Camping with the Sound Police

[TomG2]

This is not intended to be another quiet generator versus noisy generator discussion, but I am curious where people camp who run their generators for much of the day. I am a full timer and travel extensively. I use my generator for overnight parking in Walmarts etc. I either stay at parks with hookups or where none are needed. I do not go camping where I need to hear my generator or yours all day and all night.

[pnichols]

SoundGuy wrote:
Sorry to disappoint but a friend owns an EX650 and while it is quieter than an EU2000i (of which I've owned 2 myself) it's NOT "silent" - NO genset is, other than when it's not running.

My SIG is SoundGuy for a reason, spent my career of 45 yrs in sound engineering ... and just for giggles I built an EU2000i Quiet Box just to see how "quiet" I could actually make that genset when running full tilt. The results were quite good, which anyone can view for themselves from the link in my SIG ... but it ain't "silent", nor more than is your EX650.

Of course the Honda EX650 is not "silent". But it's so quiet as to not be a bother to anyone except one who is perhaps sound paranoid and as such really hung up on a steady low level sound of any kind -> wait to those types graduate to tinnitus in their old age and let's see how they adapt in a hurry.

Our camping friends also have one of the rare EX650's and they used to run it whenever they wanted and wherever they wanted when camping with us. It didn't bother us at all ... we had to work to hear it. They even ran it late at night next to a camp host who said nothing because the hosts couldn't hear it. Another camper once came up to their (red colored) running EX650 and asked "what kind of generator is that ... we've never seen a generator that quiet ... and we have Hondas ourselves".

I also own and know how to operate sound meters (from my home theater hobby), but I have no need to measure our EX650 ... even if a meter would register it at reasonably spaced camp sites. FWIW, we ourselves take special pains to not camp in those kind of situations due to the racket that really irritates from idling diesel pickups, yelling children late into the evening, barking dogs, ATV's, outside rock music, loud campfire talk late into the evenings, and of course contractor type generators anywhere in the area.

However, the EX650 is only good for powering TV's, computers, fans, hair dryers set to low, and for battery charging. No A/C or microwave running with this little genny! What Honda needs to do is introduce a new variable speed portable inverter generator line that TOPS OUT at 53dB instead of STARTING OUT idling at 53dB. They do have one model that idles at only 47dB, but they need to add several more of various power ratings. I know that it can be done, as I've stood right next to and tried to hear certain ultra-low sound level high power commercial generators at shows, fairs, etc., that truly are the Sound of Silence.

[DrewE]

toedtoes wrote:

As is the truth with most threads of this manner, posters are not going to admit that they ignore the campground rules and run their gennies more than is allowed. Perhaps those on this board don't. But there are a lot of folks out there who do.

I have been to more than one campground where, for reasons I cannot readily understand, they seem to be rather secretive about the generator hours. It's hard to put too much blame on people for overrunning them when they are neither posted on bulletin boards nor noted with the other campground rules and regulations in the informational pamphlet.

Vermont state parks seem to often be offenders in this regard. I know I've mentioned it on the comment cards a few times that it might be a nice idea to post the established generator hours somewhere a little more visible.

[toedtoes]

TomG2 wrote:

toedtoes wrote:
I believe your takeaway from all this is faulty. I believe that while none of us "camp" next to other people running generators night and day all the time, many of us have had to camp next to other people running generators outside of campground generator rules. While one day in a campground with someone running their loud generator for one hour isn't unbearable (as long as it's done during the day), a long weekend or week with someone running their loud generator on and off all day and night IS enough to complain about.

As is the truth with most threads of this manner, posters are not going to admit that they ignore the campground rules and run their gennies more than is allowed. Perhaps those on this board don't. But there are a lot of folks out there who do.

What you can takeaway from this thread is that if you are at an event type setting where round the clock generator use is an acceptable factor, then it is OK to use your generator around the clock. If you are "camping", then follow the campground's rules regarding generators. If the rules don't meet your personal desires regarding generators (whether they are allowed to run too much or not enough), then find another place to camp.

Well, if my takeaway is "faulty" then so is your since you agree with almost everything I mentioned. Noisy events, expect noise. Otherwise, obey the rules or avoid those places where generators are commonly used.

