How important is having a generator?

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How important is having a generator?

March 13, 2017, 03:42:38 pm

Would you miss your generator if you didn't have one? Can solar be a viable alternative to a generator?

Re: How important is having a generator?

Reply #1 – March 13, 2017, 04:06:49 pm

While we do have solar, we'd miss a generator if we didn't have it. There are times we want to use the microwave or perk a pot of coffee. And then there are those cloudy days.......

Re: How important is having a generator?

Reply #2 – March 13, 2017, 04:36:52 pm

For us the generator is a must have item. Although we normally stay in places with electric hookups. Sometimes we don't. And most important for us is while traveling. We travel with our dog and there is no way we will leave him locked in a hot vehicle. So when we stop at a store or other places where he can't go with us. We leave him in the coach with the generator and air conditioning running. Also quick stops at rest areas to have lunch we have use of microwave and air conditioning. We wouldn't have a motorhome without a generator. We also have a two panel solar system.

Re: How important is having a generator?

Reply #3 – March 13, 2017, 04:41:04 pm

"Would you miss your generator if you didn't have one? Can solar be a viable alternative to a generator?"

•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•

If you have solar, but no generator, you are at the mercy of Big Red's whims. If you have a generator and no solar panels, you are at the mercy of the fuel/maintenance/repair/smelly things/unspeakable noise gods.

We traveled/vacationed (longest trips were three months) quite successfully for ten years in a 1985 TK with 202 watts of solar and no generator - and no toad. We had two computers; one was a desktop; the other the first "laptop", and a printer. This was back before the turn of the century, but there was little else within the TK that required much electricity to function; no microwave, no television, no air conditioner.

Fast forward to today, and our 2005 RB has 400 watts of solar and a generator, but we seldom use either one because we don't travel much. But when we have done so, we did very well on just the solar. Caveat: We don't own an electric coffee maker (even at home - Melitta rules), and seldom use the microwave or watch television.

Our current record for not plugging in (nor dumping) is a week, but we did run the generator on a daily basis in the mistaken thought that the batteries should be topped to 100% at least once a day. If not for that action, we probably could have done quite well with just the panels.

On that subject, i.e. microwave use . . . what do members use it for mostly? Ours is used mostly for heating up the rice pocket thingies used to soothe sore muscles, or heating cold toesies. I rarely use mine, even at home, for actual food prep.

Virtual hugs,

Judie

Re: How important is having a generator?

Reply #4 – March 13, 2017, 05:09:55 pm

I just finished a three week trip. I did not use the generator. Actually I can't remember using it while camping going back over to Feb 2012. When I go to Florida in the summer, yes I am one of those people, I use it to power the AC when pulled over in a rest area to eat or snack but that is about it. But that far south the campgrounds almost always have power available.

That said, I would never buy a RV without a generator. We have used the genie a few times when the house looses electricity due to storms taking out power lines. And on long trips a bag of popcorn is nice to have. The peace of mind that comes with you have it if needed is also good.
John
07 MB

Re: How important is having a generator?

Reply #5 – March 13, 2017, 06:14:18 pm

Like many here on LDO, I infrequently use my generator. That being said, I wouldn't be without it.

Yes we have 2 solar panels and they serve us very well without any need to dip below 12.5 amps.

I have a standing rule...(and a constant reminder to my dear sister), If it can go in the microwave it can go on the stove or in the oven. Get used to it. This keeps the genny sitting quietly in its bay.

I'm not completely opposed to the generators use. Sweltering heat in a campground with no electrical hook up will send me straight to the start button.

My most recent trip to Zion had me pull a rabbit out of my hat. From home base to Watchman CG, the drive can easily exceed 11 hours. I never drive with the propane tank open. So the fridge is off while on the road.

This trip, after reflecting back on other LDO members use of the genny to run the coach AC for guest and pets while driving in the heat, I made good use of its power source to keep the chill on my fridge.

After 6 hours of driving I had my daughter start the genny and let it run for 1 or 2 hours while on the road. The ice cream stayed frozen my beer cold and refreshing once we pulled into Watchman CG in Zion.

The generator purred along with the road noise and you would be hard pressed to know it was running. Gas consumption was hardly noticeable. $6.00 in extra gas is a small cost to keep everything cold on such a long drive.

While in Zion, the generator got a well deserved rest. Watchman CG has electrical hook ups and generators are forbidden so no problem. And the microwave, sis, go right ahead and use it all you want and save my propane.

I love everything about my LD and that includes my generator.

As Tim Allen says, "More Power"!

Kent

Re: How important is having a generator?

Reply #6 – March 13, 2017, 06:37:01 pm

Another factor about having a generator is resale value. A lot of potential buyers will want the generator.

Re: How important is having a generator?

Reply #7 – March 13, 2017, 06:40:38 pm

Quote from: Duro - March 13, 2017, 04:36:52 pm

We travel with our dog and there is no way we will leave him locked in a hot vehicle. So when we stop at a store or other places where he can't go with us. We leave him in the coach with the generator and air conditioning running.

