Inverters or gennies

[YOYO]

Doing a bit of camping and wondering who uses gennies and what people think of inverters

I am looking at getting one of the options but can see adv &dis adv for both.

I am looking at a honda 1kva gennie for around $1300 and a 1500watt inverter for about $875. I sort of understand what modified sqauare is and pure sign waves are but don't understand what i need for camping. I only need it to charge up batteries for cameras, phone, and maybe need the use of a drill. I want to go a little bit bigger as you never know what you might need it for.

Any suggestions would be appreciated

[Walt]

i recommend gennies over inverters. Inverters use alot of power from your car battery in the proccess of converting it to 240v. And unless you want to spend thousands, youll get what they call a modified sine wave. It stuffs electronic gear, makes things run erratic, and fluroescent lights will not work. Then as the battery drops in voltage you get damage from under-voltage. This is from the voltage dropping but the current increases to keep up the power output. The rule to find out current draw is current=power/voltage. So say your trying to run a 50 watt incadescent bulb. that is 50w/12v=4.16 amps. Which is a far load on your battery. Then say your running the 1500w inverter at maximum demand, that will be 125 amps, kinda like using a winch without the car running.

i have a little 50watt inverter to charge up phones, cameras etc etc and it performs those duties well. So maybe in your case a gennie might be overkill to charge a camera.

But i only use one of those 850 watt GMC 2 stroke gennies from bunnings. Ive had it for a few years now and we have never overloaded it. But jsut keep in mind that gennies have to have a load on them, otherwise you will burn out the windings, and dont run electronic gear off them unless going through a rectifier first to smooth out any spikes in voltage.

[Emo]

Doing a bit of camping and wondering who uses gennies and what people think of inverters

I am looking at getting one of the options but can see adv &dis adv for both.

I am looking at a honda 1kva gennie for around $1300 and a 1500watt inverter for about $875. I sort of understand what modified sqauare is and pure sign waves are but don't understand what i need for camping. I only need it to charge up batteries for cameras, phone, and maybe need the use of a drill. I want to go a little bit bigger as you never know what you might need it for.

Any suggestions would be appreciated

You'll get a big inverter for about half that price. Here's a Projecta 2000w for $440.

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/PROJECTA-12V-2000W-INVERTER_W0QQitemZ250122220813QQihZ015QQcategoryZ1 02813QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

[YOYO]

How would GMC or any other cheaper brands of gennies handle the constant corrigation. Going up the cape and will be doing a lot of rough driving. are they strong enough

[Walt]

we've never had ours up the cape, but its been up to stanage bay (100km each way of dirt road) landcruiser park (same) and it goes to 5 rocks every other weekend, which is considered according to 4wd guides "extreme 4wding, front rear lockers etc etc" and it hasnt played up, however it depends on peace of mind i guess.

[YOYO]

I would sooner spend a little but less money as i have spent heaps already. How much am i expected to pay for a gmc. is it noisy

[YOYO]

You'll get a big inverter for about half that price. Here's a Projecta 2000w for $440.

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/PROJECTA-12V-2000W-INVERTER_W0QQitemZ250122220813QQihZ015QQcategoryZ1 02813QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

thanks for that i will have a look. Not a real big fan of ebay but definatly need to save some money.

[Walt]

yeh i know when i bought mine it was on sale an it was only like $120 or something, but at a guess i think tghe last time i saw them they were about $180??? or something like that.

And as for the noise, very quiet, which is a suprise being a two stroke. We had a lend of a 4 stroke honda before we got the gmc and it was louder, but it was an older gennie though as well. Im not real sure on the exact db level though of the gmc.

[Bumpy]

I have used the Honda 1000 inverter style, super quiet and efficient. Love it. You can charge the phone watch TV etc, runs for along time on eco mode. I own a GMC 2 stroke and it is a very basic type unit. Power fluctuates from 190 to 260 volts. If I was going to get one soon it will probaby be the 1000 watt GMC 4 stroke with cleaner electricity for about $400 at Bunnings, but nowhere as good as the honda. You can get a few few inverter style gennies made in China for around $700. I am about to hard wire a 300 watt inverter into the ute. As for the drill, take a rechargable, work out how big an inverter you need to charge it with then double it.

[Walt]

Actually those honda inverter 1000 are a brilliant machine. A bit more expensive (about $1700 i belive). My work ute has one in it and it spun a dyna drill out my hand and didnt even knock the revs about. Super quiet, small and lightwieght.

