On Jan 10, 7:31*am, Larry L wrote:
On Jan 9, 12:35*pm, DaveS wrote:

Suggestions and experience welcome. I need a smaller generator for use
with my camper. The Camper is a lance 825, no AC. I presently cart in
a couple of marine 12 volt batteries. With use confined to lights I am
good for 4 nites on one fully charged battery. I want to be able to
run the occasional power drill, recharge 12 volt bats, and some small
appliances, like radio, dvd , maybe a small power saw, maybe a small
ceramic heater.

Brand and model Suggestions? How to Plug in to Camper panal? Noise?

I have a Honda .... it's only noisy in comparison to true quiet. *A
double semi-truck full of gravel wrecked my last trailer a number of
years ago and I salvaged the power cord from it to make an extra heavy
extension cord. * Using it plus the built in cord I get the generator
about 60 or more feet from the rig and, usually, it never bothers me.

I seldom start it however, living 5 month/ year off of two RV/Marine
batteries kept up by solar panels. * The installation I have was DIY
and probably far from optimum. * It cost considerably *less than the
generator ( and I got a family price as my brother-in-law worked for a
Honda dealer ). * *I run small things like OTT lights for tying off
the batteries via a small inverter. * * About the only time I start
the Honda is for a few minutes a time to run the microwave, maybe
twice a month. *I would rate the solar panels as THE single best
investment I've made in my long term camping experience.

If I was to change trailers I would get a top end solar panel/inverter
system. * I know several troutbums that live full-time in trailers
with top end solar systems that do everything, color TV, computer,
that ( IMHO) a reasonable person would want while 'camping' and NEVER
start a generator. * *Such systems ain't cheap, but neither are good
generators or the gas to feed them.

I can recommend the Honda for things like your drill/saw ... maybe
heater ( but the gas cost will likely equal propane costs if you have
a built in propane unit ) ... mine has been without problems of any
kind ( wood knocked ) and is 10 years old.

Thanx Larry. I am curious about your solar set up. What do you get out
of your system (Watts)? What panels do you recommend/use? Where do you
mount them so as to prevent breakage?

What systems have you seen per the "trout bums" you mentioned? Advise?
Dave