Generators ?

[DavidG58]

the really good thing with them is when set on auto they monitor the battery condition and come on and off as required----all we can hear is a small fan running----can't hear it if any other noise around like radio or TV----could not justify the cost but it was in the van, had intended to sell it but we have got used to having it available.-------We still won't go away without the little Honda though----belt , braces and a bit of string
Nigel & Pamala

How much fuel do you actually get through and roughly what does that cost? it does seem like a useful option for grey days, albeit quite expensive, but if it moves, seems worth more consideration

 

[Jaws]

I have used a 12v charger for my laptops for a fair few years now.. No probs..

 

[Sundowners]

we have used a 10 L bottle but have not kept track on the hours/amps

 

[funflair]

How much fuel do you actually get through and roughly what does that cost? it does seem like a useful option for grey days, albeit quite expensive, but if it moves, seems worth more consideration

@DavidG58 the fuel use is listed as 0.9 litre/KWh price £78 for 20 litres, 1KWh is about 83 ah so that's about £4.00 per big battery full.

The other thing to bear in mind is that the catalytic cell will need replacing at around 3000 hours.

 

[DavidG58]

@DavidG58 the fuel use is listed as 0.9 litre/KWh price £78 for 20 litres, 1KWh is about 83 ah so that's about £4.00 per big battery full.

The other thing to bear in mind is that the catalytic cell will need replacing at around 3000 hours.

Thanks Martin, not looking quite so interesting now

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[funflair]

Thanks Martin, not looking quite so interesting now

Like I said it keeps ours charged in the shed, cost might be £50 or £70 per year but it's worth it to know it will start when we want to go out. The rest of the time it is just nice to know that we have the means to charge the batteries at any time if required but the solar keeps on top of things. Not even switched the battery charger on for 3 months.

 

[Techno]

Surely the best option for mobility scooters is to have a spare battery pack and charging platform for it.
This way while out riding it on sunny days you can still have the other charging from solar.

 

[dippingatoe]

Well - had someone check them out today and apparently they at 2 volt x 220 ah ...... but on closer inspection look to be a bit bowed at the sides, and assuming they were installed when bus was built 2010 they are probably approaching the replacement age.

Am about to look into replacing with 4 of same ah which should be an improvement

 

[Clive and Kerri]

Having read loads of posts about generators and grey water etc I have come to the conclusion that common sense has now become a super power. What's wrong with talking to your neighbours and saying sorry I need to run the generator for....... reasons, what time will cause you least annoyance, 99% of people would be tolerant, I'm afraid you'll always get the 1%

 

[dippingatoe]

Surely the best option for mobility scooters is to have a spare battery pack and charging platform for it.
This way while out riding it on sunny days you can still have the other charging from solar.

Would my solar recharge 2 x 12volt batteries? I have two panels of 110 watts each.

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[DavidG58]

Well - had someone check them out today and apparently they at 2 volt x 220 ah ...... but on closer inspection look to be a bit bowed at the sides, and assuming they were installed when bus was built 2010 they are probably approaching the replacement age.

Am about to look into replacing with 4 of same ah which should be an improvement

are your numbers right?

I presume you meant 12V but 220ah batteries sound huge

may be total 2 x 110Ah would be more typical, but you RVers do things differently I guess

 

[Techno]

I charge all my batteries by solar. I have 730ah and I'm at Shell Island at the end of day four and all my batteries are still full including recharging electric bike 36 volt battery
18 volt Makita batteries and Mac books/phones etc

 

[dippingatoe]

I have just realised that even if I purchased a spare set of batteries I would not have the strength to lift the batteries off the scooter to recharge them - plus the seat must be removed first then the cover unscrewed and removed, all quite difficult for me to manage on my own.

 

[dippingatoe]

are your numbers right?

I presume you meant 12V but 220ah batteries sound huge

may be total 2 x 110Ah would be more typical, but you RVers do things differently I guess

They are 6 volt, but I must admit I was surprised, but I can't get at them myself and have to rely on information given.

 

[rosalan]

Depending on the parking set-up, most people that I have known who need to keep the 'chair battery topped up, park in such a place that any noise or fumes are screened by their van. Under these circumstances, it is obvious that you have done your best and that you have a need for a full battery. There are also generators that are quieter than my smoking, un-silenced Aldi generator.
Another clue is an evident wheelchair.
Devices for sleep-apnia also require extra battery power.

