Use of Generators to run Air Conditioners when camping

Does everyone but us get to run their generators anytime they want to...

It just blows me away when I read about everyone buying and apparently using generators for their air conditioners for camping off the power grids. Just about every day we read about questions on which generators to get and all kinds of questions about whether or not they can run their air conditioners on the big Fifth wheels and Travel Trailers using their generators. The strange thing is they get good answers on what works and what doesn't work.

We have been to quite a few camp grounds over the past five to six years all over the area around Virginia and southern states and like to go to the high country of these areas camping off the power grids.

We carry a 2KW Honda generator just to re-charge our battery bank when camping off the power grid here on the East side of the US. I have to deal with generator restrictions just about every where we go. Most of the more planned camp ground areas have the 8AM-10AM and then from 4:30-7:30PM set aside time to run the generators. We are finding more and more of the Forest areas now allowing you to run your generator from 8AM to 8PM but have never found any place that allows you to use your generator after 8PM let alone all night.

Not a whole lot of time when you really need to use the air conditioners. I guess the NASCAR places is one exception.

We have never camped at any private locations - only public locations. We have never camped farther West than North Texas and across the Red River into Okla in recent times.

This was the main reason I went to all the trouble to beef-up my trailer with more batteries and smart mode charging technology along with more running "green" ideas so that my time allowed to run my generator would be as short as possible to get my batteries re-charged to their 90% charge state each time.

We must have missed the boat somewhere along the line as most of the folks asking generator questions must be thinking about being allowed to use them any time they want to.

If I spent $2000 on a generator I would want to be able to use it... It must be totally different using the generators on the West side of the US where things are spread out more.

I always like to go by the established rules and maybe some just go ahead and run the generators anyway??? It seems the big motorhomes get away it big time. I hear them running alot back off the power grids places.

I usually add my comments to this effect when I see NEW MEMBERS asking these kinds of questions on how much to spend for generators etc. I guess they are expecting to be able to use those high dollar additions when they want to... Has never happened to us being allowed to use the generators anytime we wanted at the places we go to...

just wondering...
Roy Ken

Seeking Advice

okeehandyman
Explorer
May 31, 2013
The use of generators for use with medical equipment is sometimes necessary, we understand. I too,am in that boat. However I do not feel that my situation should be a burden upon others or make their lives less enjoyable. When I need electricity for my device, I go where electricity is available. That is just being considerate of others.
harold1946
Explorer
May 31, 2013
korbe wrote:
I am one camper that is disgusted by the increased use of generators while dry camping. More than once, generator noise throughout the campground has damped our enjoyment of the outdoors. I also feel that just because the campground "rules" allow them, it doesn't stop me from getting upset.

When I see the generator posts regarding "the best", and that sort of thing, I force myself to keep my mouth shut regarding the noise and inconsideration associated with it. I don't feel it's appropriate to chime in about the noise levels, unless it is asked.

But this post is the perfect opportunity to chime in. The only difference with me is that I don't have a generator at all and while in conserve mode, we can dry camp for up to 5 days.

Many people nowadays, associate dry camping with the use of a generator, so they can make coffee in the morning and watch tv in the afternoon. Another direction we are headed that I'm not happy with.

There are also those that consider that anyone in an RV is really not camping, just staying in portable motel.
We can all find something to rant about if we look hard enough. :B
korbe
Explorer
May 31, 2013
Dixiechick wrote:
korbe wrote:
I am one camper that is disgusted by the increased use of generators while dry camping. More than once, generator noise throughout the campground has damped our enjoyment of the outdoors. I also feel that just because the campground "rules" allow them, it doesn't stop me from getting upset.

When I see the generator posts regarding "the best", and that sort of thing, I force myself to keep my mouth shut regarding the noise and inconsideration associated with it. I don't feel it's appropriate to chime in about the noise levels, unless it is asked.

But this post is the perfect opportunity to chime in. The only difference with me is that I don't have a generator at all and while in conserve mode, we can dry camp for up to 5 days.