[crykies]

I have tried both inverters and inverter gennies, There is only one way to go and that is gennie, i have a 10ui honda and it is brilliant, quiet and runs for around 8 hrs on eco throtle. The inverter i had running off batteries was good but you need to be able to charge them batteries and if you are camping that means a gennie or solar panels, unless you drive the car for hr after hr a day. Also depending on what power your drill requires the start up current could be high. i paid $900 second hand for my honda and sold the inverter off now i use solar panels and the gennie as a back up if required, or using 240V appliances. Most of my equipment these days is 12V.

One way to look at it is you will not ever regreet getting a good generator but on the other hand will you regret the inverter ????? I DID.

Cheers Chris.

[Symon]

And unless you want to spend thousands, youll get what they call a modified sine wave. It stuffs electronic gear, makes things run erratic, and fluroescent lights will not work.
That's not quite right. Most electronic gear these days use switchmode power supplies, which really don't care what you put into them. I run laptops and other sensitive equipment of inverters with not problems what so ever.

Like you say, the biggest problem with inverters is that they are only really good for small loads, otherwise you'll kill the battery really quickly.

[Marc 1]

What Walt has said is essentially correct, although he needs to add a further amp load for the inverter inefficiency. Most inverters will quote an efficiency rating of say 86 or 91% efficient, this is a peak efficiency and will not usually be achieved. If you figure an inverter to be about 80% efficient then you're about right. So a 1500w inverter would actually draw around 156 Amps running at its rated capacity.

First thing to check if you can get 12volt chargers - cheaper and no lost energy through converting and recifying power.

If that proves nmpossible for the type of loads you are talking an inverter would be fine (provided you choose to use a rechargable drill). I don't know the types of loads your chargers would place or how many hours you would be using them but most chargers are fairly low load devices, so a 300 or 600w inverter would probably be the go. A modified sine wave model would set you back $80 to $229 (as per the Jaycar catalogue) or probably cheaper on special.

Now the question is how to get the charge back into your battery. Depends on the amount of charge you need to get back into your battery, the most effective way would be to puy a reasonable 4 stroke gennie of about 600w output, buy quality 20 or 30 amp charger and run the gennie for an hour or two per day to charge your battery. Or, buy one of those Christie Engineering gennies (ensure your battery is compatible with the fast charge regime of one of these).

As pointed out by Walt a gennie needs to be given a decent load or you can cause it problems. So if you have a 50 watt charger that needs to charge for 6 hours, you could either run the genny for the whole 6 hours (lightly loaded) with all the noise and fuel use, or run a 300w inverter for that time (which would mean a 60w load for 6 hours =360watt hours, or 30Ah) then run a Christie engineering gennie for 45 mins or a regular gennie and 20amp charger for a bit under 2 hours.

Remember that some national parks don't permit generators, so at least with an inverter you could still recharge your stuff, then either take a drive every couple of days or duck out of the NP with the gennie to recharge you battery.

The Honda EU10i is a top piece of gear if you have the money ($1300) or buy a 300w inverter $80, a 20 amp switchmode charger $299, and a $400 gennie - $779. More flexibility, cheaper and less running of gennies, and you can add solar down the track to lessen your dependence on the gennie.

[YOYO]

Thanks to everyone for the info. I will go and do a bit of shopping around for other types of inverters. I have looked at the projecta and synergy both around same $ but don't know if one is better thatn the other.
Once again thankyou for helping out with this decision

[Terry]

i have well over 200 hours on my 20i Honda and its a awesome bit of gear. in my case if my gennie stops working, i lose a days wage and a days worth of work i then have to make up on the weekend. highly recommend it and worth the premium

[Sea-Dog]

Before you go and buy a huge invertor give some thought to exactly what you intend to run off it...

A phone and torch and lights being recharged will take next to bugger all power to recharge and as such a 150W invertor will do the job easily.... and as a bonus you can plug them straight into the cigarette lighter in the car and recharge while you are driving etc... once you go to say 500W and bigger you will find that the option of powering through the ciggi is no longer available as the power draw is potentially too great so they only come with alligator clips to the battery for power.. this means the bonnet is lifted etc to connect the invertor..

I originally bought a 500W invertor but soon bought a little 150W and have not used the 500 since.. it is sitting in the shed if anyone is interested in a cheap 500W invertor..

As far as using a drill??? I have never used one camping and if I was to consider carting a drill around with me it would be a rechargable anyway so the 150W would charge it easily..

I agree though that the gennies are the way to go as they will give you more power whereas the invertor will only deplete your power stocks... money and the problem of where to store a gennie are always what hold me back from buying one though...

