Home Log in or Register

Message Forums

Welcome Guest

Reception - All Forums

Camping and Caravanning Equipment

Topic: Which Generator?

formula1girl

03/7/2012 at 1:56am
Location: Eastleigh
Outfit: Swift Dannette 1992 & Honda CRV CDTI

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 01/4/2012

Standard Member

Forum Posts: 12

Site Reviews Total:	0

Site Reviews 2024:	0
Site Reviews 2023:	0
Site Reviews 2022:	0
Site Reviews 2021:	0
Site Reviews 2020:	0
Site Reviews 2019:	0
Site Reviews 2018:	0

Site Nights 2024:	0
Site Nights 2023:	0
Site Nights 2022:	0
Site Nights 2021:	0
Site Nights 2020:	0
Site Nights 2019:	0
Site Nights 2018:	0

I had my first trip away in my caravan last weekend to a dog show in Blackpool which was a complete wash out.We spent our second night watching them tow people off of the site!
We managed to use all of the charge from the battery in around a day and a half so we need a generator as there are no hook ups where we go. But which one? I need basic advice, not too technical please

I have seen one:
http://www.machinemart.co.uk/shop/product/details/clarke-1kw-inverter-generator-ig1000?da=1&PPC=GAUK&AdG=IG1000&TC=GA-IH-IG1000
is this any good?

-------------
Sarah-Jane Bonner
Caprilli Dalmatians

geoff+emmy

03/7/2012 at 8:55am
Location: Huddersfield
Outfit: swift conqueror 645+jeep commander

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 10/10/2009

Platinum Member

Forum Posts: 1088

Site Reviews Total:	5

Site Reviews 2024:	0
Site Reviews 2023:	0
Site Reviews 2022:	0
Site Reviews 2021:	0
Site Reviews 2020:	0
Site Reviews 2019:	0
Site Reviews 2018:	0

Site Nights 2024:	0
Site Nights 2023:	0
Site Nights 2022:	0
Site Nights 2021:	0
Site Nights 2020:	0
Site Nights 2019:	0
Site Nights 2018:	0

The only one really worth having is an Honda i,am afraid

But they are expensive, We have the EU10i which is quiet and does not use too much fuel, useable power around 900 watts ok for battery charging laptops/tv and little else

You could also consider a solar panel...

birder99

03/7/2012 at 10:35am
Location: Cambs
Outfit: Tin tent diddy tent BIG tent

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 24/9/2010

Diamond Member

Forum Posts: 1847

Site Reviews Total:	3

Site Reviews 2024:	0
Site Reviews 2023:	0
Site Reviews 2022:	0
Site Reviews 2021:	0
Site Reviews 2020:	0
Site Reviews 2019:	0
Site Reviews 2018:	0

Site Nights 2024:	0
Site Nights 2023:	0
Site Nights 2022:	0
Site Nights 2021:	0
Site Nights 2020:	0
Site Nights 2019:	0
Site Nights 2018:	0

Before looking at generating electricity I think you should look at what you are using as a battery, even a smallish one, should last more than a couple of days. As the above post says it is worth looking at solar panels, about 60 or 80W should be ample but still look at what you are using 12V for and try to reduce the consumption as cutting consumption is cheaper than generating. Look at led lights, modern 12V TV (Kogan are excellent in my experience and a good price), restricting use of heating system as they use quite a bit of power for fans, pumps and control circuits.

The Honda EU generators are probably the best and the EU10i is probably the quietest you will find but they are expensive. Kippor produce clones of the Honda but I find they make more noise although it may be my imagination as I have one and I try not to use it.

If you still have a high consumption even after trying to reduce it you might have to consider a twin battery setup and a large solar panel. which is more of a long term winter set up when the panels struggle in the lower light levels and you need a bit more storage to prevent batteries becoming completely flat if it is thick cloud for a few days.

I think the order of priority for you is:-

1/ get battery checked out and if it is not a 110A/hr then think about a new one. The biggest one for your battery locker is going to be best.

2/ start to change lighting over to led concentrating on those that you use most and any halogens.

3/ look at getting a low power TV, some draw as little as 20W in use.

4/ 80W solar panel and regulator

5/ second battery and split charge circuit (Sterling Power have some neat devices

6/ if you really have to then look at a good quality generator but be prepared to pay over £1000 for a good one of decent size. Don't be tempted to go for one of the cheapie generators as they are not designed to run electronic devices (including the power supply unit in your caravan). You will need to get an inverter generator that will produce a clean stable supply. You may also find you are not the most popular person about if you run the generator with other caravans nearby.

-------------
'A sure cure for sea-sickness is to sit under a tree'

geoff+emmy

03/7/2012 at 10:55am
Location: Huddersfield
Outfit: swift conqueror 645+jeep commander

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 10/10/2009

Platinum Member

Forum Posts: 1088

Site Reviews Total:	5

Site Reviews 2024:	0
Site Reviews 2023:	0
Site Reviews 2022:	0
Site Reviews 2021:	0
Site Reviews 2020:	0
Site Reviews 2019:	0
Site Reviews 2018:	0

Site Nights 2024:	0
Site Nights 2023:	0
Site Nights 2022:	0
Site Nights 2021:	0
Site Nights 2020:	0
Site Nights 2019:	0
Site Nights 2018:	0

Our friends have the Kippor copy and it is noisier than my Honda...

pontius298

03/7/2012 at 11:11am
Location:
Outfit:

