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Use of Generators to run Air Conditioners when camping

RoyB
Explorer II
Explorer II
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
My Posts are IMHO based on my experiences - Words in CAPS does not mean I am shouting
Roy - Carolyn
RETIRED DOAF/DON/DOD/CONTR RADIO TECH (42yrs)
K9PHT (Since 1957) 146.52M
2010 F150, 5.4,3:73 Gears,SCab
2008 Starcraft 14RT EU2000i GEN
2005 Flagstaff 8528RESS
128 REPLIES 128

Jloucks
Explorer
Explorer
WandaLust2 wrote:
wbwood wrote:
All this jabber makes me want to go out and crank up the Onan on the mh and the champion at the same time just to piss someone off.


And just to p*ss you off you may find your tires slashed by the person you purposely p*ssed off - or ignored if they complained. Is it worth it? And yes, I have heard of a MH owner who had their tires slashed after sassing off someone who asked them to shut their Gen off late at night.


Like my dad used to say "you act like an a-hole and someday your gonna try it with the wrong person".

tpi
Explorer
Explorer
JiminDenver wrote:
You would think that having the smaller companies putting out inverter generators would push the big boys into offering improvements just to stay on top of the game. Honda went the opposite with their last offering the Handi 3000. It's not only louder than the EU3000 but almost as loud as my 3500/4000 under a heavy load. Yet it is still a Honda and cost in the $2000 range.


I would think so. Just an example both Yamaha and Honda have small twin cylinder off the shelf water cooled engines (small outboards come to mind). Encapsulate it, run it at low RPM with an inverter and there's a quiet generator. No doubt these couldn't serve all applications due to size and weight, but I bet they could be made surprisingly portable and light.

Even less excuse for the built in Onan 4KW I have in my motorhome. Why is it running at 3600 RPM? This thing could be made much quieter using above technology.

JiminDenver
Explorer
Explorer
You would think that having the smaller companies putting out inverter generators would push the big boys into offering improvements just to stay on top of the game. Honda went the opposite with their last offering the Handi 3000. It's not only louder than the EU3000 but almost as loud as my 3500/4000 under a heavy load. Yet it is still a Honda and cost in the $2000 range.
2011 GulfStream Amerilite 25BH
2003 Ford Expedition with 435w tilting portable/ TS-MPPT-45
750w solar , TS-MPPT-60 on the trailer
675 Ah bank, Trip-lite 1250fc inverter
Sportsman 2200w inverter generator

64thunderbolt
Explorer II
Explorer II
jetboater454 wrote:
64thunderbolt wrote:
Sometimes it's for convenience and sometimes to power a welder to repair an off road machine.


Any I thought I was about the only one bringing a welder.


We have had the need several times. When out in the desert or deep in the forest can't let a broken part ruin your trip. Or something gets damaged on a TV or trailer. It could be an expensive tow or repair.

This thread is the very reason I have never camped in a campground in the 15+ yrs having an rv. I go with people of the same interests to the remote places to do our thing. If you quiet ones happen to camp too close shame on you.

And someone made a crack about the diesels. You are probably thy guy with a Tundra & a 30' trailer wobbling over 2 lanes in the wind because you don't have enough truck.
Glen
04 Tail gator XT 34' 5th wheel garage model
200w solar 2 GC2's 800w inv
Truma tankless WH
99 F350 CC DRW 7.3 ais intake, adrenaline hpop, JW valve body,
cooling mist water inj, DP tunes, 4" exh sys
trucool trans cooler added
2011 RZR 900xp

tpi
Explorer
Explorer
I wish there was a way of pressuring the generator mfg. to make a better product. I've written to Onan with no response after offering to buy a fuel injected clean generator. I've posted this opinion on numerous RV forums without much response.

Seriously some of these complaints are due to the fact the current state of the art of generators is so bad. Someone should be able to run their AC and not be heard by dozens of campers. There should be no exhaust odor. There should be much less running just to satisfy maintenance requirements.

