Generator overnight

[Phil G.]

Originally Posted by senljk

New to boondocking, but planning a trip out west this summer. Thinking about using some BLM's and some Walmarts, etc for overnight stays. I plan to let the generator run all night to power air conditioning units and my refrigerator (RV frig was replaced with samsung standard household 120v frig).

Any thoughts on this practice of leaving it run all night?

We have done this. That's an important use of RV generators in certain situations ... especially the expensive built-in ones.

Here's some general thoughts regarding use of an RV generator:

- For built-in generators, throw a rug on the ground under the generator compartment to absorb it's downward noise

- For built-in or stand-alone generators, keep all CO2 out of your coach interior by maintaining slight air pressure inside the coach whenever the generator is running.

- Running an RV generator is the ultimate "sound of independence" because it makes possible summer drycamping at low altitudes in the West (which we have done), summer drycamping anywhere in the Southern U.S. (which we have done), and drycamping anywhere anytime with no regard as to how much sun or bad weather is around you (which is how we plan).

Enjoy!!

[DavidEM]

I wouldn’t run a generator overnight unless I was at least 100 yds away from the nearest camper. Running a generator overnight and enjoying the great outdoors are fundamentally incompatible.

David

[BlueRidgeTim]

At Walmart it is bad form to pull out your portable gen, chairs, grill etc. Just park, sleep, shop in the morning and then hit the road.

^^^What he said. The same is true of Cracker Barrel & other businesses that allow overnight parking (not the same as “free camping”). Just follow the golden rule when you’re on the road, parked or camping and everyone can enjoy the great outdoors.

[ByeTheWay]

If you need to run a generator all night, check into a park and plug in.

[senljk]

Thanks for all the feedback on this. I will weigh my options.

[Kurtsara]

Originally Posted by profdan

For us, the whole point of boondocking is silence and darkness and privacy. Boondocking usually means that we have to put up with a longer drive each day to trailheads, as compared with campgrounds (which are more conveniently located but not as quiet).

I think that a lot of boondockers are in agreement with our priorities.

Having said that, it is a free country -- if you want to run your generator all night, no one has the right to tell you not to do so. You will suffer no ill effects from our silent unhappiness, and you will never know what we are thinking.

We have had to move our campsite a few times over the last 16 years of camping, in order to escape generator noise.

If there is any way you can afford a Honda, please consider that option. Although it is "only ten decibels quieter" than a cheap generator, that is (I think) twice as quiet.

There is one good excuse for overnight generator use -- a CPAP. Folks with sleep apnea have to have electricity. And campgrounds ban generator use after 10 pm, so CPAPers often have to boondock.

Finally, if you are camping in 100 degree heat, everyone around you will be running generators, so no harm done!!

CPAP can usually run on batteries.

Originally Posted by DavidEM

Running a generator overnight and enjoying the great outdoors are fundamentally incompatible.

David

In your opinion, we camp and explore off road, believe it or not, we, as well as others enjoy boondocking with the generator running.

[Vintage465]

Originally Posted by profdan

For us, the whole point of boondocking is silence and darkness and privacy. Boondocking usually means that we have to put up with a longer drive each day to trailheads, as compared with campgrounds (which are more conveniently located but not as quiet).

I think that a lot of boondockers are in agreement with our priorities.

Having said that, it is a free country -- if you want to run your generator all night, no one has the right to tell you not to do so. You will suffer no ill effects from our silent unhappiness, and you will never know what we are thinking.

We have had to move our campsite a few times over the last 16 years of camping, in order to escape generator noise.

If there is any way you can afford a Honda, please consider that option. Although it is "only ten decibels quieter" than a cheap generator, that is (I think) twice as quiet.

There is one good excuse for overnight generator use -- a CPAP. Folks with sleep apnea have to have electricity. And campgrounds ban generator use after 10 pm, so CPAPers often have to boondock.

Finally, if you are camping in 100 degree heat, everyone around you will be running generators, so no harm done!!

Most CPAP's run of 12v or 24v. There are 12v adapters and 24v inverters made specifically for each type of CPAP machine. I run my CPAP off my 12v all the time with the humidifier. And I share the same thoughts of not running generators all the time..........or in my case, not running a generator at all.

[MRUSA14]

Originally Posted by ByeTheWay

If you need to run a generator all night, check into a park and plug in.

That’s what I try to do, but sometimes the parks are full or very far out of the way, so I run the gen at night occasionally. Make sure all your windows are closed so no fumes can get inside.

[mricet1005]

Originally Posted by ByeTheWay

If you need to run a generator all night, check into a park and plug in.

I agree! I was going to make the same comment. When factoring in cost of fuel plus disturbing sound of Gen, just find a low cost RV park with electrical hookup.

[Phil G.]

Originally Posted by MRUSA14

That’s what I try to do, but sometimes the parks are full or very far out of the way, so I run the gen at night occasionally. Make sure all your windows are closed so no fumes can get inside.

I agree with the above.

We in general, A) don't care for many RV parks along our routes and B), always want the flexibility to drycamp whenever and anywhere we want, in just about any weather with or without the sun.

Whenever we run the generator on long runs, we pressurize the coach interior so no outside generator fumes can enter anywhere. Pressurization is easy to do, as most/many RV's come already set up to do this and the owners don't realize it.

[danbjr]

As a former fulltimer, 15 years, now just 6-8 months each year, it is my opinion that running generators except during normal waking hours is rude. Everyone seems to have what they consider a good reason. Does not make it quiet for folks wishing to sleep.

[AJMike]

Originally Posted by Magic Trek

Four year full timer here. Many people boondock to get away from the noise and lights pollution that is present everywhere other than the few spots that can be found out in the wild. I would suggest being mindful of neighbors and try to position yourself and generator away from others as far as possible. Note that gen sounds do travel quite far so adding a baffle may helpful ensure you are a good neighbor

[picker]

Originally Posted by senljk

New to boondocking, but planning a trip out west this summer. Thinking about using some BLM's and some Walmarts, etc for overnight stays. I plan to let the generator run all night to power air conditioning units and my refrigerator (RV frig was replaced with samsung standard household 120v frig).

Any thoughts on this practice of leaving it run all night?

Out in the middle of Nevada on BLM land......no problem.


In Walmart or CB parking lot..........RUDE !


(but rude people never understand it when they are being rude)

[ArtDeCamper]

If I'm boondocking it is to get away from urban noise and pollution. Running generators for long periods definitely shortens their life which isn't that long for gas generators and secondly it annoys your neighbors with noise and fumes. If you cant live without power go to an RV park with power. If you can afford the rig you can afford the camping so be considerate of others.