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01-27-2015, 12:26 PM
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#1
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: North Vancouver, British Columbia
Trailer: 5.0
Posts: 181
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600 watt Yamaha generator?
I haven't tried using it yet to top up the trailers batteries, the 600w. generator, but have been thinking about it. The thought being the 95 watt solar panel seems to do a fine job, so why not this generator. I'm interested in your thoughts.
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01-27-2015, 12:29 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Southern Alberta, Alberta
Trailer: 2015 Escape 5.0TA
Posts: 1,734
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Hi Al
Small, quiet and works on overcast days, in the shade and even at night.
Whats not to like, I think it would be a good supplement to the solar.
Cheers
Doug
__________________
Cheers
Doug
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01-27-2015, 12:48 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Janesville, WI, Wisconsin
Trailer: Escape 19 (sold) Escape 21 2014
Posts: 1,882
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At one time I was in your shoes. For me it was boondocking and running out of battery. I knew something had to be done. A generator was on the top of the list. I read what I could and determined that the Honda was the only way to go, seeing them but not hearing them convinced me even more.
Further research pointed out three deal killers for me. Where to transport the bugger, how to keep it from growing legs and walking away and how to carry fuel? I did not have the luxury of a truck bed (and you may not either, now or in the future) and was not interested in fabricating a tongue bracket.
I am now on my second solar unit, the first went with my 19 trailer during the sale. Both have been portable because I am often in deep forests for extended times and have to search out the sun. Researching and installing the units has been fun and I have learned a great deal. The solar unit is 120 watts and folds for storage in the wardrobe. I do not take it on all trips. It plugs into an outlet (inlet) on the side of the Escape with a common extension cord giving me a number of distance options by using different length and gauge extension cords.
It does not charge while traveling down the highway, but then the tow vehicle does give the battery a bit of a boost while driving. Depending on location I can be using it every day, always trying to keep the batteries topped off and never knowing when a series of sunless days might appear. It works very well, it does require a few minutes to set up, probably about the same time as a generator requires. Depending on trees, sun angle and campsite it does take more ongoing maintenance to move it to the sunny spot and get the best angle.
Best of all, I never hear it.
__________________
Paul and Janet Braun
2003 Toyota 4Runner V8 now 2012 Toyota Sequoia V8
Escape 19' 2010 now 2014 Escape 21'
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01-27-2015, 12:50 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: North Vancouver, British Columbia
Trailer: 5.0
Posts: 181
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Thanks for your comments Doug.
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01-27-2015, 12:58 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Southern Alberta, Alberta
Trailer: 2015 Escape 5.0TA
Posts: 1,734
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Not so Big Al
Thanks for your comments Doug.
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Thanks Al I forgot to mention its also great around the house when the power goes out....
Cheers
Doug
__________________
Cheers
Doug
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01-27-2015, 01:03 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: North Vancouver, British Columbia
Trailer: 5.0
Posts: 181
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Hi Paul I'm considering adding a second solar panel to the roof as well but I do already have the generator, we bought it when we had our Westphalia. We had Dual 12 volts batteries installed on the Westy and a 50 watt solar panel which made me a believer in solar too. The wet coast is unfortunately not as sunny as a lot of the continent is.
Al
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01-28-2015, 11:36 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: North Vancouver, British Columbia
Trailer: 5.0
Posts: 181
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Hello Ray N
I don't know why your post does not show up here but I will respond. Our previous experience with solar panels has taught us it's good to have a back-up. For instance, while camping along the the Bow River near Calgary the cold and lack of sun light depleted our batteries to a point where everything was near shut down. I'm always cautious about about putting all my eggs in one basket since then. I will inform the forum as to how this works out when I have something meaningful to say.
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01-28-2015, 11:45 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: Bend, Oregon
Trailer: 2015 Escape 21
Posts: 146
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Not so Big Al
Hello Ray N
I don't know why your post does not show up here but I will respond. Our previous experience with solar panels has taught us it's good to have a back-up. For instance, while camping along the the Bow River near Calgary the cold and lack of sun light depleted our batteries to a point where everything was near shut down. I'm always cautious about about putting all my eggs in one basket since then. I will inform the forum as to how this works out when I have something meaningful to say.
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A very good point- I don't want to be limited to one or two power sources. I plan on using a combination of dual 6 volt batteries, 160 watt solar, a portable generator, and/or shore power. A small, quiet, portable generator is a handy item, both on the road and at home.
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01-29-2015, 12:22 AM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: North Vancouver, British Columbia
Trailer: 2009 Escape 17B 2020 Toyota Highlander XLE
Posts: 17,136
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My Honda 1000 rides in the aisle of the trailer. At camp it sits outside with all the other stuff, unless we are away from camp. Then it goes in the back of the RAV. The gas cap has a shut off for the vent so fumes aren't an issue.
The 4 litre gas can goes in my cargo box at the rear. I used to have it tied to the battery box, but somebody borrowed my gas one night and neglected to replace the cap.
__________________
What happens to the hole when the cheese is gone?
- Bertolt Brecht
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01-29-2015, 05:37 AM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Southwick, Massachusetts
Trailer: None, sold my 2014 5.0TA
Posts: 7,124
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Do they make a 600W generator? I see 1000's.
I have a Honda 2000, have yet to need to refill it while on a 2 week trip, these things do not burn much gas. I fill it up before leaving and don't take extra, if needed I'd hit a gas station.
