Running hookup from a genny?

Post by **wee bugger** » 22 Jan 2007, 18:18

Got a cheap 750w genny and was wondering if it would run my hookup? Only want it for some light etc.

Would just plug it in and try but don't want to damege the hookup I just installed

Post by **jed the spread** » 22 Jan 2007, 18:21

i plug my small one (fanaar fanaar) into the van. it does the telly fridge and battery charger for about a pound a night. we did this most nights when a few of us stayed in a feild on the iow.

jed

Post by **Westy.Club.Joker** » 22 Jan 2007, 18:25

750W
------- = 3 Amps
240V

Post by **wee bugger** » 22 Jan 2007, 18:30

Westy.Club.Joker wrote:750W
------- = 3 Amps
240V

Dumb jock here...in english/scottish? Can rewire a house but this bus malarkey is all still way beyond me...

Post by **Westy.Club.Joker** » 22 Jan 2007, 19:01

240V system in your `bus is just the same, and can kill you just as quick

3 amps will run stuff up to 750 watts, so if your fridge is small 3 way it will be around 100 watts, telly will be about 60 watts, check the spec plate on the back of what you might want to plug into it.

3 amps isn`t a lot, usualy campsite elcetric hook-up is 10 amp.

"Can rewire a house"

Not anymore legally unless you have the relevant certificats

Only a matter of time before that applies to the 240V system in a camper/motorhome, same as the gas system.

Post by **DiscoDave** » 22 Jan 2007, 19:07

wee bugger wrote:
Westy.Club.Joker wrote:750W
------- = 3 Amps
240V

Dumb jock here...in english/scottish? Can rewire a house but this bus malarkey is all still way beyond me...

i would then sugest you stay away from wiring houses!

you'll be able to run lights and telly no probs, toaster and travel kettle seperately, if the genny can't put out enough power it will have a safety cut out, so that if you overload it, it will stop putting out power! if you hook up is wired properly, you won't damage it by plugging it into a genny!

Post by **irish.david** » 22 Jan 2007, 20:01

The formula that was used to calculate the max current output of the genny isn't strictly correct. The formula that was used only applies to DC power or instantaneous AC power.

To work out the max average current output of a generator you need to know the power factor of the circuit you're plugging it into and you can only find that out by doing lots of tedious calcuations with reactance etc to figure out the relationship between voltage and current.

Long story short; quickest way to make sure you don't overload your genny is to add up all the power consumption figures stamped on the devices you're plugging into the genny.

Dave

Post by **Dan Wood** » 22 Jan 2007, 23:05

Westy.Club.Joker wrote:Not anymore legally unless you have the relevant certificats Only a matter of time before that applies to the 240V system in a camper/motorhome, same as the gas system.

Hmm. The new part P regs (or whatever they are called) are just a money making scam for leccys...

Anything that is plugged in is exempt, so expect to see a lot of DIY installs that have trailing cables tacked to a wall for a few tens of metres and finally finish in a 13 amp plug!
Expect lots more fires, trip hazard accidents, electric shocks and probably even deaths.

Much safer then.

Post by **Willoughby** » 22 Jan 2007, 23:25

Awright wee bugger
Aye ye can use that genny and yul no bugger up yer bus. I got wan out of B&Q and its the dogs. Yer bus lecky is well up ferit may want more juice than the jenny can honnel but it will just trip the jenny safty cut out.

Westy isn'a diddy ya dinny wanta be fannyin'abou'wa mains leccy. unless ur a sparky. Doun south the have a new NICEIC Part P means councils have slolen the ba and ya canny play wa' leccy any mair. Disnae mattur in Scotland we stull huv ur ain Leccy polis.

Kev

Post by **ozzy** » 23 Jan 2007, 20:49

Im thinking of getting a genny watt out put

should i be looking for all my leckie in the van is factory fitted by autosleeper.
Ive seen new gennys for 49 quid in focus and other more powerfull ones for about 80 in macro.

Post by **Westy.Club.Joker** » 23 Jan 2007, 21:36

Do the maths, what (!) do you want to run from it? add up the number of watts from each appliance, item etc and then decide if you really want a genny that big, then decide what you really can do without, and what`s critical, and that`s yer answer

Wattage usually on back of appliances.

Post by **tonytech** » 23 Jan 2007, 23:07

Trouble with generators is that they tend to make a lot of noise. Run them at night might upset your camping neighbors.

T

Post by **irish.david** » 24 Jan 2007, 00:13

Unfortunately the noise is the other calculation that has to be taken into account with gennys. The cheaper generators are cheaper cause they're louder. A 700W honda generator costing £500 will run at 58dB at 7m away and you can hardly hear it. I imagine that the generators mentioned above will be considerably louder.

Would you be happy on a campsite if someone started one of those next to you?

Dave

Post by **Westy.Club.Joker** » 24 Jan 2007, 16:33

"suitcase" type fully enclosed genny is the way to go (usually a decent Japanes make), very quiet, also VERY expensive compared to the cheap B&Q ones,

Post by **Willoughby** » 24 Jan 2007, 18:48

yup

The B&Q run at 96 Decibels.

130 Threshold of pain; civil defense siren at 100 ft (30 m)
120 Space Shuttle from three mile mark, closest one can view launch. (Source: acoustical studies) [6] [7]. [Train horn]] at 1 m (3 ft). Many foghorns produce around this volume.
110 Football stadium during kickoff at 50 yard line; chainsaw at 1 m (3 ft)
100 Jackhammer at 2 m (7 ft); inside discothÃƒÂ¨que
90 Loud factory, heavy truck at 1 m (3 ft), kitchen blender
80 Vacuum cleaner at 1 m (3 ft), curbside of busy street, PLVI of City
70 Busy traffic at 5 m (16 ft)
60 Office or restaurant inside
50 Quiet restaurant inside
40 Residential area at night
30 Theatre, no talking
20 Whispering
10 Human breathing at 3 m (10 ft)
0 Threshold of human hearing (with healthy ears); sound of a mosquito flying 3 m (10 ft) away

K