How do you feel about generators??

[wavery]

I have a generator but I don't like it when people are careless about the use of their generators.

This last weekend, we were camped at Morro Bay and the guy next to us had an older motorhome. He started his generator and not only was it loud but it literally gassed us out of our campsite. His exhaust pipe was right in the front door of our camper.

I knocked on the owner's door and he kindly shut it down.

[flyfisherman]

I personally don't like generartors in campgrounds for the very reason you gave an example of ... inconsiderate "campers". I know the NFS C/G's I frequent have gererator hours, but again, there are those who (I suspect) conveniently "forget" and have to be reminded daily. A couple places have some sites where the big rigs cannot get back into and that's where I head. However, a tenter or popuper can have generators as well. I really wish there were areas or sections in the C/G where they were simply not allowed. One of the great joys of getting outdoors is the peace and quiet of nature and some generator hammering away certainly distracts from that tranquilty. But then drunks and radios can be a big nuisance as well.




Fly

[garana]

Was this a private or state site? State sites are usually good at policing activity at the campground that includes generator miss-use. Private sites don't like to stir trouble with campers that might chase away a paying guest.

I have a Honda eu2000 generator. It is an evil necessity. I find it to be annoying to hear and I cringe when I have to fire it up. But I rarely use it and I try to be conscientious of not interfering (too much) with other

[beacher]

How do you feel about generators??

I feel that they're great for making electricity when camping!

But, when to use them takes some finesse.

I have gone camping with the ToyHauler crowd in the desert in the middle of noplace.  In that environment, they regularly use contractor gennys to power 10,000 Watt stadium amplifiers and speaker towers to Rave to the sounds of Paul Oakenfold and anything by Dj Sammy until 3:00 a.m. or until the kegs run dry.

I also frequent private RVparks where you can hear your neighbor sneeze inside their RV.  Even the most quiet Honda or Yamaha is grating to the senses.

How I really feel about using a generator, and the noise it makes, depends on where I happen to be camping and the situation.

[6Quigs]

How do you feel about generators??
...
How I really feel about using a generator, and the noise it makes, depends on where I happen to be camping and the situation.

Eaxctly!!
I also own a generator, but am very sensitive to other campers, so the few times I have used it when camping, was during the day, when there was plenty of other noise going on, like at the lake, with jet boats and jet ski's blaring away all day, so you could never hear my generator.

When we go camping there are plenty of other things that we do that can annoy our camping neighbors, like unbehaved children, or dogs, radios, excessive drinking, smoky campfires, bright lights, cutting through campsites, staring at our camping neighbors, the list goes on.

For the most part, I am there to relax and enjoy myself, and try not to get worked up about the little things

[3ontheGo]

I made my living off of generators and other specialty power systems for 7 years, but I have no reason to own one. I don't like the noise, and I really don't like the exhaust fumes.

I don't mind roughing it. I kinda like to prove to myself that I'm capable of doing without things every now and then. If it's too hot to live without A/C where I am, I can always go someplace where it isn't. But I find that my body can adjust to temperature changes and my eyes can adjust to the dark. Humans are infinitely adaptable.

[tlhdoc]

As long as they are not loud and are used limitedly they are ok.  Assateague Island National Seashore has a generator free loop.  Most public campgrounds do have a noise limit for generators.  If someone has a very loud unit you can contact the park rangers and they will check into it.

[Darrell T]

Like beacher said it depends on the situation. If they are run in the middle of the day when there is lots of other noise around it isn't bad. All night long on a hot night so you can run the A/C is inconsiderate to anyone within earshot. I don't have a generator but am thinking of getting one just to charge that battery in the PUP. Batteries just don't last 2 weeks y'know. Right now I use jumper cables and just idle my truck for a couple hrs. One thing I am going to do is make sure the exhaust system on the thing is operating properly and maybe rig up a larger muffler for it. I want to be able to carry on e a conversation at camp like every one else does.
Darrell

[sacrawf]

I agree.  I have no problem with generators, but their inconsiderate use. And not just with the generator, but unconsiderate use of the televisions, the muffler-less moped, and ATV's. I fail to see why healthy kids have to drive the ATV 300 yards back and forth from their camper to the shower house day and night.

