Help me generate power ... mechanically!

[Basildog]

At night I've noticed that it appears to come on once every hour roughly for about 15 mins then goes off for 45 mins, and repeats this, it may not come on quite as much, or reduce the 'on' time during the early hours but I'm usually asleep then so don't check the clock!
The fridge is above a cupboard/wardrobe so directly next to where my bonce goes on the bed (we sleep the 'wrong way round' on our single beds as we prefer to have a 'head board' rather than windows to sit up against). At one point I tried sleeping the 'proper' way round (with my feet nearest the fridge) but even then on 'night mode & 3' it was too noisy. We experimented with the settings whilst away and putting it on 'night setting & 2 has proved to be the best option as it's sufficient to keep the stuff in it cold/frozen so I can sleep with my head near it without too much disturbance.


Nothing really to make energy savings on as we don't use a lot really, just an hours telly, lights (kept to a minimum anyway), and charging up stuff if needs be (usually done on the move if we can). Solar I agree is great ... when you've got sufficient sun to put the energy back in ... in winter in Southern Spain, even on lovely sunny days, it doesn't put a massive amount back in ... I want to be able to stop for the number of days I want to at the place I want to and not be 'dictated' to by the power requirements of a flipping fridge making me have to move or go on a campsite etc to keep it happy ... hence considering getting a genny.

I'm going to recheck all of my solar installation, output from panels etc, and the leisure batteries to make sure they are connected properly with the correct size of cabling used (I didn't put them in) just in case there's something daft going on there that's exacerbating the issue, I suspect its all okey-dokey but best to check it all just in case and take it from there.

Now wash your mouth out with soap !
How dare you criticise the great solar God so many Motorhome owners now worship.
You should have learnt by now that a 100 watt panel and a 10 year old battery will provide more power than you could ever need

 

[Minxy]

Are you really sure you want to carry a stinky genny and fuel around in a PVC?

I intend to put it in a sealed container so shouldn't be a problem ... as previously mentioned I'm used to stinky and noisy things anyway with a hubby and 3 dogs.

 

[Minxy]

Now wash your mouth out with soap !
How dare you criticise the great solar God so many Motorhome owners now worship.
You should have learnt by now that a 100 watt panel and a 10 year old battery will provide more power than you could ever need

Ah, but they're worshipping the wrong God ... that's the problem ... they need to worship a Goddess!

 

[bobandjanie]

I'm going to recheck all of my solar installation, output from panels etc, and the leisure batteries to make sure they are connected properly with the correct size of cabling used (I didn't put them in) just in case there's something daft going on there that's exacerbating the issue, I suspect its all okey-dokey but best to check it all just in case and take it from there.

Our van like most came pre wired for solar, but I used 6mm cable because the converters are on a budget and it's always a case of that will do.
Yes it will work .......... but could do better. Bob.

 

[Lenny HB]

As @Minxy Girl mentioned at the begin of the thread, she has a husband so she's used to noisy and smelly things being in the van.

And 3 dogs, would anyone really like to be in a PVC with that lot.

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[Minxy]

Our van like most came pre wired for solar, but I used 6mm cable because the converters are on a budget and it's always a case of that will do.
Yes it will work .......... but could do better. Bob.

Never had any MH/van that came pre-wired for solar so maybe only certain manufacturers do it, I fed my own cable down so know it was the right size but won't do any harm to check all the connectors etc are still nice and tight etc.

 

[Minxy]

And 3 dogs, would anyone really like to be in a PVC with that lot.

Don't knock it until you've tried it Lenny!

Its a bit 'tight' at times with our heffalump Romy now in 'wandering' mode (going a bit senile in her old age) but other than that, works great ... after all we did buy a PVC with a massive rear dog bed for them didn't we!

 

[Lenny HB]

As above, if I could have got a 3-way I would have but not an option, I think its gonna become increasingly difficult to get PVCs in the future with 3-way fridges as the converters must love the 12v ones for cost and east of installation!

We got interested in PVC's but decided we couldn't live with one, not enough space. The ones we were looking at all had tall 3 way fridge freezers same as in our current van. They were all French models, not available in the UK (we never buy in the UK anyway).

 

[Lenny HB]

Don't knock it until you've tried it Lenny!

We have tried one dog (daughter's springer) in our big van that was enough.

 

[Minxy]

We got interested in PVC's but decided we couldn't live with one, not enough space. The ones we were looking at all had tall 3 way fridge freezers same as in our current van. They were all French models, not available in the UK (we never buy in the UK anyway).

I think I'm right in saying that Globecar stopped putting 3-way fridge freezers in PVCs in 2016/17, certainly not seen newer ones with 3-way fridges - so it may be that unless specifically requested when buying new and doing a 'new build' order you can't get them, if at all.

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[Minxy]

We have tried one dog (daughter's springer) in our big van that was enough.

A springer! That's the equivalent of 10 dogs!

 

[Lenny HB]

We got interested in PVC's but decided we couldn't live with one, not enough space. The ones we were looking at all had tall 3 way fridge freezers same as in our current van. They were all French models, not available in the UK (we never buy in the UK anyway).

Dam, just looked up the latest spec they have all got poxey compessor fridges now, that totally rules out PVC's for us. Wouldn't entertain a van without a large 3 way fridge/freezer.​

 

[Lenny HB]

Never had any MH/van that came pre-wired for solar so maybe only certain manufacturers do it, I fed my own cable down so know it was the right size but won't do any harm to check all the connectors etc are still nice and tight etc.

