Posted on 14/05/2019 10:42
Dear all to give us total flexibility we've been considering buying a generator to run the electrics in the van, Microwave is the big user as gas will cover the rest unless Ive forgotten something?
I saw someone use a Honda gennie a few years ago for all their needs. I have a Lunar Clubman ES.
Any help would be gratefully received.
Kind regards
Derek
Posted on 18/05/2019 15:19
M, are all CS/CL supposed to be non-EHU then? sorry, didn't realise that.
i chose the CS for its location, it happened to have EHU, so what.
but as you well know, I use sites of different types all over Europe and if it comes with EHU (as part of the cost) ill happily use it...other sites (aires, less formal stopping places) don't have it....I'm equally happy on each with their different power provisions....
I'm an advocate of not being tied to sites with EHU, i like the flexibility.
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Posted on 18/05/2019 11:39 by Cornersteadyyou keep saying that gas does a better job but while you can change the laws of shoe making you canae change the laws of physics BB.
I have told you this many times. Electric passes on almost 100% while gas loses about 30% of its energy out the flue. Kilowatt for kilowatt electric heating is more efficient in terms of heating than gas, as a certain volume of air/water takes the same energy in heating it by 1C.
In using inverters, SP... all you are doing is being sophisticated in providing what EHU would do. It is a work around that is all. Of course if it was that good we'd have in it all homes (and that may well happen but not at present) and not the way I want to live while on holiday.
And all very sophisticated till the battery runs out, of course it won't because you have to be careful, again not what I want to do on holiday.
Posted on 18/05/2019 15:47
Corners, you seem to be getting all hot and bothered over nothing....I'll ignore the intention 'shoe maker' jibe, a bit petty in a nice little thread like this don't you think?...
remember 'man and ball'.....and pot and kettle
if a SP and inverter, and a cheap gas supply isn't for you, that's fine....but in respect of the OP, it's a good alternative to a generator.
from an end user perspective, gas is far more efficient in that it does the same job far more quickly and costs far less to do it....that's good enough in my book.
also there are are real savings to be made for those using non EHU CL/CS...
and who needs to be careful with battery power when it's being replenished every day....mine are always full soon after breakfast and what did we need to be 'careful' about the day/night before? nothing.
we would cook, heat the water, wash up, watch TV, charge the phones/iPads, put the lights on, use electric blankets if needed...can't see any economies there....
seems to be a useful system that offers choice and flexibility and a savings for those who look at it like that...
and, returning to the op, clean and quiet, not noisy and smelly
no one is forcing you to 'slum it' or return to some uncivilised state, it's just a suggestion (from several quarters) to the OP....
why so anti when it's not something that interests you?
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Posted on 18/05/2019 15:19 by young thomasM, are all CS/CL supposed to be non-EHU then? sorry, didn't realise that.
i chose the CS for its location, it happened to have EHU, so what.
but as you well know, I use sites of different types all over Europe and if it comes with EHU (as part of the cost) ill happily use it...other sites (aires, less formal stopping places) don't have it....I'm equally happy on each with their different power provisions....
I'm an advocate of not being tied to sites with EHU, i like the flexibility.
Posted on 18/05/2019 16:18
"M, are all CS/CL supposed to be non-EHU then? sorry, didn't realise that.
i chose the CS for its location, it happened to have EHU, so what."
Nice try BB, but as I suspect you realise, it wasn't the sites I was wondering about. It's just interesting that you're often imploring others to forego the orange umbilical, and yet, even with all that sunshine you were enjoying, you still chose to use it yourself. Did the THS you were on not give you the option? Maybe the SP/inverter world isn't all it's cracked up to be? Your choice of course, no problem with that.
As for me, I make no bones about it, I'll use EHU every time. 
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Posted on 18/05/2019 18:04
it's not difficult guys, (though this seems like pulling teeth) sometimes we do, sometimes we don't....either way it makes little difference.
we camp all over the place, and around half of our 80 odd nights away this spring were non EHU.
if that's not enough for you (and your notebooks) I'll try harder from now on.
either way, is t a solar panel, a decent battery or two and possibly an inverter much nicer (to be next to) than a generator?
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Posted on 18/05/2019 18:04 by young thomasit's not difficult guys, (though this seems like pulling teeth) sometimes we do, sometimes we don't....either way it makes little difference.
we camp all over the place, and around half of our 80 odd nights away this spring were non EHU.
if that's not enough for you (and your notebooks) I'll try harder from now on.
either way, is t a solar panel, a decent battery or two and possibly an inverter much nicer (to be next to) than a generator?
Posted on 18/05/2019 18:17
either way, is t a solar panel, a decent battery or two and possibly an inverter much nicer (to be next to) than a generator?
Well done, I'm glad you have finally come round to agreeing with this point that DevonBoy made on page 3 when you started posting
Posted on 18/05/2019 18:13 by moulesyFair enough, BB, and yes, I agree with your final sentence.
But maybe lay off all the, possibly unintentional, criticism of those who do prefer to use EHU for their stays?
Posted on 18/05/2019 18:28
Many years ago I seriously considered buying a genny. I did the sums, looked at the pros and cons and talked with fellow vanners. My conclusion was I didn't buy one and the main three reasons were the disturbance to site & fellow occupants, having to store petrol somewhere in the van and the extra weight required to transport the extra equipment and fuel.
In the end I went for solar, an extra battery and an inverter. Must say the weight issue remained though to some extent but I very rarely pack my inverter these days as I really only used it for my espresso first thing in the morning and since buying a Nanopresso (excellent bit of kit) that need has disappeared. All other 230volt equipment I manage without with gas grill, hob and oven doing the jobs.
DevonBoy13