Solar is cheaper, and your neighbours will appreciate your choice. After being away for a couple of weeks, it's almost worth the CP costs to get away from generators.
-- Edited by jetj on Monday 26th of November 2012 03:53:48 PM
petengail said
05:11 PM Nov 26, 2012
We have both. 80W briefcase solar from fleabay for $160. As our power needs are very small, (lights only) we use the solar. Van fridge and fridge/freezer both run off gas. The generator is still in the box and has not been used in the three years we have owned it. We spend approx 6 months of the year living in our van. Nearly all of this time is off power. We are based in QLD, so long periods without sunlight are fairly rare. Also have solar on the house and over the last 5 billing periods have not had a bill, actually had a 75$ refund.
-- Edited by petengail on Monday 26th of November 2012 05:12:14 PM
jetj said
10:17 PM Nov 26, 2012
I was recently surrounded by generators, one started his early morning and ran all day. Others well into the night. One pointed the exhaust at me and caused breathing problems. Another parked his rig right beside me.
I was enjoying the birds between choking from the fumes and listening to the whirring from every direction, while my solar panel affected no one.
-- Edited by jetj on Monday 26th of November 2012 10:20:47 PM
poliver said
10:40 PM Nov 26, 2012
Hi we are VERY NEW to caravaning and have just purchased our first van..
Would like some advice on if its better to have a solar panel or use a generator, when not in caravan parks?
Thankyou
_wombat_ said
11:11 PM Nov 26, 2012
poliver wrote:
Hi we are VERY NEW to caravaning and have just purchased our first van..
Would like some advice on if its better to have a solar panel or use a generator, when not in caravan parks?
Thankyou
poliver
you may get a few conflicking answer here but we have both and do not use the gennie much, so I would say solar is the way to go.
PeterInSa said
11:20 PM Nov 26, 2012
Firstly, Welcome to the forum. In regard to generators, do you have an airconditioner and or micro wave, in which case and you want to use them in a bush camp a generator is required. Suggest a Honda 20i, if you do not have a strong back to lift a heavier generator, the 20i drives our a/c, but would ensure it can drive your a/c prior to purchase. Re Sola, its great we have 2 x 80 watt sola panels and 2 x 110 amh deep cycle batteries, especially in Tassie after 4 days of rain/overcast weather you may need a genie to top up your batteries.
Note extra weight of the gennie in your tug, gets close to the Gross vehicle weight of your Tug, ditto batteries and sola add weight to the van, a lot of tandem vans only have 400Kg allowance for gear/clothes/food/bedding/water/lpg/water in hot water system.
Peter
Firefly said
12:29 AM Nov 27, 2012
We have both. Usually run the genny for a few hours in the afternoon for things like the computer and phone recharge. We have the Hond 2 and wouldn't be without it thats for sure.
Most campers these days run the quieter gennys, no one I know does it to annoy fellow campers.
They are a great back up if needed without a doubt.
Its a personal choice really but all said by Peter is spot on. Room and weight may play a big part in your decision.
Dougwe said
12:32 AM Nov 27, 2012
Welcome from me poliver, enjoy here and out in the playground.
I have a generator now and when I get back home will be setting up portable Solar Power as well for use of both in semi long term free camping situations.
milo said
01:59 AM Nov 27, 2012
I wonder if the microwave from here http://www.12volt.com.au/ Is like? Is I t 12v or not?
If and when ever I have my own set up I'd like to have the option for cp or free camping etc,
And to be able to free camp a few days with just solar, but what's solar like on the wet rainy days etc???
-- Edited by milo on Tuesday 27th of November 2012 02:01:50 AM
villatranquilla said
03:17 AM Nov 27, 2012
we have both - used the genie daily for a few hrs in Vic (April-June)have been away in QLD now since July and rarely used it. From now on though we like to camp under a tree so the rooftop solar is useless so we use a portable (120w folding) Fridge runs on gas when not connected to 240v and about to use genie to run the aircon as its expected to get very hot in the next few days in northern Vic
Peter_n_Margaret said
03:54 AM Nov 27, 2012
We are solar only. We don't carry a generator, we don't use any external power and we camp in the bush for weeks at a time. If you want to run a generator, that is fine, but please don't camp near me, we prefer the birds.