Cheers

[MUDRATGQ]

Gday mate i use a 1800W Sun Series square wave invertor on most things like microwave toaster grinders drills fridge an that sort of thing when touring an dont have any probs although i am using three batterys an a bigger alternater an i also carry a small gennie for backup.Cheer's MUDRAT

[yogi_td80]

I have been pondering the same issues as above trying to work out the best way to run an 80L fridge, fluro lights and small appliances (ie laptop, charges ect) and have decided the best option for me since I already own a 600w inverter and 4 x 60Ah SLA batteries. Is to buy a Ctek 25amp 240v smart charger. Get the inverter wired up in the car off of a relay that will allow me to charge the 240Ah battery bank off of the alternator - inverter - Ctek charger while driving but once the ignition is off use the inverter off of the batteries bank. 7-8 hours equals a full charge and will allow me to run the 80L fridge ect for 3 days (50% charge left in the deep cycles) go for a bit of a 4wd 3-4 hours and you have another 3 days of power. Untimely I would like to also hook up a solar panel or 3 to allow indefinite power supply :D

[BIGDAVET86]

Depends on how long you will be making camp and if you will be using the vehicle while you are camped. If you only neede to run a few bits and pieces for the night and youll be using the vehicle the next day a inverter will be fine but you you wanna set up for a couple a days get a little genny. you wont end up with a flat battery and you can run heaps of gear. If you get a big output inverter you have to run heavy cable from the battery to the inverter aswell so keep that in mind. get dual batts if you dont allready have them and want an inverter, then you wont have to bump start it in the morning. But a genny does take up a bit of space and will need to carry some petrol too. There is pros and cons for all sides of the storey, just define exactly what you want it to do and any consequences of each and then get what best fits the bill.

[campdog]

I have been pondering the same issues as above trying to work out the best way to run an 80L fridge, fluro lights and small appliances (ie laptop, charges ect) and have decided the best option for me since I already own a 600w inverter and 4 x 60Ah SLA batteries. Is to buy a Ctek 25amp 240v smart charger. Get the inverter wired up in the car off of a relay that will allow me to charge the 240Ah battery bank off of the alternator - inverter - Ctek charger while driving but once the ignition is off use the inverter off of the batteries bank. 7-8 hours equals a full charge and will allow me to run the 80L fridge ect for 3 days (50% charge left in the deep cycles) go for a bit of a 4wd 3-4 hours and you have another 3 days of power. Untimely I would like to also hook up a solar panel or 3 to allow indefinite power supply :D
Are you actually doing this or is it a theory.Just wondering as I run the same gear, 80l fridge freezer, laptop, fluro and chargers,and small appliances.

[01Rod]

I run 2 x 80 watt solar panels,
2 x 100 A/H batteries.

I run 40l Engel fridge 4 amp draw when running(old one, not real effecient)
3 fluro's (1.6 amp draw x 3)
300 watt inverter for Laptop, battery charger, Video camera charging etc.
Portable 12v DVD player (when needed)

we camp for long periods (2 - 3 weeks at time) and have no problem with power. Just need to keep an eye on it if we have a bad day or two, and go for a bit of a drive if desperate.

Rod

[campdog]

I use a Honda Eu10i and a 110 a/h deep cycle battery for my fridge/ freezer and anything else I need to run.Running as a fridge/freezer it consumes about 60a/h in a 24 hr period as a freezer about 120 a/h. With the fridge cutting out when the battery gets to 10.5 amps I only just get a day from the battery.I normally run the generator for a few hours a day wiyh a trickle charger to top the battery up for overnight.

[yogi_td80]

campdog ......... It's is only a theory for me right now (witch I hope to be changing in the near future) but is in fact a reality for a number of other people using this type of setup namely motor home type users (have a look in the link http://www.caravanandmotorhomebooks.com/articles/index.htm (http://www.caravanandmotorhomebooks.com/articles/index.htm) under alternative charging or some such as a lot of the imported motor homes from the states convert to this type of setup).

I have been researching for 18 months now how to effectively run an 80L fridge and accessories for an indefinite amount of time and what I have been able to determine is ultimately you need several charging sources to have a 100% effective system. Given that you can't have a generator running 100% of the time in most places these days I had to look at alternatives.

I like the looks of a solar setup but these types of setups are really only used for toping up already fully charged deep cycle batteries. So you still have the outlay of a proper 5 stage 240V battery charger to look after and maintain your deep cycle batteries, several deep cycle batteries, solar panels, solar regulator, invertor if you want to run 240V appliances off of your batteries ect.

