Excess Genny use

[Chandalen]

This is probably a rant.. with a question... what would you do, and how would you take it if someone did it to you?

Background..
*Campers in a 30' pull behind moved in at the next pad. Its a state park with genny hours from 0900-1100 and 1700-2100.
*Their first night it seems they had no power at all as they were using flashlights inside the camper.
*I saw they had a single Group 27 on the front, that was disconnected (at the neg terminal).
*Next day they had their truck plugged into the trailer plug and the battery was connected. They ran the truck for about 3 hours.
*I talked to him briefly and he said the battery was not charging. I said well.. your battery is probably toast, and there is no way your truck is gonna charge it. 'But I have a 30 amp alternator.' Insert sigh and eye roll here.
*Well sure enough that night they were on flashlights again.
*Today... at 0800 guess what... a BRAND NEW GENERATOR fires up!!
*(0900-1100 are generator hours)
*I have seen it before, and I dont think its safe, but they had an 'igloo' type box over it to dampen the noise. Ok.. whatever. However.. about 3' from the exhaust is a 5 gallon red gas can.
*Now, its 11:50 and that genny is still running.
*My wife, who is way more 'in your face' than me.. asked him to turn it off and his answer was simply 'my battery isnt charged yet (laughing and walking away)
*She wants to go get Ranger Rick and have them tell him to cut it off, and I dont want to have to worry about my stuff getting screwed with when we are gone lol!

Ideas???

[time2roll]

For the weekend I would try to just let it go. I would probably find an activity away from camp. If they had some attitude I would have no trouble stopping by the ranger to ask for support.

[Chandalen]

We have an ultra quiet 2k .... offered and he politely declined ... uggh.. he did finally decide he needed a new battery when it still was not holding a charge long. He said it was frozen solid this winter and was about 6 volts when it thawed. (Rolls eyes) he thought charging it a few times would fix it... because that's what he read...

Hopefully he will return this harbor freight 1k genny and get a new battery in its place !!!

[2oldman]

Just Jeff wrote:
Are you sure they know that there are generator hours?

That's my favorite excuse.. "Oh.. I didn't know." Uh huh.

[path1]

All the power you have in your signature line and as close as you describe...why not run some power over to him?

Both of you would benefit.

[bgum]

See Ranger Rick.

[Dadio24]

...offer them an extension cord that can pluggged into your outside outlet...should be all it takes for a quiet night...if refuses, let him know the generator time rules...he may not know he is doing something wrong...newbees!

[3oaks]

Ideas???

If you are that upset about the situation, your first option should have been to talk to the park ranger about it and ask him to enforce the park rules and regulations.

[tpi]

Sounds like you did all you could. Finding a new spot on holiday weekend could be problematic.

I think sites like rvnet help. If you read this site enough, you'll encounter discussions on generator etiquette, noise, generator hours, battery management, solar and low wattage lighting. But once in a while you just have to shake your head at the poorly equipped or operated installations. It is amazing how loud a 4 hp teacup engine can be. Almost like the entire power output is going into noise. In these otherwise quiet and beautiful surroundings.

[Chandalen]

HAHAHA...

Unfortunately, my long weekends are always the holiday weekends! (military)

He finally turned it off... lets see what tonight holds.

Fortunately Ranger Rick works 24/7 at this park! He said they will warn them once, then tell them to leave the next time, or offer an electric site when available.

[the_vfox]

Since your neighbors are not going to help you out, not much you can do except leave early.
The main reason we don't go camping on the holiday weekends is people like that and crazy drivers that get them there.

[rk911]

DownTheAvenue wrote:

Chandalen wrote:
Ideas???

Don't go camping on holiday weekends. It just isn't worth it!

best answer. we avoid holidays like the plague.

[Just_Jeff]

Sounds like they're new. Are you sure they know that there are generator hours?

[DownTheAvenue]

Chandalen wrote:
Ideas???

Don't go camping on holiday weekends. It just isn't worth it!

[jimh406]

Talk to the host or ranger Rick and move if possible. I avoid Holiday weekends that brings out the less prepared campers.

Moving might just get you close to people who make noise without a generator.

[2oldman]

You're in a tough spot. I don't know if Ranger Rick will be there at 11pm when it's running... again. It's Memorial Day weekend, and all the brain-dead inconsiderate louts are among us.

My Bose noise-cancelling headphones come in handy for times like these.