Cheers, Peter
jimricho said
07:07 AM Nov 27, 2012
milo wrote:
I wonder if the microwave from here http://www.12volt.com.au/ Is like? Is I t 12v or not? If and when ever I have my own set up I'd like to have the option for cp or free camping etc, And to be able to free camp a few days with just solar, but what's solar like on the wet rainy days etc???
-- Edited by milo on Tuesday 27th of November 2012 02:01:50 AM
The site doesn't give a price but I think a normal 240v microwave plus inverter would be cheaper. For the occasional grey nomad, as distinct from someone who is on the road full time or most of the time, a microwave is something one can forego when not on a powered site. The additional solar and battery capacity needed would make the exercise quite expensive regardless of whether it is a 12v or 240v microwave. I have similar thoughts about owning a generator principally to power a microwave.
Getting back on topic, I'm in the solar panel "camp". My suggestion is don't go buying a generator until you find there is a pressing need for one. Keep in mind that there is not only the issue of weight and space as previously mentioned but also the need to carry fuel for it.
-- Edited by jimricho on Tuesday 27th of November 2012 07:10:44 AM
poliver said
07:39 AM Nov 27, 2012
Mixed bag there...we like peace and quite as well so maybe the solar would be first choice at this stage,
Really appreciate the feedback Will be checking out the rest of the site to learn the do's and dont's and the important things of what not to leave home without!
Hylda&Jon said
08:06 AM Nov 27, 2012
Welcome to the forum.
If you can afford it then, look into your needs and find the size panels and battery setup you will need to fit your usage. A generator is noisy, many places do not allow their use, you keep paying for fuel plus iff you want to charge things with it while away from your van then there is a chance of theft.
But in saying all that. you might want to take a 1kva Honda generator along just to handle those times when there hasn't been any sun for a while.
Cheers
Jon.
-- Edited by Hylda&Jon on Tuesday 27th of November 2012 08:15:49 AM
jandas fun said
02:34 PM Nov 27, 2012
Hi poliver and welcome to the forum. Thought i would post this as another option to think about. As you have not mentioned how long you may free camp for or what items you will want to use, it is all a bit of guess work. We like to to free camp 2-5 days straight before hitting a c/park to have a proper shower, clothes washing charging van battery etc and unhooking with hopefully, better security, to explore an area without towing. We use neither solar or a gennie as our small 75ah battery, using a couple of reading lights, 12v shower thingie and very occasionally tv, had never dropped below 12.2v. (after 7 years replaced the battery about 2 weeks ago as a precaution only.) Yes we do carry a honda 1kva gennie (used at home) in case of emergency, but have never had to use it while travelling.
Johnw
-- Edited by jandas fun on Tuesday 27th of November 2012 02:40:07 PM
bill12 said
03:10 PM Nov 27, 2012
In my experience , you need a 2kva genset to run a microwave. I have tried it on 1 kva, and it worked hard. The 2kva Honda gen I have now will run microwave and aircon at the same time. I have 2-80w solar panels, and 2-120 amp/hr batterys , which run the fridge,tv, and lights(12v) for at least 3 days before recharging, up to 5 days. Get solar , bigger is better, with a good reg, and keep the genset as a backup. Much quieter , also. Bill
sandsmere said
03:11 PM Nov 27, 2012
We have 2x135 solar panels on the roof of the van , and a Honda 30i generator .
Don't have any power problems at all .
Sheba said
08:08 PM Nov 27, 2012
milo wrote:
I wonder if the microwave from here http://www.12volt.com.au/ Is like? Is I t 12v or not?
