Crusin in the Coaster

[Deleted]

Onya Jim good to see someone taking their rig away and enjoying it ... just got back from Coolum and while good to be away, we could have done without the 300mm of rain and howling gale on the Friday Still got a good couple of days in Saturday and Sunday though

[kiwijim]

"Gez Doug"
Complaining to a West Aussie about 300mm of rain.......

"How we Wish"

It's a darn pity it had to spoil your week-end though,

Any pretty Pic's to show ?
We could even stand a Pic or two of this thing you call .......rain ;D ;D ;D

[Deleted]

Couple of pics here Jim, wasn't so much the rain (and the fact that it was 300mm in about 300 minutes!!) but the wind that kept us under wraps for the first arvo / night. Still managed to get out to dinner on the Friday night and were all showered by the time we got home ;D ;D

Weekdend was still all good, still had a blast and got to test out the tarp in a bit of weather - we ended up with the open side of the tarp into the wind, its 3.5 meters wide and still the side of the van got wet!!

Cheers
Doug.

[Deleted]

I'm so envious, that looked just amazing.

i can't wait for our road trip so we can experience the joy of it too

I'd like to know what you thought of the cheap genie you bought. I'm guessing you took it with you. I'm looking at buying one before we go.

Cheers
Donna

[kiwijim]

Howdy Donna,

I hope you enjoy yourselves on your up-coming Road Trip,
I know we did.

I think the most enjoyment is seeing something for the first time, something new, and somethings very different.

I don't know if you intend to do Bush Camping or not ?
We did a lot of it and met many different types of people, the majority were very friendly and we talked around many a camp fire on our recent travels.

I think I may have summed up what I think of the New Gennie at "Reply 11" of this tread.

Very happy with it and it does more than what I could wish for,
Just be aware that these Gennie's can be pretty heavy to lift when full of fuel and as I said, they're not the quietest ones around but they sure pack a punch for the price.............

Go for it, Ya can't go wrong at the price.

Have a safe and happy trip Donna, don't for-get the camera,
I think some guys around here only live for the Pic's. ;D ;D ;D

Cheers kiwijim ;D

[Deleted]

Thanks for that kiwijim. I'm really pleased your hapy with it.

Is your genie the same as the one peterg has in his photo? From adventures corner on ebay?

It looks like it only has one outlet. Im wondering if this is a problem. Or the reason they invented powerboards

The other thing that i'm wondering about is the outlet on the genie would be for a standard 10amp plug whereas the caravan requires one of those funky 15 amp plugs.....how does this work

[kiwijim]

Howdy donnymaree,

Yes there is only one outlet for 240v but, it is a 15amp plug.

I found that is all you need,
I run a short 15 amp power lead from the Genny to the inlet socket in the Coaster, this in turn goes through the Circuit Breaker or RDC switch then feeds power to all points inside the bus.

I have installed a 15 amp power outlet on the outside of the Bus, this will feed a second Caravan, no worries.

Yes my Genny is exactly the same as Peterg's,
the only difference is, I believe he managed to score his at a far better price than me. (lucky sod) ;D ;D ;D

I checked on eBay and these Gennie's are still available and some have an Auction closing date very shortly.
the top price at present is only a few hundred bucks, whack a bid in soon Donna, you could get a great deal.

cheers kiwijim

[Deleted]

Thanks for that kiwijim

I've actually done a heap of research into the noise levels. There only seems to be a couple of Db difference between these and a Honda. I already have a a normal generator so i'm going to start it up tonight and get a see what it does.

And yes I do happen to have a noise level meter. It came as a freebie with the sub that I bought my daughter for christmas. How handy is that ;D

it just a pity they don't have the fuel capacity that the older style do.

Now do decide what size I need. 4.4Kva sounds like overkill. But is 3.4 big enough. I know at the moment with the camper, the smaller one would be more than enough, but if I end up buying a caravan, will I need the extra grunt.......

Do you think 3.4Kva would run your van kiwijim

[kiwijim]

I think the safest way to go would be,
Add up the total wattage that you are ever likely to be using at one time,

then add another 20 -25 % to that , then see how many watts you will require from a Genny, by allowing the extra wattage as available power, you ain't likely to strain the Genny.