So having rung / spoken to a number of suppliers and distributors. One of the better sources of information has been the marine sector where they run everything off of batteries charged up by 12V / 24V alternators with specially designed smart regulators that can charge at a range of voltages over 14.1 volt's (unlike your car alternator and also the generators with an alternator attached as unfortunately happens to be the case) These regulators replace your current car alternator regulator but are expensive starting at $500 just for the regulator and can only really be setup to charge one type of battery ie SLA or lead acid ect (there are ways around this apparently but finding someone with experience is difficult as this is not a problem on boats) and given that you are more than likely going to be using deep cycle batteries for your fridge ect and lead acid batteries to crank your engine over proves problematic.As stated above car alternators can only provide out put voltages of around 14.1 volts this is insufficient to fully charge a deep cycle battery not to mention that alternators are load sensing and not conducive to this type of application.

So having gone full circle the ultimate setup for me wanting the easiest, cheapest and most effective method of being able to run a fridge and accessories for long periods of time is to hook up the invertor to the alternator and run the 240 volt 5 stage charger to recharge the deep cycle batteries whilst driving. This provides a fail safe charging mechanism as well as reusing items you are going to have to outlay when purchasing deep cycle batteries. (well other than the inverter but this only expands your setups capabilities) later on down the track as funds become available I will also be looking into getting a solar panel or three and a solar regulator (as you are looking at 2 or 3 125watt solar panels to provide enough amps each day to cover your energy usage while running an 80L fridge a couple of lights and some accessories ie phone / camera battery charges and laptops ect)

To answer your question you need to work out your daily usage of amps so consult your fridge manufactures web site to work out it's usage and then simply apply the formula located on the below web sites to calculate your daily usage.
http://www.fridge-and-solar.net/index.htm
http://www.springers.com.au/default.asp

Don't forget that if you have a 240Ah deep cycle battery you only really have 120Ah of usable capacity before you start damaging your batteries and affecting there life expectancy and performance. I have roughly worked out that with a CF80 fridge and my limited amount of usage of light's and accessories will result in about 40 to 65 amps being used each day. Thus allowing me 2 to 3 days between charges. This is a very rough estimate that will need a bit more real world trial and error as the temp of the day or how many times you open the fridge will greatly affect these numbers.

Things to consider. 240v from an inverter is just as dangerous as 240v in your home. I would also have a relay so that you can disconnect your invertor from your deep cycle batteries when not being used as it will still be drawing valuable current from your batteries.


Hope this is of some help to someone ......... lol .......... any input welcome ???
yogi

[Walt]

That's not quite right. Most electronic gear these days use switchmode power supplies, which really don't care what you put into them. I run laptops and other sensitive equipment of inverters with not problems what so ever.

Like you say, the biggest problem with inverters is that they are only really good for small loads, otherwise you'll kill the battery really quickly.

As i stated without running through a rectifier or something first. I was told not to run my Waceo fridge of a generator without going through the 240v/12v converter first,as this converts the AC to ripple free DC, because if there was a spike, it would stuff the electronic card in it. As most electronic gear such as laptops etc goes through a power supply, that does not apply, as the current is control via the power supply. But as you say, MOST electronic gear these days goes through a power supply first, however things like my Waceo fridge do not, and im sure there are other items out there that run straight of 240v still.

[Bazza_rips]

inveters and properly sized battery banks.

there is nothing i HATE more than going camping in the bush where it is nice and quiet and someone starts a friggin generator.

Yes even those honda ones make too much noise.

have some consideration for other campers.

[44-40]

How would GMC or any other cheaper brands of gennies handle the constant corrigation. Going up the cape and will be doing a lot of rough driving. are they strong enough

A Mate bought one of those cheap brand genies for Finke last year............Bloody noisey! and it lasted 3 days and died.
I think it was "scorpion"

[Walt]

inveters and properly sized battery banks.

there is nothing i HATE more than going camping in the bush where it is nice and quiet and someone starts a friggin generator.

Yes even those honda ones make too much noise.

have some consideration for other campers.

Nothing like some two stroke in the morning.........

[landcrusier ute]

i have a gmc genny for 99 bucks works great to run lights around camp that is aobut all it can run tho

[campdog]

inveters and properly sized battery banks.

there is nothing i HATE more than going camping in the bush where it is nice and quiet and someone starts a friggin generator.

