Generators and Caravans
Submitted: Monday, Sep 04, 2006 at 06:40
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Turist
I have just got a new Geny to use with my van and wondered what others do to keep them safe and dry from the heavy dew or even a rare fall of rain during overnight stops. along the road
Was going to mount it on the drawbar however I don't think there is enough room there and need an alternate solution. Anyone like to share what they do?
Reply By: PradoTrev - Monday, Sep 04, 2006 at 07:05
Monday, Sep 04, 2006 at 07:05
Hi Turist
Just make sure if it is on the draw bar you will need to make shure it is locked on to prevent theft.
Geny's are expensive to replace.
as for dew and rain a beach unbrella tied to the draw bar or weld a loop for it to sit in works
well.
That my tip
Trev
AnswerID:
192593
Reply By: Ray Bates - Monday, Sep 04, 2006 at 08:17
Monday, Sep 04, 2006 at 08:17
When travelling (moving) my geny is in a sealed lockable metal box mounted on the rear bumber of my caravan and whe in use it is under a piece of polyweave sheeting heldup up with a cutdown broom handle in the form of a ridge tent roof. I keep my spare fuel there as
well
AnswerID:
192599
Reply By: Wizard1 - Monday, Sep 04, 2006 at 10:38
Monday, Sep 04, 2006 at 10:38
I agree with the others, don't worry about dew, worry about thieves. At aver $2000 I'd prefer to keep
mine for as long as possible. We put a plastic sheet over the top like tent if there is heavy rain, drizzle is not a drama.
The safest place is in the back of the 4WD and covered to prevent prying eyes. Some may think this a tad inconvenient, having to drag it out, but I call it security. I intend to mount a second fridge slide on the draws for the roll out of the generator.
From what I've heard no amount of security, short of a checkerplate box with thief proof locks, will stop a determined gennie thief. Whenever we stop and
free camp the gennie goes back in the car before bedtime.
AnswerID:
192615
Reply By: Tim@Stratford - Monday, Sep 04, 2006 at 11:39
Monday, Sep 04, 2006 at 11:39
Turist,
I think I saw a post on here a while back about mounting gennies on the A-frame.
Someone described using a steel toolbox (heavy duty) that the gennie fits in. With the lid modified to be removable it was then bolted to the a-frame. The gennie then sat on the lid and the body of the box could be placed over the top and secured with padlocks. (to explain better - the tool box is up-side-down)
Tim.
AnswerID:
192632
Reply By: Wizard1 - Monday, Sep 04, 2006 at 14:42
Monday, Sep 04, 2006 at 14:42
One other thing you need to consider is placing extra weight you place on the towball. Bearing in mind that most vans run way above the "theoretical" towball weight of 10% of the GMV you may be exceeding yours by adding an extra 20kg or so of generator.
AnswerID:
192687
Reply By: Derek from Affordable Batteries & Radiators - Monday, Sep 04, 2006 at 18:48
Monday, Sep 04, 2006 at 18:48
I had a custom box made to suit the Honda EU20i.
I also made a extension exhaust to enable the Honda to be run for short intervals when stoping on the side of the road for a quick cuppa.
My Rig
AnswerID:
192755
Follow Up By: Pajman Pete (SA) - Tuesday, Sep 05, 2006 at 07:46
Tuesday, Sep 05, 2006 at 07:46
That picture looks like the
windmill is installed on the fron of your van - WOW you have all the accessories! We make do with an electric pump.
Pete
FollowupID:
450701
Reply By: nonon - Monday, Sep 04, 2006 at 21:11
Monday, Sep 04, 2006 at 21:11
We keep ours in the Jayco camper. The first thing I do when we unpack is slide it under the camper and lock it to the chassis with a heavy bike lock [heavy wire rope]. Sure you can see it, but you can instantly see that it is secured.
AnswerID:
192803
Reply By: Motherhen - Monday, Sep 04, 2006 at 23:16
Monday, Sep 04, 2006 at 23:16
We had a chequerplate aluminium box, divided into 2 sections, made for the Honda on the a-frame, mounted as far back as we could to keep the tow ball weight down. It opens on the front, with gas lifts that can hold the lid upright or horizontal. Generator is in one side on a slide out so it can be used in-situ, other side has slide out with ULP and oil cans, with extension cords stored under the slide-out. Generator is secured for travelling with strong ocky straps. Box bolts to the a-frame from inside and locks with a key.
AnswerID:
192849
Reply By: Richard & Leonie - Tuesday, Sep 05, 2006 at 19:48
Tuesday, Sep 05, 2006 at 19:48
Can I ask what do you want a generator for?
AnswerID:
193002
Follow Up By: Alloy c/t - Tuesday, Sep 05, 2006 at 19:56
Tuesday, Sep 05, 2006 at 19:56
Er ?? electricity perhaps ?? ,why do you need an afterburner ?? bad case of bottom burping perhaps ?? LOL.
FollowupID:
450832
Follow Up By: Richard & Leonie - Tuesday, Sep 05, 2006 at 20:34
Tuesday, Sep 05, 2006 at 20:34
But if you need that much electricity why not stay at home? Can't you get enough from your batteries and the very adequate "generator" under the bonnet of the car. As I say the afterburners are for tailgaters. I save back burps for smokers. If I have to put up with their smell then they should have to put up with
mine.
I suppose the point I would make is surely we go bush to get away from it all. Not take it all with us.
FollowupID:
450838
Follow Up By: Member - LONER - Wednesday, Sep 06, 2006 at 00:01
Wednesday, Sep 06, 2006 at 00:01
A small generator can make a
camping trip so much more comfortable and enjoyable, as I only ever go
camping with my wife and my brother and his wife (only people I can trust to stick it out for the entire trip without whinging, complaining or leaving early) and we always
camp in as remote country as possible I use
mine to power 2 x 70 litre Autofridge's and run some lighting at night, we also take a couple of laptop's so that we can enjoy some video camera footage of the days hunting/fishing and watch a DVD occasionally, I have a 100 metre long 20 amp lead and we can never hear the genset running. Considering we will
camp for up to 7 days in the one place I never rely on my vehicle batteries and as we like to enjoy ourselves when we travel I see nothing wrong with using a small genset to power the above items that you would rather run off of your vehicles power.
And as we never
camp any where near others (always try to be at least 5 klms from any other humans) I cannot offend anyone with the noise.
FollowupID:
450879
Follow Up By: Richard & Leonie - Wednesday, Sep 06, 2006 at 07:04
Wednesday, Sep 06, 2006 at 07:04
I know what you mean about picking the people you travel with. I have not been away with whingers but we have travelled with people who do not want to spend money. Consequently we have had to turn up visiting some parks and attractions because they would not pay
the entrance fee.
FollowupID:
450884
Reply By: Member - BBB - Tuesday, Sep 05, 2006 at 21:16
Tuesday, Sep 05, 2006 at 21:16
Turist
I have
mine mounted on a pull out draw with a 4m x 10mm S/S cable covered with 12mm hose to lock the geny if it looks like rain I put it on a board under the van to keep it out of the wheather.
You can also have this system in a front boot you will need to get a hatch door madein the side.
Here is a photo of the geny draw and the hose threw the handle is the lock.
!MPG:9!
AnswerID:
193027