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Running the generator all night

Cmccain13
Explorer
Explorer
Hello all, so we have been to a few harvest hosts and its been hot, i don't know why, but I am apprehensive about letting the generator run all night. should I be? Does anyone else do this or do you run your generator all night. The only time I use the generator is at a harvest hose like every two weeks or so.
44 REPLIES 44

wa8yxm
Explorer III
Explorer III
Just remember if you run the Genny. On a motor home use a Gen-Turi to get the exhaust up up and away.. on a Trailer make sure there is no place for the exhaust to go but away and not just from your trailer.

And make sure your CO detector detects

My Motor home 2 hours of Gen time nad BEEP BEEP BEEP that Co detector did its job.

25 hrs with teh Genturi and no beeps.

https://www.kiro7.com/news/trending/4-deaths-2-critical-hospitalizations-confirmed-michigan-music-festival/G6XLYFOGRRBIHBRCZ6ILLC3W44/
Home was where I park it. but alas the.
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WinMinnie02
Explorer
Explorer
I run mine all the time. Change oil, air filter, and spark plugs. I laughed when the dealer told me not to use it often back in 02 when I bought the RVnew. They were thinking I would trade it in and upgrade so they get top $.

Atlee
Explorer II
Explorer II
Cmccain13 wrote:
Hello all, so we have been to a few harvest hosts and its been hot, i don't know why, but I am apprehensive about letting the generator run all night. should I be? Does anyone else do this or do you run your generator all night. The only time I use the generator is at a harvest hose like every two weeks or so.


Just ask the Host. They will let you know their policy. Then do as they say.

This should be what anyone does wherever they park overnight.
Erroll, Mary
2021 Coachmen Freedom Express 20SE
2014 F150 Supercab 4x4 w/ 8' box, Ecoboost & HD Pkg
Equal-i-zer Hitch

NamMedevac_70
Explorer II
Explorer II
2g's wrote:
OP: You're concerned about safety, as you should be. However, first you need to check with the Harvest Host to make sure it's allowed, especially if there will be other campers parked nearby. Most people don't want to hear a generator all night.

Same goes for boondocking... it's just common sense to not park near another if you're planning to do this.


Where I boondock I have no neighbors and that is my purpose for boondocking so my little inverter generator bothers no two legged critters.

mr_andyj
Explorer
Explorer
OP was specific that the concern was at a HOST site, therefore I would assume the question is not about CO but about the noise that the Host would possibly hear all night long from a gen running.

Depends how loud your generator is.

Depends if you can point it away from the host and if the RV is between the gen and the host. Depends how far away.

In general the Host assumes an RV will be using a generator for the AC all night unless a power cord is provided. This is what RVs do. Otherwise they would not let RVs stay.
If you cannot ask then you have to use your own judgement on this.

Edd505
Explorer
Explorer
Doesn't Harvest Host have a generator policy? Maybe all or individual, most places I have been say no generators after 10PM.
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Grit_dog
Navigator
Navigator
But 4 pages in and 2 weeks later, the OP hasn't actually expressed why he's concerned about this.....typical rvnet behaviour....
Lob up a question and then realize you didn't have a question in the fist place or you don't care to elaborate/participate, or idk.....

This forum could literally be the BEST comprehensive example of what NOT to do in a Communications class!! Hahaha
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Grit_dog
Navigator
Navigator
Dutch_12078 wrote:
We once stopped at a rest stop for lunch and had the 2 roof top vents running. It got too hot and I turned on the generator and then the AC. In the middle of eating lunch the CO alarm went off. Evidently the roof top vents were drawing in the exhaust from the generator. I opened tha windows and door and shut down the AC and then the generator. I switched my Fantastic fan from out to in and then closed up the windows and door. I restarted the generator and then the AC. Roof top fresh air being pulled into the MH from the vent fan created a positive airflow out of the MH instead of drawing air in. No more issues with the CO alarm.


You were running the A/C with the vents open???


But, but that's not even possible according to someone who replied to my post earlier in this thread....LOL
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2017 Heartland Torque T29 - Sold.
Couple of Arctic Fox TCs - Sold

pitch
Explorer II
Explorer II
Not that this point matters, but farm animals would not be phased in the least by generator hum. Generator sound is white noise, a constant steady hum. Farm animals are used to tractors combines augers,side by sides, any number of noise producing equipment.
No a steady hum is going to bother no animal,critters will panic at loud sharp random noises like dumpster lids,gunshots, airhorns,etc.