Yes even those honda ones make too much noise.

have some consideration for other campers.
I agre, I use a generator when camping in one spot for a few days or more,the only differnce is I dont camp near anyone else, I like the isolation.I keep away from camping grounds and heavily active places.
If I use one i normally run during the day when there is more natural noise.

[campdog]

A Mate bought one of those cheap brand genies for Finke last year............Bloody noisey! and it lasted 3 days and died.
I think it was "scorpion"
You get exactly what you pay for.

[YOYO]

Camping show is on soon in brissy so i will go have a look to see if they have any deals on both items

[01Rod]

For those interested

Some more info for you if your interested.??
The offroad camper trailer forums I am also part of has some great articles, tech info (including photos) and things like solar power usage spread sheets etc.

The website is here
www.campertrailers.org
all this info is found both under the tech tips part of the main web site, (look accross top of the web page) but most is contained in the "Files", Photo's & database section of the Yahoo group that runs alongside the website.

you might have to Join the Yahoo group to access the info.. you will benifit from 2800 others info,
http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/campertrailers/

Hope this helps
Rod

[campdog]

inveters and properly sized battery banks.

there is nothing i HATE more than going camping in the bush where it is nice and quiet and someone starts a friggin generator.

Yes even those honda ones make too much noise.

have some consideration for other campers.

Mate nearly as bad as someone warming the motor up in the 4b to run the glind shower or to charge a battery or run an inverter.
there should be a camping code of ethics.

[Bazza_rips]

Mate nearly as bad as someone warming the motor up in the 4b to run the glind shower or to charge a battery or run an inverter.
there should be a camping code of ethics.

if you have aproperly sized battery bank there is no need to run the engine to charge the batteries. if you want to stay put for a couple days the you might need to invest in 400 A/H of batteries. personally i have 1 120 A/H battery and cannot think of a single occasion where i would need any thing bigger. i have a fridge and a fluro light and that's all you really need.

i can run the fridge for about 3-4 days and because my battery is an agm ti only takes a couple of hours driving to come to full charge again. how often do you go camping for 4 days and not go into town at least once for more supplies (read: beer)

[campdog]

if you have aproperly sized battery bank there is no need to run the engine to charge the batteries. if you want to stay put for a couple days the you might need to invest in 400 A/H of batteries. personally i have 1 120 A/H battery and cannot think of a single occasion where i would need any thing bigger. i have a fridge and a fluro light and that's all you really need.

i can run the fridge for about 3-4 days and because my battery is an agm ti only takes a couple of hours driving to come to full charge again. how often do you go camping for 4 days and not go into town at least once for more supplies (read: beer)
400 amp hour of battery would cost more than a generator.
I go camping for 3 or 4 days so I dont have to go to town to buy suppies,Thats what its all about. I use a 110a/h battery to run my Fridge / Freezer, as a fridge I would ge longer but beacause I use it as a freezer as well I use about 60 a/hrs in a 24hr period. I have a honda generator so no need for solar etc.
On a trip to the cape where I only stay a day or so I use my batteries and no generator.

[Harb]

Like everything there are compromisses.........
I use both, but find the Inverters a pain if you are staying in the one spot for long, as your batteries will soon go flat if you don't have enough capacity......
I use a Honda EU20 genset that is the best thing.......but the smallerEU10 would be well and truely big enough for camping and you wouldn't know its running they are that quiet......
The other beifit is they have 12v dc out as well so you can charge your battery up if you flaten it.
With small engines you definately get what you pay for and the higher priced Honda's are worth every cent if you want a 1 pull and away it goes generator.......
I have had the cheap 2 stroke chinese bunnings types and they are great if you have a strong arm and plenty of patience.....;)

[campdog]

You are right on the money Harb,Every on has ther own idea on what is best for their situation,I agree if you want a generator then buy a good one.The cheap ones are noisy,use a lot of fuel and bulky and dont last too long.

[campdog]

I use a Honda EU20 genset that is the best thing.......but the smallerEU10 would be well and truely big enough for camping and you wouldn't know its running they are that quiet......
The other beifit is they have 12v dc out as well so you can charge your battery up if you flaten it.

I got the eu10i because it fits nicely behind my back seat andi dont need a lot of power.

[Bazza_rips]

they aren't that quiet. i'm not talking about cost, i'm talking about noise. get solar, get bigger batteries gennies are too noisy.

remind me not to go camping with you lot...