There is quite a long run time to charge the batteries with it, I wonder how long it would take with a 600 watt. I like the idea of running the generator for a few hours to get the batteries up to roughly 80%, then let a solar panel top it off from there. Even at a relatively quiet 60 db's, the sound gets old quick, at least to us.
On the Honda, the gas cap has an off and on setting, supposedly in the off you would get no fumes from it. While I have a truck, I have stored it just inside the camper door when parked at a campsite and I'm off running around. In the off position you could keep it in the TV when you are back on site and not using it. At under 30 lbs it wouldn't be much of a hassle to move back and forth.
For security I just use a Python cable lock wrapped tight around the generator going through the handle. Then use a 2nd to lock it to the rear bumper. Of course a crook can cut it, but I've not heard of such happening. There are other ways but this is sufficient for me.
__________________
Happy Motoring
Bob
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01-29-2015, 06:50 AM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Asheville, North Carolina
Trailer: 2014 Escape 19
Posts: 895
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__________________
Kevin
Thanks to the interstate highway system, it is now possible to travel across the country from coast to coast without seeing anything - Charles Kuralt
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01-29-2015, 08:39 AM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2013
Location: ..., New Mexico
Trailer: 2013 Esc19/'14 Silvrado
Posts: 4,193
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Was chatting with a fellow Quartzsite camper last week who told me he heard over the last year 18 portable generators got stolen. Just sayin'.
__________________
Myron
"A billion here, a billion there...add it all up and before you know it you're talking real money." Everett Dirkson
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01-29-2015, 09:47 AM
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#13
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Southwick, Massachusetts
Trailer: None, sold my 2014 5.0TA
Posts: 7,124
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Hi Myron, Never been there but are these generators out where it can be seen and possibly stolen?
__________________
Happy Motoring
Bob
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01-29-2015, 10:29 AM
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#14
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Kelowna, British Columbia
Trailer: 2008 Escape 17b
Posts: 1,868
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Quote:
Originally Posted by padlin
Hi Myron, Never been there but are these generators out where it can be seen and possibly stolen?
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My guess is yes, they were seen, and yes, they were stolen.
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01-29-2015, 11:46 AM
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#15
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Surrey, British Columbia
Trailer: 2015 Escape 21
Posts: 699
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We have a Honda 2000W generator for two reasons. We are often camped in shade and/or under cloudy skies PLUS we need to charge the battery for our Minnkota boat motor every few days anyway so we do both at the same time. We secure it to our trailer bumper with a bike cable and a keyed lock. I guess the likelihood of it being stolen depends on where you are camping. I know of one lake where the locals are known to steal equipment and I would hesitate to leave my generator outside the truck, even with a cable and lock. Other places we camp and fish I haven't heard of any thefts. In general, near towns and cities I worry about theft more and keep it in my truck (locked canopy) when not in use.
Bob K
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01-29-2015, 12:01 PM
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#16
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: North Vancouver, British Columbia
Trailer: 5.0
Posts: 181
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Thanks for your responses Glen and Bob. You probably can't find it because it's 20yrs. old but is hardly used, my wife can't stand listening to it either.
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01-29-2015, 12:06 PM
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#17
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: North Vancouver, British Columbia
Trailer: 5.0
Posts: 181
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Bobbito
We have a Honda 2000W generator for two reasons. We are often camped in shade and/or under cloudy skies PLUS we need to charge the battery for our Minnkota boat motor every few days anyway so we do both at the same time. We secure it to our trailer bumper with a bike cable and a keyed lock. I guess the likelihood of it being stolen depends on where you are camping. I know of one lake where the locals are known to steal equipment and I would hesitate to leave my generator outside the truck, even with a cable and lock. Other places we camp and fish I haven't heard of any thefts. In general, near towns and cities I worry about theft more and keep it in my truck (locked canopy) when not in use.
Bob K
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I agree lock away everything easily moved sad isn't it.
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01-29-2015, 01:17 PM
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#18
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: O town, British Columbia
Trailer: 2014 Escape 21 "Lightning"
Posts: 1,467
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One poster from another forum "altered" his brand new gennie to look ... like a piece of garbage. He was pleased with the results and in his mind, taking the shine off made it less noticeable.
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01-29-2015, 08:18 PM
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#19
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Solvang, California
Trailer: 2016 21' Escape (usetaowna a 19, a Burro and 2 Casitas)
Posts: 842
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Some people just don't like generators. I'm not one of them. OK, OK, all generator owners aren't created equal. We all know dummies who crank 'em up to watch Honey Boo Boo in crowded campgrounds. I wouldn't think of cranking mine up if it would bother others. For folks who want one, tho why not get the one that's going to really be of value.
I have a Honda 2000i. Seems like it is the optimum generator for topping batteries, running the ac, microwave, coffee pot and using at home to power my refrig and a couple lights if the power goes out. Uses very little gas and has the same db rating as the 1000 and the smaller ones. So why mess with a smaller one that really won't do much of anything besides provide cloudy days insurance for the batteries?
G
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01-29-2015, 08:26 PM
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#20
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Kelowna, British Columbia
Trailer: 2008 Escape 17b
Posts: 1,868
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It seems to me that people that use generators always like to put them on the far side of their trailer which essentially becomes my picnic table area. I'm for no generators unless boondocking.
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