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 #1 – February 08, 2022, 06:08:07 am It's Official: Generator Ban Passes in California - RV MILES“ The new regulation does not apply to diesel or propane generators, but it will apply to gasoline generators mounted in an RV.”Sounds like it includes the current Lazy Daze, though just gas generators.
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. 2 Likes
Re: California ban on portable generators Reply #3 – February 08, 2022, 11:45:09 am This will at last force the generator manufacturers to adopt modern pollution controls on their small gas engines.This isn't a huge deal, small, street-legal motorcycles have had closed-loop electronic fuel injection for years, it's now off-the-shelf technology. A small catalytic converter can also be added.The same technology can be applied to gas generators and lawn equipment. There is no question that most lawn equipment can be replaced with battery power, the conversion will not be cheap but in the long-run, battery-powered equipment can be cheaper to operate.To satisfied the world's carbon reduction goals, just about every hydrocarbon engine will eventually be replaced with batteries or a non-polluting energy source, such as hydrogen. Lots of changes ahead.Larry 2 Likes
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 1 Likes
Re: California ban on portable generators Reply #5 – May 01, 2022, 09:48:31 am Another article from RVTravel:https://www.rvtravel.com/california-generator-ban-turns-voltage-reader-comments-rvt-1050b/
Re: California ban on portable generators Reply #6 – May 01, 2022, 12:11:38 pm Quote from: HiLola - May 01, 2022, 09:48:31 amAnother 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 #7 – May 01, 2022, 01:59:41 pm With the lithium & solar I am adding, I don’t need the generator, and it’s just a monthly chore to run it.Would love to remove it, but the next owner probably would want it.
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 1 Likes
Re: California ban on portable generators Reply #9 – May 01, 2022, 04:01:24 pm I like the redundancy of a generator in a RV, especially since Nocona only has one 100 watt solar panel and the stock AGM batteries. My previous 1985 TK did not have a generator or solar so both are much appreciated! A RV generator can also be used as backup power for home use during our California power outages.Greg, wearing suspenders and a belt as I type. 😆 1 Likes