portable generators

carmen · 06-11-2013, 03:01 PM

I have seen a few of these and wondered if it might work for us even when we take light trips out. Most are under a thousand dollars which is not that bad seeing as you want it to work, be light and still do a decent job. How good is the life span on them?

ppine · 06-11-2013, 05:38 PM

Portable generators are very useful for an RV in the boondocks or an application like building a house with no temporary power. For tent camping they are definitely overkill and not likely to make you any new friends. An RV has storage batteries so you only have to run the generator a little while each days ie 1/2 hour. For tent camping you have to run it the whole time you want power.

Grandpa · 06-11-2013, 07:41 PM

Dale Carnegie wrote a book titled "How to Win Friends and Influence People." As Ppine inferred above, Generators in a campground were NOT involved in that goal. The exception would be to recharge the batteries in an RV during the middle of the day for a few minutes. That being said, they are extremely handy to have around if you have the need. Because we "butcher a beef", lay away game like deer and elk, freeze a lot of vegetables and fruit, I have a 5500 watt generator ready to go to run the fridge and freezers (3) if we have a power outage, with enough fuel to keep those coolers running for quite some time. Plenty enough time to smoke, dehydrate, can, or eat everything in those freezers. I also have a 4000 to power our chief culinary water source, the well. Both of these generators see a little duty when power tools are needed away from normal power sources. I like to start and run them for a couple hours at least every month or so.

As a caution note, be sure to use STABIL or some other fuel additive if fuel is to be left in the tank and fuel system for more than a few days.

bsmit212 · 06-12-2013, 06:02 AM

I could see how one would be handy, and depending on your intendent use possible needed. But also, I would not be happy if someone pulled up next to me and started one up for whatever reason.

If you must get one, I know Honda claims to have one that runs with almost no noise. Don't know how ture those claims are, but look into one of those that will have the less noise as possible. That would be the only that would bug me about someone useing a generator when camping.

Hikenhunter · 06-12-2013, 06:22 AM

Yes I agree with the statements made by ppine and grandpa. A few years ago I was camping in a state park and we had tenters next to us who were newbies. They hadn't prepared for camping by going to propane or battery operated stuff and low and behold as the sun began to set they started their generator to run a few lights. You wanna talk about p ing some one off. I was po'ed and after trying to get them to shut it down, ( I even offered them one of my propane lights.) I went to the camp hosts to complain. They called a ranger who promptly responded and after about a dozen other complaints they were told they had to shut down. Had they been allowed to run that thing till quiet time I would have been gone the next day and I suspect a few others would have been gone the next day too. If you just want to charge cell phones and you are just looking for light use try googleing power packs or go to amazone and search for power packs. I reccommend and use the Duracell DRPP600. Basically it is a 12 volt batteriy with a built in power inverter that can be charged with A/C curren or through your cigarette lighter while you drive. They come with a DC outlet. 3 AC outlets and one USB port, cost under 200.00 and mine has lasted us about 6 years and is still being used today. Hope this helps you. Additionally, Most of these units come with jumper cables which is always a blessing when you are in need. Besides charging our cell phones while camping we take along a portable DVD player so on rainy days the young ones can watch a video or two and we usually camp where there is water so our unit is used to run a small compressor to blow up our river tubes. I have also used it around the house to power elactric tools when I have one or two cuts to make and to charge batteries for my battery operated drill, saw, screwdriver, etc...

carmen · 06-12-2013, 07:05 PM

I was thinking it might be useful for week long trips when it is more than just the husband and myself. When we take the longer trips with the kids and their kids it seems someone, somewhere always misses "the power". For the most part they do okay but we do have random complaints of someone that misses it. I was hoping with the use of one we could get a little of the chatter off our backs. Is it possible to use it for part of the time, rather than all of the time?

jackquontee · 06-13-2013, 08:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by carmen

I was thinking it might be useful for week long trips when it is more than just the husband and myself. When we take the longer trips with the kids and their kids it seems someone, somewhere always misses "the power". For the most part they do okay but we do have random complaints of someone that misses it. I was hoping with the use of one we could get a little of the chatter off our backs. Is it possible to use it for part of the time, rather than all of the time?

I bought this:

Whisper Quiet Yamaha EF2000IS Portable Propane Generator New from Genconnex 765053843775 | eBay

I can't say for sure if they make them in the 1000 watt range but it's worth a look if you really feel you'd like to have one.

On the other hand, I also have a 45 watt solar panel which I use in conjunction with a Duracell 600 watt charger/invertor. No noise, and works pretty well to charge/power most of my smaller items.

YC2013 · 06-17-2013, 11:52 AM

Jackquontee, we just bought one similar, it is also a yamaha but is the es 2000 and is gas not propane but is under 1000. it is nice and seems quite a bit quieter than the honda we had.

we do a little more camping from the truck now because of age but my hubby also wants to add a solar panel to our setup, any recommendations? he has been talking about getting one from harbor freight, it seems to have good reviews.

jackquontee · 06-28-2013, 08:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by YC2013

Jackquontee, we just bought one similar, it is also a yamaha but is the es 2000 and is gas not propane but is under 1000. it is nice and seems quite a bit quieter than the honda we had.

My apologies for not responding sooner but I've been quite busy. I have the Yamaha 2000is propane setup because the storage, use, and transport of propane just seemed safer.

Quote:

we do a little more camping from the truck now because of age but my hubby also wants to add a solar panel to our setup, any recommendations? he has been talking about getting one from harbor freight, it seems to have good reviews.

I searched the 'net and basically made my decision based more on price then even determining need. Kits, to include the solar panel, inverter, etc., are available but they can be a bit pricy. Shop around and be prepared for a good deal which occasionally comes along. I will be camping next weekend and will provide some information and pics afterwards.

**CozInCowtown** · 06-29-2013, 10:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by carmen

I have seen a few of these and wondered if it might work for us even when we take light trips out. Most are under a thousand dollars which is not that bad seeing as you want it to work, be light and still do a decent job. How good is the life span on them?

As long as me and mine don't have to listen to it all night.
IMO if you need electricity go to a campground!!
JMO, I hate listening to generators, radios or TVs all night while camping.
Coz