Using Honda gennie

That's what I do, just so long as there are no other campers nearby to disturb...or invite them over to watch it with you, their shout :-)
otherwise go with Mainey's suggestion. Did you get the 10 or the 20?
Fred.

I got the 20, which is probably overkill for now - but in the future, I'm sure we can use a bit more when the sun/solar isn't doing it's stuff.

i suppose the thing that I couldn't quite get my head around was, do I have to switch the 12v pump over to 12v or 240v to operate whilst the staff are doing their thing and the men are watching the game. If I have the TV running off the 240, can the water pump still run on it's usual (bush setting) 12v? and if so, to achieve that, do I just connect the gennie to the batts via 12v whilst having the 240 lead running into the van and TV?

Steve.
First up, you mention the 20 being a bit of overkill.
If your continuous load is such that it merely "idles" on eco throttle setting it wont be long before you notice considerable oil consumption (glazed bore)
This happened to the one a mate bought, he bought "top of the range" everything, Kimberly Kamper, Honda 2.0i etc. etc.
He would have been much better off with the 10, which is what I bought. His 240v. load is almost negligable.
With a what sounds similar to your set up, my Honda 10 powers the van 240v. system which also charges the on board battery. It also runs a 20a, 3stage charger for the 2 aux. batteries in the truck (plus the starter battery if needed).
This generates a (240v.) load of about 400-500 watts on the gen. (900 max. cont.) which means it is still on eco throttle but you can hear the load on it.
The exhaust noise is still ok (the gen. is mounted in the back of the truck with a canopy over) Fuel use about 0.6l./hr., oil consumption neg. Would now have around 900hrs. running.
furph

Thanks furph. I'll bear that in mind. I can make it work harder if necessary - plenty of things like microwave, electric stove and even a fan heater to switch onto it. Didn't take up the air con option but all is in place if needed.

The thing that I would like to know is, if we are in a caravan park and plugged into 240v, this not only allows us to use whatever appliances we want, but also charges the van batteries via the controller at the same time. So having the Honda plugged into the van's 240v system via the main power inlet, would do the same without having to physically connect it's 12v to the batteries as well??????? whilst I'm watching TV in the bush.

....and for those who wonder why we want to watch TV in the bush.....we don't. Unless it's to find specific info or watch something specific via Foxtel.

That would be correct Steve. The Honda simply replaces the park 240 v supply into your van, whilst also feeding your batteries via the system you have in place. Your just limited as to how many/what 240 v appliances you can run at the same time, whilst running off the Honda. That's my understanding of what you are asking.

Fred.

Thanks for the tip re the eco setting on low loads furph. I'll store that tip in the memory bank.

Fred.

thanks Fred - that clears it up. I'll just have to be aware of the water pump use and switch it to 240 when we are connected to the gennie and back again when we've finished charging.

I suppose I wouldn't use the 12v facility apart from charging the car batts if necessary. I get a bit confused and excited with these new gadgets

;))

Forgot to mention it, but the mate with the 20 now carries a smallish microwave to impose a decent load on the unit every day or so.
Spoke to him this morning, it is still using oil but he thinks it is running much better.
furph

I'm glad you mentioned that - because we tended to shy away from using the microwave. Not that we've actually used the Honda in earnest yet - but we'll make sure the MW gets a workout as well.

cheers
Steve

I had previously (before the Honda purchase) set the LCD TV up to run thru the inverter/battery and just topped the battery topped up via solar usually, or my old GMC gennie. We still have that option but if I'm glued to the box for two hours it'll take a bit out of the batts so we might use the opportunity to top them up as well as prevent them running down and run the Honda. Depends on circumstances. We are heading off to the High Country tomorrow for the first time and knowing mountain climates as I do (in a previous life) there'll be plenty of cloud, if not rain about - that's what finally prompted us to go for the Honda. We might become nomads in a few years time too so I'm sure it'll justify our lashing out on the new Gen.

HI
Just a word of caution.
Yes many 240v lcds do operate via a wall wart /brick which puts out 12v dc.
The problem is that the supply voltage has fairly tight controls which means you would be unlikely to have in excess of 250v supply .At 250 v the wall unit would be putting out about 13.6 vdc % the unit [tv ]would/should be designed to cope with that.
[approx 13% over voltage]
' However ,Your van /vechicle battery if being charged ,& depending on charger type/source , state of charge etc could reach 15v.
25% OVERVOLTAGE the tv /unit may not be able to cope.!! Units supplied with a 12v adaptor by the manufacturer ARE / should be , designed to cope with this voltage range.
Your choice but be aware.