Inverter genset etiquette?

[Homeby5]

I am a newbie. I have a TT and an inverter genset. Even though i always obey park quiet time, I don't want to be rude.
I usually run my genset a couple hours before I go to bed to charge my batteries for my heater blower fan and to watch a little TV. I make sure to shut it down according to park rules...always before 11pm and often earlier. Then I start it again around 830 am to again charge my batteries from the night and make coffee. Run it about an hour. Again.. within Park rules.
Nobody has said anything to me and I usually even give my neighbors a heads up on why I am running genset.
Does this seem ok to you? Would you be bothered? I don't want to be one of "those campers"...

[BCam]

I think you're on the right track and are being very considerate. Another thing to consider is the sound a neighbor may here is highly dependent on the direction your exhaust is pointed. With a portable generator, this is easy to manage, with a built-in generator, not so much.

One option is to use a Gen-Turi, that channels your exhaust and sound upwards. I have one but haven't had the opportunity to use it yet. It's good for multiple day stays since it does need to be put away before travel:

https://www.amazon.com/Camco-44461-G.../dp/B000BUU5XG

Here's a review by etrailer:

https://www.etrailer.com/tv-review-c...-cam44461.aspx

When you can get around to it, installing some solar panels will have an impact on your generator use. Also, conserving power will help. Your furnace is a huge power hog so minimizing its use will have a big impact.

[Alpine36]

You are following proper generator etiquette. I try to put the portable generator in a spot that points away from everyone, chain it to a tree and use a long extension cord if possible. Never had a complaint yet.

[Pointerman]

If you are following the camp ground quiet time rules you are doing just fine. I wouldn't worry about notifying people that you are going to run your genny if you are doing it during the allowed hours. Seems a bit like over kill.

[hemifoot]

Originally Posted by Pointerman

If you are following the camp ground quiet time rules you are doing just fine. I wouldn't worry about notifying people that you are going to run your genny if you are doing it during the allowed hours. Seems a bit like over kill.

just my opinion,but overkill is running a genny as soon as park rules allow because your battery has dipped below 75% every single morning.running a coffee machine or whatever for a couple mins. i can see,but charging your batteries for hours as soon as the sun comes up?.as you can probably guess,i really dislike the sound of gennys when i'm camping.when my neighbor fires one up i get in the boat and go fishing.

[Arch Hoagland]

Sounds good to me, I wouldn't have a problem with it if I was camped next to you.

[Alpine36]

Originally Posted by hemifoot

just my opinion,but overkill is running a genny as soon as park rules allow because your battery has dipped below 75% every single morning.running a coffee machine or whatever for a couple mins. i can see,but charging your batteries for hours as soon as the sun comes up?.as you can probably guess,i really dislike the sound of gennys when i'm camping.when my neighbor fires one up i get in the boat and go fishing.

I hear ya.
My genset hours are typically anytime between 10am-10pm.
It totally depends on the situation...
At the racetrack all bets are off.
At a quiet lakeside spot, 10-10 for sure.

[Old-Biscuit]

IF running gen is during NON-Quiet Times........go for it

Non-electric camp sites should expect gens

[darnold9999]

I prop up my 2 x 100W portable solar power panels at the end of the day pointing to the morning sun to charge up my batteries in the morning. So far have not had a complaint. :-) We use the generator only when we need to run something with a heavy power draw like the vacuum or microwave, or the sun is unavailable or insufficient for the day. Pretty rare. With the current cost of solar panels you might want to have a look. I personally go camping to get into nature and the sound of a generator does not add to the experience - even during the hours when running a generator is allowed. I am not going to complain but having a generator running whenever it is allowed is annoying, and these days not necessary IMHO.

[hilgert]

NPS (National Park Service) rules state that generators must produce sound at or less than 60 decibels at 50 feet.

Pick up a sound meter on Amazon, and measure the sound output from your generator at various points. It would be good to know your generator "sound profile" in case an issue comes up with a park manager or irritated neighbor.

[darnold9999]

Originally Posted by hilgert

NPS (National Park Service) rules state that generators must produce sound at or less than 60 decibels at 50 feet.

Pick up a sound meter on Amazon, and measure the sound output from your generator at various points. It would be good to know your generator "sound profile" in case an issue comes up with a park manager or irritated neighbor.

Decibel X on your iPhone or Android is free. Pretty accurate for the price.

[96 Wideglide]

Originally Posted by Homeby5

Does this seem ok to you? Would you be bothered? I don't want to be one of "those campers"...

If the park is good with it, I am too !

[hilgert]

Originally Posted by darnold9999

Decibel X on your iPhone or Android is free. Pretty accurate for the price.

The smartphone apps are likely sufficient for this purpose, at least to determine which way to point the generator to achieve the least impact on the sound environment.

[PKI]

Slightly different perspective here. We once had one of the electric/water sites at a National Park. Made the reservation over eight months prior to get electric service so we did not have to run the generator.

The fourth day we were at the campground, an RV in a dry camp site fired up a generator and left for the day. That ruined our day.

The good neighbor plan is to run a generator as little as possible and as quietly as possible.