I agree, 4.4 kw is a heck of a lot of power, in actual fact the true out-put is only 3.7 kw this is far more than we will ever need ( unless there is another free-loader Caravan attached to the Coaster )

While camping in the bush I ran everything at once......

air-con.... 750 watts
microwave 800 "
4 lights 32 "
t,v. 60 "
...............
1642 watts or 1.642 kw

So in fact a 2.5 kw Genny would have been alright.
But as I have said, when they are so cheap, why not go the whole hog ?

As far as the noise level goes, I think there is only about 4 DB difference between my Genny and one of Honda brand, and sitting in a box on the rear of the Bus, it didn't worry us at all.

Cheers kiwijim

[Deleted]

Just be aware that SPL is not measured in a linear scale; a dB rise of 4dB is less in terms of what you actually hear at the lower end of the scale than it is at the higher end of the scale ...

For example its very easy to increase 4dB from a 50dB start, and very hard to do the same from a 90dB start.

I have always thought that dB readings are fairly worthless for this reason to the average user of sound related products..

Just my 2 bobs worth; whens the next trip Jim???

[Deleted]

Can you explain that in layman terms please.......

Or if it already is, I'm trouble because it didn't make any sence to me

I know SPL stands Sound Pressure Level. ;D

[Deleted]

In a nutshell all it means is that the extra 4 dB in terms of the sound intensity depends on where you are starting from, from lower levels it is less of an increase in intensity.

That is my layman's explaination of it, as explained to me by someone who should know - but I am no sound tech or any sort of expert, happy to be corrected if I am wrong!

I was just trying to point out the dB readings may not be as reliable as your earhole!

Cheers
Doug.

[Deleted]

hmmmm.....so i guess it could almost double the sound level.

I'll see what my old one runs at, but i'm still pretty keen on one of these genies

thanks for the input

[kiwijim]

As far as I'm concerned,

Chuck that D.B. reader out the window and don't worry about the little difference in volume,

it's hardly anything to worry about when you consider what you are getting for the money.

R.R.P ......almost $3.000

Sale ...around $ 600.00 or less ;D ;D

kiwijim

[Deleted]

I picked up the 4.4 about a week ago for $510. I put a bid in each night and got this on the 4th go. Someone bid $565 and they are only 600 to buy outright.

[Deleted]

I too bought one of these about 3 weeks ago. $565 delivered.

I needed a generator as a backup for no power in houses, to run work equipment up to around 3500 watts.


It cannot supply 3200 watts continuous as rated, more like 3000 watts. Just cuts out above 3000 watts.

Anyway thats not a big deal.

The battery went flat after 10 days, so I went looking where they hide the battery, same place where you connect the wires as per the unpacking instructions.
Couldn't find the battery at first so unscrewed the black cover with the display, 3 pin socket, etc on it. Was going to trace the wires to the battery.

What concerned me was the 240v wiring could easily touch the 12 volt wires.
Now this machine vibrates alot when running on econo mode ( too the point where the RCD plug I had in fell out of the 3 pin socket from the vibration, real handy on the job).

The two wires could possibly rub through each other & cause a nasty short. Think 240v going through 12v battery.

Do your own google search on this model "XG-SF3700" or "Fuji Micro", there is plenty of talk both good and not so good on various caravan forums.

I believe this is a Yamaha knock off thats come through the back door of China, cost around $150 to make. There is a bucket load of them for sale on the internet. You can even buy direct from the China Manufacturer.

The battery going flat problem is easily fixed by an isolating switch on the 12v battery circuit.

Personally I think they are a little beauty, remote start doesn't get any easier, small and compact, doesn't require two persons to lift, cheap to run & reasonable quiet when running. 2 speed. Display showing power info & running time.

Parts could be a problem if it breaks down though!

Have used it around 5 times now, runs sweet, I has paid for it's self in no down time on the job. And I might even use it to power my Franklin Hunter when on holidays.

My 2 cents worth, got the thumbs up from me!!!!

Scotty

[Deleted]

I bought one last night on ebay for $510.....

Very happy, hope the delivery is quick.

Might get a vibration pad to sit it on if thats a problem.