Haven't checked the site recently Milo, but quite a while ago I looked at it specifically for the 12V Microwave, and they had none, and were not at that stage getting them. Will check again when I finish going through the Forums tonight.
Have E-mailed them, and will let you know as soon as I get a reply.
Cheers,
Sheba.
-- Edited by Sheba on Tuesday 27th of November 2012 08:21:10 PM
Beth54 said
10:43 PM Nov 27, 2012
I use an 80watt solar panel...wouldn't be without it now. I only charge the laptop and the mobile phone.
I bought mine off ebay for around $200. Much cheaper than anywhere else I looked. And it's an Australian company.
Meredith said
10:51 PM Nov 27, 2012
We use solar only. We have a 3 way fridge so can run it on gas, and I don't miss the microwave or other electrical appliances like toaster or kettle when free camped, a kettle on the stove works fine. Probably the only thing we would very occasionally like that we can't run on our solar is the air conditioner, but I wouldn't carry the extra weight of a generator around for the few days use that might get. We probably stay in powered and unpowered spots about 50/50.
Hit the Enter button straight after typing the link, and it activates it Milo.
Cheers,
Sheba.
Hylda&Jon said
02:37 PM Nov 28, 2012
Sorry! To make myself clear, the no generator signs or seperate sections for generators and non generators I was referring to are mainly in the National Park camping areas which, I would guess, anyone traveling this big wide country would be staying in frequently just for a place to camp or to see the attractions.
Cheers
Jon
-- Edited by Hylda&Jon on Wednesday 28th of November 2012 02:44:04 PM
jimricho said
03:08 PM Nov 28, 2012
12v microwaves draw a lot of current (approx 55 amps). This means that one would need to be located very close to the battery or very heavy cabling installed just for the microwave. If using an inverter with a conventional 240v microwave only the inverter needs to be installed very close to the battery. The length of the (240v) power run from the inverter is not critical.
countryroad said
07:30 PM Nov 28, 2012
How do you know where generators are not allowed, jetj said they were running all day next to her, and also she was breathing in the fumes, I can't see any fun in that.
Not much of a "playground" if it's full of generators.
Maybe that's the school holiday time and you're near where the mostly younger population spends time.
Hylda&Jon said
07:52 PM Nov 28, 2012
Nomad246 wrote:
I think I'll put hydro electric on the van, way too much conflict between solar and generators,,,
Cheers
Maybe I'll go thermo nuclear. I hear there's a good dump point in Canberra on some big hill at the center of town for all my nuclear waste.
-- Edited by Hylda&Jon on Wednesday 28th of November 2012 10:47:37 PM
Hylda&Jon said
08:15 PM Nov 28, 2012
countryroad wrote:
How do you know where generators are not allowed, jetj said they were running all day next to her, and also she was breathing in the fumes, I can't see any fun in that.
Not much of a "playground" if it's full of generators.
Maybe that's the school holiday time and you're near where the mostly younger population spends time.
Many places have 'No generator signs or seperate sections for generators and non generators.
Where there is no sign then common courtesy applies and talking to your neighbours always helps.
Cheers
Jon
Firefly said
08:21 PM Nov 28, 2012
If we know we are going to use our genny, we pull in early, away from where the main throng would gather and get it out so any other campers pulling in can see it.
Everyone wants to enjoy their time on the road and in the bush. Anyone doing as jetj said is very rare in what I have seen, even when we had no genny and very rude for that matter.
As Jon said, its all about common courtesy, regardless of whether its generators, noisy parties etc.
Bush camping I have never seen a no genny sign. Barn Hill in WA for instance, has generator alley but even its pretty good.
_wombat_ said
08:34 PM Nov 28, 2012
Firefly wrote:
If we know we are going to use our genny, we pull in early, away from where the main throng would gather and get it out so any other campers pulling in can see it.
Everyone wants to enjoy their time on the road and in the bush. Anyone doing as jetj said is very rare in what I have seen, even when we had no genny and very rude for that matter.
