Since when did generators become an esential piece 0f camping equipment?Must I hear a dry campgound buzzing all day long because people and KIDS can’t unplug? Do people come out to camp anymore to enjoy the outdoors or do they come out to sit in their RV and run their generator ALL DAY so they can live the “at home” life while camping? So beautiful cheap campgrounds are ruined by the sounds of generators, lost are the sounds of the birds, groundhogs and geese surrounding the campground. And the Park Service is to blame as well, what is the point in “limiting” generator use to daytime hours? Running them during the day is just a annoying as I am awake and outside trying to enjoy the scenery. Some parks, very few…limit generator use to 2 hrs in the am and again in the pm, now that makes more sense.Please don’t try ahd justify your use with health reasons….those are few and far between. Boil water on the stove, pan heat your meals, feel the sun on your face, put the friggin electronics away, your CAMPING!

We run our quite Honda generator each morning to charge the TT batteries; we usually camp far away from the next person as we are in the "live and let live" camp.

Boy howdy. Just got back from a trip where a guy ran his all night. That's a first. Then there were a couple jerks at a park near Las Vegas with the contractor specials who ran them nearly all day. You feel more like you're in a construction zone than a campground.I think part of the problem is not only a lot of new campers, but people who don't understand inverters and solar. I just got off a FB board where a guy said he had no clue what an inverter is.

I'm with you on that one, but it is a free world where people can camp as they please, but . . . that still doesn't excuse being inconsiderate. Even forest service campgrounds have generator hours and yet some hosts don't enforce the rules. I'll never forget boondocking out in a national forest and a group of campers came in close to us. Now mind you, it is a free area, but it would've been nice (as we always do) to be considerate by asking if they minded that they camp close to us. They didn't. Then on top of that, they ran their cheap noisy generator all night. Later we found out in conversation that this group fancied this place "theirs" since they've been coming up there a lot. I said, "oh, we've been here several times but haven't seen you. Must've been different times." We stayed away from them. Oh well, said too much. This is about generators.

2oldman wrote:Boy howdy. Just got back from a trip where a guy ran his all night. That's a first. Then there were a couple jerks at a park near Las Vegas with the contractor specials who ran them nearly all day. You feel more like you're in a construction zone than a campground.I think part of the problem is not only a lot of new campers, but people who don't understand inverters and solar. I just got off a FB board where a guy said he had no clue what an inverter is.Good point, my wife said most folks just don’t know about solar/inverters…and that is too bad for all of us.

I've seen quite a few comments on here and elsewhere from people who claim solar is too expensive and say "I'll just run my generator! - I can buy a lot of fuel and beer for the cost of solar!". Those people have their minds made up and aren't going to be easily swayed to change their travel style or invest in another means of energy.We were at RMNP and the lady next to us came over upset that we reported them for running their generator all night. Which is funny, because we didn't, but we sure complained amongst ourselves about it. She said her husband had a medical condition. Yeah - sure - that CPAP couldn't be run by any other means? We've been known to hand the odd neighbor an extension cord, on at least a couple occasions if we strike up conversation with them and generators come up.When I go camping it's with a backpack and bivy or tent. Staying in an RV is not the same as camping for me, and comes with a different set of expectations. For a lot of people, including myself, that includes an expectation that all the systems you've paid for are functional to some degree. A lot of people are full-timing out there and live differently - day to day in an RV - than you do. It's not vacation for them, it's life. I'm not saying that justifies generator use in close quarters, or at all, just that not everyone is considering their stay out there the same as you. Thankfully, those people seem more likely to invest in solar than the occasional weekender.

Generators!! Yes YOU! | Good Sam Community

Terryallan
Explorer II
Jun 18, 2021
Honestly, and I know this goes against the flow. But if you just can't live without TV, AC, and all the other stuff you think you need. Then maybe you should stay in a park that has full hookups. after all, you are there to enjoy nature anyway. Why ruin it for those that went to a primitive CG to get away from the noise of truckstop camping. there are literally thousands of CGs with full hookups, where you won't have to miss a thing
Terryallan
Explorer II
Jun 18, 2021
Timmo! wrote:
We run our quite Honda generator each morning to charge the TT batteries; we usually camp far away from the next person as we are in the "live and let live" camp.