I use the generator, I like the generator but am NOT happy these products are so stuck on old design.

Eurocamper
Explorer
Explorer
Wherever possible I camp in a campground that prohibits generators. I've noticed that out here in the West there are more and more of them available. Some, like Zion National Park, are reducing the hours in which a generator can be operated in campgrounds that allow them.

Noise pollution is coming to the forefront as an issue in our National Parks and recreation areas. If this is a concern to you it's a good time to get involved.

I support the National Parks and the National Forest that are making no-generator campgrounds available and I encourage anyone here that objects to generator noise to contact the National Park and National Forest administrators to make your opinion known. It makes a bigger difference than you might suspect.
2008 Fleetwood Evolution E1
2011 Dodge Ram 2500 Crew Cab 4x4 Hemi
2007 Nissan Xterra 4x4
Ex 1997 Volkswagen Eurovan Camper

JiminDenver
Explorer
Explorer
I can't imagine any newby asking what generator to run their AC with has any idea how loud they are or how far away they can effect people in a quiet campground. It also cost quite a bit to have our Champion 3500/4000 run the AC all day. A electric site would be cheaper and you wouldn't have to listen to others running their generators even if you were not.

Part of it is the culture. Tell a dealer or post a thread here that you will be dry camping and how do you keep the batteries up and the first thing you will hear is Get a Honda. Start talking about LEDs, bigger battery banks and solar and someone will say it's all a waste of time, just get a Honda, run it for a few hours a day and life is good. (just not for your neighbor)

Personally I'd stay away from CGs that allowed generators if you didn't want to hear them.
2011 GulfStream Amerilite 25BH
2003 Ford Expedition with 435w tilting portable/ TS-MPPT-45
750w solar , TS-MPPT-60 on the trailer
675 Ah bank, Trip-lite 1250fc inverter
Sportsman 2200w inverter generator

jetboater454
Explorer
Explorer
64thunderbolt wrote:
Sometimes it's for convenience and sometimes to power a welder to repair an off road machine.


Any I thought I was about the only one bringing a welder.
2011 Toyota Tundra DC Long Bed
2001 Harley Dyna Lowrider

64thunderbolt
Explorer II
Explorer II
RoyB wrote:
I am hearing it seems to be pointing to the dispersed and non designated areas like KTMRFS is saying that can run a generator just about anytime they want to. All of those seem to be West of the Mississippi River...

Having said that it seems like a bunch of real big trailer in the 36-40 foot lengths or more that have two air conditioners installed are asking the same type of questions. I wouldn't think those larger RV units would not be in the dispersed or non designated areas all that much. I am guessing these users of the really big trailer just like to have something to run both air conditioners sitting on the side of the road, private areas, and while enroute to the camp sites where they can hookup to 50AMP pedestals somewhere.

Interesting comments

Roy Ken


Come to Az and look around in the forests in Norhtern Az and you'll find more 34'+ toyhaulers & TT in the forest than you might think. Last year on Mem Day we had several big Toyhaulers in our camp. We run the gen whenever it's needed. Sometimes it's for convenience and sometimes to power a welder to repair an aff road machine. If you don't like to hear a gen run go to a place that doesn't allow them or to a hotel. I personally could not would not live in an area wher you are limited to where or how you can camp or ride. Everyone has their own pleasures. Here in Az if you want solitude you can find it. I have camped in areas where no one was within miles of me. It's just too crowded back in the midwest & east. I don't see the need for a camper back there just go to a hotel and do day trips. I'm sure I'll get a lot of neg comments but after 30 yrs of camping when, where, & how you want it would be hard to change.
Glen
04 Tail gator XT 34' 5th wheel garage model
200w solar 2 GC2's 800w inv
Truma tankless WH
99 F350 CC DRW 7.3 ais intake, adrenaline hpop, JW valve body,
cooling mist water inj, DP tunes, 4" exh sys
trucool trans cooler added
2011 RZR 900xp

wbwood
Explorer
Explorer
qtla9111 wrote:
AirZone wrote:
Isn't camping to enjoy the Great Outdoors, not to listen to man made noise. Listen to Mother Nature, not city noise?