[campdog]

they aren't that quiet. i'm not talking about cost, i'm talking about noise. get solar, get bigger batteries gennies are too noisy.

remind me not to go camping with you lot...
Maybe solar would be the way to go, I have heard the panels are getting smaller and better.Just the initial cost and the life span turns me away.

[rumpig]

hey yogi td80 and campdog,
i was looking at getting a C TEK 25amp charger at the caravan show this weekend, so was shopping around for prices last weekend be i go. i run 2 x 120 amp 12V batteries in parrallel in my caravan. the boys at the battery shop i went to suggested i would be better off with a TRUECHARGE 40 instead of a C TEK 25 amp, because i would be charging off a generator. they explained why to me (fuses inside the truecharge for safety should gennie run out of fuel and a few other things) and i think i will go this way myself, maybe you should look at one of these as an option to the C TEK aswell.
anyone know of a reason why i shouldn't by a truecharge 40 over a C TEK please let me know, as i know sweet F A about these things.

[campdog]

hey yogi td80 and campdog,
i was looking at getting a C TEK 25amp charger at the caravan show this weekend, so was shopping around for prices last weekend be i go. i run 2 x 120 amp 12V batteries in parrallel in my caravan. the boys at the battery shop i went to suggested i would be better off with a TRUECHARGE 40 instead of a C TEK 25 amp, because i would be charging off a generator. they explained why to me (fuses inside the truecharge for safety should gennie run out of fuel and a few other things) and i think i will go this way myself, maybe you should look at one of these as an option to the C TEK aswell.
anyone know of a reason why i shouldn't by a truecharge 40 over a C TEK please let me know, as i know sweet F A about these things.

Im at a loss as on what to do, there is so much information on batteries and chargers ets and all conflicting, depending on what the person you talk to wants to sell,someone with gnerators says their system is the best and another says buy my solar panel. Same for batteries. I think i wll check out what you say about the chargers,:crazy:

[rumpig]

yeh i know what you mean, ultimately i would love a solar setup, but can't afford it. the truecharge 40 isn't cheap either, they said they would do it for $650 (normally $690) where as a C TEK 25amp was about $550.
i'll get a charger for sure cause i can use it to top up my 4wd batteries aswell, not just the caravan, and hopefully get more life out of all my batteries then aswell.

[campdog]

yeh i know what you mean, ultimately i would love a solar setup, but can't afford it. the truecharge 40 isn't cheap either, they said they would do it for $650 (normally $690) where as a C TEK 25amp was about $550.
i'll get a charger for sure cause i can use it to top up my 4wd batteries aswell, not just the caravan, and hopefully get more life out of all my batteries then aswell.
I only have a 2 amp trickle charger that cost about 50 dollars, so maybe I better look at updating as I need a new battery as well.

[BigPaul]

Batteries & invertor the are the only way to go. You dont need solar panels if you have enough battery capacity just charge them before you go. Wet acid batteries are the most economical if you have a safe place to carry them where they wont tip over. There is a new battery from the US around called Supreme power 140 Amp Hours form a battery just a little bigger than a N70ZZ fits in most trays costs about $200. Couple of these and your set.

[01Rod]

If you havent already had a read theres some very good info on this site..

http://www.fridge-and-solar.net/info.htm

especially if your looking at batteries, check out the AGM battery info.
http://www.fridge-and-solar.net/agm.htm

Rod

[YOYO]

I think i have made a decision till one of you boys changes my mind again.
I am going to get a little inverter around 300w no bigger just to charge up batteries for the camera, cordless drill etc, kids toys and so forth and I will look into getting a small gennie. Probably a honda eu10 although I found a great deal on the eu20 for $1700 after special nad $200 cash back. How noisy are they running during the day. As I am one of those campers that hate hearing other people gennies at night.

Also rumpig what is a truecharge 40 how does it operate. what runs it and for approx $600 does it do anything else.

The amount of money I have spent in the last 8 months i shocking it's 8.50am and I think I'm going to go and have a drink:drink:

[campdog]

My eu10i is quiet and with good extension cord you wouldnt know its running.All generators sound noisy at night unless you have the place to youself. My battery died on the Cape last month and we ran my eu10i all night and didnt hear a thing.Pretty good on fuel,ran 2 fridges and 2 haevy battery charges and 2.5 litres per 8 hrs.:waycool:

[yogi_td80]

Rumpig ....... Basically the Ctek was the charger recommended by Springers to use with the inverter off of the car alternator option (I will however be asking them about other charger options and potential issues ect). Springers also sell the Truecharge 40 though it may be a little large for your battery size as it's recommended for 400Ah and up ........... the T20 may be more suited.