As Jon said, its all about common courtesy, regardless of whether its generators, noisy parties etc.
Bush camping I have never seen a no genny sign. Barn Hill in WA for instance, has generator alley but even its pretty good.
Ditto FF
Nomad246 said
11:19 PM Nov 28, 2012
I think I'll put hydro electric on the van, way too much conflict between solar and generators,,,
Solar is cheaper, and your neighbours will appreciate your choice. After being away for a couple of weeks, it's almost worth the CP costs to get away from generators.
-- Edited by jetj on Monday 26th of November 2012 03:53:48 PM
We have both. 80W briefcase solar from fleabay for $160. As our power needs are very small, (lights only) we use the solar. Van fridge and fridge/freezer both run off gas. The generator is still in the box and has not been used in the three years we have owned it. We spend approx 6 months of the year living in our van. Nearly all of this time is off power. We are based in QLD, so long periods without sunlight are fairly rare. Also have solar on the house and over the last 5 billing periods have not had a bill, actually had a 75$ refund.
-- Edited by petengail on Monday 26th of November 2012 05:12:14 PM
I was recently surrounded by generators, one started his early morning and ran all day. Others well into the night. One pointed the exhaust at me and caused breathing problems. Another parked his rig right beside me.
I was enjoying the birds between choking from the fumes and listening to the whirring from every direction, while my solar panel affected no one.
-- Edited by jetj on Monday 26th of November 2012 10:20:47 PM
Hi we are VERY NEW to caravaning and have just purchased our first van..
Would like some advice on if its better to have a solar panel or use a generator, when not in caravan parks?
Thankyou
you may get a few conflicking answer here but we have both and do not use the gennie much, so I would say solar is the way to go.
Welcome to the forum.
In regard to generators, do you have an airconditioner and or micro wave, in which case and you want to use them in a bush camp a generator is required. Suggest a Honda 20i, if you do not have a strong back to lift a heavier generator, the 20i drives our a/c, but would ensure it can drive your a/c prior to purchase.
Re Sola, its great we have 2 x 80 watt sola panels and 2 x 110 amh deep cycle batteries, especially in Tassie after 4 days of rain/overcast weather you may need a genie to top up your batteries.
Note extra weight of the gennie in your tug, gets close to the Gross vehicle weight of your Tug, ditto batteries and sola add weight to the van, a lot of tandem vans only have 400Kg allowance for gear/clothes/food/bedding/water/lpg/water in hot water system.
Peter
We have both. Usually run the genny for a few hours in the afternoon for things like the computer and phone recharge. We have the Hond 2 and wouldn't be without it thats for sure.
Most campers these days run the quieter gennys, no one I know does it to annoy fellow campers.
They are a great back up if needed without a doubt.
Its a personal choice really but all said by Peter is spot on. Room and weight may play a big part in your decision.
Welcome from me poliver, enjoy here and out in the playground.
I have a generator now and when I get back home will be setting up portable Solar Power as well for use of both in semi long term free camping situations.
If and when ever I have my own set up I'd like to have the option for cp or free camping etc, And to be able to free camp a few days with just solar, but what's solar like on the wet rainy days etc???
-- Edited by milo on Tuesday 27th of November 2012 02:01:50 AM
We don't carry a generator, we don't use any external power and we camp in the bush for weeks at a time.
If you want to run a generator, that is fine, but please don't camp near me, we prefer the birds.
Cheers,
Peter
The site doesn't give a price but I think a normal 240v microwave plus inverter would be cheaper. For the occasional grey nomad, as distinct from someone who is on the road full time or most of the time, a microwave is something one can forego when not on a powered site. The additional solar and battery capacity needed would make the exercise quite expensive regardless of whether it is a 12v or 240v microwave. I have similar thoughts about owning a generator principally to power a microwave.
Getting back on topic, I'm in the solar panel "camp". My suggestion is don't go buying a generator until you find there is a pressing need for one. Keep in mind that there is not only the issue of weight and space as previously mentioned but also the need to carry fuel for it.
