Generators when camping?

[cwdtmmrs]

I carry a very small Honda EX350 "lunch box" generator just in case I need to charge a dead battery or supplement the house battery. It only weighs 17 pounds and is extremely quiet. Put it in a Styrofoam ice chest and you couldn't find it 20 feet away. It won't run an A/C, but will run everything in my camper. I have only used it once.

CWD

PS. If you can drive there, you aren't really in the "wilderness".

 

[Wallowa]

PS. If you can drive there, you aren't really in the "wilderness".

Correct...I travel in wilderness settings on foot...BUT You do drive to wilderness trailheads...which are usually 'pollution' free locations; no people, no noise, no artificial light...nominally a great place to establish a FWC site and then venture in on foot.

Phil

 

[Bombsight]

I beg to differ on that "not in the wilderness if you can drive there" bit.

.... and I bet everyone of your butts would be using a generator to stay warm if it meant getting any sleep.

 

[craig333]

Limited use certainly , but I remember a thread when dirty dog was adamantly opposed to generators and someone mentioned, hey I spend weeks at a time in the winter with no sun, what else can I do? Believe me, in the winter your generator isn't bothering me.

 

[Bombsight]

Some days in the south, extreme heat doesn't make for much difference.

High humidity makes for very understanding neighbors.

.... this could be the reason for the big difference in the way the north thinks differently from the south.

 

[idahoron]

Why do I use my generator. Well first I don't have solar and I am not sure I want to. Second, in the summer when I am fishing I need my freezer with the bait in it to stay frozen so when I leave for the day I turn on my fan on my three way fridge. It keeps the bait frozen and the the fidge cold even in temps in the 100's. I need to charge the battery, use a fan have lights watch a movie, so I use my Honda EU2000. I didn't get a heater so when I am deer and elk hunting I use a small electric heater.

https://www.amazon.com/Comfort-Zone%C2%AE-Personal-Heater-CZ707/dp/B0007ULR14/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1465732014&sr=8-6&keywords=comfort+zone+heater

It is an awesome little heater. On those kind of trips it is easier to get gas than it is propane. So I can use the electric heater and cut down use on my buddy heater. I use the buddy only over night. And the little electric heater keeps the camper WAY warmer than the buddy does.

If you see my ATV, generator, boat, and dog I would guess that your best bet for a quiet camp is to keep on looking.

 

[Jollyrogers]

I use a Honda 1000 to recharge batts. Up in the GWNF where I camp, I am in the shade. if I am camping more than 2 nights, gen goes. I don't piss anyone off, because 1 it's super quiet, and 2 there is no one around cause I am in the middle of nowhere.

 

[Kodachrome]

Is it wrong to take advantage of designated "Generator times" in campgrounds when solar isn't powerful enough?

No and to be honest, if I am in a campground like that there are usually other noises that are more abrupt and annoying than the drone of a small modern generator. My beef with them is the burning of fossil fuels, we need to be finding more and more ways to reduce that as fast as we can, the next ten years on this planet will be a "Make or Break" pivotal outcome in that regard.

I took care of the Winter camping and shade thing by installing what is now 550W of solar feeding two independent battery systems. 300W of that is a 20 pound removable panel assembly that plugs into a 15 foot long extension cord of 8 gauge wire. Solar is the way to go on many things, we are only now just reaching the point of it being a truly disruptive technology. I have had in person conversations with Shell CEO Marvin Odum about this, we are actually working on a pilot program to convert some resort golf carts to 100% solar for an annual event that is nationally known....can't fight the inevitable forever so it is best to be on the leading edge of the innovation side.

Everything should be at least partially photovoltaic now, the paint on electric cars, the LCD screens on our mobile devices, and even the soft tops that make up the upper portions of our pop up campers should have a type of solar strand in order to optimize solar harvest.

 

[Bombsight]

optimize solar harvest.

Im in 100% agreement!

 

[Advmoto18]

One thing I don't like is when someone fires up their generator and then leaves camp. If I have to listen to it so should they. I've harbored some unkind thoughts to those people.

Commando raid...
Mission: OFF Switch - ENGAGE

If you don't have the common courtesy to enjoy your noise with your camping neighbors...you deserve to be raided.


Likewise, I try to avoid campgrounds allowing generators or where I get to enjoy the side view of a 32' Airstream 15' from my camp site. But, often times when traveling, such cannot be avoided. Noise, loud camping neighbors, etc. go with the territory...campground.

 

[Advmoto18]

Some days in the south, extreme heat doesn't make for much difference.

High humidity makes for very understanding neighbors.

.... this could be the reason for the big difference in the way the north thinks differently from the south.

Agreed, camping in the southeast from mid-May through mid-Sept, especially at the beach, is a non-starter without a generator and an A/C source. Sweating gallons of perspiration at night is not a fun bucket list item. While the 80'F night time lows are tolerable, the 80%+ (often 90%+) humidity is not and is pure misery sleeping inside a slide-in camper.

Just depends on your location and season what is considered acceptable and not a nuisance.

 

[Yukon]

I'm with Phil about pissing off your neighbors. It seems to me that people who buy 4WC are typically on the 'minimalist' side. I am surprised sometimes by all the 'stuff' people take "camping"......microwaves, etc.

 

[BobM]

Agreed. Generators should be banned. Not only is the noise an issue, the exhaust is intolerable.

 

[Casa Escarlata Robles Too]

Don't have one nor want one.
Last week in Lassen we met a couple that had a $$$ Road Track camper.
They showed us the inside.Cramped space and the generator was running,you could hardly hear yourself talk.
Don't see the plus to that.
Frank

 

[idahoron]

Agreed. Generators should be banned. Not only is the noise an issue, the exhaust is intolerable.

So you truck runs on lemon wedges and fairy dust? Really?

 

[Kylekai]

Why use a generator? Simple...to piss off anyone within earshot....lovely way to ruin the tranquility..

I agree "to each their own" but don't force others to endure the damn generator noise...

Just my opinion and of course my sensibility...

Phil

Agree completely. Not much else can ruin the peace and quiet of an outdoor campsite.

 

[N'kwala]

So you truck runs on lemon wedges and fairy dust? Really?

Solar is pretty quiet. Don't really need the lemon wedges.

 

[CALIcamperdad]

There are generator users then there ARE generator USERS...

I'll never forget a regatta where several participants and families were camped. This large 32 foot older Ford prior rental ran a genset from 9am to 10pm. We being several campers asked politely if they could shut down so we could eat in peace. No dice.. 6am the next morning no joke the entire campground had a full blown base ball game going maybe 30 kids, 50 adults home plate was 3ft from the front bumper of said RV. Should have seen the completely confused look of the hung over, boxers wearing RV owner as he stepped out to see what all the commotion was about. He left 30minutes later. LOL

 

[Doc Foster]

I need a generator when running A/C, powering my CPAP and the wife likes to run a noisy fan for background noise - all to keep the missus happy!
I don't run it when people are around as I don't want to ruin the solitude for them.

 

[idahoron]

I need a generator when running A/C, powering my CPAP and the wife likes to run a noisy fan for background noise - all to keep the missus happy!
I don't run it when people are around as I don't want to ruin the solitude for them.

I recommend the Honda 2000i. I have carried it in my camper at times and it never leaks, a;ways starts and I use it at home to power up my house in times of power outages.