[Harb]

My eu10i is quiet and with good extension cord you wouldnt know its running.All generators sound noisy at night unless you have the place to youself. My battery died on the Cape last month and we ran my eu10i all night and didnt hear a thing.Pretty good on fuel,ran 2 fridges and 2 haevy battery charges and 2.5 litres per 8 hrs.:waycool:


Yeah I agree,
I wouldn't run my geny with other campers around,..........thats when I run my Inverter, but on a cloudy day if everyone has left, I might run it to charge the batteries for a few hours......
I mostly camp out by myself anyway unless I'm with friends so there is usually no one around to complain anyway.
I have a 50m extension cord that I run out into the bush, clear a gap, chain it to a tree and I am flat out hearing it even late at night as long as you face the exhaust away from you, but evn towards you yuo are flat out hearing it.

cheers

[rumpig]

hey yoyo,
as far as i know it is basically just a battery charger. i have only just started looking around at this type of gear so not to sure on all of it and what they all do. i think from what the guy was telling me that the C TEK and TRUECHARGE actually charge in different ways, not to sure really so i will look into it more. hopefully someone who knows more about them will let us know.

hey yogi td80,
thanks for the info mate. i will have a look at the truecharge20 now that i know such a thing exists, didn't know there were different rated ones till i read your post, only first heard of them on saturday when i was looking for C TEK prices. have no idea of how they relate to inverters so maybe the C TEK is the best option for you, i only plan on running it off a generator when camping or mains power at home so different kettle of fish i suppose.

[Mad Cruiser]

How much is an eu10i ?

I have one of those cheap gennies and i broke the ripcord mechanism, all plastic out on the first trip :S 2nd trip the generator was fluctuating power and pissing me off.... light on, light off, light on 5 or 10 min apart. Noisy as hell even if i had it 25 metres away

[orejap]

The Honda 2KVA is $1750 at most large dealers witha refund of $200 courtesy of Mr Honda. You take the bar code receipt into the post office they scan it & give yo $200 cash. Don't go solar panels they are basically $10 per watt so a 80 watt solar panel or 2 X 40 watts = $800. A Honda or a Yamaha (which is actually bigger than the Honda at 2.5 KVA) will run everything in a caravan or camp trailer including the heating & air/cond. A Honda dealer told me customers go for the cheaper 1 KVA but end up coming back for the 2 KVA. Solar panels are OK but you need to chase the light with them. You have to put yopur beer down get up off the camp stretcher, put your 4 WD monthly mag down & go & tell Mrs HITLER to move the panels. I have 2 X 135 amp deep cycles & run two engels & a couple of light. Will do it easy for 4 days then I get the misses to fire up the genny & away we go. Batteries full charged after 4 to 5 hours. If you do buy a generator don't tell Mr Honda man that you want it a ABN prices. You only get 6 moths warranty instead of 5 years. Also I use a smart charges 15 amp which will take care of 350 watts of battery. I bought it off E Bay brand new for $178 delivered to my door. It is fitted alongside the dual deep cyles in the camper trailer & is on 24 x 7.

[orejap]

How much is an eu10i ?

I have one of those cheap gennies and i broke the ripcord mechanism, all plastic out on the first trip :S 2nd trip the generator was fluctuating power and pissing me off.... light on, light off, light on 5 or 10 min apart. Noisy as hell even if i had it 25 metres away

I have one of those sipeng or whatever ran well for the first few trips & my pully starting gear broke too. Go to a Honda repair place the pully system is a direct copy of the Honda 5.5. water pump system. If you are lucky the dealer might have parts (second hand) and you are away. My plastic bits were broken because the metal peice with the slots in it are very sharp where the Honda part (identical) is smooth and therefore does not cut into the plastic and subsequently breaking it.

[muddy 1]

i just brought a 2600watt kipor of ebay for $700 delivered it arrived in 3 days and works fantasticly it is quiter then the honda has eco throtle and has a built in battery charger and run 12v and twin 240v scokets i can run any power tool and camping equipment of it as well as charge anything it is a pure sine or clean power inverter it also has surge protection, i got it for half price by bidding right and it is brand new with 2 years warrantiy u get what u pay for

[YOYO]

Who is kipor. Is this a big brand name as I have come across once before but i thought it was a cheapy or middle range. Anyone know if they are made by someone else or are they a genuine gennie company.

