Why generators SUCK for camping

Basically every generator on the market is next to useless for the average four wheel driver. The normal generator puts out 240V. Next to nothing you need when camping runs on 240v, you need 12V. That will run your fridge, flouro lights, water pumps and recharge your batteries.

Here’s the catch. To get 240V down to 12V means a battery charger. Most battery chargers only put out 4 – 8 Amps depending on the model. Expensive versions put out 10 – 16A but will cost $150-$400. Assuming the average person uses approx 40A/H per day, that’s going to take 4 – 8 hours to be replaced.

Some generators have a 12V output. It’s rated at 4 – 6 Amps. You are still looking at 4 – 8 hours runtime.

Now lets look at a car alternator. They produce 12V directly at 40A minimum in an old car. My Cruiser is 120A from factory. Most are over 80A. It’ll recharge 24Hr discharge in half an hour (if your battery can accept that much that fast).

All your stuff runs on 12V and what doesn’t can run on an inverter for the time needed. Switch mode power supplies (Laptops, Phones, Camcorders etc) are happy running off a cheap $40 inverter. They do NOT need sine wave inverters to be happy, as they convert straight back to DC anyway. Sine wave inverters are good for things with coils in them – motors and transformers.

What we need is a  high output 12V generator based on a car alternator. Currently the only one avaialable is from Christie Engineering. Nice toy, but expensive, and a little loud, not like the quiet Honda’s. A tiny diesel version would be nice too, run it off the car fuel tank. Any chinese importers want to step up to the plate, I reckon you would have an excellent market.

I have made one in the past, but it was bulkier than the Christie unit, belt driven, and needed more HP due to the RPM requirements. ie. It’s not quite simple, but it’s definately do-able.