You'll never convince anyone. The world didn't know noise this until about 150 years ago. Since then it is all about lights, noise and music. Human beings get further and further away from who they are.

We live out in the country, nice and quiet. We have a niece (36 yrs old) who won't come to visit. She says its too quiet and drives her nuts. Sad commentary.

Generators aren't a bad thing, but they do have their place. People spend tens of thousands on an rv and then say solar is too expensive.


Going off Airzones comment. If you take that approach to camping, which is perfectly fine, then vehicles should not be parked anywhere remotely close to you. You shouldn't bring a radio, cell phone or even a propane appliance (stove/lantern). As those all emit man made noises. And forget the jiffy pop over the fire too. Lmao

You probably should be sleeping on the ground and not have an inflatable mattress unless you are huffing and puffing on it by yourself.
Brian
2013 Thor Chateau 31L

qtla9111
Nomad
Nomad
AirZone wrote:
Isn't camping to enjoy the Great Outdoors, not to listen to man made noise. Listen to Mother Nature, not city noise?


You'll never convince anyone. The world didn't know noise this until about 150 years ago. Since then it is all about lights, noise and music. Human beings get further and further away from who they are.

We live out in the country, nice and quiet. We have a niece (36 yrs old) who won't come to visit. She says its too quiet and drives her nuts. Sad commentary.

Generators aren't a bad thing, but they do have their place. People spend tens of thousands on an rv and then say solar is too expensive.
2005 Dodge Durango Hemi
2008 Funfinder 230DS
Living and Boondocking Mexico Blog

rockhillmanor
Explorer
Explorer
Bumpyroad wrote:
rockhillmanor wrote:


and you think everyone with a generator should park in a specific area away from others?? :S


I thought some parks do have a non-generator zone and a generator zone.
bumpy


Yes they do and everyone parks in the designated area. That reply was related to a camper using their gen during the designated time in a CG where gens are allowed thru out the park and the poster thought that that camper should move away from him because the camper used his gen 100% of the designated time and it bothered him. :R

The OP original post and the majority of the replies are directed to campers that are parked in a CG where generators are allowed, and these people do not want them to use them because it bothers them.

CG's where generators are allowed and other campers complaining that generators are running. What IS wrong with this picture?

We must be willing to get rid of the life we've planned,
so as to have the life that is waiting for us.

6dot6
Explorer
Explorer
geez this is like a smoker/non smoker argument now. you cant smoke next to my dinner table while im eating. yes i can, i can this is a smoking section. i dont know what the big deal is with the quiet generators. when i was tent camping i would have loved one and a window ac unit mounted to my tent somehow. for the people saying it spoils the outdoors....well if you are that hardcore why are you even in a campground with bathrooms and paved roads? sorry but if the rules say i can use a gen until a certain time i will be using one. however, it wouldnt be my lowes storm responder thats about 200 decibels but there wil be a national park approved generator.
2010 gmc cc dually twins, nozzles and trans. 12.6 @ 108 so far.
2013 coleman 297re

Terryallan
Explorer II
Explorer II
Bumpyroad wrote:
rockhillmanor wrote:


and you think everyone with a generator should park in a specific area away from others?? :S


I thought some parks do have a non-generator zone and a generator zone.
bumpy


Actualy sounds like a good plan. Folks that want the noise, and smell, Could be together, and folks that want quiet, could be together. Every body wins.
Terry & Shay
Coachman Apex 288BH.
2013 F150 XLT Off Road
5.0, 3.73
Lazy Campers

Bumpyroad
Explorer
Explorer
rockhillmanor wrote:


and you think everyone with a generator should park in a specific area away from others?? :S


I thought some parks do have a non-generator zone and a generator zone.
bumpy