There's something I hadn't thought of. My dog is everything to me, so a generator is a must have.

Thank you☺

Re: How important is having a generator?

Reply #8 – March 13, 2017, 06:56:03 pm

Quote from: Kent Heckethorn - March 13, 2017, 06:14:18 pm

Like many here on LDO, I infrequently use my generator. That being said, I wouldn't be without it.

If it can go in the microwave it can go on the stove or in the oven.

Sweltering heat in a campground with no electrical hook up will send me straight to the start button.

I love everything about my LD and that includes my generator.

As Tim Allen says, "More Power"!

Kent

What great information! I don't care about using the microwave either, but I do anticipate encountering sweltering heat. I could survive it, but my dog couldn't. I'd also forgotten that the fridge is off when driving.

I was hoping I might be able to make a LD sans generator work, but I'm thinking better of that now.

Thanks for the real life wake-up call☺

Re: How important is having a generator?

Reply #9 – March 13, 2017, 07:02:19 pm

Quote from: Duro - March 13, 2017, 06:37:01 pm

Another factor about having a generator is resale value. A lot of potential buyers will want the generator.

Well, that's a big one right there that I should have thought of. Between that, encountering heat and cooling the fridge, I'd be crazy to think I could survive without one. Just hoping to force myself into fitting into a LD vs. the other way around.

This is why I come to this forum. Thank you☺

Re: How important is having a generator?

Reply #10 – March 13, 2017, 07:06:21 pm

Quote from: John DaCrema - March 13, 2017, 05:09:55 pm

The peace of mind that comes with you have it if needed is also good.
John
07 MB

That's just what I'm coming away with as a result of this discussion. Better to have it and not need it, than need it and not have it. You said it in a nutshell. Thanks John.

Mimi

Re: How important is having a generator?

Reply #11 – March 13, 2017, 07:23:22 pm

Quote from: Judie Ashford link=msg=170253 [quote author=Judie Ashford - March 13, 2017, 04:41:04 pm

Fast forward to today, and our 2005 RB has 400 watts of solar and a generator, but we seldom use either one because we don't travel much. But when we have done so, we did very well on just the solar.

...but we did run the generator on a daily basis in the mistaken thought that the batteries should be topped to 100%

Virtual hugs,

Judie

Yes, being at the mercy of the sun without a back-up power source wouldn't be prudent. I plan to outfit my LD with as much solar power as possible but, I realize that, when Mother Nature is involved, a little human technology can save the day. I love hearing how well you did using just solar. I hope I can enjoy the same benefit.

So, the batteries shouldn't be topped off each day? I guess that's a different conversation. I definitely need to do some reading about that in the forums.

Thanks Judie. It's good to know that with good timing, a good location and good weather I can boondock and be comfortable. Btw, I use a Chemex for coffee; very power friendly!☺

Mimi

Re: How important is having a generator?

Reply #12 – March 13, 2017, 07:24:00 pm

Mimi,

Something to consider when checking out rigs with generators...how many hours are on the generator (total run time) in comparison to the year of the LD.

Less is not necessarily good. As a rule of thumb, I exercise my generator twice a month for one hour each time. For my RB that's a minimum of 34 hours on the clock. My LD is 17 months old. My actual hours are higher by a factor of about 2 possibly higher (I think I'm up to 60+).

So doing the math a 20 year old LD or SOB generator would do well to have at least 240 hours on it. That's only an hour a month.

Others here can certainly correct me if I'm off base but this just stands to reason if maintenance is done consistently. Otherwise issues may arise relative with poor maintenance.

Just sayin'

Kent

Re: How important is having a generator?

Reply #13 – March 13, 2017, 07:36:19 pm

Mimi,

In regards to the fridge being off while traveling. The fridge and freezer will do well without power for up to 8 hours.

It is important to have pre chilled and filled your fridge a day or two prior to departure AND don't open it for at least an hour and a half prior to cutting power/propane.

Short trips without power are fine. But I often drive in excess of ten hours (wish it were less but I generally need to get where I'm going with minimum rest breaks...still a vacationing LDer ya know).

So no worries for short journeys just the long ones. I've yet to encounter a rest stop or supermarket with a level parking lot so running the genny/propane then just doesn't work for me. Fridges are expensive and fires are devastating.

Just sayin'

Kent

Re: How important is having a generator?

Reply #14 – March 13, 2017, 08:07:43 pm

I wouldn't be without one. Saved me and my dogs when I broke down on the side of the freeway in the heat.

Langton

Re: How important is having a generator?

Reply #15 – March 13, 2017, 08:23:26 pm

Several travel trailers, 3rd motorhome. Not a single one with a built in generator. I have a Honda EU2000 and have brought it to dozens of trips. Have used it probably 5-6 times. It is now in the garage with the fuel drained. I will probably bring it again this summer, and will probably not use it as before.

