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Old 01-23-2005, 04:53 AM   #1
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We don't boondock. We have a very slim understanding of the process. This summer we have the opportunity to be campground hosts at a National Park campground that doesn't have any hook-ups (except the full hook-up host sites). Water usage and sewage can be carefully used and stretched to last. Do National Parks allow generator usage? Do RVers who stay long (up to the 14 day max) hook up their TV to recharge the batteries? As hosts will we likely be dealing with lots of "noise" issues? We'd really appreciate some information from boondocking experts. We've always stayed in campgrounds that at least offered an electric hook-up. Thanks.
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Old 01-23-2005, 04:53 AM   #2
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We don't boondock. We have a very slim understanding of the process. This summer we have the opportunity to be campground hosts at a National Park campground that doesn't have any hook-ups (except the full hook-up host sites). Water usage and sewage can be carefully used and stretched to last. Do National Parks allow generator usage? Do RVers who stay long (up to the 14 day max) hook up their TV to recharge the batteries? As hosts will we likely be dealing with lots of "noise" issues? We'd really appreciate some information from boondocking experts. We've always stayed in campgrounds that at least offered an electric hook-up. Thanks.
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Old 01-23-2005, 05:38 AM   #3
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Yes, generators are allowed in National Parks and National Forrest CG's. Here is a link to a page on my website about generator noise levels. http://www.klenger.net/arctic-fox/ge...ise/index.html

Although many attempt to use a tow vehicle to recharge the batteries in their trailer, it is a very ineffective way to do so. We use a combination of solar power (see http://www.klenger.net/arctic-fox/solar/index.html) and an Onan on-board generator (see http://www.klenger.net/arctic-fox/ge...ion/index.html) to keep our batteries charged. I suspect that the NPS will provide some "training" on how to deal with CG noise issues before you start, but then maybe not. Have a ball.
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Old 01-24-2005, 01:45 AM   #4
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Down here in teh Everglades NP, generators are permitted between 8 am and 8 pm. Quit hours are from 10 PM to 6 AM.

Re noise or other "problem" visitors, be super nice and remind them of the rules. If it requires more than that, get one of the park's LE (law enformcement)Rangers to handle the problem. That is their job.
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Old 01-24-2005, 08:15 AM   #5
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There are some campgrounds in Yellowstone that do not allow generators at any time, but the vast majority do allow generators during certain hours. As hosts, you will probably have to deal with the sort of camper that thinks that because he paid for the site, he/she can do anything they want, including running a loud generator all nite. Hopefully, that will be a tiny fraction.

There is an urban legend that you can recharge your RV batteries with the TV. In reality, it doesn't work. People post all the time that they recharged their batteries using that method, but what happens is this: The person has low batts and the "monitor" in the TT says "LOW." So he/she hooks up to the TV and runs the engine for 1/2 an hour. The surface voltage of the battery is increased and the monitor reads "CHARGED."

Unfortunately, that is impossible. What is happening is that the "monitor" that comes in RVs is worthless. It lies. Because it only reads voltage, it does not tell you how much charge is in the battery. It would take many hours of running the TV (at higher RPMs than idle) to get any sort of true charging done. Even charging at the maximum safe rate, (which TVs can't do) will take 3-4 hours. Running a TV for 6 hours will not be a popular option with the other campers. :-)

Enjoy you hosting. I've thought about doing some of that too when I retire.
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Old 01-29-2005, 08:59 AM   #6
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Hi Mr Camper
We are campground hosts for the National Forest Service at Sam Houstion NF about 60 miles north of Houstion, TX.
Quiet hours are from 10PM till 06AM. This includes any generator, radios, music and sitting around the camp fire solving the problems of the world in a loud voice. Most campers are great but once in a while we have to reminde some of Quiet hours.
We have full hookups here so don't worry about it. But in some places we have hosted there was no Hookups. For those times we have a 400Watt wind generator plus 180Watt solar panel on the roof. Between the two we usually had enough power to watch 3 or 4 hours of TV and run a computer connecting to the internet, plus our lights and pump. If I had my choice again I would go with 400Watt Solar Panels. When batteries get too low we run our Honda 2000i generator.
Hope this helps.
Lee & Linda
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