generators

are you planning on running anything else of the generator? if not then a invertor might be a better option. Those machines can't use that much power and a geni might be a overkill

possibly a tv occassionly air con in summer, we have a battery system so dont need lights .

I never heard of them being banned in national parks. I have stayed in camping areas where they have to be turned off at 9pm.
It maybe easier/cheaper to buy a portable cpap that can run off a 12v battery.

Hi geralee, mate a couple of considerations, how long would you be staying in one place? do you have a secondary battery system? & does your CPAP machine have a 12v system? I will address the Qs in order, if you are static for more than approx 2 nights with no recharging that will be about your limit, either on 12v or through a 240v inverter & that`s without running anything else, lights etc. Some CPAP machines have a secondary/backup 12v system, I couldn`t say what system is the more efficient, but in your situation the 12v system if you`ve got it would be the go. With an inverter you have to consider that it also draws current to operate approx 4 amps for a 300w job depending on load so your actual CPAP running time will be affected again. If you have a 12v secondary battery system & you intend running your CPAP off it make sure you have a low voltage cut off switch to eliminate excessive discharge ( a surefire way to bugger up a battery)
Just to add food for thought I`ve successfully operated a CPAP in the bush for a few yrs now, my system consists of a 12v system running a 300 w 240v pure sine wave inverter with a Honda 20E gen set, with that system you can cover all bases. If you get an inverter make sure it`s a pure sine wave job, they cost a bit more but i`m sure your CPAP requires no less & the Honda produces sine wave electricity so there are no worries there, they make a nice little 750w unit which would more than cover all your requirements. I hope this is of some help.
Good luck. Cheers Ron

thanks for the info it is good to have some one who can talk from the same experience it gives us some thing to look for.this is our first time to go on the road so we are raw recruits to all things travelling in caravans. we were told by the RAA in SA that generators are not allowed in National Parks that is the reason we are querying other methods.

If you do decide to go ahead and buy one, play it safe and buy a Honda EU20i or a Yamaha EF2400iS. Both of these will run you A/C and smaller appliances at the same time. We have the Honda and it is very quiet and always reliable.
Have a look at http// www.awardrv.com.au for the Honda and http// www.discountcamping.com.au for the Yamaha. Both are under $1800.

Chris W

We have used the Honda in parks as we weren't within cooee of anybody. I have heard of officials turning a blind eye to the Honda as they couldn't hear it - or should i say a deaf ear? Some people have had problems with it stopping in extreme heat, otherwise it is quiet, lightweight and easy to start. It will not run all night without the tiny fuel tank being refilled. If you need to use it for the cpap - you could cry discrimination if anyone tried to stop you. Best advice is if bush camping is just stay out of earshot of anyone else and no-one will object.

A friend of mine ran his CPAP machine easily with a Honda 1KVa.