generator for caravan

Thomas-the-Terrano2 · 07-08-2009, 11:22

ok, despite my comments about them being heavy and smelly, atleast when
transporting I'm starting to come round to the idea that faced with the cost
of some juicy solar panels would be well on way to any time any where use
of a genny. thinking for charging battery(ies) and supplying light use mains
equipment.

seems there are some really cheap 2 strokes, then some 4 strokes and finally
atleast in a portable sense the suitcase elctronic invertor types. the latter
are dearer per kW but generally lighter and more suited to running computer
and sensitive devices.

the overal price range from 2 stroke via 4 then invertor 4strokes around 1kW
output seem to be £80,£150, and £250 respectively, any thoughts guys.

oh and the invertor types tend to be quieter too presume down to enclosed
cases and maybe the invertor as a genny?

tezzer · 07-08-2009, 12:04

i know a few caravanners and they tend to go for the jenny, solar panels are to expensive, and the jenny has more handy uses, ie down the garden, in garage. most of all there cheaper.

extreme-4x4 · 07-08-2009, 12:17

you wont want a 2 stroke. its twice the noise of a 4 stroke.

id go mad if i was camping and someone turned a generator on

unless you go for the silent ones . but the price goes up then

Paul · 07-08-2009, 12:42

Got a generator from Muzz abit back, used it once on site & stoped using it cos of the noise, if your going to get one shop around for a realy quite one, use ours in the garage now or when at the storeage yard for topping up the batt & using 240 volts.

dino · 07-08-2009, 20:00

Machine mart got some 65db at 7M £80.48 850w :

http://www.machinemart.co.uk/shop/pr...ype-generators

CaptLimey · 07-08-2009, 20:30

Hi again TTT02

Capt Limey here again and I've also been down the generator road!

I bought a Honda 2kw suitcase genny while sailing and found it absolutely superb. It was quiet and even powerful enough to run a small air conditioning unit. I used it to run power tools and to charge my boat batteries on the rare occasion that the sun wasn't shining enough to power from the solar panels. Honda are good but expensive.

I've found a Honda 2kw look-alike in the U.K. called a Kipor Sinemaster IG200 digital inverter/generator. It is almost a straight copy of the Honda 'suitcase' type genny.

If you want more than to just boil a kettle don't get the 1kw go for the 2 kw. The price is not significantly more, the sound output is about the same but you will welcome the extra power. An Google search will get you the best price, I can't remember what I paid but it was much less than the Honda 2kw. I understand that there is an ongoing patent infringement case between Kipor and Honda, so get one while you can!

Regards CL

Deleted account DD · 07-08-2009, 20:46

I dont know the ins and outs of it but you can get sound absorbing "jackets" for some generators, so logically the material is out there to make some kind of box or container to stand it in.

We have a van at work with a lot of electrical kit on board and its generator is in the back in a "jacket" the reduction in noise is significant

zippy656 · 07-08-2009, 21:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by dino

Machine mart got some 65db at 7M £80.48 850w :

http://www.machinemart.co.uk/shop/pr...ype-generators

i picked up one for free...

only trouble is i got to give it back...

but then i dont think the person know my address or phone number..

so i could KEEP it!!

Deleted account DD · 08-08-2009, 00:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by zippy656

i picked up one for free...

only trouble is i got to give it back...

but then i dont think the person know my address or phone number..

so i could KEEP it!!

Is that whats technically known as a straight cough.............

dino · 08-08-2009, 15:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by daved

Is that whats technically known as a straight cough.............

Its known as lending to a friend, (hopefully getting it back

)

Let me know when your done Zip

(Have now got address

)

zippy656 · 08-08-2009, 19:19

will be done on sep 6th, you could have it beck then if you want.

or come to the carnaval, and take it home on the 5th

zippy · 09-08-2009, 01:57

the cheap two stroke ones are usually unregulated and you may find that outpiut varies too much - even if only used to charge the 12V. Sometimes volts can be in excess of 20V is not set right. AC current can still be as hit or miss. Use them only for lights/fans etc - anything that is voltage sensitive will fry.

Inverters are the way to go but expensive.

Solar panels are coming down in price, but you should go for the highest wattage available and then remember to get a good quality charge controller - the best ones are nearly as dear as the panel.

Regards
Lee

Thomas-the-Terrano2 · 09-08-2009, 17:54

chers guys, yes seen the kipors, been watching some on the bay, 1kw 239, 2kw 339. suspect would start thinking only nee small output then need more and a kipor dealer
says thats about only thing you cant do upgrade power...

do seem quiet, seen a rally marshall with one infact lent it to inlaws to test fridge on
rally as wasnt working on gas. kettle etc likely stick with gas, thinking more charging
batterys, lcd tv, 700w microwave.