Appreciate that you only run it for a little while.. But there is really no such thing as a quiet generator. At Julian Price park on the BRP. You can hear a Honda run 100 yards away. In fact. you can hear a lantern running 50 yards away.

It is very quiet there, almost a shame to talk out loud. Makes you whisper.
RambleOnNW
Explorer II
Jun 18, 2021
memilanuk wrote:
RambleOnNW wrote:

The Victron 15A looks good with separate battery and load outputs. Great for using the unused panel output once the batteries are getting charged up.

I'm trying to picture in my head how this would work... I thought most RV setups had the 'loads' and the 'battery' all tied together (over simplified, I realize), whether via terminal connections, bus bars, etc. Or would this be for where there is a 'house' battery bank, and a 'starter' (vehicle) battery?

Thanks,

Monte

I have looked around a bit so here’s my understanding. The load output control is programmable based on the solar and battery state. So yes. charge the chassis battery when the house batteries are full and the solar is active. Or control a relay switching a load attached to the battery.
memilanuk
Explorer II
Jun 17, 2021
RambleOnNW wrote:

The Victron 15A looks good with separate battery and load outputs. Great for using the unused panel output once the batteries are getting charged up.

I'm trying to picture in my head how this would work... I thought most RV setups had the 'loads' and the 'battery' all tied together (over simplified, I realize), whether via terminal connections, bus bars, etc. Or would this be for where there is a 'house' battery bank, and a 'starter' (vehicle) battery?

Thanks,

Monte
lostbytes
Explorer
Jun 14, 2021
Normally, you would think so...

Search Google, script for CPAP machine?

Get a script in 24 hours without doctor. You can also find CPAP on craigslist for half price. Just make sure they work or no deal. My wife did her sleep clinic at Kaiser. Bought on craigslist. Used it for a year then didn't need it anymore. Lost a lot of weight.
ReneeG
Explorer
Jun 14, 2021
A doctor isn't give you a prescrip for a CPAP just because you want one. You have to go through a sleep study and it has to be pre-approved per insurance.
GDS-3950BH
Explorer
Jun 14, 2021
lostbytes wrote:
When I was campground host back in 2014 up above Truckee, CA. We were instructed to let generator run past posted hours if violator say they're on CPAP. This rule was dictated by ADA. No exceptions. So, everyone heading to doc to get script for CPAP so they can run their genny.

Like an old neighbor 15 yrs or so ago. Was on disability and had a blue HC tag hanging from his rear view mirror. Did not stop him from splitting wood all summer long or carrying bundles of shingles up a 40' ladder when he re roofed his house lol.
lostbytes
Explorer
Jun 14, 2021
Lol. Yup!
monkey44
Nomad II
Jun 14, 2021
lostbytes wrote:
When I was campground host back in 2014 up above Truckee, CA. We were instructed to let generator run past posted hours if violator say they're on CPAP. This rule was dictated by ADA. No exceptions. So, everyone heading to doc to get script for CPAP so they can run their genny.

Kinda like the folks who get a red-white jacket or sweater or sox, put it on the pet and call it a 'service dog', or 'service parrot' or 'service hamster' and take it everywhere. Never saw so many folks needing comfort and service.

Before you jump on me, I agree, some folks need guide dogs and other support, but I'd bet a dollar on every legitimate 'service animal' I see vs a dollar for every one that is a simple pet, I'd never have to work.
lostbytes
Explorer
Jun 14, 2021
When I was campground host back in 2014 up above Truckee, CA. We were instructed to let generator run past posted hours if violator say they're on CPAP. This rule was dictated by ADA. No exceptions. So, everyone heading to doc to get script for CPAP so they can run their genny.

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