Dry Camping with a Generator

[vader33]

Vader33... Welcome to the forum.

There’s videos on YouTube which show different ways to quiet down generators. Maybe one will work for you.

https://m.youtube.com/results?search_query=quieting+a+noisy+generator

Your camping neighbors might not know how much you’re taking their comfort in consideration. But if you were camping next to me... I’d be appreciative of your efforts.

Happy Camping...

Thanks. I know reading through this thread is painful lol...I'm definitely learning though and the next trip out will be a lot better.

 

[DiamondGirl]

After several experiences... you’ll have it all figured out.

We all were first timers...once upon a time. It gets easier each time.

Happy Camping...

 

[Sjm9911]

I never said, "F**k it, I'm going to do my own thing." I simply explained the position I'm in and what I have to work with. I didn't expect such a conversation to end up with me being looked at like a piece of crap. I'm simply asking what would be the best way to handle the situation should it even arise. I don't know if I'll even need to run it. Speaking to some friends that are already there, it's been very breezy during the day, and while still hot, keeping the windows open and adding Reflectix to the bunk ends may end up keeping things cool. Granted, I did make some comments that spelled out what I plan to do should the need arise, I never once said to anyone that I was going to do my own thing regardless of what they recommended. That was your take.

For those who are interested, the campground is located at John Martin Resevoir near Las Animas, CO. The campground is called The Point. It offers no shade and no hookups. Is it ideal for a first outing in a new-to-us RV? No, but the reservation was made ahead of time and paid for in advance, with no way of knowing how hot it's going to be.

I appreciate all the comments and the recommendations given, but I'm really disappointed in how I feel I'm being treated here. I may be new when it comes to RV camping, but I'm not an idiot, and I'm certainly not inconsiderate of the people around me. If I didn't care at all, and just lugged out a loud-as-hell generator, why would I even bother bringing it up in the first place?

Take pictures, tell us how it went when you get back.

 

[tfischer]

I never said, "F**k it, I'm going to do my own thing." I simply explained the position I'm in and what I have to work with.

Sorry to be hard on you. My response was a paraphrase of "I'm looking at getting the Predator 3500 Inverter/generator. Unfortunately, I don't have a choice right now. I have to be able to keep the camper cool and this is all I've got."

Many people told you the generator would not be welcomed as it was much too loud, but your reply was "well this is what I have, and I have to keep the camper cool".

I do believe you want to be considerate, but I don't believe you're considering NOT using your overly loud generator. Are you?

 

[Toedtoes]

I think the OP has gotten a couple ideas on going without the generator and AC, a few more ideas wouldn't hurt.

One thing to remember is that AC was one of the two main reasons for using a generator - so what the OP wants to do isn't out of bounds. It's simply the specific generator that is the problem. And the problem with that generator is that it is a very loud one.

As this is a preplanned first trip, as long as you follow the campground rules, I say use it IF you absolutely need it. Incorporate ideas to lessen the noise and/or reduce the usage and/or handle the neighbors. If you get dirty looks, complaints, etc., then you'll understand how contentious this is.

After this first trip, work harder to understand planning aspects of your trips. Check weather before you make reservations, make sure you have special needs gear before making reservations - if the weather will be hot at a no hookup campground and you don't have a quiet generator, then pick a different campground.

I will add that the saying "better to ask forgiveness than permission" is an excuse to not consider other people. That is what is wrong with society - everyone ignores everybody else. If you consider those around you, then they will consider you.

 

[vader33]

So for those wondering, the trip was successful. Some things worked, some things didn't. The generator was allowed, and there were no rules or regulations regarding their use. The campground was actually pretty sparse. Our neighbors were anywhere from roughly 500ft to almost a quarter mile away, so I felt a lot more comfortable running the generator. It didn't matter, anyway, since my portable AC crapped out after only running it for 2 hours.

Anyway, full recap here.

 

[Matt D Wilder]

If you have to ask....... you are that guy. With no hook ups maybe you will be one of many? Just talk to your neighbors and make an effort things will work out

 

[dave123]

Hey folks, I'd like your input on this...maybe help me from being a jerk on my first outing this weekend. My wife and I are taking our pup out on our first trip this weekend to a park with no hookups. I'm bringing my generator along, but it's not a super-quiet Inverter/generator. I got this behemoth for free as I don't have $800-$1000 to spend on the quiet ones. We don't plan on running it much, but daytime highs are expected to be 100+, so maybe just a few hours during the day so I can run the AC when the kid is napping. Under load it pulls about 70dB and I plan on keeping it about 50-100 feet away as it'll be locked to the hitch on the Explorer.

I know the campground will be busy and I really don't want to be "that guy." Would you agree that running during the day is best? I have an Inverter so I can run a couple fans at night, where the temps are going to be in the 70s. Help a noob out! Thanks!

