Brian1 Posted October 23, 2010 Share Posted October 23, 2010 I am considering the major purchas (£3000+) of an Efoy 1600. Now to old to carry my Honda generator 2Kw around, this may be the answer to my charging problems when away from mains. Can anyone give me any details about reliability in use and costs of running one of these units. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Randonneur Posted October 23, 2010 Share Posted October 23, 2010 Instead of an Efoy why not look into one of these in the UK. We have recently seen one on a French motorhome and it runs on gas. I think that there are also Diesel versions in the UK. http://www.narbonneaccessoires.fr/boutique/product_info.php?products_id=4741 Sorry it is in French but google should be able to translate it. Basically what it does is provide power for most things. It seems expensive but so is the Efoy. They are on offer at the moment for 1999€. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clive Posted October 23, 2010 Share Posted October 23, 2010 The French advertised thing is the Gasperini two stroke 20 amp "Self Energy" generator. It makes a noise because its engine based, so you would not want it to run overnight at least and neighbours may not appreciate it. However many use them and Conrad Anderson fits them - as he does the EFOY range as well. I have an EFOY 1600. Its never gone wrong and does exactly what it says on the tin. Its also quite light weight and easy to take from one motorhome to another. The 1600 will charge at about 5 amps but will do it all day and all night if necessary - which for us is not. Ensure you have the maximum solar "real estate" on your roof and use this as your prime source of energy. The EFOY can then be the fallback kit if you have several days of darkness. Methanol is not cheap but in 2 years we have used nearly 10 litres. Solar does most of the work. Its only money and its becomming worth less every day! C. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian1 Posted October 23, 2010 Author Share Posted October 23, 2010 Many thanks Clive.I already have 100amp Solar on the roof giving good results you have directed me to the EFOY as I need quiet operation. The next step is to find the best deal for this unit as I have noted a difference of £300 so far, any ideas. regards Brian1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Den Posted October 23, 2010 Share Posted October 23, 2010 Hi Brian Been using ours for 2 years and would not be without it. We use about 10ltrs per year and it works fully automatically even in winter, it switches it self on to keep warm. Some prefer to take them out, I don't. Have sent a pm Dennis Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian1 Posted October 24, 2010 Author Share Posted October 24, 2010 Thanks Den I am now persuaded to go ahead and buy one of these units,only problem I now have is who to buy from.Prices vary but I would prefer to buy from a company who has someone who knows what they are talking about, as to date I have received a considerable amount of sales talk from people who do not seem to have any knowledge about the product they are trying to sell. Regards Brian1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Den Posted October 24, 2010 Share Posted October 24, 2010 Hi Brian This is my second Efoy 1600, the first one i was persuaded by Colin whom purchased my previous MH to leave it.. We also have a solar panel, but its not always enough. We use our MH year round and as you know in winter the Solar Panel doesn't do to well, with the heating, lights, TV, Etc. You will never be short on Amps with the Efoy like a Generator but without the noise and fuss. We never carry a spare fuel cartridge, no need it;s so economical. When i first purchased the Efoy I also ordered 8 x 10 litres of fuel not knowing and thinking it would be like a Generator and need to carry a spare can of Petrol. Dennis Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian Kirby Posted October 24, 2010 Share Posted October 24, 2010 Just for my edification please, but if you have the (expensive) Efoy, why bother with the (part time) solar panels? It seems this merely adds complexity, and further cost, by duplicating generating capacity, but on a relatively unreliable basis. Even if the Efoy ethanol fuel is relatively costly, surely you can buy a lot of it for the (installed) price of a solar array? Is not the advantage of the Efoy that it runs day or night, hot or cold, wet or dry (or snowy!), to re-charge the batteries.Sure, if you spend extended periods static, especially in southern Europe, you'll get free juice from solar, but if you move around, so that some of the charging is via the alternator, and if you are not in southern Europe, the reliability of the Efoy, despite its running cost, makes it a better bet than Efoy plus solar? Or have I got the wrong end of the stick (again :-))? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clive Posted October 25, 2010 Share Posted October 25, 2010 Brian, You miss the obvious reason - and it has nothing to do with logic. Solar energy is FREE. OK OK don,t go there but its just satisfying to see the amps comming in when the sun shines. I would always advocate fitting solar first and an Efoy as a last resort anyway. C. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian Kirby Posted October 25, 2010 Share Posted October 25, 2010 But, with the greatest of respect, o Wise One, although the solar energy is free, the means of capturing it and converting it into electrical energy is very much not. Which takes my back to my question. Which is, in effect, how many Ah of ethanol derived (Efoy) power can be bought for the price of one Ah of "free" solar power? :-)And yes I know the Efoy is eye wateringly expensive, it is just the combination of both devices, in the name of economy, that puzzles me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LordThornber Posted October 25, 2010 Share Posted October 25, 2010 Just use a hook up for goodness sake.......... :D Martyn Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clive Posted October 25, 2010 Share Posted October 25, 2010 I did say "it has nothing to do with logic." Thinking logically if we all used logic in the determination of the most cost effective way of camping one would start with a pair of hiking boots, a ex army ruck sack and some thumb cream! C. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rupert123 Posted October 25, 2010 Share Posted October 25, 2010 LordThornber - 2010-10-25 4:09 PM Just use a hook up for goodness sake.......... :D Martyn Spot on Martyn, the amount people pay to avoid this seems plain daft. The sums being quoted will pay for a lifetime of hookups. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Den Posted October 25, 2010 Share Posted October 25, 2010 In my case Mh comes complete with a 100 w Solar panel, but i have to say the Efoy is far superior to the solar panel. In winter and not on hook ups the Efoy comes into its own. Yes they are costly, The 1600 costing around £2500. But if the cost is great why buy an expensive Mh over a more basic one. Who needs a top of the range Mh when we could all pay £30,000. Any way we all like gadgets. How many times have people complained about Generators, you will never get a complaint with a Efoy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
colin Posted October 25, 2010 Share Posted October 25, 2010 For those that think this might be a "I don't want to pay for hook-up" thread, I would point out that OP stated "when away from mains". I would also say that of my top 10 sites I've stayed at, not one has a hook-up point. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian1 Posted October 26, 2010 Author Share Posted October 26, 2010 After reading all of the above, firstly we hate using campsites wild camping is our choice. Today I am sitting in northern France following a night watching tele.Etc. the batteries require a charge the solar panel is showing nil charge, good job we are on the move today. It may be an extravagance but as soon as we get home I will be ordering the Efoy. Brian1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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