I like to camp either at altitude or near where a marine layer is likely to be so there is that.

Re: How important is having a generator?

Reply #16 – March 13, 2017, 08:40:14 pm

No generator for us. We Boondock for up to 4 days on batteries then move on. When it's hot we plug in. When it's too cold for a couple of small electric heaters we move south. Our mode of travel is peripatetic. More than 4 days in a place, except the beach, makes us need to move.

We do have to visit the son at Twentynine Palms at any time of the year, but that entails hooking up.

When we had a dog and had to leave her (we worked) in hot climes I would not trust a generator to keep running, so it was living in the hook for us then.

Re: How important is having a generator?

Reply #17 – March 13, 2017, 09:07:43 pm

Here's another vote for no generator. I removed the generator in our last camper and happily lived with a Honda EU2000. It is the best generator I have ever owned, reliable, quiet, and frugal with gasoline. It will run the microwave and a battery charger for the cloudy or rainy days when the solar doesn't have any output. It will not, however, run the AC.

Cost $1000 new. When it needs a tune up, take it to the lawn mower shop. No need to take the entire motor home to a service center.

When the power goes out at your house, the EU2000 will run your refrigerator and chest freezer and a few lights.

The generator in our Lazy Daze will likely get more hours doing bi-monthly exercise than it will being used in camp.

Just don't leave it outside at night, unless it is cabled, locked, and have a steel anti-theft bar placed inside the plastic cowling.

HD

Re: How important is having a generator?

Reply #18 – March 14, 2017, 12:04:13 pm

Quote from: Kent Heckethorn - March 13, 2017, 07:36:19 pm

Mimi,

In regards to the fridge being off while traveling. The fridge and freezer will do well without power for up to 8 hours.

So no worries for short journeys just the long ones. I've yet to encounter a rest stop or supermarket with a level parking lot so running the genny/propane then just doesn't work for me. Fridges are expensive and fires are devastating.

Just sayin'

Kent

Had no idea about the fridge other than the rig has to be level in order for it to work. I will be full-timing for about 1-1.5 yrs, mostly boondocking I hope, so I will be taking mostly short trips, staying in national parks/public land for 1-2 wks or so at a time. Soo, I can run the generator to cool down the fridge faster when I arrive at my destination (upon leveling), then switch to propane for the duration. Is that right? Fire from what? That sounds a little scary!

Re: How important is having a generator?

Reply #19 – March 14, 2017, 12:49:47 pm

Although I "exercised" my generator each month, I actually used it mainly just for air conditioning, on occasion. Most of my camping was dry camping. I seldom used the microwave (except as a bread box) and didn't have an electric coffee pot. I boiled water for coffee.

Monica

Re: How important is having a generator?

Reply #20 – March 14, 2017, 01:25:03 pm

Hi Mimi,

The potential risk of fire would be due to off level use of the refridgerator. When off level use occurs there is a risk of damage to the cooling unit (others here or a forum or Internet search can yield more details). Just stay level or moving when using the fridge and you should be okay.

The fridge will cool down at the same rate whether using the generator or propane. No difference AFAIK.

Kent

Re: How important is having a generator?

Reply #21 – March 14, 2017, 01:58:51 pm

"The fridge will cool down at the same rate whether using the generator or propane. No difference AFAIK.

Kent"

Kent my experience with cooling rates is different. Our rv's two of which were brand new. The propane always cooled faster and brought the fridge and freezer to much lower temperatures. If I have ice cream in the freezer and running electric it will be like soft serve. But with propane it will be rock hard. I thought maybe I was imagining things. So I searched a large rv forum and the consensus was propane was faster and colder.

Re: How important is having a generator?

Reply #22 – March 14, 2017, 03:27:22 pm

Quote from: Duro - March 14, 2017, 01:58:51 pm

"The fridge will cool down at the same rate whether using the generator or propane. No difference AFAIK.

Kent"

Kent my experience with cooling rates is different. Our rv's two of which were brand new. The propane always cooled faster and brought the fridge and freezer to much lower temperatures. If I have ice cream in the freezer and running electric it will be like soft serve. But with propane it will be rock hard. I thought maybe I was imagining things. So I searched a large rv forum and the consensus was propane was faster and colder.

Ditto!

Re: How important is having a generator?

Reply #23 – March 14, 2017, 03:30:09 pm

Duro,

That's interesting. While at Zion last week, I ran the fridge on shore power and while my Klondike Bars were as you said like "soft serve" my Ben & Jerry's were very solid.

On shorter trips with shore power if I'm looking for "rock solid" Klondikes which I generally prefer, I'll forgo the shore power and stick with the propane.

Gotta have my Klondike Bars.

Thanks,

Kent

Re: How important is having a generator?

Reply #24 – March 14, 2017, 03:40:08 pm

A RV (absorption-type) refrigerator is a bit of an oxymoron, using heat to create cool.

Here's a quick little primer:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cy1W-uWvR9U

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