Any views on portable generators ??

Hi all, we have been camping in our 79 RHD westie for a couple of years but mainly for short stays on sites with electrical hook up. Mainly due to having two small children. Now the kids are a bit older and we are staying away for longer trips, I would like to spend some time on sites with out all the mod cons.

Was thinking that a portable suitcase generator may be a solution for those times when you may need some "power". Seen a few advertised and they seem to fit the bill.

I was wondering if any one on TLB used one (or been near one when being used), what their experience was like, would you recommend using one, any recommendations on make / model etc

Thanks

 

They are noisy even the 'quiet' ones. Many sites don't allow them even the certified, no mod cons ones due to the noise and vibration.

 

i've got a quite running one and a long extension lead and a chain. I walk mine into the closest woods and chain it to a tree then walk back with the extension lead. Works a treat

 

I was camped near one last weekend - not impressed.

 

Sorry its one of my soapboxes.
Whats the point of camping I hate the things and don't see why anyone would need one unless they have a medical need.

 

i'd be out in the night with a cup full of suger for the tank if you camp by me - not really but they're noisy, get another leisure battery and a small inverter.

 

I've been looking for one for a while, but I just can't seem to find one noisy enough.
Is it possible to fit a zoom tube to a generator like that lad put on his lawnmower?

 

May I reccomend the Honda 1.5kW produced in the mid 70s. Racous exhaust and if you are lucky, one with the bottom end roller bearing on its last legs which adds a pleasent rattle to the proceedings. They have been out of production for some time but they do appear on E-bay on occaision.

 

I had to move twice in the new forest because of the smell. Dirty smelly noisy things completley unnessecery on a campsite. Get some solar panels and don't park next to Bernard Fishpants.......................or me

 

With his pipe and slippers...

 

I get the feeling that a generator is someway along the path towards being a total social outcast. Thinking other options are to be explored .....

Thanks for all your comments !

 

You should be able to manage on a no frills campsite with leisure battery only. Think about what you are using, and what you actually need power for (as opposed to the safety net of actually having power).

If you have to have TV, then most campervan TVs are 12v and can run off the battery. LCD TV tends to be very low power.

Laptops can also be run off the battery - I have a power lead for my Macbook that plugs into the lighter socket and runs off 12v. My laptop can do TV (through a digital TV receiver dongle), DVDs and also internet (mobile internet dongle) so caters for all 21st century needs.

Mobile phones can be charged off the leisure battery too.

Lighting can be low power too - all the lights in my van have LED replacement bulbs - I've got a series of 12v ikea downlighters that now draw only 1.2w of electrickery each, so my 110ah leisure battery can easily cope.

You can cook on gas and use barbecues.

When it comes down to it, you don't need 240v mains if you put your mind to it. We tend to have it if we can, but you can live without it. Especially if your leisure battery is (a) big and (b) runs on a split charge so gets a boost every time you drive anywhere. Also, you're camping outdoors, take some outdoors-y games for the kids.

 

two words - that haunt me, that will not run 12v.

hair straighteners.

 

You can get 12v ones (but they're rubbish).

 

you can probably get gas ones too i'd imagine.

 

You can, they run off little cannisters that fit in the handle. (Malc told me )

 

i hate people camping with gennys

use a hook up or stick to 12v

our fridge, music, lighting , TV , DVD and satellite are all 12v you don't really need 240v

 

Invertor