Sleeping over generator

pnichols wrote:

Samantha525 wrote:
What does it feel like to sleep over a generator? We are looking at class c's and I'm concerned about generators under the bed. Do they vibrate the bed? How much? What is the noise like, is it consistent or does it change frequently? TIA for any input!!

I'd recommend NOT getting a Class C with the built-in generator under the main bed. In fact, you might want to make sure that the generator is well away from the main bed.

The built-in generator in our Class C is way forward - under the floor 2-3 feet back from the driver's seat. The main bed is in the back. When camping without hookups we sometimes want to take a nap in the afternoon, and if we're camping in hot weather we nap with the air conditioning turned on, which takes the generator running. From the bed in the back, the generator makes only a low humming sound which can't be heard above the air conditioning. Also, there isn't any floor vibration back there from the generator to get transferred into the bed. Overall, we have a real comfortable arrangement for napping with a running generator.

By the way, whenever running the generator for long time periods we keep the roof air vent fan turned on low and in the "air in" mode so that there is a very small pressure maintained inside the motorhome. This insures that no generator fumes can come in through any cracks anywhere because of this inside pressure is always pushing out. This adds another layer of safety in addition to that provided by your carbon monoxide detector.

x2

On our 26ft motorhome the generator is under the bed. We don't run it at night when sleeping but if stopped during the day for a nap the generator doesn't seem overly loud....no noticeable vibration and the air conditioner masks the sound of the generator.

So (in my opinion) if you can sleep with the air conditioner running in a class c motorhome the generator under the bed should not be a problem. Personally, I would not pass up a motorhome which has a floor plan that you really like just because the generator is under the bed.

tpi wrote:
While circumstances exist for sleeping at night with generator on, I have never done it.

Try a Walmart parking lot in Missouri in August during an RV tour of the Deep South. :B

My generator is rearward of the Ford passenger seat. Midway between the wheels. Directly over it in the RV there is no significant vibration and constant hum of steady frequency. The air conditioner covers up a good bit of the noise with the fan noise. If necessary I could sleep over it, but I don't have to my bed is elsewhere. While circumstances exist for sleeping at night with generator on, I have never done it. I've either been located in hookup parks with nighttime temps hot enough to run AC, or it has been cool enough not to run it. I have run it to take brief naps during travel during the day-with no trouble sleeping.

I imagine it feels like Magic Fingers LOL!

pnichols pressurized vent idea is a good one.

bukhrn wrote:

pnichols wrote:

Samantha525 wrote:
What does it feel like to sleep over a generator? We are looking at class c's and I'm concerned about generators under the bed. Do they vibrate the bed? How much? What is the noise like, is it consistent or does it change frequently? TIA for any input!!

I'd recommend NOT getting a Class C with the built-in generator under the main bed. In fact, you might want to make sure that the generator is well away from the main bed.

The built-in generator in our Class C is way forward - under the floor 2-3 feet back from the driver's seat. The main bed is in the back. When camping without hookups we sometimes want to take a nap in the afternoon, and if we're camping in hot weather we nap with the air conditioning turned on, which takes the generator running. From the bed in the back, the generator makes only a low humming sound which can't be heard above the air conditioning. Also, there isn't any floor vibration back there from the generator to get transferred into the bed. Overall, we have a real comfortable arrangement for napping with a running generator.

By the way, whenever running the generator for long time periods we keep the roof air vent fan turned on low and in the "air in" mode so that there is a very small pressure maintained inside the motorhome. This insures that no generator fumes can come in through any cracks anywhere because of this inside pressure always pushing out. This adds another layer of safety in addition to that provided by your carbon monoxide detector.

X-2 my generator is in the same place, a few feet back from the driver.
As mentioned, I hope you are going to be boondocking, and not going to be in a CG, as running your generator at night, after quiet hours Will get you asked to turn it off, or leave.

X3 - mine is under the couch just behind the driver's seat. The couch pulls out into a bed. I wouldn't want to sleep on it with the generator running. You can hear a quiet hum from the back bedroom but that's about it. No vibration.

I haven't slept with it on all night yet, but will probably give it a whirl at an upcoming NASCAR event. I have a CO detector and Gen-Turi.

pnichols wrote:

Samantha525 wrote:
What does it feel like to sleep over a generator? We are looking at class c's and I'm concerned about generators under the bed. Do they vibrate the bed? How much? What is the noise like, is it consistent or does it change frequently? TIA for any input!!

I'd recommend NOT getting a Class C with the built-in generator under the main bed. In fact, you might want to make sure that the generator is well away from the main bed.

The built-in generator in our Class C is way forward - under the floor 2-3 feet back from the driver's seat. The main bed is in the back. When camping without hookups we sometimes want to take a nap in the afternoon, and if we're camping in hot weather we nap with the air conditioning turned on, which takes the generator running. From the bed in the back, the generator makes only a low humming sound which can't be heard above the air conditioning. Also, there isn't any floor vibration back there from the generator to get transferred into the bed. Overall, we have a real comfortable arrangement for napping with a running generator.

By the way, whenever running the generator for long time periods we keep the roof air vent fan turned on low and in the "air in" mode so that there is a very small pressure maintained inside the motorhome. This insures that no generator fumes can come in through any cracks anywhere because of this inside pressure always pushing out. This adds another layer of safety in addition to that provided by your carbon monoxide detector.

X-2 my generator is in the same place, a few feet back from the driver.
As mentioned, I hope you are going to be boondocking, and not going to be in a CG, as running your generator at night, after quiet hours Will get you asked to turn it off, or leave.

Unless you are camping at a nascar race or truck stop I would never even consider running the genny at night out of respect for those within ear shot. Alot of the noise factor depends on the brand of generator. Vibration will be minimal

Samantha525 wrote:
What does it feel like to sleep over a generator? We are looking at class c's and I'm concerned about generators under the bed. Do they vibrate the bed? How much? What is the noise like, is it consistent or does it change frequently? TIA for any input!!

I'd recommend NOT getting a Class C with the built-in generator under the main bed. In fact, you might want to make sure that the generator is well away from the main bed.

The built-in generator in our Class C is way forward - under the floor 2-3 feet back from the driver's seat. The main bed is in the back. When camping without hookups we sometimes want to take a nap in the afternoon, and if we're camping in hot weather we nap with the air conditioning turned on, which takes the generator running. From the bed in the back, the generator makes only a low humming sound which can't be heard above the air conditioning. Also, there isn't any floor vibration back there from the generator to get transferred into the bed. Overall, we have a real comfortable arrangement for napping with a running generator.

By the way, whenever running the generator for long time periods we keep the roof air vent fan turned on low and in the "air in" mode so that there is a very small pressure maintained inside the motorhome. This insures that no generator fumes can come in through any cracks anywhere because of this inside pressure is always pushing out. This adds another layer of safety in addition to that provided by your carbon monoxide detector.

I have my generator under the bed. All I can say is we sleep fine.