Know that I have learned that my All-in-None Battery Jumper is for naught...

Anyone have any experience with those Gas/Diesel Generators?

I saw several people using them at the campsite (newbee here) and it seems to make sense (if your camp site isn't wired)

Maybe it serves a niche, or can emergency jump start a F250 truck on a cold day?

Or more expensive and bulky and heavy than it's worth?

Thoughts?

g

 

This really isn't the right forum for it, but...

You can expect to pay between $300-$3,000 for a gas generator, depending on how much power you want and how quiet you want that power to be. You can get a cheap, Chinese made 2,000 watt generator for around $300. A standard 5-6,000 watt generator can be had for around $600, but is very loud and not something you're gonna want in a campsite.

Or you can spend the big bucks(~$1,000) for not a lot of power(1,000 W) and quiet. This is the only thing I can see as being appropriate for a campsite...but they're not cheap!

 

The only reason I suggest it (here) is that I am driving an "old" F250 ('99) and I did have my 1st dead battery problem this last Winter (replaced 'em but, as I later learned, not with the "highest" calibure batteries...)

I was thinking, as I do more and more camping, it might not be a bad idea to have a generator along for some remote emergency "jump" ? ? ?

I also keep my bike (BMW F650) in a garage w/o an outlet and I don't ride as much as I'd like to (with work and all) and it might not be a bad idea to run the generator every now and then with the battery tender to keep the bike's battery charged....

g

 

Remember, though, a generator will NOT produce 12V current, only 120V AC current that would not jump a 12V truck or bike.

It would certainly power a battery charger, or probably even a plug-in jump starter.

You got me curious, so I started looking around...something like this may be what you're looking for.

 

Jump starting your truck, or charging your bike battery at home, are not good reasons for owning a generator. There are better ways to get those jobs done.

But camping is a good reason to own one. You didn't say if you pull an RV or tent camp. How elaborate are your camping adventures?

On the minimum side, this generator is an excellent value for the occasional user:
http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/w...3480_200313480

If you had to buy one every couple of years it would still be a good value, and reports are that they run very well. They are a little loud, but not too bad. It's a 2 stroke motor. It would handle the load of a battery charger easily.

If you have an RV you are going to want a more serious generator. I personnally have a 2k Honda EU2000. It's quiet, runs great, and is lightweight like a suitcase. But it's pricey at about $1k. It won't run my AC unit, but it runs my microwave fine. It's main purpose is to protect and serve my travel trailer battery bank.

Not true. Most portable generators have a DC plug for 12V batteries. Typically about an 8 amp output. Generally you are going to be better off using some kind of external battery charger or converter. I have not seen much use for the DC plug, but it's there.

 

There are generators that put out 12vdc, I have a 1200 watt one up in my hunting camp. Not sure what brand, one of the chinese cheapies, cost about $150. Use it mostly for lights. It's a 2 stroke, fairly quiet and reliable although you will get some fluctuation. It has 2 120 outlets and 1 12v outlet. It will charge a battery but wouldn't jump start a dead rig. I have a spare battery that I keep charged up in a battery box that I take along when we go camping, just in case. We usually go out in the mountains though and avoid campgrounds.

 

A great genset is the Honda Eu2000. It is so quiet, most campgrounds will let you run it all night if needed. Pre-2009 you can pair two of them (with a kit) and have double the power. The new version (2009), has the doubling kit built in. All gensets should be assumed to provide about 2/3-3/4 of their rated power, so do the math on stuff you want to plug in. With Honda, you can't break it adding too much stuff- it just stops working until you shed the excess load. And; its a Honda! Change the oil and air filter 1x a year- and it will last forever. They can pretty easily be found new for about $900. They are also very light and easily hand carried, and they have outstanding run time on a tank of gas.

http://www.hondapowerequipment.com/P...elid=EU2000IAN

* 2000 watts (16.7 A) of Honda Inverter 120V AC Power
* Super quiet - 53 to 59 dB(A)
* Lightweight (less than 47 lbs.)
* Eco-Throttle - runs up to 15 hr on 1 gal. of fuel
* Advanced inverter technology provides reliable power to computers and other sensitive equipment
* 12v - 8.0A DC output
* Parallel with another EU2000i for additional power
* Protected by Oil Alert®
* Power for microwave, refrigerators, hair dryer, and small AC units
* USDA-qualifed spark arrestor/muffler
* 3 year residential and commercial warranty

Click link for more information
EU2000i Specifications
Engine Honda GX100
Displacement 98.5cc
AC Output 120V 2000W max. (16.7A) 1600W rated (13.3A)
Receptacles 20A 125V Duplex
DC Output 12V, 96W (8A)
Starting System Recoil
Fuel Tank Capacity 0.95
Run Time per Tankful 4hrs. @ rated load, 15 hrs. @ 1/4 load
Dimensions (L x W x H) 20.1" x 11.4" x 16.7"
Noise Level 59 dB @ rated load 53dB @ 1/4 load
Dry Weight 46.3 lbs.
Residential Warranty 3 Years
Commercial Warranty 3 Years

 

Thanx for all the suggestions!

I kinda like the Honda tank-o-gas generator. I don't have an... elaborate... camping site. A Sportz Tent over the back of the truck, a couple of laterns and a stove for hot meals. I just started last week but I could see myself heading out at least once a month for a three day weekend in that Catskills or Adirondacks.

Other than an emergency jump and inflating the Aero Mattress (which I just replaced with a Truck bed mattress for a better fit and cig adapter pump) I got caught in the rain on one of those days and it would have been nice to pop in a DVD or two while I waited it out... as it was, my DVD player died out just as Charley and Ewan were entering the Ukraine.

g