Generators, do I need one
Not such a simple question. We carry a generator and always have possibly. Ive had generators all my life for both work and play so my tilt on generators is probably easy to predict. We dont carry a generator with any plan to ever actually use it. For us it falls into the same ‘what if’ category as our 20ltr jerry of spare diesel and our cars winch.
A generator in the camping environment has two very clear, unarguable and distinctive features
- It remains the only proven system of producing continuous and reliable power in all conditions, and is currently the only realistic method to provide sustained 240v output.
- It is also the fastest way to awaken the opinionated Online Behavioural Scientists, and launch a wave of polarising opinions in any online social media forum.
The indisputable facts in regards to generator usage is simple; generators are completely legal to buy, to own and to operate and bar a handful of exceptions are completely legal to use in almost all environments.
The odd thing about the Generator Anti Christ on social media is that social media is where it’s contained. The online generator outrage and often abuse, doesn’t transgress to any campground Ive ever been in over the last 30 years of camping, and there has been a lot of camping. I’m pretty approachable and very chatty, and I’ve never been approached in a campground about my generator nor more importantly have I ever really experienced anyone running a generator in circumstances that I would find excessive or inappropriate. Obviously, there are some noodles who have no moral compass, but they are really not too common and more often than not, they simply don’t know and a friendly non confrontational chat will solve that, sometimes even with a thank you.
We use our generator whenever the need arises because that’s why we have it, it’s part of the camping kit we have for our benefit. That said, it’s important for us to always employ a reasonable amount of community spirit in balancing our needs with the ambience for others. A little courtesy goes a long way and is generally all that’s required; just talk to your neighbours because in the real world, away from the loud mouth soap boxing lunatics on social media, most people you’ll find in campgrounds are very accommodating and pretty easy to get along with.
In reality we rarely use our generator and it’s most common general usage is battery charging when circumstances outside our control and planning leave us short. The generators second tier importance is for a very occasional roadside lunchtime microwave pie and even less often, Barb’s hairdryer. We sometimes indulge in some sous vide cooking, or our sons Xbox but that only ever happens when we are completely on our own. As little as we use the generator, I will always carry it because when needed, the merits of having a generator cannot be underestimated.
Our general use caravan generator is a 2.0kW Kipor which is a proven performer for us. We’ve also run a Kipor 2.6kW generator on the farm for many years and the poor thing was treated like a red headed step child, never serviced, constantly run, often ran dry, left out in the elements and it faithfully started first time and ran like a clock and still does. Kipor generators have been very good to us, and their lower price point is a bonus. A kipor 2.0kW is virtually identical to the Honda EU20i.
The 2kW is the smallest unit in size and output that will service all of our potential requirements. Our requirements peak with the power required to run the aircon, our highest 240v power gobbler. We have never used the generator to power the aircon and likely never will; it’s a case of the potential requirements, just to have all our bases covered. There’s no point carrying a generator that does half a job, and a 2kW is not a physically large unit.
Don’t assume well known brand names will do everything. On one particular occasion for example, the book specs of a Yamaha EF2000 didn’t help its performance, and our campground neighbours had to borrow our Kipor. Importantly if your going to spend good money on a generator, don’t rely on the sales pitch either, physically test the unit will run what you plan to run with it. If the supplier can’t or won’t allow such a test or a least give you a written refund guarantee, find one who will.
Most of our own caravans functions have been intentionally setup to avoid the need for 240v, but that’s only for convenience and nothing else because sustained reliance on 240v and therefore a generator is very impracticable and unrealistic. We have ample fixed and portable solar panels, ample DC battery storage and a large inverter which suit our needs. There are a few key times where only a generator can provide the required power in the right amount and quantity and that includes aircon, microwave, Barb’s hairdryer, bulk battery charging …. and of course the Xbox for when our youngest travelled with us.
Generators used by caravaners will inevitability be inverter generators units. A standard generator has to match engine power with alternator output with load, which is very difficult to do smoothly and without fluctuations as loads change, resulting in cooking sensitive equipment. Inverter generators work to provide stable output by producing three phase AC power which is then converted into 12v power DC via a rectifier, which in turn is then inverted back into 240vac. Somewhere in that process the unregulated fluctuating 3 phase power, initially produced by the generation, pops out the other end in a stable wave form similar to suburban power grid and suitable for use with most modern equipment. That’s the magic of inverter generators.
The appearance of a 12v output point on most inverter generators is more a byproduct of the rectifier/inverter conversion process, a bit of a ‘we are producing 12v anyways so let’s just add a 12v plug‘ kind of deal. Not a huge amount of thought has gone into it, nor any useful electronics. It’s just a limited 12v DC power supply … and not a charger. Despite being 12v, it is neither ideal nor beneficial for much, and I can’t quite find a situation where I would need to fire up the generator for 12v output. The 12v batteries require a higher rate of charge than 12v to charge. The inverter generator 12v is unregulated and also limited to around 8amps; the generator will push an unregulated charge into the battery and wont ever stop until the battery is fried.
In an emergency, direct 12v from the generator is probably better than nothing, but a better option is to run a higher 30 or 40 amp output smart charger from the 240v output of the generator.
It is very easy to travel without a generator, but if there’s room and it doesn’t adversely effect weight or space, a generator is a great backup. As for using it to run the aircon, the amount of fuel required to feed a labouring aircon is simply not really a viable solution. Our 2kW generator guzzles one litre of fuel per hour at its rated output, and its fuel tank is 5 litres. Two days of aircon usage would require a lot of fuel to be carried, and at least one refill overnight … and the wrath of the campground to endure. If it’s that hot that you can’t be outside and need to run the aircon on the generator, a fair question would be why are you even there, it’s surely not an enjoyable environment.
We can boil water, cook toast, heat pasta, roast meat, heat the van, keep all our fridge items cool, watch satellite tv and enjoy the surrounds; and we can do all this quite easily without 240v. We can live without the aircon, the hair dryer and the Xbox, so that leaves only one thing for us …. battery charging in less than ideal solar conditions.