Convenience of Generators

Submitted: Monday, Dec 05, 2011 at 19:58

ThreadID: 90468 Views:3493 Replies:5 FollowUps:2

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Generator Power

The generator, which was discovered by Michael Faraday, is an ingenious device that converts mechanical energy into electrical energy.

Member - Ian G (NSW)

Not wishing to push the case for generators or solar [we have both on board], just relating a recent experience we had when helping our daughter & son-in-law with their recent harvest [canola & wheat].

They were having trouble with the alternator/battery on the header as it could not keep up the charge when all of the lights were on at night. As we are the gophers/dogsbodies/whatever and stay on site in our van I suggested that I may be able to help out using the Honda 2.0i generator.

We finished up with the generator running the caravan Ibis Air Command Air Con because of the heat - added to that the on-site canteen in our van. We also had the 50amp Battery Charger running as well as a C-Tek 4 amp charger connected to the caravans external a/c outlet charging a spare battery. We were also enjoying the cricket on the tele at the time.

Although the Honda was obviously under load!!!, it was only when we inadvertently put the microwave on as well that it gave up the ghost until we relieved some of the stress.

Without the generator the harvest would have come to a screeching halt on dark.

Our three solar panels cope with daily usage & the rigours of harvest except when the microwave was needed, even though our 230lt Vitrifrigo conpressor fridge is opened very frequently during the day.

Amazing how one's priorities change once one gets a bit older & wiser!

Ian G

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Reply By: Bigfish - Monday, Dec 05, 2011 at 21:26

Monday, Dec 05, 2011 at 21:26

Mate those 2.0 honda generators are worth their weight in gold. Recently ran mine for 6 days non stop (used an adaptor cap and extension hose to a 60 litre drum. Used about 55 litres. Ran 2 x 40litre engels, 1 60 ltre engel, 1 x 100litre trailblazer freezer, 3 x 75cm fans and various camp lights at night.
Love em.

cheers

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AnswerID: 471770

Reply By: Travis22 - Monday, Dec 05, 2011 at 23:19

Monday, Dec 05, 2011 at 23:19

G'day Ian,

2 months ago id have turned up my nose at any and all generators in the bush. That is until the wife and i took of towards the Simpson in mid November.

Unfortunately, the weather was not really on our side and neither was the engine which decided after 33 years it would start running hot.

The result being we were unable to drive after about 12noon each day as the ambient temperature continued to climb, without A/C and with an overheating engine in the old 45 series Cruiser (which passes every bit of engine heat straight through into the cabin)... Pair that reduced engine running time with a little 33 year old alternator and you get, auxiliary batteries that are not getting enough charge! Add to that, a fridge out in the Outback sun running around the clock and we had no chance!

Literally the week before leaving the misses out of the blue insisted on buying a little gennie and the Honda 10i fit the bill. All it took was 2.5-3 hours every second day in the afternoon running a 15A ctek and the drinks stayed cool!

Travis.

AnswerID: 471777

Reply By: Member - Toyocrusa (NSW) - Tuesday, Dec 06, 2011 at 06:51

Tuesday, Dec 06, 2011 at 06:51

And then the neighbours complained about all that noise coming from the Cricket telecast. lol, Bob.

AnswerID: 471790

Reply By: Member - Oldbaz. NSW. - Tuesday, Dec 06, 2011 at 09:02

Tuesday, Dec 06, 2011 at 09:02

We lost power due to a storm last week for nearly 24 hours. The Honda 20i ran a 500L freezer, a 300 L freezer, & the fridge easily, & was set up in five minutes. Could
have used the 7.5 kva gentech but that is a heavy, & noisy alternative......oldbaz.

AnswerID: 471795

Follow Up By: oldtrack123 - Tuesday, Dec 06, 2011 at 12:16

Tuesday, Dec 06, 2011 at 12:16

Hi All

Reading this thread leaves me a little alarmed
I hope all users of portable generators & inverters are aware that:-

[1]the 240v from a generator or inverter[no matter how small] is just as deadly as mains 240v

2]They have a high degree of safety when useing multiple fully insulated appliances [ones with a TWO pin plug]

[3] Having more than ONE class 1 appliance [3pin plug] connected brings in a risk factor of a undetected dangerous fault developing
The risk encreases with each additional class1 appliance connected

[4]Some may say the risk is low , but the fact remains, deaths have occurred in situation [3] above

[5] the actual location also has an influence on the risk factor
Where direct contact can occur with earthed material the risk encreases further
Situations such as tents, kitchens ,inside vans & motor homes, concrete floors all qualify as earthed situations

[6] the above[3<5] is the reason the general safety advise is to only have ONE class 1 device /appliance connected at anytime

Please take great care when using portable generators & inverters

Peter

FollowupID: 746527

Follow Up By: River Swaggie - Wednesday, Dec 07, 2011 at 18:48

Wednesday, Dec 07, 2011 at 18:48

Yeah Peter thats basically what i told my nephew when he borrowed my Honda 2kw a few weeks back..They went away dirt bike riding with the boys...You know drinking etc etc...Couldnt specify it enough,Remember respect it or it will/could kill you...

Cheers

FollowupID: 746652

Reply By: ross - Tuesday, Dec 06, 2011 at 18:34

Tuesday, Dec 06, 2011 at 18:34

Gennys are great as a back up,but I strive not to use it.
Generators have turned some of the best camp sites into minature versions of big cities.
I remember one night at a popular campsite the sound of dozens of cheap and not so cheap generators screaming away with a blue exhaust haze clearly visible through the lighting.
There must have been at least 10x more generators going than was needed.
Makes you wonder why people want to go a way to camp like that.

AnswerID: 471816