Many people nowadays, associate dry camping with the use of a generator, so they can make coffee in the morning and watch tv in the afternoon. Another direction we are headed that I'm not happy with.

How about those of us who need medical equipment? Are we not supposed to dry camp? If generators bother you that much perhaps you should use private campgrounds that do not allow the use of generators. Also, it seems to me that we always blame the motorhome crowd for all of the problems. Don't forget that most of us started out sleeping in tents and worked our way up to a motorhome. We are an older crowd and just not able to rough it to the extent we used to but we still enjoy being outdoors.

My thought process would be to think that the people that need or want electricity would be the ones camping at a site that has electrical hookups, not the campers that don't need the electricity.
doxiemom11
Explorer II
May 31, 2013
We do not camp outside of campgrounds, but have used ours for power during power outages after storms or because trees took power lines down. No off grid camping so far as we are usually camp hosts in a campground. You are right though, even the forest campgrounds limit the use to daytime hours. After quiet hour arrives there are no generators allowed.
Dixiechick
Explorer
May 31, 2013
korbe wrote:
I am one camper that is disgusted by the increased use of generators while dry camping. More than once, generator noise throughout the campground has damped our enjoyment of the outdoors. I also feel that just because the campground "rules" allow them, it doesn't stop me from getting upset.

When I see the generator posts regarding "the best", and that sort of thing, I force myself to keep my mouth shut regarding the noise and inconsideration associated with it. I don't feel it's appropriate to chime in about the noise levels, unless it is asked.

But this post is the perfect opportunity to chime in. The only difference with me is that I don't have a generator at all and while in conserve mode, we can dry camp for up to 5 days.

Many people nowadays, associate dry camping with the use of a generator, so they can make coffee in the morning and watch tv in the afternoon. Another direction we are headed that I'm not happy with.

How about those of us who need medical equipment? Are we not supposed to dry camp? If generators bother you that much perhaps you should use private campgrounds that do not allow the use of generators. Also, it seems to me that we always blame the motorhome crowd for all of the problems. Don't forget that most of us started out sleeping in tents and worked our way up to a motorhome. We are an older crowd and just not able to rough it to the extent we used to but we still enjoy being outdoors.
korbe
Explorer
May 31, 2013
I am one camper that is disgusted by the increased use of generators while dry camping. More than once, generator noise throughout the campground has damped our enjoyment of the outdoors. I also feel that just because the campground "rules" allow them, it doesn't stop me from getting upset.

When I see the generator posts regarding "the best", and that sort of thing, I force myself to keep my mouth shut regarding the noise and inconsideration associated with it. I don't feel it's appropriate to chime in about the noise levels, unless it is asked.

But this post is the perfect opportunity to chime in. The only difference with me is that I don't have a generator at all and while in conserve mode, we can dry camp for up to 5 days.

Many people nowadays, associate dry camping with the use of a generator, so they can make coffee in the morning and watch tv in the afternoon. Another direction we are headed that I'm not happy with.
harold1946
Explorer
May 31, 2013
In many of the western states there are dispersed camping areas that are on BLM land, state trust, and USFS land, where there are no restrictions on generators as long as they have spark arrestors. Most are camping areas, not campgrounds.
The only other restrictions that may apply is when an area is under red flag conditions. Depending upon the district regulations at the time, portable generator use may be prohibited and only built in allowed.
wkswenson
Explorer
May 31, 2013
Can only speak to our own instances.....

We use our generator (loud contractor grade) at the NASCAR races in NH only. Use it to charge the batteries and run the A/C for a while if is real hot. At the race we can run the generator between 7:00 am and 11:00 pm. We try not to run all day if at all possible.

This year we found a 3500W inverter generator on craigslist for good money and will be using it in a couple of weeks at The Rally in NY - but only for charging the batteries. The rally hours are similar to the race.

I have tested this new generator running the smaller AC unit. Doesn't run the 15K A/C but runs the 13.5K without problems. This maybe enough for the NASCAR race also but will wait to see what the weather reports are for the week.

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