A new toy to play with, yay ;D

[kiwijim]

Congratulations donnymaree,

"Strike Me" at $510.00 that's $95.00 cheaper than what I payed,

I wonder if I can get a Pensioner rebate. ;D ;D ;D

I haven't noticed any vibrations with my Genny at low speed,
there is a slight miss though, but nothing to worry about.

I have had the same problem with the battery not holding the charge after sitting for a while,
that's nothing, a couple of pulls with the string and with-in 20min the battery is charged again.

Under heavy load it runs very smooth,

still happy with it. ;D ;D ;D


kiwijim

[kiwijim]

Howdy Crusindoug,

I just noticed your question back at Reply #34,

Our next trip is planed for around July,
This ,we hope will be a slow cruise through the High Country in Northern Victoria.

It's many many years since this Kiwi has seen some Snow and after this flamin hot Summer we have had,
it will be great to get into some cooler weather.

We look forward to seeing some Change of Season Color through-out the trip, hopefully getting many more pics,
even if it's only to make others hurry up and finish their vans, so they too can get on the road. ;D ;D ;D

Have any of you Victorians got any suggestions as to which way to go,? what to see,? where to camp,?
What we want to see is Scenery, Snow, Lakes, and feel some really fresh air. ? ? ? also keeping well away from the large citys.

Cheers kiwijim

[barkpaint]

Kiwijim, I have recently discovered Bright via Wangaratta. Wineries and cheeses in the Millawa region, are superb. Bright... may miss the autumn colour changes, they are incredible.
And of course you can go through Kelly country. (as in Ned....) Mountain scenery amazing... cheers Heather

[kiwijim]

Thanks for that Heather,

That's the sort of info we are looking for,

Yes, we may miss the Autumn color change "Darn"
but we may be in time to see something of the Spring Blossoms in the Vine yards, and no doubt have a go at a spot of wine tasting.

I traveled through Ned Country many years ago but, at the wrong time of the year, "Boy" it can get just as hot as Perth there as well.

We would like to travel through an area that has plenty of lakes and scenic stops along the way,
we have no particular destination, just rambling along, stopping where there is a good camp site and enjoying our time.

Cheers kiwijim

[barkpaint]

Kiwijim, not much in that line where I am in Bendigo. Beechworth is also a good stop. Can Highly recommend the Rose Hill Winery, good stuff. Not much of a drinker myself, used it for mums 90th birthday celebration... not in any way connected to my cousin Kevin, err... yes, lots around that area.
Coming from central Victoria, nice and flat, driving towards the mountains, I could not contain myself. look Col, look at the mountains, look Col.... it astounded me. The memory still does. The river at Bright was beautiful to see, middle of hot summer, would be very interesting in winter.

[kiwijim]

Howdy Barkpaint,

Since you mentioned the Town of Bright, I have spent heaps of time Goggling it.

This place looks just like what we want to see,
the pictures we have seen of the Autumn color change are fantastic.

Going by the tourist info, the best time to visit there is between April and June, so "By Heck" we are going to make it some-where in those dates.
We will be coming down from Mildura, through Wangaratta, so as
It sounds like you have driven the Alpine Hwy, ?
Can you give us some idea what it is like in general, ? any really steep bits or bad corners, ? just thinking of the poor Ole Coaster, hate to burn it's heart out and have to walk home. ;D

Cheers kiwijim

[barkpaint]

Hi Kiwijim, talk about coincidence, we are going to Wangaratta and Bright this coming weekend. We are delivering paintings for the Bright Art Show which is on during April thru May, so you have something else to look at in Bright... www.colbrownbushart.com.au , my husbands paintings. I have asked Col, the coaster can handle the drive from Wang to Bright, no probs, not so sure after Bright. Could ask my son as he has gone further on the Alpine Highway. There are some big mountains after Bright. So don't forget the art show if you get there...cheers Heather
p.s. will double check the road from Wang to Bright and get back to you next week....

[barkpaint]

Back from Bright, via Wangaratta. Road would be no problems, in the coaster. We have only been to Wang via Bendigo, Huntly, Violet Town and Murchison. (Beware painted Cows, or enjoy same) Got eaten by mozzies near the Campaspe river. Some very pretty country to be enjoyed to whole trip.
Do take your woolly jimjams to Bright ibn winter. Spectacular sights, nice little town, very touristy for the ski season.