One of the things that have made portable and silent generators more popular is the fact that they have become an integral element of many outdoor activities like camping, hiking and road-tripping in a recreational vehicle or RV. Camping generators are basically generators designed for portable use and are optimized for use in the outdoors where they can be subjected to rugged conditions and can be exposed to the elements. Hence, the ideal camping generator for camping and other outdoor activities is one that is sturdy, light, dependably powerful and, last but not the least, designed for low-noise or silent operation.
A 1000 watt power genset will usually be sufficient to power basic necessities in the outdoors. That will include a basic cooker to cook food or boil water with as well as the needed portable outdoor lighting that will come in handy during night time. Sure it’s fun to have a camp fire but modern campers will surely find more convenience in bringing electric powered lighting systems for camping and outdoor applications. If you wish to power entire RVs or trailer camps then more powerful 2000 to 3000 watt silent generator systems will probably be needed but expect that the units will pack more heft.
Featured below are two affordable gas generators for camping, hiking and RVing manufactured by two popular brands in the power generation niche— All Power America and Honeywell:
All Power America APG3006 1,050 Watt 2.4 HP OHV 4-Cycle Gas Powered Portable Camping Generator
This is an affordable gasoline-powered unit with a maximum output of 1,050 watts (rated at 950 watts). It is a little bigger and heavier at approximately 60 lbs. compared to some of the top-brand 1000 watt units like this Kipor generator (IG1000) which weighs only about 30.7 lbs. It is equipped with a brushless motor that gives it better fuel efficiency and durability. It has a 120-volt AC outlet and a 12-volt DC outlet so it’s perfect for those. Noise is rated at less than 65 dB. This is non-CARB compliant so it’s not for sale in California. You can buy it for approximately $280 online. Click Here for more information about this unit.
Honeywell HW2000i 2,100 Watt 125cc 4-Stroke Gas Powered Portable Inverter Generator (CARB Compliant)
This one is an affordable inverter generator capable of 2100 watts maximum (rated at 2000 watts) output. Its gas-powered inverter engine technology gives it a relatively smaller frame and heft and produces cleaner emissions compared to its non-inverter counterparts. It is also more fuel efficient because it can modulate engine speed depending on its load. It is equipped with convenient features smart start capability, light indicators, low-oil automatic engine shutdown, overload protection, etc. It weighs around 58 lbs. and is low-noise rated at 62 dB. This one costs around $680 online. Click Here for more info about this camping generator.
How To Choose The Ideal Camping Generator Based On Your Power Needs And Noise Limits
When you enjoy camping and other outdoor recreational activities on a regular basis, having a camping generator close at hand can bring you the convenience of electricity whether you are camping with your kids in your own backyard, or trekking along some of the remotest places on planet earth.
Among the vast number of portable power generators in the market today, those that are specifically designed for outdoor or camping applications are your best friend out in the wild. How else will you be able to brew your morning cup of coffee, or power up your laptop while relaxing in the midst of nature? Still, bringing along a generator on your camping and outdoor trips does have its drawbacks, and the highest one on the list is the noise your generator makes.
You don’t want to be kicked out of the campgrounds because your portable generator noise is keeping everybody else awake. Neither will you want your camping generator exhaust to scare off the wildlife.
So what do you need to look for in a camping generator to ensure you don’t upset anybody, or anything, with the roar of your genset?
The first thing to do is consider the size of the generator unit. There are generally two sizes available in the market today that can fit into the back of your pick-up or RV – compact and small.
Compact camping generators can power you up with as much as 1,000 watts, which is adequate electricity to run a couple of appliances, say your coffee maker and your laptop. A small one, on the other hand, will generate anywhere from 2,000 to 3,000 watts of power, so you can run several appliances at once: a small TV, a microwave, and even your camper’s air conditioner unit for uninterrupted sleep on muggy nights.
One caveat: the small camping generator, because it provides more wattage, necessarily produces more noise compared to a compact camping generator. So if you’re all for peace and quiet, and the low hum of silent generators, then you’ll have to make the compromise of running only two appliances at a time with a compact generator.
On the other hand, if a low noise generator isn’t high on your agenda, the small camping generator model will suffice, as long as you keep relatively out of the way of other campers who may take issue with the racket your genset can make, or park your vehicle far away from the wildlife you intend to hunt or observe.
So whether you are a rabid appliance or gadget user, even in the wild, or a back to basics kind of person who would prefer to sleep under the stars with only the sound of crickets and your purring silent generator for company, your choice of camping generator should match your outdoor recreational requirements without cramping your style or hindering you from acquiring the convenience of electricity when you most need it.