07-08-2009, 11:22	#1
Thomas-the-Terrano2 Moderator Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Hackenthorpe Sheffield Vehicle: Terrano2 R20 lwb 2.7TDi Posts: 5,234	generator for caravan ok, despite my comments about them being heavy and smelly, atleast when transporting I'm starting to come round to the idea that faced with the cost of some juicy solar panels would be well on way to any time any where use of a genny. thinking for charging battery(ies) and supplying light use mains equipment. seems there are some really cheap 2 strokes, then some 4 strokes and finally atleast in a portable sense the suitcase elctronic invertor types. the latter are dearer per kW but generally lighter and more suited to running computer and sensitive devices. the overal price range from 2 stroke via 4 then invertor 4strokes around 1kW output seem to be £80,£150, and £250 respectively, any thoughts guys. oh and the invertor types tend to be quieter too presume down to enclosed cases and maybe the invertor as a genny? __________________ M6YTB / 20YTB '60' 2010 Ford C Max Zetec 1.6i, black '56' 2006 Jeep Grand Cherokee 3.0TD, silver 2021 Bailey Pegasus Grade SE Turin caravan Smile, its more likely to confuse. One Life, Don't Just Live It, Drive a Nissan, or ...... a Jeep. Owner of Nissan 4x4s 2005 to 2019, and maybe in the future too!

07-08-2009, 12:42	#4
Paul Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: North West Vehicle: 2002 Terrano 3.0 Di LWB Posts: 1,961	Got a generator from Muzz abit back, used it once on site & stoped using it cos of the noise, if your going to get one shop around for a realy quite one, use ours in the garage now or when at the storeage yard for topping up the batt & using 240 volts. __________________ 2002 Terrano 3.0 Di LWB..

09-08-2009, 17:54	#13
Thomas-the-Terrano2 Moderator Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Hackenthorpe Sheffield Vehicle: Terrano2 R20 lwb 2.7TDi Posts: 5,234	chers guys, yes seen the kipors, been watching some on the bay, 1kw 239, 2kw 339. suspect would start thinking only nee small output then need more and a kipor dealer says thats about only thing you cant do upgrade power... do seem quiet, seen a rally marshall with one infact lent it to inlaws to test fridge on rally as wasnt working on gas. kettle etc likely stick with gas, thinking more charging batterys, lcd tv, 700w microwave. __________________ M6YTB / 20YTB '60' 2010 Ford C Max Zetec 1.6i, black '56' 2006 Jeep Grand Cherokee 3.0TD, silver 2021 Bailey Pegasus Grade SE Turin caravan Smile, its more likely to confuse. One Life, Don't Just Live It, Drive a Nissan, or ...... a Jeep. Owner of Nissan 4x4s 2005 to 2019, and maybe in the future too!

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07-08-2009, 12:04	#2
tezzer Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: basildon essex Vehicle: transit camper van 1987 Posts: 2,829	i know a few caravanners and they tend to go for the jenny, solar panels are to expensive, and the jenny has more handy uses, ie down the garden, in garage. most of all there cheaper.

07-08-2009, 12:17	#3
extreme-4x4 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: WALES Posts: 6,295	you wont want a 2 stroke. its twice the noise of a 4 stroke. id go mad if i was camping and someone turned a generator on unless you go for the silent ones . but the price goes up then

07-08-2009, 20:00	#5
dino Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Wiltshire Vehicle: Ford maverick SWB 2.4 Posts: 345	Machine mart got some 65db at 7M £80.48 850w : http://www.machinemart.co.uk/shop/pr...ype-generators

07-08-2009, 20:30	#6
CaptLimey Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: South of France Vehicle: '03 LWB MK.4 3Ltr T2 Posts: 421	Hi again TTT02 Capt Limey here again and I've also been down the generator road! I bought a Honda 2kw suitcase genny while sailing and found it absolutely superb. It was quiet and even powerful enough to run a small air conditioning unit. I used it to run power tools and to charge my boat batteries on the rare occasion that the sun wasn't shining enough to power from the solar panels. Honda are good but expensive. I've found a Honda 2kw look-alike in the U.K. called a Kipor Sinemaster IG200 digital inverter/generator. It is almost a straight copy of the Honda 'suitcase' type genny. If you want more than to just boil a kettle don't get the 1kw go for the 2 kw. The price is not significantly more, the sound output is about the same but you will welcome the extra power. An Google search will get you the best price, I can't remember what I paid but it was much less than the Honda 2kw. I understand that there is an ongoing patent infringement case between Kipor and Honda, so get one while you can! Regards CL

07-08-2009, 20:46	#7
Deleted account DD Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 4,705	I dont know the ins and outs of it but you can get sound absorbing "jackets" for some generators, so logically the material is out there to make some kind of box or container to stand it in. We have a van at work with a lot of electrical kit on board and its generator is in the back in a "jacket" the reduction in noise is significant

08-08-2009, 19:19	#11
zippy656 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Devizes Wiltshire Vehicle: Nissan Note Ntec 1.5 Posts: 14,138	will be done on sep 6th, you could have it beck then if you want. or come to the carnaval, and take it home on the 5th

09-08-2009, 01:57	#12
zippy Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: NI Vehicle: 01 terrano 2.7 lwb Posts: 210	the cheap two stroke ones are usually unregulated and you may find that outpiut varies too much - even if only used to charge the 12V. Sometimes volts can be in excess of 20V is not set right. AC current can still be as hit or miss. Use them only for lights/fans etc - anything that is voltage sensitive will fry. Inverters are the way to go but expensive. Solar panels are coming down in price, but you should go for the highest wattage available and then remember to get a good quality charge controller - the best ones are nearly as dear as the panel. Regards Lee