Using a Generator while camping?

ArmyofMike

ArmyofMike

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Off-Road Ranger I

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fresno, ca
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7890

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KM6YFE
Hey All,

Does anyone use a generator while overland camping? Is it actually useful for anything other than appliances, tv's etc?

Reason I ask, is my family may be selling our tent trailer in the near future and I have a Yamaha EF1000 Generator I can't decide if I should keep or sell also.

Thanks for your feedback,
M
 
You can always sell it later but it’s hard to find a good used one. Hang on to it for a while and see if you have a good use for it. If it hasn’t been used in 18mo. then sell it.
 
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I have an inverter in my Jeep for some electrical appliances (I've ran an electric chain saw off of It! [emoji23]) so the generator seems overkill. Unless I have a good reason, I can't think why I should keep it. It has been sitting in my garage for months and the only last time I used it was in July. Even then,....i didn't use it at camp on the trailer as the battery stayed full long enough. Dunno...

ArmyofMike OB#7890
 
I usually do a little more than just camping but I have an old Honda 1000 watt I use for running fishing/camping lights and charging big batteries with an automotive battery charger. The generator frees up the deep cycle for the water pump, bait aerators and a small 80 watt inverter used for small LED work lights, phone chargers, etc.

I've also used my generator for people who ran their batteries out.

It is easier to sell a reliable generator than it is to buy a good one.
 
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Hi Mike, I say keep it. Gave my Honda eu1000 to my dad and wish I would have kept it. I also had a Kawasaki 650w like new and gave it away also and regret that as well. I have a travel trailer and use my eu3000 for it. A smaller one just comes in handy at times.


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While LED lights and battery technology has changed things, I'd agree with others, keep it, but more for around the house and less for on the trail.
 
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A genny is a great piece of emergency kit, but I have to echo the "keep it at home" crowd. I don't really enjoy the sound of someone's generator when I'm camping, even in a developed campground where there's always more noise. Kids yelling and birds chirping is fine, generators rumbling is less pleasant.
 
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Keep it Yamaha makes great generators/inverters, their engine life expectancy is twice that of a Honda. I have the 2000 and we use it camping all the time. SUPER quiet. Never know when you will need it for and emergency. Ours just ran nonstop for 2 weeks after Irma down here in Florida and was a true lifesaver
 
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Thanks all for the advice. I will hold onto it for now. I don't think I need it camping, but will keep for emergency. I figured I could sell it for 300-400 and make some Jeep monies. I couldn't imagine carrying it for boondocking camping trips with only my Jeep and tent. For the tent trailer, it was useful, but if we sell the trailer, the generator will more than likely collect dust.
 
I had been considering getting a small generator to run a heated blanket for very cold camping during the winter. Put the generator outside and run a long extension cable to the back of the truck and keep warm and cozy!
 
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A
pl626 said:
Ditch it, go with a solar generator, no noise.


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Agreed...Go with solar for the minimal power needs (cell phone, navigation, etc.). Not that I am against a generator, just not in the backcountry. When we are overlanding, we do it like we did back in the day when we still backpacked into the mountains. Keep the generator, you'll never get enough to make it worth selling IMHO.
 
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Lintnercorey said:
A solar setup with a decent deep cycle would probably work for a 12v electric blanket. It’d probably be a lot cheaper than a generator and be silent too.


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Probably not cheaper initially, especially if you go the lithium route, but that’s definitely the better route from an overall perspective, ie, more portable, no noise, etc.


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