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Hi All;
After much soul searching we've decided to keep our current van & just try & use it a bit more
One of the things we've realised we want to do it get off grid a bit more. To that end we've reviewed our power options & decided a genny seems the best option for our requirements. Our reasons (which I welcome comment on) are:
We want to get out in the UK winter a lot more - & not necessarily be on sites.
We often stay in the same place for a while.
We usually watch a dvd at night - but might even try using the satellite (previously considered a right waste of money)
We like to be warm in the van - but we've got Webasto heating which I'm told is heavy on electric.
We've already got 2 x 85 batteries.
My (simplistic) questions are:
Do you just plug the EHU lead into the genny to charge the batteries?
If we only keep fuel in the genny, in the garage (it will run outside) will it give off fumes? THIS IS IMPORTANT as the dog sleeps in the garage (which is open through to our van)
Will it run in the rain (Scotland, Winter....)
Do they really need earthing? - surely thats built in somehow for numpties like me?
Sounds like a fine option. However I would have thought you may do almost as well by fitting a Sterling battery to battery charger and then idling the van engine when you need to charge the batteries.
I agree with everything Bill said above - we have a Honda Eu2.0i which is usually kept in a backbox on the bike rack right alongside the fresh water container I use when there's no reachable water tap. If there was any hint of a petrol smell Mrs B would object! We've also kept it inside in the loo if using the rack for bikes and again have never had any smell or fumes.
The one question Bill didn't cover was rain (surely that won't be a problem in Scotland?!)
As far as I know they're not designed to be weatherproof - I purchased a purpose made cover for mine but then found it completely covered everything including the exhaust so needed some modification involving cutting flaps and adding wire and velcro in order to be used with the genny running. I can run it in the backbox with the lid opened out like a roof but the genny does vibrate like mad when not on terra firma and hence sounds much louder.
We don't often wildcamp so don't use ours often, mainly for using the microwave etc if we stop for lunch or very rarely on CLs/CSs if we're the only occupants and we're nowhere near any houses etc. It has come in handy along with our 240V booster charger to overcome a flat engine battery!
I'd also recommend adding fuel stabiliser/preservative to the petrol so that if you don't use it for a while it won't gum up the works.
______________________________________________________________ cheers
Roger
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I´m not really as paranoid as everyone thinks I am
Why not just stick it under the back of your motorhome when it rains?
My Honda EU10i came with a weatherproof 'suitcase' type case. Both sides of this 'case' open up to form wings held up with aluminium supports. The gennie can be run inside this, out of the rain.
Also the Honda has a 12volt output which I think is 8 amps and this may be a higher output than your on-board charger and will charge a battery quicker, so you won't need the gennie running for so long if you connect it directly to your leisure battery.
I run a small 600 watt microwave (Samsung QT) from my EU10i
We have a Kipor 2000 which is Ok to plug into the EHU.
In just the short time we have owned it we have almost got our money back when comparing site fees of a fiver PN compared with the average £20 for all facilities sites.
I started with an inexpensive two stroke which I would not connect via the EHU due to voltage instability.
Something may be worth doing is changing your batteries for larger ones 110's or even 125's.
Phil
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We use the good 'ole Honda Eu 2.0i. Well made, reliable - but not 'silent' as they claim. It is, though, quiet compared to the open frame types. Had it for about 8 years and used for all sorts of purposes. One of the 13 amp outlets has been converted to the 16 amp type a la standard UK hook-up cable.
The thing that hasn't been stated about this type of generator is that it uses an inverter, ie it generates lots of DC and 'inverts' it to 250 volts AC. That's why they run quietly at low loads because the revs are roughly proportional to the amount of power being generated, unlike the alternator type which (for Europeans) run at a constant 3,000 rpm to give 50 Hz. A few years ago, chasing F1 teams round Europe with support equipment, I used the 3.6 Kw version. Much heavier and more expensive but VERY quiet running.
The one bit that does annoy me about our Honda is the fact that the polarity changeover switch in the motorhome does NOT like it and buzzes constantly, regardless of setting. I have tried all sorts of tricks to stop it, to no avail. I seriously think I'll have to fit a bypass switch for the odd occasions we need to use it.
Will
If we only keep fuel in the genny, in the garage (it will run outside) will it give off fumes? THIS IS IMPORTANT as the dog sleeps in the garage (which is open through to our van)
Many thanks guys & gals
Hi,
if you are worried about the petrol why not get a gennie with an LPG conversion. I have the Honda EU10 converted which I just plug in to the BBQ point on the outside of the van.
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France
so needed some modification involving cutting flaps and adding wire and velcro in order to be used with the genny running. I can run it in the backbox with the lid opened out like a roof but the genny does vibrate like mad when not on terra firma and hence sounds much louder.
