K and C,

quite clear cut if you need the air conditioner on. If you are going to free camp often, then you will need a generator, as the battery in the van will not run the A/c. If you are going to stay in parks, then solar will suffice for batteries for other things if you do the odd free camp. That said, if you are in the north during June - September, you will probably get by most times with a couple of 12 volt fans in the van.

As you will probably be selling the van when you leave, a portable panel, and a second hand generator may be the way to go to limit cost.

Enjoy your trip, and just be prepared for some comments not accepting the use of generators in any shape or form.

If you need to use the air conditioner you only really have three options

1. Cheapest way is have a generator big enough to operate your size air conditioner
2. Second cheapest is to book into a caravan park, on the really hot days
3. Most expensive is to have enough lithium batteries, solar panels, and inverter, to operate your size air conditioner

With speaking to others in the free camps, generators are not liked, but they are tolerated, as most of us realise that some people need 240 volt for their CPAP machines, to help them breath, while sleeping

If you must use the air conditioner, it pays to go to the far end of a camp, and then keep the generator exhaust facing away from others

Some travellers are privileged to have good hearing, and enjoy the silence of the bush
In Western Australia, generators are not allowed in some national parks, as they disturb the wildlife

I have found that experienced travellers, stay outside of their caravan/recreation vehicles, under their awnings, in the heat of the day, as it is too hot inside, to be comfortable

Wingers wingers everywhere ! Park away from other campers . Youâll be fine !! May as well make all the noise you want . Some will complain anyway !!

Oh why park there ? Blocked my view ?? I parked here first !!

Bagmaker wrote:

---

a decent generator will set you back a lot of nights in a caravan park.......

---

Gday...

Probably about 60 to 65 nights I reckon

cheers - John

Whether to invest or not invest in alternative power sources comes down to how many nights you are going to be away from caravan parks or show grounds with 240 volt power and how long you intend to keep your van. In 2013 Irene & I took eleven months to travel around Australia. Prior to the trip we decided to set the van up for free camping. To cut a long story short, the alterations, roof top solar panels, generator etc. came to a total of $5000.00. We spent a total of ten nights free camping in eleven months. Free camping on that trip worked out at five hundred dollars per night.

With more experience and many trips later we find the solar panels and extra battery fantastic, along with the inverter to run a decent size 240 volt fan at night and morning use of the hair dryer to keep harmony. We very seldom use the generator. 

Hope this is some help.

Bill

 

 

 

 

All for solar . Iâve seen people park 100âs of meters away to run their geni . Then a couple drive or walk past hear the geni and give them a blast ! Even though it canât be heard from where they are camped . Yes two sides to this . In this case the poor guys wife had a strange ke and required air conditioning and other health equipment. Lucky I was there to send the grumpy old bugger on that complained . Just because your right doesnât mean you take over and become Mr sherif !! This guys wife who had the stroke . Wanted him to enjoy the nomad life as they BOTH PLANNED this nearly all their life together . This bought tears big time when we talked about their traveling etc . Yes there are dirty, noisy generators! The little Honda 2000 is very quiet . My Built in Onan is also . Fuel is not an issue ! Itâs connected to motorhome tank ..

Thanks to all those who posted helpful and informative advice!

On reflection we think we will probably not go down the road of buying a generator. We may opt for some cheaper free standing solar panels but as we really prefer being on camp sites anyway we might just stick to using sites and hooking up.

Thanks again to everyone who posted.

Safe travels all.

Wylie foxes wrote:

---

Thanks to all those who posted helpful and informative advice!

On reflection we think we will probably not go down the road of buying a generator. We may opt for some cheaper free standing solar panels but as we really prefer being on camp sites anyway we might just stick to using sites and hooking up.

Thanks again to everyone who posted.

Safe travels all.

---

 

"On reflection we think we will probably not go down the road of buying a generator"

Hey guys if you want some comfort , get yourself a quiet generator and stop worrying about the whingers .

