Thread: Noisy Generators.

Why do you need a generator good duel battery set up and L.E.D lights

Hi Pumpa and welcome to the forum.

Generators are noisy things, even the super quiet Honda inverter types when used in a quiet environment.
The question I would ask is what do you use the generator for ? If its for lighting at night use LED lights and a small auxiliary battery tied to the vehicles charging system. If it's for keeping the fridge battery charged, use a bigger auxiliary battery or a dedicated fridge battery also tied to the vehicle charging system. If you have a three way fridge, which eat battery power like there's no tomorrow, run it on gas when camping or ditch it and buy a compressor type fridge ie. Engel/Waeco type.
As you noted generators are an anti-social piece of camping gear. They are smelly and noisy with the added dangers of fuel cartage/storage thrown in.
If you can do without a generator both you and your camping neighbours will have a much more pleasant experience.

Deano

Originally Posted by Pumpa

Hi,
I am new to the forum and still finding my way. I recently bought a cheap generator, although not a expensive unit suit me for my camping. Its a bit noisy and not wanting to upset other campers I am looking for a soultion to try to lighten off the noise, any suggestions ?????.
Pumpa.

Some suggestions:
1. Camp a long way from other campers.
2. Build it a dog kennel lined with 25mm fibreglass batts, my mate did this for running a genny at show days.
3. Trade it in on a Honda EU10i
4. Save up for some solar panels.

Cheers

Welcome to the forum.
Ditch the generator outight.
Generators have become an increasing source of dispute between campers.........if you cant camp without one dont go camping.

Despite the claims of brand x or y being the quietest, they can still be heard in the distance.
Generators from any manufacturer have no place in camping areas.

I am fed up with going out for a few days peace and quiet to have some folk with the energy "needs" of a small town show up in the afternoon disrupt the whole reason for camping in the first place.
IMO folks who "need" a gen for camping shouldnt be there and would be better off in a caravan and should then go to a park and plug in "essential" devices there and pretend they are camping.

Unless you are going on remote extended single vehicle travel, they are a completely unnecessary weight, bulk and above all, annoying device to others.

The best option as already stated;
Invest in a good dual or multiple battery setup with solar panels for longer stays and leave the peace and quiet of the outdoors that way for everyone to enjoy.

cheers

Thanks for the replies.
I was running my fridge for a while, as my gas was not working. I have since recetified the problem, and only run the gennie for lighting for about a hour. I have had no complaints so far, but I make sure I camp a distance away not to upset anyone.
I thought I might be able to purchase a type of muffler or something to rectify the problem.

Pumpa.

If you are only using the genny for lighting, I suggest you get LED lighting instead. There are tons of good LED lights around at moderate prices, and they won't drag your batteries down. LED work lights like this one:

27W led work light

...can light up a whole campsite at one go.

What's wrong with sitting back around a low camfire of gidgee or mulga coals in peace and quiet under the stars in the Australian Outback. It is so serene and pleasurable. After all that's why most of us go bush..to seek solitude and peace! A genny is a handy tool if you are travelling alone in remote area's, should you have the need to charge a flat battery, but thats about all. Lighting technology has advanced so far in recent years there are plenty of good options available if you really need to see what you are doing.

I have done some of my best work in the dark

Cheers, Mick

My small generator can barely be heard a car's length away. My pet complaint about campers are those who must play overloud tasteless music the volume of which is steadily increased according to stubby consumption and the lateness of the night. These people are usually the ones whose mates arrive late and rev up their noisy vehicles and start loudly calling out welcomes. They are also usually the ones who complain most about noise made by other people. My second level winge is about uncontrolled noisy feral children.