Power-Generators for wild camping...

[TJG]

Does anyone use a generator when ‘free’ camping? If so, what brand/capacity etc and where do you store it? Do they smell when stored?

 

[oldiebut goodie]

No, anti-social things at the best of times. Nothing worse than hearing one of them rattling away continuously in the distance, even worse closer to. Never felt the need in 50 years wild camping. Why would you need one?

 

[Pete C]

Agreed, solar with a decent leisure battery is the way forward.

Pete

 

[TJG]

Well there have been more than a few times that my solar setup has not coped with cloud, high temp (compressor fridge running continuously) etc etc. Now the obvious solution for most scenarios is to have more solar but it’s expensive and bulky to store unless you get solar blankets which have their own set of problems. So, a generator seems to be a practical but not ideal solution.

 

[Niknak]

Very practical but also make a mess when someone gets pissed off and lobs it, when I raced karts and all you could here was then running at night honestly tips you over the edge also had it when went to rockamring a couple of times honestly the rage the cause lol

 

[Phil_G]

Generators are irritating, antisocial and unnecessary for camping
They're banned on most camp sites, and rightly so!

 

[Dellmassive]

Solar and battery bank is first port of call.
But when needs must the Genny comes out.
Honda EU10 1000w
Had cheaper brands before, including Clarks, adli, ebay, amazon, etc..... they all let me down.
So if you need to rely on it.... then honda.
1kw if fine for most off grid needs..... but won't run microwaves or 2kw electric heaters..
...
If I do take it, its stored in a zipped carry bag, then left outsideside under a shopping bag to protect from any rain.
I tale a Jerry can with petrol...
Yes the do stink when running if you are down wind.... and will smell of petrol after...... but that half the fun of them...
....
Petrol head head being reminded of my first car =)
...

Industrial

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www.honda.co.uk

*****
for a cheaper option i keep looking at the new SI Hyundai range (a Honda copy)

Hyundai HY1000SI 1kW Portable, 4 Stroke, Easy Starting Petrol Engine, Lightweight & Compact 1000 Watt Inverter Generator, 3 Year Warranty, 230V, 12V DC Battery Charger, Camping, Blue, W, 230 V: Amazon.co.uk: DIY & Tools

Shop Hyundai HY1000SI 1kW Portable, 4 Stroke, Easy Starting Petrol Engine, Lightweight & Compact 1000 Watt Inverter Generator, 3 Year Warranty, 230V, 12V DC Battery Charger, Camping, Blue, W, 230 V. Free delivery on eligible orders of £20 or more.

amzn.to

 

[Dellmassive]

take a look at some of the option.

build a battery box to take with you . . .

12v Lithium Leisure Battery Box 138Ah 1766Wh -- How I Done It --

12v Lithium Leisure Battery Box 138Ah 1766Wh -- How I Done It -- It's about time that I got this long-overdue project sorted out. The missing parts are on order and completion is in sight . . . . . . . . ready for the Post Pandemic 2020 Camping Trips (Hopefully) This is where it started. p1...

www.t6forum.com

buy a mobile battery bank . . .

Awesome 3-in-1 Battery Bank - How I done It -

Awesome 3-in-1 Battery Bank - How I done It - Now normally I don't post specific threads on kit . . . . . . but I had to this time. As some of you may know im into portable power . . . whether that be battery, solar, petrol genny, USB power banks or what ever i love it. The term Solar-Generator...

www.t6forum.com

Add a DC-DC to the van . . .

[Guide] DC-DC Charger (for leisure battery) -- How I Done It --

DC-DC Charger (for Leisure battery) -- How I Done It -- ************************************************** Dellmassive`s -- "how I Done It" -- Thread ************************************************** Kit List And Stuff -- How I Done It & What I Use --...

www.t6forum.com

add some mobile solar . . . .

[Guide] Mobile Solar Panels ? . . . - How I Did It -

Mobile Solar Panels ? . . . - How I Did It - There is loads of background to this . . . . . but for now here is a vid for you all. =] Just remember W = V*A and as a general rule a good 100W panel will give you up to 6A charge with good sun. 25w = 1.5A 50W = 3A 100w = 6A 200w = 12A 300w = 18A...

www.t6forum.com

and here for the rest:
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Dellmassive`s -- "how I Done It" -- Thread
**************************************************
Kit List And Stuff -- How I Done It & What I Use --
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[TJG]

So it would appear that generators are not well loved!! It really doesn’t matter how many batteries you have, whether you’ve sold the children to buy a lithium set up or have a squllion watts of solar - if the sun isn’t shining you don’t get to recharge much. I agree that generators have many drawbacks and should be used with discretion

 

[Dellmassive]

Yep...

Agreed solar and battery is the way to go during Sumner. But winter has its own challenges.

But the thing is.... people moan about generators running during the day to charge up batteries....

But I ask you.....

How many times have you been onsite camping and been surrounded by vans running the engines for an hour during the daytime...... "what you doing John?" Oh just topping up the batteries with the dc-dc charger .. .

I can't moan as I'm one of those people...

So summer time i use solar and battery banks.

During autumn,,, less solar and more running engine for dc-dc.

Then darker times..... either dc-dc or just run a genny.

 

[TJG]

To those who do use a generator with discretion please tell me where/how you store them in transit and whether petrol fumes are emitted when not in use

 

[Niknak]

Vacuum storage bag is what I would do but obviously drained

 

[Niknak]

I don’t mean to vacuum it just that they are air tight

 

[TJG]

Good thinking! Would have to be pretty heavy duty and resealable - off to mr google to do some research

 

[TJG]

Well, I purchased a large vacuum bag for AU$6.00. Ran a Honda eu10i for 30 min then shut it down - engine shut off and fuel cap breather - then let it sit for 30 min to cool down. Placed the generator in the bag, zipped up the twin seals and evacuated most of the air from the bag. Left it overnight in a closed plastic box on the veranda. Next day I sent my missus out with her sensitive nose and all good news - absolutely no fumes emitted!! Will need to buy a generator carry bag to protect the more fragile vacuum bag whilst in transit.

 

[Niknak]

Well, I purchased a large vacuum bag for AU$6.00. Ran a Honda eu10i for 30 min then shut it down - engine shut off and fuel cap breather - then let it sit for 30 min to cool down. Placed the generator in the bag, zipped up the twin seals and evacuated most of the air from the bag. Left it overnight in a closed plastic box on the veranda. Next day I sent my missus out with her sensitive nose and all good news - absolutely no fumes emitted!! Will need to buy a generator carry bag to protect the more fragile vacuum bag whilst in transit.

Bugger I should have patented that idea

 

[Stay Frosty]

Thread revival and this sort of generator for really wild camping or would this only be ok at Busfest?

 

[Phil_G]

We camped for decades without a fridge.
Sorry but no, no, no. Especially for a fridge where it would need to be running pretty much all the time!
Considerate wild camping isnt just about litter