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 03/7/2012

Standard Member

Forum Posts: 6

Site Reviews Total:	0

Site Reviews 2024:	0
Site Reviews 2023:	0
Site Reviews 2022:	0
Site Reviews 2021:	0
Site Reviews 2020:	0
Site Reviews 2019:	0
Site Reviews 2018:	0

Site Nights 2024:	0
Site Nights 2023:	0
Site Nights 2022:	0
Site Nights 2021:	0
Site Nights 2020:	0
Site Nights 2019:	0
Site Nights 2018:	0

Kippor produce clones of the Honda but I find they make more noise although it may be my imagination as I have one and I try not to use it.

spinyeel

03/7/2012 at 11:15am
Location: Australia
Outfit: None Entered

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 24/6/2010

Silver Member

Forum Posts: 174

Site Reviews Total:	0

Site Reviews 2024:	0
Site Reviews 2023:	0
Site Reviews 2022:	0
Site Reviews 2021:	0
Site Reviews 2020:	0
Site Reviews 2019:	0
Site Reviews 2018:	0

Site Nights 2024:	0
Site Nights 2023:	0
Site Nights 2022:	0
Site Nights 2021:	0
Site Nights 2020:	0
Site Nights 2019:	0
Site Nights 2018:	0

If you are camping near other people. No generator is the best.

-------------
If there's no camping in heaven. I'm not going!

formula1girl

04/7/2012 at 9:23am
Location: Eastleigh
Outfit: Swift Dannette 1992 & Honda CRV CDTI

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 01/4/2012

Standard Member

Forum Posts: 12

Site Reviews Total:	0

Site Reviews 2024:	0
Site Reviews 2023:	0
Site Reviews 2022:	0
Site Reviews 2021:	0
Site Reviews 2020:	0
Site Reviews 2019:	0
Site Reviews 2018:	0

Site Nights 2024:	0
Site Nights 2023:	0
Site Nights 2022:	0
Site Nights 2021:	0
Site Nights 2020:	0
Site Nights 2019:	0
Site Nights 2018:	0

We are only really camping at dog shows at the moment which have no hook up as they are fields next to the dog show. Everyone else seemed to have a generator so I won't be alone there!! We had a brand new leisure battery for our trip and were powering lights, fridge and water pump off of it. As well as charging my phone and my sons lap top. No tv and no other electrical things. The charge lasted from Thursday night until Saturday morning. Not long :-(

-------------
Sarah-Jane Bonner
Caprilli Dalmatians

Gareth29

04/7/2012 at 9:45am
Location: Lincolnshire
Outfit: 5 m zig bell force 10 trigano ridge

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 22/7/2009

Platinum Member

Forum Posts: 1469
Tent Reviews: 3

Site Reviews Total:	1

Site Reviews 2024:	0
Site Reviews 2023:	0
Site Reviews 2022:	0
Site Reviews 2021:	0
Site Reviews 2020:	0
Site Reviews 2019:	0
Site Reviews 2018:	0

Site Nights 2024:	0
Site Nights 2023:	0
Site Nights 2022:	0
Site Nights 2021:	0
Site Nights 2020:	0
Site Nights 2019:	0
Site Nights 2018:	0

No wonder it didn't last if the fridge was run off it! Run the fridge on gas, your battery will last a lot longer..

birder99

04/7/2012 at 10:10am
Location: Cambs
Outfit: Tin tent diddy tent BIG tent

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 24/9/2010

Diamond Member

Forum Posts: 1847

Site Reviews Total:	3

Site Reviews 2024:	0
Site Reviews 2023:	0
Site Reviews 2022:	0
Site Reviews 2021:	0
Site Reviews 2020:	0
Site Reviews 2019:	0
Site Reviews 2018:	0

Site Nights 2024:	0
Site Nights 2023:	0
Site Nights 2022:	0
Site Nights 2021:	0
Site Nights 2020:	0
Site Nights 2019:	0
Site Nights 2018:	0

I would not have thought that the fridge would run off the caravan battery on a 92 Swift. Caravans of that era were normally wired to the car via the grey socket and the circuit would only be live if the engine was charging. If it is running off battery I would have expected the fridge to flatten a battery in just a few hours. It is more likely to be the laptop that is pulling the battery down. Are you charging it via 12V socket or via an inverter? While the 12V option is more efficient it will still pull between 20 and 40W for an average laptop and more if DVD drive is in use. Mobile phone charging uses negligible amounts of power but if you are looking to save as much as you can then charge phones on journey to site from car supply and turn phones off at night.

With sensible use of just lights and waterpump I would have estimated over a weeks use off a 110A battery.

-------------
'A sure cure for sea-sickness is to sit under a tree'

In order to post a reply you will need to register, or if already registered please log in here

Prev Next
Quick Links - All Forums - Camping and Caravanning Equipment - Top of Page

Printable version

Latest News, Discounts and Competitions see all...

4785 Visitors online !

Free UKCampsite.co.uk Window Sticker - Recommend to Friend - Add a Missing Campsite

[Message Forums] [Caravan Sites & Camping] [Company Listings] [Features / Advice] [Virtual Brochure] [Shop!]
[Reception] [Competitions] [Caravans & Motorhomes For Sale] [Event Diary] [Contact Us] [Tent Reviews]

Please note we are not responsible for the content of external sites & any reviews represent the author's personal view only. Please report any error here. You may view our privacy and cookie policy and terms and conditions here. All copyrights & other intellectual property rights in the design and content of this web site are reserved to the UKCampsite.co.uk © 1999 - 2024

UKCampsite.co.uk
2024 Advent Calendar

24 Daily Prizes PLUS a Christmas Day Star Prize worth £999

Request a Reminder