Camp power - Genie, or Solar?
Submitted: Wednesday, Mar 14, 2018 at 18:18
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Theo D
Hi all
Have just parted with my 34yr old McCulloch 0.8kva generator. Sad to see her go. McCulloch back in the day DID make good gear, maybe not now.
Just throwing something out there regarding
camp power. I'm looking at buying a 1kva inverter generator (I use 1kva Honda's at work... unbeatable little unit, just cant fathom the price) as this would suit our needs
well. When camping we really just need to run the fridge, maybe power up a laptop or I-pad to transfer photo's etc... 1kva would be fine. But a mate of
mine thinks I'm quote 'stupid' for getting one and has insisted on a 3rd battery in the 105 Series and a decent solar panel for our trips. I'm open to the idea, but haven't had alot of exposure to solar stuff. On all our trips (and work trips) there has always been a generator and there's never been an issue or a worry. But perhaps in the future when we destine to some Nat Parks that are generator free, solar might be the go.
Those that have the solar option... are you simply using the panel/s during the day to keep charge of the 3rd battery (maybe there's no need for 3... maybe just charge the deep cycle no2?) and letting the fridge power through the night on the power it does have and then re-charge the next day? Is there any other technical set ups that might be worthwhile setting up?
Interested to hear your
views. Also, for generators... if anyone has any experience with 1kva genies other then Honda/Yamaha would be keen to hear what your thoughts are. I'm tempted by these Kepor models but have been told to stay a mile away
Reply By: Dean K3 - Wednesday, Mar 14, 2018 at 19:25
Wednesday, Mar 14, 2018 at 19:25
If you ever tried having a generator going at night whilst
grey nomads watch the tv for football and make tea whilst your sleeping with it jammed under your camper trailer by them.
Then you would understand that solar is preferred way of having the "primary recharge source"
having a generator along as its quiet one is best for the "back up" so when its socked in day with no sun or emergency power at
home esp for the modern fridge/freezers.
As they hate being turned on then off and blow the electronics smarts for some reason.
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Reply By: MEMBER - Darian, SA - Wednesday, Mar 14, 2018 at 20:30
Wednesday, Mar 14, 2018 at 20:30
It would seem that your primary query is about 'ensuring reliable power supply'. If so, then both solar and a generator are indicated, because when its overcast the solar can't help. With expensive batteries exposed to permanent damage from low charge, the gennie might be the only saviour. But then, you have to hope that you can run a gennie where you are (regulations may prohibit that.....consideration for other campers is of course a factor too).
In poor weather, having to move
camp to a 'generator allowed' area can't be ruled out if you have a number of expensive deep cycle batteries on the edge).
I have two fixed solar panels on the van and one portable panel to catch the sun early and late. I have a choice of a Yam 1k or Honda 2k genny to take on trips....depends on where I'm going (the larger, heavier Honda usually stays
home.....that was bought for the power outages here in SA ! :-).
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Reply By: Member - Graham N (SA) - Wednesday, Mar 14, 2018 at 20:53
Wednesday, Mar 14, 2018 at 20:53
I think you will find solar is the way of the present and future.
I'm probably bias as I have installed extra solar panels of 160 watts on my T-van, thanks to the help of a member on here, giving me 210watts of
solar power that should run my 80 ltr Engel, it probably only requires about 120 w to keep the batteries topped up.
Today I upgraded the solar controller so I can add a 120 w solar blanket I have brought as either a charger for the vehicle batteries or a back up should any thing happen to the T-van solar. The new blanket was about $500 from Korr Lighting. I'm sure you would get change out of $1000 to set up a system that would keep your fridge running indefinitely, no worries about whether you have enough fuel or the problems of carting the fuel.
Cheers
Graham
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Reply By: Theo D - Wednesday, Mar 14, 2018 at 21:35
Wednesday, Mar 14, 2018 at 21:35
Thanks all
Those that have 3 batteries... is the third battery linked up somehow? Or is it stand alone e.g. lithium/ultra deep cycle/gel and purely requires solar charge when camping? And if so how do you keep it charged when not camping - do you use trickle charge and just 'float' the battery when not in use? I currently do this with my boat batteries when not in use... just put them on a slow charge every fortnight or so when not in use to keep them alive. I note Kings do a 120W blanket for a reasonable price. Would a constant 120W charge during the day keep the battery in reasonable knick? I also note someone has mentioned that a lack of charge can damage expensive batteries. Is this seriously detrimental?
The bonus about a 1kva or 2kva is I guess some kind of backup power source for around the house eg. Cyclone season. A 1kva would easily run the Engel with food (mainly bulk beer), a 2kva would certainly keep other things ticking along too. A solar setup for camping would be just that... for camping.
I also add my current wiring set up in the cruiser is only 4 or 5mm wire courtesy of anderson plug to 60L engel. I understand that should I run this off my dual battery as present, even with solar charge is pretty ineffective due to the small wite. Correct?
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Follow Up By: Member - Bigfish - Thursday, Mar 15, 2018 at 08:39
Thursday, Mar 15, 2018 at 08:39
I run 3 x 120 fullrivers in my camper. All connected via heavy duty cable and fuses. Run 2 x 40 litre engels, lights, bluetooth speaker and tablet. I also use about 350watt of solar. Always go for good heavy wiring. In my opinion I compare power to a slab of beer.
Your better off looking at it than looking for it!!
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Reply By: Member - Stephen L (Clare SA) - Thursday, Mar 15, 2018 at 20:16
Thursday, Mar 15, 2018 at 20:16
Hi Again Theo
As you can see, there are many people that literally hate the thought of using a generator.
I should have also stated that I also carry 2 quality tri fold 150 w solar panels that keep my camper and car fully charged when we are
bush camping, and it has worked perfectly for over 4 days when we were off the
grid and remote camping in on spot, with moving and starting the car at all during that time, with one very big exception....
Solar is great as long as the sun is shining, but if you are caught out when it is wet and 100% cloud cover, then solar is not with the effort to get it out.
Both items compliment each other and if one does not work, you have the other to fall back on.
Cheers
Stephen
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Reply By: Member - McLaren3030 - Saturday, Mar 17, 2018 at 14:15
Saturday, Mar 17, 2018 at 14:15
Hi Theo D,
As you may have gathered, lots of people do not like Generators going near them when camping, I am also one of those. Having said that, I have contemplated purchasing a genie myself, and have looked seriously at the Honda EU22i. A solid 2.0 kva continuous rating, large enough for an Aircon, Coffee machine, or Microwave. I have so far resisted.
The van has 2 x 105 amp batteries, with 2 x 150 watt solar panels on the roof. This has kept the batteries charged up even when stationary for 5 days in 40+ degree heat. The van has a 190 Lt. compressor fridge/freezer.
In the car, I run 1 x 70 amp & 1 x 60 amp coupled together to run a 60 Ltr Engel as a fridge, & a 35 Ltr Waeco as a freezer. I have 2 x 120 Watt folding solar panels that I use to keep these batteries charged up, again, even when stationary for 5 days in 40+ degree heat. Obviously, the number of times you open the fridge or freezer during the day will make a difference in the load on the batteries. Also, as others have noted, you a reliant on having sun to charge the batteries. So far we have not had any issues, and we mostly
free camp in the bush with no other facilities.
The only time we had any problems was on Fraser Island at
Central Station. It was so shady that we did not have enough sun to charge the batteries in the car for the Engel. Had to run the car for an hour in the morning & late afternoon to keep the batteries charged.
Macca.
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