Dutch_12078
Explorer II
Explorer II
SFVdave wrote:
We once stopped at a rest stop for lunch and had the 2 roof top vents running. It got too hot and I turned on the generator and then the AC. In the middle of eating lunch the CO alarm went off. Evidently the roof top vents were drawing in the exhaust from the generator. I opened tha windows and door and shut down the AC and then the generator. I switched my Fantastic fan from out to in and then closed up the windows and door. I restarted the generator and then the AC. Roof top fresh air being pulled into the MH from the vent fan created a positive airflow out of the MH instead of drawing air in. No more issues with the CO alarm.
I have been to a casino whith free overnight RV parking and the MH next to me ran his generator all night for TV and AC. Also at Rincon parkway in Ventura CA, many run their generators all night for the same reasons of TV and AC. So many have done it but we haven't had to yet.


You were running the A/C with the vents open???
Dutch
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SFVdave
Explorer
Explorer
We once stopped at a rest stop for lunch and had the 2 roof top vents running. It got too hot and I turned on the generator and then the AC. In the middle of eating lunch the CO alarm went off. Evidently the roof top vents were drawing in the exhaust from the generator. I opened tha windows and door and shut down the AC and then the generator. I switched my Fantastic fan from out to in and then closed up the windows and door. I restarted the generator and then the AC. Roof top fresh air being pulled into the MH from the vent fan created a positive airflow out of the MH instead of drawing air in. No more issues with the CO alarm.
I have been to a casino whith free overnight RV parking and the MH next to me ran his generator all night for TV and AC. Also at Rincon parkway in Ventura CA, many run their generators all night for the same reasons of TV and AC. So many have done it but we haven't had to yet.

John_S_
Explorer II
Explorer II
I run mine all night for 20 plus years. In fact when I pulled out of the garage in my foretravel I would turn it on and never shut it off till I got across the country in the summer. It was on for 5 days straight and no issues. I did have one person in a rest stop in a class C get mad and stare at me while I was cooking and running it. SO I moved and let a refigerator truck pull into my spot overnight. It was poetic justice.
John
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CharlesinGA
Explorer
Explorer
Probably have to be logged in to see the FAQ. If you are parked near other guests, the host's home or neighbors, Farm animals, you need to run the generator very sparingly if the HH says its OK. If its a Museum, Church (yes, there are churches signed up to HH), and other businesses, after hours it probably is less of a problem if no one else is near, and the HH is OK with it.

I signed up, but have not used them yet.

I have an Onan 2500LP underneath my trailer. It exhausts out the side. I have a battery smoke/CO detector (new) identical to the original, I replaced it last year, plus I have a LP/CO detector (12v) that I installed new in the place of the original LP only detector.

Really would not want to sleep all night with a genny running however. It can suck some LP. In fact, I just installed Mopeka LP tank sensors to help keep track of propane levels due to the generator.

https://harvesthosts.com/faqs/#can-i-use-a-generator?

Q: Can I use a generator?

A: Yes, but please be courteous and ask beforehand so that the Host can park you where no one will be disturbed by it. If you are parked near the Hostโ€™s neighbors or other HH Members, please use your generator sparingly.

Charles
'03 Ram 2500 CTD, 5.9HO six speed, PacBrake Exh Brake, std cab, long bed, Leer top and 2008 Bigfoot 25B21RB.. previously (both gone) 2008 Thor/Dutchman Freedom Spirit 180 & 2007 Winnebago View 23H Motorhome.

Atlee
Explorer II
Explorer II
magicbus wrote:
ferndaleflyer wrote:
Whats an HH location?
Free overnight stays at attractions. https://harvesthosts.com/host-locations/

Of course rather than pay for fuel all night for a generator, it would probably be more economical, quieter and less worrisome to stay in a nearby campground and pay for electricity.

Dave


Quieter? Maybe. Less worrisome? Maybe. More economical? Probably not.

The campgrounds I just visited in the last two weeks were charging north of $40 a night, and these were not destination type CG's, if you get my drift.

I might spend $12 in gas a night assuming I'm running the A/C.
Erroll, Mary
2021 Coachmen Freedom Express 20SE
2014 F150 Supercab 4x4 w/ 8' box, Ecoboost & HD Pkg
Equal-i-zer Hitch