[AZsix]

I don't have a problem with them as long as people are considerate and use them when they are supposed to.

[JimS]

At most of the campgrounds I go to, any noise is intrusive.  Some other campgrouds like Madison in Yellowstone, there is so much going on, you don't even hear generators.  I do understand the necessity of generators and do not mind considerate use, but personally, the noise issue is why I went with a solar system that wound up costing a couple of hundred more ( not to mention the installation) than a generator would have.  The solar panel is quiet and as long as I have about four hours of sunlight per day, I'm good.

[Clarabelle]

I too have mixed feelings.  I am considering purchasing a small quiet generator just to recharge my battery when necessary.  I do not want to be a major noise contributer.  I was camping in Idaho at a National Forrest campground last summer, and someone was running a generator several hours during the day that was loud enough to be heard 1/2 mile away.  To me, that was excessive.   I hear the Honda's are relatively quiet.

['tiredTeacher]

How do you feel about generators?? How I really feel about using a generator, and the noise it makes, depends on where I happen to be camping and the situation.

Me, too. That's why I boondock or camp in primitive parks. My best bud owns a smallish TT and stays on the road for months at a time. He frequently camps in parks with no hook ups (such as Ocracoke) so he bought a Yamaha generator that he uses to charge his battery. It runs maybe 2 hours a day and is hardly audible. He has no A/C or any motorized toys and we enjoy boondocking together.

[MotherNature]

In my many years of camping (tented for 15, will be our 3rd season w/popup), my personal experience is that people themselves can be just as much of a nuisance as loud generators at all hours.

I've had people at the next-door site run generators that you could barely hear and have heard folks about 1/4 mile away running an industrial-size one.  I personally can't stand the noise, yet I understand and respect people's rights to run one IAW park rules.  I say this because I have two children and, despite my best efforts, cannot always control them to the point where they will constantly modulate their voices.  I know their occasional outbursts (happy or sad) are not always pleasant for others to hear; fortunately park rules don't prohibit children from being children (in spite of us adults   )  I would certainly accept the responsibility of getting a citation if they violated park rules/quiet hours or take appropriate action if people complained!  Also, DH snores REALLY loud (despite medical attention/interventions).  We've had other campers make comments about hearing it over at their sites!  He can't control it  - people have been understanding and we appreciate that!  I myself have had a loud outburst late at night when a flaming marshmallow was (accidentally!) dropped onto my bare foot (I was quite embarrassed by my reaction and apologized to all who I thought had heard me).  So I am really in no position to complain about noise!

I have to say I've had very few experiences with loud stereos - again, I've heard some people blasting them during the day but they were usually shut off within a very short time.  Music you hate is annoying at a much lower volume than the stuff you like!

I think that some people know when they are beyond the limits and just don't care.  I've had loose children/pets run through my campsite and had their owner/parent/child apologize.  At the same time I've had parents repeatedly escort children through our campsite (enroute to restroom) without an apology or even a hello (I could understand if it were a potty emergency or the like but this was just plain rude).

Loud partiers are annoying, yet also are those who yell at their children/spouse excessively and smack their barking dog despite its being tied up without food, water, or attention.

I also sympathsize with sacrawf's comment about loud mopeds and the like - last summer there was an individual with both a Harley and modified (loud!) moped who would ride these vehicles to the restroom (500' away and he went quite often) or just up and down the street repeatedly.  I thought about reporting him to the Park Ranger but thought maybe we were just as annoying to him with DH's snoring?

There's no good answer - people's tolerance levels will always be different - sometimes you get lucky to be camping near people like yourself and sometimes not!

Speaking of noise, I apologize for talking too much...

[CajunCamper]

Here's my take on the issue, it may not be popular, but here it is.

If you go camping and can't live without items that require electricity during your trip, then you need to get a site with hook-ups.

If you prefer a primitive site for a more wilderness experience and for the peace and quiet. HELLO!!! I don't see the need or the desire to have a generator.

This notion that if you only run it only during the day and turn it off at night is acceptable, think again. We primitive camp so we can hear the wind blowing through the trees, a nearby stream and the birds singing during the day. I have no problem with the sound of kids playing, they're just being kids. I think stereos and all electrical devises that make noise should be banned in primitive areas.

If you need all this stuff, why primitive camp.

CajunCamper