Mine did. And twin reversing camera cables, found those after I spent a day putting my own in.

 

[Minxy]

Mine did. And twin reversing camera cables, found those after I spent a day putting my own in.

Yeah, but you've got a corn flake packet on wheels so the cables probably help hold it together!

 

[Landy Andy]

You don’t need a generator you’ve already got one.






Just leave the engine running. I’m sure no one will mind.

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[Landy Andy]

Mine did. And twin reversing camera cables, found those after I spent a day putting my own in.

My Adria is the same. Extra wires and connectors all over the place and marked.

And exactly the same, found after running my own camera cables.

 

[CazPaul]

Are you really sure you want to carry a stinky genny and fuel around in a PVC?[/QUOTE


Agree, it's not as there are any enclosed, separate external lockers to store it.

 

[Top Hat]

I think compressor fridges are great, switch them on and forget, big fridge at eye level, and using solor elec to run rather than your gas and not a lot to go wrong with them.
There are going to be user's like @Minxy Girl were extended periods are spent in one place outside of the summer months abroad of ehu that extra solar or a genny might be required, so it may not be for everyone.

 

[Grianan]

Quick Q ... with fully charged battery, will I mange a couple of nights wildcamping with the electric fridge ... have solar but north of Scotland January!

 

[maxi77]

You don’t need a generator you’ve already got one.






Just leave the engine running. I’m sure no one will mind.

Regular running of diesel engines at low powers for extended period is not good for them and causes glazing of the bores.

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[Top Hat]

You can discount your solar, my rule of thumb would be you need a 85a/h leisure battery to run your fridge only, with solar.
In the north of Scotland in winter why not leave your fridge switched off and your milk butter etc outside in a locked box.

 

[Cheshirecat57]

As above, if I could have got a 3-way I would have but not an option, I think its gonna become increasingly difficult to get PVCs in the future with 3-way fridges as the converters must love the 12v ones for cost and east of installation!

Anyway back to my OP ... gennys ... some members have made suggestions as to what would be suitable, what to look out for etc, and any more would be much appreciated especially 'real world' experience of any particular gennys as I don't want to end up buying something that is way too big for my needs (power and size wise) but too little for us to be able to use it for what we want.

Mel
I think someone earlier posted about LPG
Some LPG ‘quiet’ gennies will start without petrol on just LPG
So buy anew one and never put petrol in it and never carry a can !!

 

[SpeedyDux]

Never had any MH/van that came pre-wired for solar so maybe only certain manufacturers do it, I fed my own cable down so know it was the right size but won't do any harm to check all the connectors etc are still nice and tight etc.

All Rapido Van PVCs come pre-cabled for solar and a reversing camera.

I think I'm right in saying that Globecar stopped putting 3-way fridge freezers in PVCs in 2016/17, certainly not seen newer ones with 3-way fridges - so it may be that unless specifically requested when buying new and doing a 'new build' order you can't get them, if at all.

Dam, just looked up the latest spec they have all got poxey compessor fridges now, that totally rules out PVC's for us. Wouldn't entertain a van without a large 3 way fridge/freezer.​

Just peeked at the online dogalogue for 2019. It still says that the V55 and V68 come with a 135L fridge which is probably the tall skinny 3-way fridge.

My V43 has the 90L Vitrifrigo compressor fridge but Rapido does provide a 2nd leisure battery as standard. Very considerate of them.

 

[Lenny HB]

Just peeked at the online dogalogue for 2019. It still says that the V55 and V68 come with a 135L fridge which is probably the tall skinny 3-way fridge.

I was looking at Font Verdome.

 

[Cheshirecat57]

The Adria Twin PVC that Is due in 7weeks has compressor only fridge

I have upgraded from the standard 90litre to the tall 152 litre

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[Lenny HB]

Yeah, but you've got a corn flake packet on wheels so the cables probably help hold it together!

Oy, watch it you, may be up your way in a couple of weeks, may have to come and sort you out.

 

[Minxy]

Oy, watch it you, may be up your way in a couple of weeks, may have to come and sort you out.

.... bring it on Lenny ... I haven't had a good scrap in ages so could do with the practice. How long will you last though? I like a good long workout when battering someone silly, can't be doing with wimps who can only take one good kick and that's it, not worth the effort!

 

[CazPaul]

Oy, watch it you, may be up your way in a couple of weeks, may have to come and sort you out.

Wow, and here's me thinking you only went South.

 

[Lenny HB]

Wow, and here's me thinking you only went South.

Needs must, not for holiday.

Did spent 2 nights wilding in Cumbria last sep.

 

[Minxy]

Meanwhile back to my thread ...

I've just been doing a bit of reading up on batteries ... rightly or wrongly I always thought a fully charged battery was 12.6 or more and a fully discharged battery was 12.0, however, I've discovered that the % level of charge differs depending on the type of battery!

Using the chart below at 100% a lead acid battery should show 12.70 but a gel would only be approx 87% at that reading; towards the other end of the scale, a lead acid at 50% should read 12.2 but a gel would read 12.35, and all types of battery are apparently 25% at 12.00!

So, bearing in mind I have gels, 'in theory' going down to 12.00 shouldn't damage my batteries (although I appreciate it can affect the number of cycles long-term). Is this right or am I missing something?????

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