.
The quietest generator I've managed to check (Generac 6866 iQ2000) has a specification of about 51dBA and typical higher powered generators a specification of about 65dBA.
I'm aware that the ability of any particular sound to cause irritation is a function of type as well as level but for information:
35 dBA Very quiet room fan at low speed at 1m distance.
45 dBA Noise of normal living with talking or a radio in the background.
50 dBA Compressor refrigerator at 1m distance, bird twitter outside at 15 m distance.
55 dBA Low volume of radio or TV at 1 m distance, noisy vacuum cleaner at 10 m distance.
65 dBA Normal conversation.
70 dBA Level close to a main road by day, quiet hair dryer at 1m distance to ear.
75 dBA Passing car at 7.5m distance, un-silenced wood shredder at 10m distance.

Also how about:
8) The rally/meet/gathering invitation will state whether or not generators may be used and the arrangements for their use. If you feel the arrangements don't suit you then please do not attend that particular event.

Colin

 

[paulhelenwilko]

Good research Colin. The rules seem fair enough Phil. Perhaps we should add winter meets only ?

I suggest that the Genny rules go in the invite. As Colin says if you don't agree then don't attend .

I would like to think that there will be no requirement for the marshal to police this during the meet as everyone will be considerate.

 

[Mr and Mrs Tupcox]

I would say I am the world's no 1 hater of genny but this looks fair, If people respect this .
Let's wait and see.

 

[2cv]

We just need a big battery https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/world...s-biggest-battery-a-look-around-tesla-project

 

[Admin]

Strikes me as trying to over complicate and over think a problem that may or may not arise .

It happened at the last meet I was at, someone ran a generator until midnight.

Most people can manage for a few days in winter but in cold weather there are very few people that can justify the expense of upgrading batteries/ solar to cope with say 5 nights .

So the best thing to do is to allow generators, but have some guidelines to stop people abusing the fact that generators are allowed.

You are basically saying that members have to be either wealthy or have older vans with fires .

No, I am not, and I really don't see how you have tried to twist this to mean that.

perhaps all pvc’s should be banned too as many people can’t stand the door noise or maybe all diesel heaters as some of them are ridiculously noisy.

Yes, ok Charlie, that really makes sense.

Adults in their own leisure time being treated like school children.

No, we are talking about adults who are coming together to enjoy the company of a social group. Within social groups, there are generally rules and acceptable behaviour. Being considerate to other members is an important part of acceptable behaviour. This works both ways, accepting noise when it is required for the comfort of others at acceptable times and allowing others to enjoy the rallies without continuous generator noise.

If you would rather that rallies allowed generators of any type to be run at any time then you have the option to organise your own rallies where those rules (or no rules) apply.