-- Edited by jimricho on Tuesday 27th of November 2012 07:10:44 AM
Really appreciate the feedback
Will be checking out the rest of the site to learn the do's and dont's and the important things of what not to leave home without!
Welcome to the forum.
If you can afford it then, look into your needs and find the size panels and battery setup you will need to fit your usage. A generator is noisy, many places do not allow their use, you keep paying for fuel plus iff you want to charge things with it while away from your van then there is a chance of theft.
But in saying all that. you might want to take a 1kva Honda generator along just to handle those times when there hasn't been any sun for a while.
Cheers
Jon.
-- Edited by Hylda&Jon on Tuesday 27th of November 2012 08:15:49 AM
Hi poliver and welcome to the forum.
Thought i would post this as another option to think about.
As you have not mentioned how long you may free camp for or what items you will want to use, it is all a bit of guess work.
We like to to free camp 2-5 days straight before hitting a c/park to have a proper shower, clothes washing charging van battery etc and unhooking with
hopefully, better security, to explore an area without towing.
We use neither solar or a gennie as our small 75ah battery, using a couple of reading lights, 12v shower thingie and very occasionally tv, had never dropped below 12.2v. (after 7 years replaced the battery about 2 weeks ago as a precaution only.)
Yes we do carry a honda 1kva gennie (used at home) in case of emergency, but have never had to use it while travelling.
Johnw
-- Edited by jandas fun on Tuesday 27th of November 2012 02:40:07 PM
We have 2x135 solar panels on the roof of the van , and a Honda 30i generator .
Don't have any power problems at all .
-- Edited by Sheba on Tuesday 27th of November 2012 08:21:10 PM
I use an 80watt solar panel...wouldn't be without it now. I only charge the laptop and the mobile phone.
I bought mine off ebay for around $200. Much cheaper than anywhere else I looked. And it's an Australian company.
We use solar only. We have a 3 way fridge so can run it on gas, and I don't miss the microwave or other electrical appliances like toaster or kettle when free camped, a kettle on the stove works fine. Probably the only thing we would very occasionally like that we can't run on our solar is the air conditioner, but I wouldn't carry the extra weight of a generator around for the few days use that might get. We probably stay in powered and unpowered spots about 50/50.
http://www.12volt.com.au/
Hit the Enter button straight after typing the link, and it activates it Milo.
Cheers,
Sheba.
Sorry! To make myself clear, the no generator signs or seperate sections for generators and non generators I was referring to are mainly in the National Park camping areas which, I would guess, anyone traveling this big wide country would be staying in frequently just for a place to camp or to see the attractions.
Cheers
Jon
-- Edited by Hylda&Jon on Wednesday 28th of November 2012 02:44:04 PM
Not much of a "playground" if it's full of generators.
Maybe that's the school holiday time and you're near where the mostly younger population spends time.
Maybe I'll go thermo nuclear. I hear there's a good dump point in Canberra on some big hill at the center of town for all my nuclear waste.
-- Edited by Hylda&Jon on Wednesday 28th of November 2012 10:47:37 PM
Many places have 'No generator signs or seperate sections for generators and non generators.
Where there is no sign then common courtesy applies and talking to your neighbours always helps.
Cheers
Jon
If we know we are going to use our genny, we pull in early, away from where the main throng would gather and get it out so any other campers pulling in can see it.
Everyone wants to enjoy their time on the road and in the bush. Anyone doing as jetj said is very rare in what I have seen, even when we had no genny and very rude for that matter.
As Jon said, its all about common courtesy, regardless of whether its generators, noisy parties etc.
Bush camping I have never seen a no genny sign. Barn Hill in WA for instance, has generator alley but even its pretty good.
Ditto FF
I think I'll put hydro electric on the van, way too much conflict between solar and generators,,,
Cheers
You two boys sure are ideas men