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Apologies if this subject has been covered before, if someone could send the link I would appreciate it.
I need a small genny mainly to charge the leisure batteries (2 x 85ah) in my Hymer van, but don't want to buy one to find out it doesn't push out enough power to charge the batteries via the mains hookup.
We use the van most weekends on non hookup sites which is fine for a couple of days, but last month we were on Totnes CC site for 4 days and the batteries were quite low by the time we moved on. We plan to wildcamp a fair bit over the next year.
Ive been looking on the net and have discounted the Honda on the grounds of price, but have seen the Kipor IG 1000 at Ģ240 + VAT, and the Hyundai 1000 SI at Ģ384 + VAT, both from DP Generators.
Most small Generators will charge camper batteries OK. I guess the 12v. charge rate will only be 4 to 8 a/h which is roughly only 1a. on the primary or 240v. side.
Even the smallest gennies are rated 500w. to 650w. These will give 2 to 3 amps output.
Very roughly of course.
Ray.
______________________________________________________________ The FSA licensed a twice convicted fraudster to handle our lifeīs savings. Guess what? He robbed us. http://raynipper.com
We wild mainly, infact just returned from 10 weeks away and not even one campsite.
We have the Honda 2 kw which is excellent and will do anything that we want including a microwave, kettle or hair dryer, even an iron.
But had I needed one just for battery charging, I would go for a 1 kw which would be ample.
Incidentally, we only used it 3 times over the 10 week period.
I do believe that the Honda quality and reliability is worth the extra.
One tip.
Please use with consideration to any neighbouring vans or houses.
I should wash my mouth out for saying this, but have you thought of Solar
Both have advantages and disadvantages.
A Solar is quiet and will trickle charge all day (if the sun is out) and not annoy neighbours, but a genny is an excellent back up for possible emergencies.
______________________________________________________________ Tramping the Dream
Grath
Having been parked next to a kipor generator user they are VERY noisy on load. I began to wish I had my own commercial Honda works generator with me at the time just to get my own back. The Honda 10i and 20i are far quieter and well worth the extra for noise level alone. On a CC site I would certainly have complained.
I should wash my mouth out for saying this, but have you thought of Solar
You would think that, with a user name of "solaris", a solar panel would have been the first choice
Really, though, unless you are parked many, many yards away from other campers, any generator makes an annoying sound. I don't care how quiet they are, to have your peace disturbed by someone starting one of these things is appalling. Our solar panel sits on the roof, out of the way, and recharges our batteries constantly. Over an 8-week tour of southern France this spring, we used no hookup whatsoever, regularly watched 3-4 hours of TV or DVD late at night, and always had full batteries by lunchtime the next day. We have no native 240V ac devices, and charge up a myriad of portable devices through a cheap 300W inverter.
Having said that, there are times when a generator is essential - when staying on an aire (or wild camping) for several days in the winter, for example, when there is little or no sun for a solar panel, and heating / lighting is on for much of the day.
You would think that, with a user name of "solaris", a solar panel would have been the first choice
Hoist by my own petard!
I must admit I have given it a lot of thought but as we do most of our camping in this country and try to use the van all year round I'm not sure we would get the benefit of solar. I haven't ruled it out completely but it does seem quite expensive. The genny is a quick fix and they are easy to sell if I change my mind.
We used our gennie a fair bit when we were caravanners and stayed put for a week or two. With the motorhome we use it very rarely as we tend to move on every day or two, and use the motorhome for all our travelling about in between.
We've had one Honda (and old-style 1kw job which was very heavy and quite noisy), a Kipor 1000ti (the Honda copy) which was much lighter and a lot quieter) and now a Kipor 1000IG which is as light but seems markedly noisier for some reason.
All have been absolutely fine for keeping the battery charged, and will run the fridge and TV. The real reason we take it these days is if Mrs M needs her hair dryer and we're on a CL without EHUs. I like to think we always use it with every consideration for other campers, of course.
Go Solar or photovoltaic. Ours too sits on the roof and disturbs no-one. It was no more expensive than a generator and costs nothing to run. We have 3 leisure batteries and our longest stint without mains is 31 days so far. Parked up and not recharging by driving.
we use an inverter for electric blankets, hairdryer, shavers etc. etc.
No gennies are "silent" and are almost guaranteed to make you unpopular.
We have been to a Motorhome show and were near to the inconsiderates. From 8am until midnight. Various units had generators running. Oh the joy of listening to their engines.
We travelled Europe last winter, using a solar panel to keep battery charged. Used tv for videos. Only twice in 6 month ran down battery to the level tv could not be used. Lights ok. By 11am the next day. fully charged again.
When the weather became cold, below 5 degrees, we stayed on sites with electricity, using an oil fired radiator on mains for heat.
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France
but have you thought of Solar 
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Fighting with Mavisīs MESO WARRIORS 