Not exactly. Your takeaway is that people who are "camping" don't run into generators being run all day and night. That is the faulty part. Yes, people who are camping run into this - more often than is shown by this thread because: 1) by default, this forum is populated with people who are more likely to have and use a generator than other forums dedicated to camping; 2) people who have and use a generator are more likely to make allowances for generators being run outside of the rules; and 3) there is a halo effect on forums - people tend to claim to "NEVER" break the rules, to "NEVER" act rude, self-centered, or self-serving even though in the real world they often do just those things.

So, just because you "see" most people agreeing with our above "general consideration policies", in real life many of these same people will ignore these policies because it doesn't fit what they want.

[SoundGuy]

SoundGuy wrote:
Silent? That's funny ... the only time any genset is "silent" is when it's not running ... ANY genset.

pnichols wrote:
Hmmmm ... try a Honda EX650 if you can find one ... and you just might be surprized by the Sound of Silence. 😉

Sorry to disappoint but a friend owns an EX650 and while it is quieter than an EU2000i (of which I've owned 2 myself) it's NOT "silent" - NO genset is, other than when it's not running. :W

My SIG is SoundGuy for a reason, spent my career of 45 yrs in sound engineering ... and just for giggles I built an EU2000i Quiet Box just to see how "quiet" I could actually make that genset when running full tilt. The results were quite good, which anyone can view for themselves from the link in my SIG ... but it ain't "silent", nor more than is your EX650. 😉

[TomG2]

toedtoes wrote:
I believe your takeaway from all this is faulty. I believe that while none of us "camp" next to other people running generators night and day all the time, many of us have had to camp next to other people running generators outside of campground generator rules. While one day in a campground with someone running their loud generator for one hour isn't unbearable (as long as it's done during the day), a long weekend or week with someone running their loud generator on and off all day and night IS enough to complain about.

As is the truth with most threads of this manner, posters are not going to admit that they ignore the campground rules and run their gennies more than is allowed. Perhaps those on this board don't. But there are a lot of folks out there who do.

What you can takeaway from this thread is that if you are at an event type setting where round the clock generator use is an acceptable factor, then it is OK to use your generator around the clock. If you are "camping", then follow the campground's rules regarding generators. If the rules don't meet your personal desires regarding generators (whether they are allowed to run too much or not enough), then find another place to camp.

Well, if my takeaway is "faulty" then so is your since you agree with almost everything I mentioned. Noisy events, expect noise. Otherwise, obey the rules or avoid those places where generators are commonly used.

[toedtoes]

TomG2 wrote:
OP here. My takeaway from all this is that very few of us "Camp" next to other people running generators night and day. Some of us attend events where that is to be expected. Why then, do people jump on every mention of a generator that is a couple of db louder than theirs? Most of us never hear a generator in out travels. Or do some folks just like to complain whether it affects them or not? I have hauled Hondas and Yamahas all over the country and they were silent, just like the Champion that rides back there now, ready for an emergency.

I believe your takeaway from all this is faulty. I believe that while none of us "camp" next to other people running generators night and day all the time, many of us have had to camp next to other people running generators outside of campground generator rules. While one day in a campground with someone running their loud generator for one hour isn't unbearable (as long as it's done during the day), a long weekend or week with someone running their loud generator on and off all day and night IS enough to complain about.

As is the truth with most threads of this manner, posters are not going to admit that they ignore the campground rules and run their gennies more than is allowed. Perhaps those on this board don't. But there are a lot of folks out there who do.

What you can takeaway from this thread is that if you are at an event type setting where round the clock generator use is an acceptable factor, then it is OK to use your generator around the clock. If you are "camping", then follow the campground's rules regarding generators. If the rules don't meet your personal desires regarding generators (whether they are allowed to run too much or not enough), then find another place to camp.

[DanNJanice]

TomG2 wrote:
OP here. My takeaway from all this is that very few of us "Camp" next to other people running generators night and day. Some of us attend events where that is to be expected. Why then, do people jump on every mention of a generator that is a couple of db louder than theirs? Most of us never hear a generator in out travels. Or do some folks just like to complain whether it affects them or not? I have hauled Hondas and Yamahas all over the country and they were silent, just like the Champion that rides back there now, ready for an emergency.