[Marc 1]

The Honda 2KVA is $1750 at most large dealers witha refund of $200 courtesy of Mr Honda. You take the bar code receipt into the post office they scan it & give yo $200 cash. Don't go solar panels they are basically $10 per watt so a 80 watt solar panel or 2 X 40 watts = $800. A Honda or a Yamaha (which is actually bigger than the Honda at 2.5 KVA) will run everything in a caravan or camp trailer including the heating & air/cond. A Honda dealer told me customers go for the cheaper 1 KVA but end up coming back for the 2 KVA. Solar panels are OK but you need to chase the light with them. You have to put yopur beer down get up off the camp stretcher, put your 4 WD monthly mag down & go & tell Mrs HITLER to move the panels. I have 2 X 135 amp deep cycles & run two engels & a couple of light. Will do it easy for 4 days then I get the misses to fire up the genny & away we go. Batteries full charged after 4 to 5 hours. If you do buy a generator don't tell Mr Honda man that you want it a ABN prices. You only get 6 moths warranty instead of 5 years. Also I use a smart charges 15 amp which will take care of 350 watts of battery. I bought it off E Bay brand new for $178 delivered to my door. It is fitted alongside the dual deep cyles in the camper trailer & is on 24 x 7.

I don't quite get your arguement here about cost, 2 decent quality Unisolar 64's (which are actually rated at 68watts each) you should be able to get for $650 each if you shop around. An extremely good quality regulator $300, so we are up to $1600, and the panels have a 20 year warranty (probably last much longer but thats the minimum warranty). There is no more cost, full stop. No fuel, no noise, no servicing, very rarely any breakdowns. You do not have to chase the sun, I basically stick the panels I have facing north and leave them, it may decrease the output by 5 to 10% but you deliberately overspec to allow for that. If it is particularly overcast or I'm putting a much larger load on the battery I might then chase the sun. If you are after the maximum bang for your buck you can get Sharp 80 watters for around $600 each, add a $50 regulator and you are talking $1250 for 160 watts.

You may have a point when it comes to the load you are proposing (2 x fridges and lights) but for the average camper's load solar is probably a smart option. And with a grid interactive inverter such as a Sunny Boy 700 you can use the panels at home to help alleviate your grid power bills, so they will help to pay for their costs.

[tully]

Who is kipor. Is this a big brand name as I have come across once before but i thought it was a cheapy or middle range. Anyone know if they are made by someone else or are they a genuine gennie company.

hi yoyo nearly ready to go :D :D me too,
i have a kippor 2000 and it is great they are a chinese copy of the honda and if you get one all you have to do is have a spare spark plug of a good brand and put some clips on the fuel lines as they are only pushed on
with this done you have as good as the honda very easy to start and smooth running ,quiet and very little fuel
might see you up there and you can see mine running

[rumpig]

well i ended up buying a truecharge 40 at the caravan show today, ended up costing $550 insted of the $650 i was quoted last week, got to love a show special don't you.
hey yogi td80, think it was springers that i got it from at the show so maybe you should see what bargains you can pick up (assuming your from brisbane and didn't alredy go on the weekend), show ends tuesday at 4.00 p.m

[01Rod]

www.springers.com.au

[Rabs]

Well i may as well chuck my 2 bob in, I bought a small genny from Mac's timber 12 months ago for $89 and is still going strong, runs about 6 hours off 4 litres 2 stroke, so easy to start, starts first time every time..nice and quiet..During this weekends cyclonic weather here in Newcastle we lost power from Fri nite to Sun morning and my little genny ran the fridge,small 34cm TV for news a radio and 2 lamps continuously...Ran a very heavy lead from the garage where the genny was to the house and the neighbours couldn't hear it...Ye i know a lot of people say noisy bloody things but i dont camp near anyone anyway...Its also got a separate oulet for a 12 lead with alligator clips (supplied) about 2 metres long for charging 12 volt batteries..Ive got a 4 outlet power board permanetly mounted on the drawers at back of fourby and run a lead into bush for genny..I welded up a cradle behind back seat to rachet strap it to.. With dual batteries and the genny im ok for any power needs..A couple of 150 watt floodlights bought from bunnings for $7 each make easy setting up at night...It has done a lot of travelling and running in the bush and on stockton and has never let me down...At that price i only wish i had bought 2 so to keep one as a spare if this one ever dies on me...I do admit that when i got it i changed the spark plug and bought some decent air filters before using..after every trip i take the covers off it and clean it out with air hose and give it a good spray with Inox and wipe it down
cheers

Rabs

[yogi_td80]

rumpig ...... missed the show as I was off for the weekend knee deep in bog holes :D