Generators

Post by **Green Monster** » 21 Aug 2006, 21:50

Hi all

I was thinking of getting a small generator for those nights without hook up,
I have seen a cheap 720 watt what will i be able to run on it, ie TV Lights ect...

Thanks
Carl

Post by **cumbriankeith** » 21 Aug 2006, 22:57

If you have a decent Leisure battery you should not need a generator for running just lights and a telly for a few days (spose it depends how much you use the telly...)
We just camped for a week without hookup in Ireland - probably used the TV for 10 hours altogether, plus lights and the stereo a bit and the batt was still going strong - it is a very good one tho (Elecsol - 100Ah)

Post by **tonytech** » 22 Aug 2006, 07:57

Find out the current drawn by your lights / TV etc Work out how long you will be useing them for and you can figure out how many amp hours you will need from a leisure battery.

I've just bought a 750w (max) 650w (continuous) generator. Cost me £50.
I use it for outdoor Public address systems.

It is a 2 stroke so a lot of messing around with mixing fuel and oil

It is also a bit noisy

so not suitable for running late at night but it does the job

I've seen 1000w (max) for £100
T

Post by **"WEAZLECHIN"** » 22 Aug 2006, 08:07

there are plenty of places (by me anyway) where you can get a new 950w for £50, i got a 2.3kw from makro on offer at £80.

Post by **kevtherev** » 22 Aug 2006, 09:25

Yep... a nice 600watt inverter (maplin) for the low wattage telly (we use a separate batt)...lasts for over 12 hours

Post by **ghost123uk** » 22 Aug 2006, 10:01

Much better to use a 12 Volt TV and lights off a decent lesuire battery !!

Or if its a mains TV, get a suitable inverter from Maplins or somewhere.

Post by **"WEAZLECHIN"** » 22 Aug 2006, 12:40

or if your camping for more than the life of the leisure battery, (yes it will go dead) charge it with you new generator!!

Post by **SplendiferousII** » 22 Aug 2006, 12:43

How about a solar panel - they are cheap enough now and quiet

Post by **ghost123uk** » 22 Aug 2006, 13:31

SplendiferousII wrote:How about a solar panel - they are cheap enough now and quiet

imho - not powerful enough, not enough sun and still quite expensive.

"WEAZLECHIN" or if your camping for more than the life of the leisure battery, (yes it will go dead) charge it with you new generator!!

imho - easier to just start the engine and tick over for a while !

Post by **kevtherev** » 22 Aug 2006, 14:33

SplendiferousII wrote:How about a solar panel

yes .......any scrap space stations on e-bay

Post by **ghost123uk** » 22 Aug 2006, 14:51

With the way the wind has been this year it would be perfectly feasable to put a car alternator behind a home made little windmill though

Thats summat I often thought of playing with just for fun really !!

Post by **"WEAZLECHIN"** » 22 Aug 2006, 16:45

can you fully charge the engine battery and the leisure battery in less than two hours, i thought leisure batteries needed DEEP charging. you will need very understanding neighbours on the campsite to endure 8 hrs of idling t25 motor. then theres the pollution!! those freeloading hippies will be holding a vigil next to your awning (waving candles)................ vw make solar panels for use in cars in transit and ones being stored for future sale (trickle charge). but for the ludites, you can rub 2 sticks together for fire, and store your meat in a vat of salt, roll around naked in stinging nettles to keep warm so you dont have to come in contact with the 21st century. like hamish people. . . . . . . anymore for anymore ?

Post by **kevtherev** » 22 Aug 2006, 17:06

Post by **cumbriankeith** » 22 Aug 2006, 18:57

Those little trickle chargers don't put back enough in the time if you're thinking of using a telly/lights/stereo a fair bit.
Leisure batteries need a fair time to recharge from well flat - something to do with only accepting a certain current due to their construction. It has sometimes taken my automatic 10Amp bench charger 24 to 36 hours to recharge a well used LB

Post by **ghost123uk** » 23 Aug 2006, 08:48

Most comonly used lesuire batteries are conventional lead acid types and will charge up just the same as a starter battery.

True the much more expensive ( and much better ) "absorbed glass mat" (refered to as AGM) types have a limited input charge current when flat ( to protect the plate construction ) and these will take much longer to charge up.

I have to agree with "WEAZLECHIN" - ain't it annoying when camping and someone next to you thinks it is a good idea to start up their flat 4 at 8 O'Clock on the Sunday morning and leave it running for 2 hours.

Mind you generators can be equally annoying !!

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