So a generator that runs at 70 decibels is ten times as loud as a generator that runs at 60 decibels use it and your a jerk! trade it in. spend the money i don't want you around. people camp to get away from noise period .... sorry but people need to man-up and say so

 

[gardenheather]

When I go camping, I do it to get out of the noisy city and hear the quiet of nature as much as possible. Aside from hearing voices from other campers of course. I don't even want to hear music from someone's radio, let alone a generator. We have to run one of those when our power goes out at home and I can tell you that the neighbors 3 doors down can hear it in their house. The good news there is that most of us have one and understand we have to run it when the power goes out. But at a campground, I don't want to hear that. My suggestion would be, because you are going to be 'that guy' otherwise, leave it at home. When we were growing up, if it was hot, we laid in front of the fan and we went to sleep. Kids can sleep through a lot. They don't need air conditioner to do it. We never had it when I was growing up, and my kids didn't have it for many years growing up. There are a lot of things we can do without that we don't realize we can because we grew up with it.

 

[tombiasi]

So a generator that runs at 70 decibels is ten times as loud as a generator that runs at 60 decibels use it and your a jerk! trade it in. spend the money i don't want you around. people camp to get away from noise period .... sorry but people need to man-up and say so

Not to take away from your expressed feelings but 70 dB at the source wouldn't be all that loud at a distance someone would be hearing it. Especially through trees which would add an attenuation factor. The important thing would be how loud is it at the nearest listener and would they be offended by the sound.

 

[EZKmom]

Probably too late but Home Depot rents Honda generators by the day/week/month. We did that for a Yellowstone trip.

 

[Toedtoes]

The OP took his trip and all was well.

 

[EdinMI]

I'm looking at getting the Predator 3500 Inverter/generator. Unfortunately, I don't have a choice right now. I have to be able to keep the camper cool and this is all I've got.

I have both the HFT 2000i and the 3500i inverters, both are outstanding.
Between my son & I we have nine(9) HFT Predator engines on various equipment and have NEVER has an issue with one of them.
.
Sound Box: Don't ...... Engines need cool air to cool and combust, you will burn that engine up very quickly.

 

[firepit]

The OP took his trip and all was well.

Yes...And it sounds like no campground overlords who think they own the campground and its all about their
wishes...Complained about the generator.

 

[Beth H]

So for those wondering, the trip was successful. Some things worked, some things didn't. The generator was allowed, and there were no rules or regulations regarding their use. The campground was actually pretty sparse. Our neighbors were anywhere from roughly 500ft to almost a quarter mile away, so I felt a lot more comfortable running the generator. It didn't matter, anyway, since my portable AC crapped out after only running it for 2 hours.

Anyway, full recap here.

 

[Beth H]

Sorry your AC crashed. Maybe you should always reserve a space with electricity? That solves the generator issue.

 

[tfischer]

Not to take away from your expressed feelings but 70 dB at the source wouldn't be all that loud at a distance someone would be hearing it. Especially through trees which would add an attenuation factor. The important thing would be how loud is it at the nearest listener and would they be offended by the sound.

It would be as loud or louder than your neighbor mowing their lawn. At a campsite, especially for hours, that would be really, really annoying.

I have a quiet Inverter generator that purrs like an idling moped, and I still worry it's too loud.

(And yes I realize the OP's situation is long since over )

 

[tombiasi]

It would be as loud or louder than your neighbor mowing their lawn. At a campsite, especially for hours, that would be really, really annoying.

I have a quiet Inverter generator that purrs like an idling moped, and I still worry it's too loud.

(And yes I realize the OP's situation is long since over )

Neither one of us knows how loud it would be because the distance to the listener was not defined nor the medium attenuation.

 

[firepit]

Neither one of us knows how loud it would be because the distance to the listener was not defined nor the medium attenuation.

Plus the air density changes and wind speeds as well as obsticles and airplanes as well
As well as cars driving and parents yelling at kids and each other.
To many variables to give a clear estimate on the noise of a generator...lol

 

[Blackripley]

So for those wondering, the trip was successful. Some things worked, some things didn't. The generator was allowed, and there were no rules or regulations regarding their use. The campground was actually pretty sparse. Our neighbors were anywhere from roughly 500ft to almost a quarter mile away, so I felt a lot more comfortable running the generator. It didn't matter, anyway, since my portable AC crapped out after only running it for 2 hours.

Anyway, full recap here.

vader33

, sounds like it was a successful weekend! Do you have an idea of why your AC died? Depending on how electronically dependent it was the generator might have been the cause. With some generators, the power it produces is very spiky with surges and dips and this wreaks havoc on circuits, versus a clean wave Inverter. So in hindsight, I would be careful in the future about attaching any electronics to it.