Generator Blog

Choose camping generators according its appliance

If you are trying to decide what kind of generator you need for tent camping, you must decide what kind of appliances you will be running with it. For lights, small TV set and phone chargers, a generator whose power is 100 watt will do the trick. For running the small television, meanwhile, four or five light bulbs, a blender or toaster, you will want generator which is in the 2000 watt range. Above that size camping generators start to get heavy and bulky, and more noisy due to the increased size of the engine.

In addition to becoming larger, higher wattage generators become harder to pull start the bigger they get.

Choose a much quieter and cleaner generator

Inverter type generators produce a more pure sine wave which means cleaner power, unlike cheaper generators which create a choppy power signal, which can cause problems with many electronic items such as televisions and computers.

Inverter type generators such as those made by Honda and Kawasaki are typically much quieter than traditional generators and may produce less than sixty decibels. This will reduce the amount of noise you generate in a campground.

Instead of running multiple items it is easier and cheaper to use a 1000 to 2000 watt inverter generator and plug in those items such as toasters when they are needed and unplug. Remember you are supposed to be camping and not living just like you do at home.

Remember to use a fuel stabilizer or drain the fuel when you leave it stored for long periods. Otherwise carburetor will gum up from old gas and it will be hard to start.

Whether you own an RV, or intend to buy one soon, you will need a reliable source of power for your travels. Portable generators provide an economical and effective solution to your electric power needs, on the road or at the campsite.

For many people though, purchasing a power generator can be an intimidating and confusing process. Here’s how to choose the right one for your power needs.

First, you need to determine the size of the generator for your RV by knowing how much power you will use. This will narrow down the choices you have when selecting a portable generator.

Start by surveying your RV for appliances that run on 120 volts. The TV, microwave and other kitchen appliances generally require the most power but smaller appliances can add up. Most RV lights are 12 volt but some may be 120 volt. Your RV air conditioner is the biggest power user.

Next, add up the power requirements, in watts, for all the devices that you are likely to operate at the same time. Wattage ratings are printed on light bulbs; other devices like hair dryers and electric heaters are also described by their wattage requirements. If the device doesn’t provide a wattage requirement, you can determine watts by multiplying volts times amps.

Be aware that some electrical devices have starting wattage requirements that are larger than the running watts, like the air conditioner. If so, use the starting wattage requirement for the largest of the devices you want to run and the running watts for all other devices. This is the minimum wattage you will need from a generator.

Now that you have determined your power needs, it’s time to look at the type of generator that will fit the bill.

There are two types of portable generators: contractor and RV. Contractor generators are generally inexpensive, very noisy, and not suitable for an otherwise quiet campground. RV generators are purpose-built, providing quiet, reliable power that your camping neighbors will thank you for. They are expensive but are well worth it in the long run.

There are a wide range of portable RV-type generators, with each manufacturer having a wide range of noise levels. Honda, Yamaha, and Kipor (see Resources section below) all make super-quiet portable generators. Match up your power requirements with the model that has the lowest decibel (a measure of how loud we hear noise) level.

Starting options for portable generators are either pull start, like your lawn mower, or electric start using a key. Generally speaking, electric start generators are available in the 3000 watt range and larger. If you have a bad back or just want the convenience, shop for the larger wattage generators.

There is even a wireless remote option that can be retrofitted to most electric start generators. It’s costly but can be very convenient if you don’t want to get out of bed, go outside, and turn off the generator.

Consider how long you will run your generator. Some portable generators have small fuel tanks, less than 1 gallon, while others have much larger ones, up to 5 gallons. Generally speaking, the larger the power output from the generator, the larger the fuel tank capacity. There are options though to add additional fuel capacity.

Think about how you will transport your generator. Larger generators weigh a lot, up to 175 lbs. with fuel. You can transport it in the back of your truck so be ensure to get the optional wheel kit for the generator and use ramps to make it easier to roll the generator in to the back of the truck.

If you have an SUV tow vehicle, you can have a platform built on the back of your RV to carry the generator. Never transport your generator in the back of your SUV. Gas fumes are explosive and in the event of a fender bender, you don’t want a 100 lb. chunk of metal flying in to the passenger area.