Lazy Daze Owners' Group

California ban on portable generators

February 08, 2022, 02:20:58 am

It still isn't clear to me whether a generator built in to a motorhome is considered 'portable' or not.  I'm sure this will affect Lazy Daze by 2024, or not.  In most respects the alternator attached to automobile engines is also portable.
    Will LD just put larger, or a second alternator on the Ford V8 engine, and call it the house battery charging system?  They probably can continue making them with Onan and such as now, but will only be able to sell them out of state.  As a resident of Ca. will I be able to bring one in from another state if I don't get a Lazy Daze. I don't see LD moving out of state, so that may hasten their end as a manufacturer.  Thor and Fleetwood still manufacture RV's in California.
     Maybe you could take delivery without a genset, but have it prepped for one.  Go to another state and have one installed, to bring back into Ca?  Buy a few gensets before the ban, store them until my new '24 MB is produced, and have it installed in my LD, perhaps by LD. Suitable age and provenance provided?
     I'm updating my 22 year old 'TK now because time is speeding by and I'm not getting any younger. I had planned to have a MB  (as Tedeboy did a few months ago) on order.  
     I could see 2kw solar on the roof, and 1000 AH of Lithium with a 27 foot E450.  Might run the A/C for a day or so. A standard 15KBTUH A/C would need maybe 4kw to run it straight and store some energy for night use.    RonB

Re: California ban on portable generators

Reply #2 – February 08, 2022, 10:56:35 am

Here’s an interesting article on this legislation:  California generator ban – What does it mean for RVers? - RV Travel
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Re: California ban on portable generators

Reply #4 – February 08, 2022, 12:13:32 pm

Agree with Larry, this is a positive that will lead to innovation.

The easiest way around this law is for a RV manufacturer to install a propane generator as propane and diesel generators were excluded from the law.

But smart manufacturers will ditch the generator completely, use the weight savings to add an extra alternator, lithium batteries, inverter and more solar.   You’ll see more setups like this  No Generator RV

Re: California ban on portable generators

Reply #6 – May 01, 2022, 12:11:38 pm

Quote from: HiLola  -  May 01, 2022, 09:48:31 am

Another article from RVTravel:

https://www.rvtravel.com/california-generator-ban-turns-voltage-reader-comments-rvt-1050b/

The proposed emission rules appear to allow charging of coach batteries using the RV's pollution-controlled engine's alternator, something that has been done in some Sprinter-based RVs.
The new E450 V8 engine can have an available second, optional 250-amp alternator installed. This would be perfect for charging a bank of lithium batteries. In an hour of run time, it could fully charge a 200-amp-hour battery, there is no need for a separate generator.
The other cure is adding a roof full of solar panels. Newer panels are small, more efficient, lighter, and cheaper than they were a few years ago....and very quiet.
Separate generators are passe.

Larry

Re: California ban on portable generators

Reply #8 – May 01, 2022, 03:48:39 pm

Dave,

I’ve got tons of solar and a large lithium battery bank. This set up is no guarantee of a fully charged system.

Clouds and tree cover (never know what site you may get) will put a damper on any solar system. I’ve had several occasions when the sun provided less than optimum power. Losing 15 to 20 percent charge daily due to unfavourable sun conditions will quickly shorten a Boondocking stay.

A generator can save the day when necessary. My rigs genny can take my battery bank from 40% back to 100% in under 2 hours. This takes the worry out of a gloomy day.

Yeah generators are a little noisy but worth their weight in gold.

Kent