I keep looking at campsites across the UK that dont have premium pitches, ie no leci hook up.
dunno if our leasure battery will see us through a night (probably do know that it wont)
So i have been looking at these Kippa 4 stroke suitcase generators on flea bay, they are obviously not as good as Honda ones but then again they are not any where near as costly either,
So any campers out there use generators Kippa o otherwise, i would be v interested to hear about your generator useage habbits.
Not sure if i would use it for charging batteries or what but i think it would be useful ?? Any input ??
Ta Steve H.
85 high top, home brew
engine 1995 AAZ (Mirtle)
sleeps 2 adults and one baby - so far
Off road (under MIG at the mo)
Soon to be seen at a campsiye near you !!
Dont touch the Kippa ones with a barge pole, they are Carp, you cant get spares if they go faulty, both Rob and I have had problems these, they come in various disguises, all made in China.
I have bought the Honda one, yes they are a bit dearer, but come with a 5 year guarantee.
cheers for the info better start saving pennies for a honda. I would take the risk but i can just imagine trying to start the van in the morning, yes the milk is still cold but the engine wont turn over.
I will try it at home one night before we go.
Thanks guys.
85 high top, home brew
engine 1995 AAZ (Mirtle)
sleeps 2 adults and one baby - so far
Off road (under MIG at the mo)
Soon to be seen at a campsiye near you !!
shanco73 wrote: yes the milk is still cold but the engine wont turn over.
Maybe that's your problem? Your fridge shouldn't be on 12 volt whilst the engine isn't running
Split charge that runs fridge whilst driving & charges both batteries; fridge on gas and no drain on the starter battery when using leisure battery whilst parked is what you need to aim for. Perahaps time for a rewire rather than a genny
I hate gennies on camp sites, I go away to get away from it all. Not listen to one of those rattling all day. Just ask any of the 80-90 campers at Summerfest, especially at 1.00 in the morning
The only thing I can add to this post is don't buy cheap one they are a waste of money.....
Regards
Fritz,,,,,,,,,,
PS, my £80 (Power Craft 850W) Aldi special 2 years ago won't even charge a 12V battery without tripping out.....But it will run a small grinder (240v) without hesitation.........WTFITAA ?
WTFITAA = what the "frell" is that all about.............
One day you will find me,,
Driving in my Camper,
With a Surf and Paisley wrap on both sides....
shanco73 wrote:cheers for the info better start saving pennies for a honda. I would take the risk but i can just imagine trying to start the van in the morning, yes the milk is still cold but the engine wont turn over.
I will try it at home one night before we go.
Thanks guys.
Massive problems there Fridge should only work on 12v when the engine is running, plus the les battery and veh battery are and should be completly seperate from each other one shouldnt be able to pull the other down!
DJ at Dubdayz Summerfest Now cutting about in an LT35 MWB
My nice new 100Ah LB lasted happily for 5 days at Glastonbury with no problems at all.
It is only used for internal lights and radio/CD.
I have no need for 240v at all.
The fridge works off gas when stationary. The fridge or any of your internal devices should not be attached to the MB at all. If they are then there is something wrong with your system.
If you have a TV/laptop/hairdryer/etc then you are not camping as far as I am concerned.
I am sure that some campsites might get a bit pissy if you start up a generator.
Bob
Membership Number 5745
1983 Devon Moonraker Camper
i beg to differ, but the fridge SHOULD be connected to the main battery, NOT the leisure battery, BUT only via a relay that only allows it to power up whilst the engine is running.
the fridge should be treated as another leisure battery..... and therefore not connected to the lleisure battery at all.
Mocki wrote:i beg to differ, but the fridge SHOULD be connected to the main battery, NOT the leisure battery, BUT only via a relay that only allows it to power up whilst the engine is running.
the fridge should be treated as another leisure battery..... and therefore not connected to the lleisure battery at all.
Can I have a third opinion on this please.
I have a Devon Moonraker.
Behind the drivers seat there is a block with a relay and some fuses. The fridge and internal lights definitely come off this. The unit looks as though it has been there from new.
It doesn't really make any difference to me as I power the fridge from gas and frequently don't bother switching to electric when moving as it seems happy enough without power for the two or three hours between stops.
I would like the definitive opinion though.
Bob
Membership Number 5745
1983 Devon Moonraker Camper
Mocki wrote:i beg to differ, but the fridge SHOULD be connected to the main battery, NOT the leisure battery, BUT only via a relay that only allows it to power up whilst the engine is running.
the fridge should be treated as another leisure battery..... and therefore not connected to the lleisure battery at all.
Can I have a third opinion on this please.
I have a Devon Moonraker.
Behind the drivers seat there is a block with a relay and some fuses. The fridge and internal lights definitely come off this. The unit looks as though it has been there from new.
It doesn't really make any difference to me as I power the fridge from gas and frequently don't bother switching to electric when moving as it seems happy enough without power for the two or three hours between stops.
I would like the definitive opinion though.
I agree with Steve, fridge should take it's power from its own relay once the vehicle is running and not connected to the leisure battery. If I remember corrctly Devon Moonrakers didn't have a leisure battery from the factory ( I could well be wrong on this ) so the fridge would originally have been connected as Steve has described, the second battery may well have been added later ??
Personally I always flick the fridge onto 12volt when driving, no point in letting it warm up at all and it won't affect the recharging of the Leisure battery too much.
Andi
Flibbertigibbet wrote:whichever way you choose to make your fridge work please don't use a generator, they are noisy and smelly and keep me awake at night
Couldn't agree more.Nothing worse than going away for a bit of peace and quite and having to listen to someone's genny chugging away all day
If Carlsberg made Coachbuilts........... T4 Karmann Colorado
Flibbertigibbet wrote:whichever way you choose to make your fridge work please don't use a generator, they are noisy and smelly and keep me awake at night
Couldn't agree more.Nothing worse than going away for a bit of peace and quite and having to listen to someone's genny chugging away all day
) so the fridge would originally have been connected as Steve has described, the second battery may well have been added later ??
T4 Karmann Colorado