Inverter generator

[GSX1300R]

Does anyone here use an inverter generator. If so what model and is it actually worth the cost and the space taken up?

 

[GrannyJen]

Why would you want one?

Presumably you mean something like the old portable camping generators that delivered AC and irritated the neighbours to death?

Or

A plug that fits into the invertor socket and converts to a 240V AC 3 pin? They used to be available from the shop but I have seen them available elsewhere circa £12.00.

In any case the wattage available from the convertor socket is so low ... max C. 200W, I only use it for battery charging and I have all my essentials on 12V charging anyway.

 

[GSX1300R]

An inverter generator is also known as a suitcase generator and runs at about 50db. So don't annoy the neighbours. These are not really what you would call cheap at around £1200 for a 2kw Honda or yamaha unit so that's why I would like to know from people who run them if they are worth going for.

 

[Gregc]

If cost was not a problem I would rather go for a battery and inverter upgrade. http://eza.fr/en/eza260.html
2300 watts sounds like enough.

 

[GSX1300R]

Thanks for that. Only problem us this is that it's would be specific just to the van and couldn't be used for any other purpose. I would also want to use it for back up power at home and camping.

 

[GrannyJen]

An inverter generator is also known as a suitcase generator and runs at about 50db. So don't annoy the neighbours. These are not really what you would call cheap at around £1200 for a 2kw Honda or yamaha unit so that's why I would like to know from people who run them if they are worth going for.

I used one when I had my caravan. I can't really help now as that was years ago and I have no need for one with the Cali,

I'm sure someone here would know of a source.

 

[sidepod]

I think you best check to make sure your intended purchase has AVR. If not then it won't run any electronic gizmos such as lap tops, TV's and probably your on board heater (the controls have PCB's) etc. Raw AC is no good.

A.

 

[v-tec]

I have the honda eu 2000i VERY quiet, and economical,
Suitcase type, inverter, so has a perfect sign wave, can be used for laptops,
I do motorcycle enduros so never have any hook up at the venues, Can just plug it into the Cali and fire it up,keeps every thing all charged up, also powers my sky box and TV , Have to keep Mrs V-tec happy while I'm off riding ,
The eu 1000i is also very good,that will power up something like a george Forman grill,@700 watts, just depends on what you will be running off it,

 

[Rich20]

Machine mart are advertising a Clarke IG2200, 2200w for £467. May be worth a look if it is what you had in mind.

 

[GSX1300R]

I've not really had any feedback on this model only the Honda and yamaha. I know these are expensive to buy but they do hold their value and and are very reliable and quiet.

 

[jts46]

Why do you need to carry all this extra weight, can you not do without all this electronic stuff?

John

 

[GSX1300R]

Why ask me I'm just a man, my partner who is a woman likes things like hair driers and hair straighteners and all that sort of rubbish.

 

[F5 JNR]

Before our cali, we used a honda 2k generator for our motorhome but quickly became a hassle. Sold it and bought a 2000w inverter and bolted it under drivers seat wired to engine battery using chunky cables. It powered anything you could think of, microwave, kettle, hair tongs, big hairdryer etc. (one at a time).

Obviously only use it with engine running though and put an isolator switch on it to prevent any battery drain when not being used. Have seen smalled shoe box sized sine inverters which would fit under drivers seat of cali, for about £120 thats what we would do if need arises again.

Hope this helps.

 

[dannosail]

At the end of the day it is about the quality of AC output (pure sine or not) and max power output. The Hondas and Yamahas are v.good, reliable and quiet as you would expect but not cheap. If you don't need the quality of output other options are available. Same goes for inverters.

I've had experience of all of these in boats and the usual answer is if you can spare the money go for quality otherwise make compromises/economies/seek simplicity on your (plural to inlude wife/partners) living style whilst away. I for one enjoy escaping some technology albeit the Cali has plenty to make life comfortable.

 

[GSX1300R]

After spending all this amount of money on a new van we dont want to go for anything cheap. we are giving it time so we know exactly what we want. As far as an onboard inverter I dont want to take the risk of VW telling me my warranty is void because I have made mods to the vehicle. So until we are absolutly certain we wont be doing anything yet. One thing we do know that we want is the side awning kit that is just the right size for the 2 of us to do the cooking and putting things under cover. I think they are about £350 and can only find one place selling them, unless anyone knows any different?