Alan

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[DavidG58]

They are 6 volt, but I must admit I was surprised, but I can't get at them myself and have to rely on information given.

are we talking about scooter or RV now? I am easily confused

 

[Theonlysue]

Dippingtoe, before you start spending money, I think you need to speak to someone who can advise you correctly on your needs, so you achieve the correct outcome.
If I'm correct, there are 2 types of solar, one that reacts to sun, and others that react to light.
I have the latter.
There are other electric chair users who should be able to advise what they do when away.
If you ever need any assistance on a rally, you must ask.
We really are a helpful bunch

 

[dippingatoe]

Hopefully you have had the bright sunny weather we have been enjoying , plus the last two days have been (for me ) too warm. I generally find all that helps with the charging, plus less (or no) use of blown air heating. But on grey or foggy days, with cold air things I find very different, and three or four days without moving can be a real problem for me.

What system do you use to charge your 36 volt bike?

Also I am having problems finding something to charge my MacBook with other than via an inverter, Apple do not supply anything at present and for me it is an expensive thing to take chances with. What do you use to recharge yours.

 

[dippingatoe]

are we talking about scooter or RV now? I am easily confused

The Scooter runs on 2 x 12 volt batteries

The RV has 2 x 6 volt habitation batteries, which I was told today were 220 ah each i.e. totalling 440ah

 

[Techno]

"What system do you use to charge your 36 volt bike?"

I use the mains charger supplied
I have 230 volts anywhere

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[funflair]

The Scooter runs on 2 x 12 volt batteries

The RV has 2 x 6 volt habitation batteries, which I was told today were 220 ah each i.e. totalling 440ah

If you have 2x6volt at 220ah they will be wired in series and you then have 1x12volt total 220ah, NOT 440.

 

[dippingatoe]

"What system do you use to charge your 36 volt bike?"

I use the mains charger supplied
I have 230 volts anywhere

So all your power needs are run through an inverter?

My inverter is quite small but still is quite wasteful of the battery power. What model / size is the inverter you use?

Many thanks

 

[Techno]

 

[Jim]

In our tiny Hymer we used a 2kw inverter for anything requiring 'mains' power; we had two 2 x 110 Banner Batteries. and 360 watts of panel on the roof. 3 people spending at least 20 weeks a year living in the van with all that entails, TV hair dryers, straighteners computers etc etc, never needing to fire up a genny. These days, doing without a genny is easy.

 

[Techno]

Solar making 8.9 amps net of supplying cool box 13.1 with cool box off

Seperate hab batteries also full and getting a trickle via sterling relay

Inverter batteries

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[JockandRita]

If you have 2x6volt at 220ah they will be wired in series and you then have 1x12volt total 220ah, NOT 440.

Smudger,

Martin is right with his post quoted above. We have the same capacity, ie, 2 x 6v batteries rated @ 225Ah, meaning 12v @ 225Ah, plus 2 x 85 watt solar panels producing almost 10Amps at the peak of sunny weather (but almost bu##er all during winter) and we manage very well for a few days.
However, our electricity needs are not as great as yours (mobility charging and RV furnace use), so I'd reckon to double your battery bank, and your solar supply.

Does the RV slide out pump/ motor operate off the engine battery/alternator, ie, only when the engine is running?

Cheers,

Jock.

 

[UK Pete]

View attachment 59897
Solar making 8.9 amps net of supplying cool box 13.1 with cool box off

Seperate hab batteries also full and getting a trickle via sterling relay
View attachment 59898

Inverter batteries
View attachment 59900

Andy i just love your set up, its a work of art, i always draw inspiration from the pictures of your set up, how do you rate your 2000w inverter in the picture, can you give me a link to where you got it please
pete

 

[Techno]

Thanks Pete
I rate this inverter top marks but it is not just an inverter. It is a UPS uninterruptable power supply Including 3 stage charger
It was a fluke purchase from eBay Germany (right place & time) it cost me £216 delivered
I was having an issue with a sterling inverter so just happened to be watching this and after winning it it was a no brainier to swap them.
Unfortunately I cannot find any more the seller ran out of stock
It is however clearly marketed at English speakers as the manual is in English

 

[dippingatoe]

I charge all my batteries by solar. I have 730ah and I'm at Shell Island at the end of day four and all my batteries are still full including recharging electric bike 36 volt battery
18 volt Makita batteries and Mac books/phones etc

Which batteries do you use and how do you have them wired please?

 

[dippingatoe]

Smudger,

Does the RV slide out pump/ motor operate off the engine battery/alternator, ie, only when the engine is running?

Cheers,

Jock.

All the slide motors run from the battery, but currently I can't charge the mobility scooter other than when driving or on hook-up unless I start the generator, and even then charging would be really slow.

View attachment 59896

I am trying to understand about pure sine wave. I think it means that the "power" supplied is "clean" and free from irregularites?

Does it also mean that the inverter does not waste battery power when switched on but not under load. i.e. do you keep your switched on all the time with no detriment to the battery reserves?

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