Most of us have, at one time or another, been stuck next to someone running one of the Harbor Freight contractor generators (or their ilk). These things make a chain saw sound quiet.

[pnichols]

SoundGuy wrote:
Silent? That's funny ... the only time any genset is "silent" is when it's not running ... ANY genset.

Hmmmm ... try a Honda EX650 if you can find one ... and you just might be surprized by the Sound of Silence.

We have an immaculate one we carry in the rig and when I start it up with one or two pulls it just sits there doing it's thing ... but you practically have to hold your hand near the exhaust opening to tell. 😉

[TomG2]

SoundGuy wrote:

TomG2 wrote:
I have hauled Hondas and Yamahas all over the country and they were silent, just like the Champion that rides back there now, ready for an emergency.

Silent? That's funny :R ... the only time any genset is "silent" is when it's not running ... ANY genset. 😉

You got it. Way to go. Funny.

[SoundGuy]

TomG2 wrote:
I have hauled Hondas and Yamahas all over the country and they were silent, just like the Champion that rides back there now, ready for an emergency.

Silent? That's funny :R ... the only time any genset is "silent" is when it's not running ... ANY genset. 😉

[TomG2]

OP here. My takeaway from all this is that very few of us "Camp" next to other people running generators night and day. Some of us attend events where that is to be expected. Why then, do people jump on every mention of a generator that is a couple of db louder than theirs? Most of us never hear a generator in out travels. Or do some folks just like to complain whether it affects them or not? I have hauled Hondas and Yamahas all over the country and they were silent, just like the Champion that rides back there now, ready for an emergency.

[pnichols]

The best way to have drycamping electrcal power along is to have more than one way to get it:

- We can idle our motorhome's gasoline engine (Ford V10) to charge all batteries, heat the whole rig, or air condition the whole rig. It can hardly be heard 10 feet away.

- We can run the built-in Onan to charge all batteries, heat the whole rig (if the propane furnace system should ever fail), air condition the whole rig, or run the microwave. The Onan was installed well enough by the RV manufacturer such that it's not at all irritating inside .... or outside past, say, 30 feet away .... especially when parked on a soft surface.

- We can run a no longer available very small suitcase Honda to charge all batteries. It's noise level is only a low frequency humming at a constant 54 dB such that you can sit right next to it and carry on a conversation. It's even less irritating than an idling Honda 2000i (53dB) because the suitcase Honda's sound seems to contain no high frequency components - unlike the 2000i at idle - and a 2000i is really irritating when running full bore (59dB), or especially when going up and down while powering a cycling microwave or air conditioner.

We're touring hit and run campers who rarely spending more than 3 days in the same site, so we don't even have solar due to our 230 AH AGM battery bank plus wanting power flexibility regardless of sun, shade, cloudy skies, night skies, high altitude cold, desert heat, or Southern U.S. heat and humidity. We don't like to be restricted as to what location, what weather, or what season we can camp in and still have the full comforts we paid for. RV's cost too much for them to not to be ready for anything and everything. Tent camping is only camping. RV'ing is intended to be camping on steroids.

[dieseltruckdriv]

Our group will run the generators all night, so we don't have to listen to them during the day while we are fishing. I personally don't, but that is the group dynamic. All the generators are Hondas, except for one camper with a pair of Champion 2000 watt inverters.

BUT, we are boondocking at a large reservoir, and if you park close enough for those quiet generators to bother you, you shouldn't have parked so close to our group.

It is much cheaper to run the fuel sipping generators all night than pay for a site at the campground, and the fishing is better where we go.

[Jbrowland]

I have no problems with people running a generator or making some noise as long as it starts and stops when the rules say it should. Of course, rules will vary greatly from location to location and that's part of the game.

[doxiemom11]

Next time you hear someone's movie playing outside, kindly ask them if they know. We have 2 different friends who had turned the outside speakers on for a particular reason. Shut thing off and went to bed. Next time they used it the outside speakers were still on and they did not realize it. It could be they just forgot they are on and with the noise of the movie inside, would not realize the outside speakers on are.