Some people will whinge at the least little thing.When free camping ,just park yourself away from other campers as ( AK ) said

and if someone is going to park near you just tell them that you will be starting up a generator , and then if they do whinge

tell them they will have to shift.

 

 

Ron-D wrote:

---

Blues Man wrote:

---

Wylie foxes wrote:

---

Thanks to all those who posted helpful and informative advice!

On reflection we think we will probably not go down the road of buying a generator. We may opt for some cheaper free standing solar panels but as we really prefer being on camp sites anyway we might just stick to using sites and hooking up.

Thanks again to everyone who posted.

Safe travels all.

---

 

"On reflection we think we will probably not go down the road of buying a generator"

Hey guys if you want some comfort , get yourself a quiet generator and stop worrying about the whingers .

Some people will whinge at the least little thing.When free camping ,just park yourself away from other campers as ( AK ) said

and if someone is going to park near you just tell them that you will be starting up a generator , and then if they do whinge

tell them they will have to shift.

 

 

---

 Stop worrying about the wingers thing of number one  love that attitude...

---

 That's somethink to ponder.

Terry can I ask you a question? Why is it that you rarely post on any other subject other than about your business concerns? This post is a good example in that you only ever mention Lithium batteries because that is what you deal in, why not mention AGM,Gel etc? They are much cheaper and more affordable for most.Is it because it's not profitable maybe? Have you read forum rules point 5?

Kebbin wrote:

---

Terry can I ask you a question? Why is it that you rarely post on any other subject other than about your business concerns? This post is a good example in that you only ever mention Lithium batteries because that is what you deal in, why not mention AGM,Gel etc? They are much cheaper and more affordable for most.Is it because it's not profitable maybe? Have you read forum rules point 5?

---

          A possible reason that Lithium batteries are often mentioned by Terry is that they are so far ahead of the

          other options that they are lonely! They seem to take a charge more quickly,and have a much larger

          usable capacity than the others.Just saying.....Happy travels.

                                                                                      Cheers

 

Ron-D wrote:

---

yobarr wrote:

---

Kebbin wrote:

---

Terry can I ask you a question? Why is it that you rarely post on any other subject other than about your business concerns? This post is a good example in that you only ever mention Lithium batteries because that is what you deal in, why not mention AGM,Gel etc? They are much cheaper and more affordable for most.Is it because it's not profitable maybe? Have you read forum rules point 5?

---

          A possible reason that Lithium batteries are often mentioned by Terry is that they are so far ahead of the

          other options that they are lonely! They seem to take a charge more quickly,and have a much larger

          usable capacity than the others.Just saying.....Happy travels.

                                                                                      Cheers

 

---

 Your probably right but has this thought occurred to you most people have standard batteries fitted and are happy with them ,why change every thing at great expense,Lithium is probably top dog in the battery world but most here I think would be more interested in posts that are about what they have fitted to there rigs....

 

 

Hi Ron....if it interests you,I have 1520 watts solar and 540 AH of Lithium batteries in

the van.This allows me to run my 2.5kw MHI Air Con any time I like in the bush.

Never will I stay in a van park,which will save me a small fortune.

The car has 190 watts Solar and one 90AH Lithium battery.I run my Engel 24/7 at

-18 degrees,so I have a nice freezer with enough room to throw in a few stubbies for

a quick chill when I get thirsty! 

I carry 540 litres of water,have a diesel heater for both air and water,and the fridge

is a 175 litre Evakool 2 door.I have done a lot of research,and I spent much time and effort

setting it up correctly so I am legal on ALL axles at 6500 GCM.....DO35 hitch and no WDH.

                                                    Cheers

 

Kebbin wrote:

---

Terry can I ask you a question? Why is it that you rarely post on any other subject other than about your business concerns? This post is a good example in that you only ever mention Lithium batteries because that is what you deal in, why not mention AGM,Gel etc? They are much cheaper and more affordable for most.Is it because it's not profitable maybe? Have you read forum rules point 5?

---

 How good is it that somebody adds their opinion to a post that actually knows what they are talking about instead of just blurting the 1st thing that comes to mind just to get their name on a thread to get their count up.