What Size of Generator ?

[eamonn777]

Hi, My self build has 2 x 110 Amp AGM batteries ,
I have solar with Victron controller, but I need extra power when in winter conditions,
When plugged into 240v Mains, the batteries are charged by Victron IP22 30amp Charger
I need a Generator to charge (top-up) the 2 x batteries
What size of Generator would yous recommend ?
1000 W or 2000W ? or other ?
Weight of the generator is a key concern

 

[meanders]

Personally I would recommend none. We have solar and have never run out of power even in winter. As you say, payload is a issue, plus you have to transport and store petrol with all that is involved with that. Some Ferries will not allow you to transport a Genny, and/or fuel in containers and you will annoy anyone nearby every time you run it.

 

[KASPAR]

Why not convert the generator to LPG and run it off your onboard refillable bottles?

Have a Honda generator bought for our first MH eons ago to wild camp in the days before solar. AGM, lithium etc. Run for a couple of hours to keep the leisure battery topped up and warm the van up for a nights sleep.

Will look to re-using it on LPG if needed as we explore more.

Proper climate change mitigation, instead of constantly buying new stuff, re-use good quality kit for your lifetime. Trend and consumerism has a lot to answer for

 

[Two on Tour]

Hi, My self build has 2 x 110 Amp AGM batteries ,
I have solar with Victron controller, but I need extra power when in winter conditions,
When plugged into 240v Mains, the batteries are charged by Victron IP22 30amp Charger
I need a Generator to charge (top-up) the 2 x batteries
What size of Generator would yous recommend ?
1000 W or 2000W ? or other ?
Weight of the generator is a key concern

Invest in a 200watt folding solar panel, as you will be surprised at what it will chuck out when pointed at watery low sun in the winter months.

 

[RM_Marine]

Buy B2B, lithium and more solar

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[Brains]

Just tow one of these.
I tend to find the 70 KvA it produces is enough.

 

[bubble63]

Like everyone else, none
They stink the place out , noisey and heavy
Used to cart one around ’just in case ‘
Lithium, B2B in winter

 

[Gaston aires]

Generators are in my opinion an unnecessary thing what with solar and lithium batteries. If you’re getting a bit worried about battery power why not stop on a campsite or CL for one night to recharge.
Phil

 

[Kannon Fodda]

Whilst I echo sentiments against a generator, for the OP it could remain the preferred option. Small generator say £300 (but will be cheap and nasty but if it's occasional get our of trouble use? ) versus a lot of aggro and serious cost to upgrade of lithium, b2b, more solar ......

So to answer original question, the 30A charger at 12V equates to less than 400W. The smallest generator suffices.

 

[royw]

a 1000 watt generator if thats what choose to do is a reasonable size, if you needed more power then a 2kw one, honda make the nicer ones either the eu10i or eu22i. you will always get negative comments regarding generators but there are circumstances where it is the best option no or poor solar, no running of vehicle and no ehu available good to have options.

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[Itsmcb]

As per post #9 above, the IP22 30 amp charger will easily be powered by the 1000 watt generator and a gas conversion kit is available for the Honda (and maybe some others) which eliminates carrying petrol.

 

[Bluemooner]

We have a Champion generator https://www.bimsonpower.com/product...MI79X06dKiiAMV16ODBx1fZQV-EAQYASABEgKlEPD_BwE we use it when desperate in our caravan

 

[autorouter]

As Kannon Fodda says, a 30A charger takes about 400W. It would be better to have a 60A charger, which is still only 800W, so a 1000W generator would cope OK with that.

A 60A charger would halve the generator run time to push in the same amount of charge, compared to a 30A. You could wire two Victron IP22 30A chargers in parallel, with a bit of connection wire and a few setting changes, they will behave as if they were one 60A charger. 30A is about 14% per hour of runtime, and 60A would be 28% per hour of runtime for your 220Ah battery bank.

Another option is to charge them from an EV charge point. You can get a cable to connect the MH EHU inlet to a Type2 EV charger, with the required electronics built into the cable.

 

[CA]

EFOY - https://www.my-efoy.com/en/

We have huge power needs; and yes, have B2B, Lithium, solar. The EFOY sits there in reserve to provide power when all else has run out or not usable. Not cheap but in the 17 years using one we have never once run out of power or needed to go on hookup.

It’s super quiet, works when there is no sun and makes us truly off-grid.

 

[Henry Walpole]

I have the Honda eu10i which is perfect for an emergency top up of the batteries. I have a 60A charger so can put 50% into the batteries (300A) in a little over two hours. Very quiet when positioned away from the van behind a hedge or suchlike. Always starts easily even after a long time not being used. LPG conversion available as others have mentioned.

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[Bessy765]

We have a Honda EU10i running on LPG. Using it through my Victron a 3 amps input it produces 45/47 amps to top up my 200 amp Lithium. If I put it to 3.5 amps it only gives another 4/5 amps and becomes a lot louder. Reducing to 2 amps is just above tick over. We are in Portugal but find even with 700 watts of solar it doesn’t keep up. We run a Dometic cx 35 freezer as well. Don’t normally use it but where we are a lot are but just for an hour either early morning 9 ish or 5 ish so no problem.
Se it