Lets talk about generators

[RoadTrek Boy]

I always was told 10% charge of battery total for lead acid, above this and the plates heat and buckle if on 24/7 high power charge, fast jump start from big garage chargers for a start up only.

Trev, you are quite correct if using an old style charger, BUT with a modern self regulating multi stage charger you can pump a lot of Amps into a flat battery as long as you don't overheat and cause gassing, and as it charges the current drops back to a final trickle then switches off...
Charging at high current also helps to de-sulphate the plates.

 

[freestyle]

Having had experience of choking fumes in the night and noise I am against them except where required on medical grounds.

 

[Chasn]

Portable generators might be compact and quieter than they used to be but it takes a significantly long time to get a meaningful amount of charge into the batteries, particularly if they are lead acid. Above about 80% charge lead acid cells become progressively less receptive to receiving a good charge rate. Having installed two 90AHr LiFePO4 batteries and a Sterling 60A battery-battery charger, by running the engine at idle, I can now in less than an hour put more charge into my batteries than a petrol generator can in more than 4hrs. Carrying a generator is a weight penalty and there is also the need to carry petrol.

 

[Ellendale]

In the 11 years we have been tootling around with our Yami we have never actually needed a gene. Put it down to luck or planning or whatever but the need has never been there. Now, the "wanting" to have a gene has occurred to the level that I too considered purchasing the Honda 2kw (55Db) but only because of the "belt and braces" training received in the military. "If you've got it with you, you can use it" however "If you've not got it then you'll soon sort something out" are phrases from my old SNCO in Germany. My research also revealed that most sites that would allow us to park up refused to allow genes in any shape or form, campsites don't allow them, BritStops don't allow them - the chances of using one openly seem to be diminishing. Finally - the weight and fuel issue!!!!

 

[nabsim]

Portable generators might be compact and quieter than they used to be but it takes a significantly long time to get a meaningful amount of charge into the batteries, particularly if they are lead acid. Above about 80% charge lead acid cells become progressively less receptive to receiving a good charge rate. Having installed two 90AHr LiFePO4 batteries and a Sterling 60A battery-battery charger, by running the engine at idle, I can now in less than an hour put more charge into my batteries than a petrol generator can in more than 4hrs. Carrying a generator is a weight penalty and there is also the need to carry petrol.

Not sure where you get your info from but may be worth a read here lithium

 

[Allen]

I voted yes, but only on medical grounds.
I've never needed to use one in 32 years of camping. (Caravan and now camper van)
I'm camping. I don't need tv, Internet, all mod cons.

 

[Admin]

Not sure where you get your info from but may be worth a read here lithium

Can I ask which bits of his data you think are incorrect?

 

[The laird]

Will you mind that message for me at the frog phil?

 

[Campervanannie]

The difference is Annie, that I might not like them, but I tolerate the noisey things I don't like and I don't try to stop them.
Regarding camping not for me, strange, very strange as I have most probably more days, years camping in a M/H and other facilities, that you could only dream about!
Maybe I much prefer my own and a select bunch of camping friends than the very large organised meets.
Most certainly these meets are not like the early days of the meets I arranged on Wild
Maybe my style of camping is not for you!

I’m 64 I’ve camped my whole life with parents and then from being 16 in my own tents trailer tents campervans self builds and now motorhome so I don’t have to dream Thankyou, and we all have our own styles I like to go off on my own I also like the smaller intimate gatherings but I also believe that the bigger more organised meets have there place.