 

[sidepod]

I really don't get the awning thing?? The idea of a van is so you don't have to put up a tent! When we pitch up it takes ten mins max. 30 max to de-pitch.
VW thoughtfully put a cooker in the van and plenty of space to store stuff.
The van has a hook up and leisure batteries. No generator required.

Caravan perhaps?

 

[Freeley]

We've got a drive away awning but rarely take it these days.
It's alright for you sidepod you chuck everything on the roof bed, but for those of us that like to sleep up there we need somewhere else to put it, so an awning is where we tend to put it all.
Still haven't sussed the packing the cali thing, if only it was a bit bigger.

 

[dannosail]

If you have 2 kids and 2 child seats outside storage in some form is almost essential!

 

[estresao]

I'm mulling the idea to get one for these situations you cannot hook up the Cali, and need recharge batteries. I've got some questions about that (bearing in mind I'm speaking about battery charge only)...

1) Do it make sense to bring one of this rather to install solar panels? because we already have a battery charger it could make sense, couldn't it?

2) 1000w could be enough to charge Cali's batteries? Never charged yet, so no idea how much could the Cali's battery charge last, how long usually takes yours one?

My idea is to get some backup option for when wild camping or camping with no electricity availability (Wouldn't like run out of batteries when, for example, sleeping in a ski station in winter).

 

[AlanC]

[QUOTE="One thing we do know that we want is the side awning kit that is just the right size for the 2 of us to do the cooking and putting things under cover. I think they are about £350 and can only find one place selling them, unless anyone knows any different?[/QUOTE]


The Cali awning is made by Thule. They do make very nice sides and front panels to fit this awning. These utilise additional struts that fit under the roof at each end and make full use of the space.

Comfortz make awning sides which Velcro to the exiting support arms so the space is slightly smaller as a result.

Alan

 

[johnyboy]

Or start the engine in your £50k leisure battery charger?! Keep your eye on the computer and when the number of Amps being put into the batteries from the motor reduces you're good for another 3-4 days

 

[estresao]

That's an option, but I've read somewhere the alternator management system limits the current after a little while (don't remember the reason). Looks like that's not a good idea because at some point it could generate less current than demanded (I'll try to find what I've read regarding that).

In the worse case you can drive around for half an hour.

Anyway, my Cali is a Beach one, so no computer to check battery status. That's actually one of my pending DIYs, fix a battery monitor and a second leisure battery (The Beach only have one). The solar panels is also in my list, but I was thinking the inverter generator could be an alternative

 

[v-tec]

I'm mulling the idea to get one for these situations you cannot hook up the Cali, and need recharge batteries. I've got some questions about that (bearing in mind I'm speaking about battery charge only)...

1) Do it make sense to bring one of this rather to install solar panels? because we already have a battery charger it could make sense, couldn't it?

2) 1000w could be enough to charge Cali's batteries? Never charged yet, so no idea how much could the Cali's battery charge last, how long usually takes yours one?

My idea is to get some backup option for when wild camping or camping with no electricity availability (Wouldn't like run out of batteries when, for example, sleeping in a ski station in winter).

First off, Because I use my cali for all my motor cycle off road events I would not be without my 1000w geny,
if I am using the fridge for the whole weekend, and using the heater it dose drain the batterys,and they are new,
So what I do is leave the generator running and plugged into the cali all day while I'm out riding,The 1000w will run for 12 hours on a tank, Its VERY important to keep the AGM batterys fully charged,
I have a 600w kettle, a 700w George forman, +my tele/ sky box So its a good setup,
you just have to watch /choose what you plug in at any one time,
although the 2000w geny is only a little more money,it is to tall to fit under the shelf/bed base in the stowage area, uses more fuel, and it's weight is more,
Hope this helps,
V-tec

 

[campandfly]

I have to put our Cali in a garage with no electric. So cannot leave the vehicle on hook up while we are away sometimes 3 months at a time.
Cannot use solar as an option as not permitted.
Was thinking to use a small petrol generator obviously with ventilation to outside.
Normally our batteries are more or less charged when we park in the garage so its just a case of keeping them topped up.
I wondered if it would be possible to run a small generator somehow automatically when needed by the Cali or at least have it run for so many hours each month.

Just thinking outside the box. Need someway of topping up while away.

 

[wilburthewombat]

Can you disconnect the batteries? Would need to consider insurance aspects if alarm is disabled. I did this for a Lotus Elise a few years back, when my garage had no electric. Put a wheel clamp on it for a bit of extra protection, and also had a PIR motion detector alarm in the garage wirelessly connected to the house alarm.