Let's talk generators...

[harleywolf]

Yes generators, so I have a few questions

[fritz_monroe]

To run the AC, you will need at least a 2000 watt model.  Some people do just fine with the Honda, but others have to have a bigger model to run the AC.  I've also heard a lot of good about the Yamaha.

As for noise, quiet is expensive.  If you are boondocking and there is nobody else around, feel free to get the cheap noisy model.  But if you have a neighbor, get the quiet model, if not, you will have some really ticked off neighbors.

Keep in mind that the db scale is not linear.  A 10 db difference is a doubling of volume.  The Honda EU2000i is rated at 59dB at 7 meters, a normal conversation is 60dB, so if you are standing about 23 feet away, it's quieter than a conversation.  But some of the cheaper generators are much louder.  For means of comparison, a lawn mower is about 90dB.

[Rawhide Kid]

(posted elsewhere but modified here)
 
I just went to Cabella's yesterday to look at the 2400 unit (Yamaha

[wavery]

The Honda EU2000i is pretty maxed out with the AC alone (on my camper). Some people have reported that the Honda EU2000i won't run their AC at all. I plug my AC directly into my generator and NOT through the camper's long extension cord, converter and wiring. On our camper, that makes the difference between being able to run the AC or not. (your results may differ)

The real big plus on the EU2000i is that it weighs 47# and is very small and very quiet. The fact is, most of your use for the generator may not be for the AC, it may well be for a multitude of smaller items. I know, for US, we run the AC very seldom. However, it sure is nice to have the power when we need it.

The other really cool thing about the Honda EU2000i is if you want to have 4000W of power, you can run 2 of them hooked together. It's a little more initial investment but running and upkeep is lower. Most 4000W generators are very large and very heavy (well over 100#) and they use a lot of fuel even if you are just running a battery charger or drill motor. If you have 2 of the Honda EU2000i generators, you only need to store/move 1 at a time and you can run only one if your consumption is less than 1800W.

Being light weight, you are also much more likely to pick it up and put it in your TV (covered up), over night, for security.

[SheBantam]

I just got one of those LP generators, put the wheels on, the battery box (yes, I am a wimpy female and need the electric start, especially in the winter here at home).  It is noisier than I had hoped, but meets the specs for most state and NPs, 67 decibles at 7 meters...the guy who helped me figure out how to get it started without the battery (the pull start would not work) by using my battery zapper...we could hold a conversation right over the top of it without hollering, we had to speak a little louder, about the same tone you use to get a point across to the kids or talking to the deafening husband...we did not have to holler at each other like my husband and I did when we bought and fired up a 5500 watt one...this LP is 3500, so I should be able to do everything I need to do.

[robpoe]

I have a Coleman Powermate 5000W generator.  I don't use it much for camping, though we did for Memorial Day 2006.  We'd not gotten in an electric site, and it was hot during the day (and nice during the night).  We ran the A/C during the day on the generator, and shut down at 9:50 (quiet time starts at 10:00).

There have been others who run their generator all night..I find that to be annoying.

I checked with all our neighbors to ensure that I wasn't bugging anyone with the noise from the generator.  All were ok with it, and were happy that I asked them about it.

That generator provides 2 110v 20 amp outlets (or 1 220v outlet), which I've found is enough to run the A/C and lights on the camper plug, and the microwave or coffee pot on the other with a short (20 foot) high quality extension cord.

Heck, it runs 95% of my HOUSE during power outages.. (backfeed into the panel, 15amps runs the lights, fridge and heater blower, then I run an extension cord for the entertainment center / computer).

Never tried the house AC .. if it were going to be a long power outage in the summer, I'd probably go get the camper out of storage and use it in Camp Driveway ...

[wavery]

I have a Coleman Powermate 5000W generator.  I don't use it much for camping, though we did for Memorial Day 2006.  We'd not gotten in an electric site, and it was hot during the day (and nice during the night).  We ran the A/C during the day on the generator, and shut down at 9:50 (quiet time starts at 10:00).

There have been others who run their generator all night..I find that to be annoying.

I checked with all our neighbors to ensure that I wasn't bugging anyone with the noise from the generator.  All were ok with it, and were happy that I asked them about it.

That generator provides 2 110v 20 amp outlets (or 1 220v outlet), which I've found is enough to run the A/C and lights on the camper plug, and the microwave or coffee pot on the other with a short (20 foot) high quality extension cord.

Heck, it runs 95% of my HOUSE during power outages.. (backfeed into the panel, 15amps runs the lights, fridge and heater blower, then I run an extension cord for the entertainment center / computer).

Never tried the house AC .. if it were going to be a long power outage in the summer, I'd probably go get the camper out of storage and use it in Camp Driveway ...

Most CGs in CA start "quiet hours" at 8:PM and are in effect until 10:AM. In most of the CGs, someone will come around promptly at 8:PM and check to be sure that all generators are off. There is a very good reason that they do that. It's because of the # of complaints against generator noise. That should tell you something.

I'm sorry but 90% of all campers would be annoyed to some extent if some guy was running any generator all day. The annoyance is bound to be much more with one of those noisy generators.

Don't kid yourself into thinking that those people were not annoyed. The kind and considerate thing to do is what you did. Walk over and ask your neighbor. I think that most people would politely say that it is OK. It is more than likely, they are just trying to be good neighbors. Either that or they are deaf and didn't understand the question.

I don't know about you but I think it is fair to say that most people go camping to enjoy the great outdoors and escape the hustle & bustle of the big city. IMHO, that includes annoying noises.

[robpoe]

Don't kid yourself into thinking that those people were not annoyed. The kind and considerate thing to do is what you did.

I'm a pretty good judge of whether someone's telling me the truth.  I think one of the things that helped was that we had 2 trucks, and kind of surrounded the generator with a V made by the trucks.  Deflected the sound off into the woods (that nobody gets near, too many ticks).

We were close to the big boys and their hard sided campers, one one side and on the other side was a huge church youth group who werent quiet at all.  Any farther away than that and the generator made little noise.

Perhaps people were annoyed, but we only ran it that one day and a little the next morning for coffee.  We moved into a Corps reserved spot the next afternoon, and it had power...

We try to be considerate campers.