Camping Generators – Everything You Need To Know
Everything you need to know before buying a generator for your camping trips.
Camping for an extended period of time can be difficult. The longer you are alone in the wilderness, the more challenging your daily life becomes. It is difficult to keep a fire going night after night. Without fire, it becomes increasingly difficult to cook food. As the nights get colder, you become more desperate to heat yourself. Certain common amenities become greatly missed as the camping trip becomes more challenging. That is why generators are a valuable resource for any camper who plans to spend a long period of time in the wilderness. In this article, we dissect everything you need to know about camping generators and what you’ll need to consider when selecting the best generator for you.
What To Consider Before Buying A Generator For Camping
If you are considering purchasing a new generator to take with you on camping trips, there are a number of things to think about before you drop large sums of money on a new machine.
Does the campsite allow generators? – One thing that is true for most generators is that they make a certain amount of noise. This is especially true for the large, higher-output models. When you consider this, you have to realize that there are campgrounds that might have strict regulations on the sorts of generators you can bring on site. Some campgrounds may prohibit them entirely. Be sure to research your intended campsite before you spend the money on a generator you cannot bring with you on your camping trip.
Added weight- Many generators are heavy. This is especially true for the gas-powered models. They are bulky and can often require more than one person to maneuver. For this reason, generators are not ideal for campers who intend to hike long distances to their campsites. If you are a backwoods camper, a generator may not be practical you. The added weight that you’ll have to carry around is not ideal for a woodland traveler. Heavy generators are more applicable to the camper who can reach their campsite in a vehicle. If you can drop your generator directly off to the side of your vehicle and immediately set up camp within range of the generator, then you are more likely to be the type of camper that can benefit from a generator.
The number of devices requiring power – Generators come in varying degrees of energy output. Someone who wants to charge their phone and their electric toothbrush will not have the same power needs as someone who is powering a portable kitchen and electric heaters for their tent. This is precisely why you need to research the power output of the generator you intend to purchase for your camping trip and select a camping generator that is right for your own needs.
What Are The Different Types Of Generators?
There are all sorts of generators our there. They all differ by their fuel sources and by their size and power output. For the purposes of this article, we are going to limit our discussion to generators that can be used by campers. We are not going to be discussing industrial-size generators that are designed to power an entire building.
Portable Generators – These are the generators that you will commonly see outside motorhomes or in your neighbor’s driveway after a power outage. The actual generator mechanism is usually mounted within some sort of sturdy metal frame, which is often equipped with wheels. This makes the unit “portable” in that it can be maneuvered from location to location as needed. It is important to note that although these generators are “portable” in that they can be moved around, their movement isn’t without a certain degree of effort. These devices are often times extremely heavy and any transfer aside from rolling can be a challenge. This means that lifting the generator on and off the flatbed of your truck will be a multi-person job. A camper would be wise to have the location for the generator picked out BEFORE you begin moving it around.
Standby Generators – These generators are less common for campsites. These devices are permanently situated generators that are far larger than their portable counterparts and they are designed to take over the electrical needs of a building in the event of an electrical outage. You might see these generators attached to cabins or large camping barracks but the average weekend camper will not be using them.
Inverter Generators – These nifty generators are a step up from their traditional portable counterparts in that they throttle the engine’s electrical output based on the electrical needs of the user rather than running at maximum capacity at all times. This means that powering a few lights on your campsite won’t drain the fuel of the generator as quickly as powering an entire outdoor kitchen. This means much greater
Different Fuel Types For Generators
Gasoline Generators – Gasoline can be a relatively inexpensive fuel source for your generator, depending on what the current fuel prices look like where you are located. Additionally, nearby gas stations are an added convenience when it comes to tracking down more fuel. If you find yourself running low on fuel while camping, just travel up the road to the local gas station and fill up a gallon tank for an added burst of life for your generator.
Propane Generators – Propane is a cleaner burning fuel in comparison to other fuel types. There is also a convenience that comes with propane in that many other camping tools also use propane as a fuel source. If you have a camping stove, a water heater, and lanterns that are all powered by propane, it can be convenient to use a generator that is also powered by this type of fuel. You can use one propane tank for multiple fuel sources and switch it out interchangeably between your devices. However, the compromise with propane as a fuel source is its power output in comparison to other fuel types. You aren’t going to get as much energy from burning propane is you would from gasoline, for example. This is why we don’t use propane to fuel our cars.
Diesel Generators – Diesel fuel is a highly efficient fuel source, which is why you’ll notice that it is often times more expensive than regular gasoline. With a diesel generator, you’ll be able to power your campsite longer than you would on other generators that rely on other fuel types. It isn’t the cleanest type of fuel when burned and you will definitely produce more than your fair share of emissions into the air while operating your generator. However, if you are going to be camping for long periods of time and need a generator that has a high energy output per gallon of fuel used, a diesel generator may be the way to go.
Battery Generators – These generators contain a Lithium battery that is recharged by a wall outlet or, often times, a solar panel. This type of generator is extremely convenient for campers who plan on making short weekend trips or campers who are on the move a lot while camping and don’t need continuous power sources. If you just need a generator to power your electric hotplate or something to charge your phone or flashlight, then a battery generator may be perfect for you. However, since this type of generator isn’t burning fuel to generate power, you can expect to drastically compromise the power output in comparison actual fuel-burning generators. On the other hand, campers who don’t require a source of power to get them through their camping expeditions may actually prefer this type of generator.
Power Output/Wattage – Yet another variable to consider when selecting a generator for camping is the power output. Generators can come in a wide range of wattages and the greater their output, the larger/heavier the generator generally will be. Generally speaking, generators can go up to many thousands of watts in term of output. Keep in mind though that we are specifically discussing generators that can be used by campers and not generators that are capable of powering an office building.
Larger camping generators generally generate over 5000 watts (220 volts) and can weigh upward around 250 lbs. Because of their overall weight, these generators typically are too bulky for the average camping trip. Midsize generators, however, typically fall within the 80 lbs range and produce 2,500 to 4,500 watts of energy. More commonly seen on the camping scene are recreational generators which are around 50 lbs and can produce around 2,000 watts (1).
What are the best camping generators?
As you can see from the above-listed criteria, there are a number of things to consider when selecting a generator to bring with you when camping. A lot of your decision will depend on your personal needs. If you are going to be in the wilderness for a day or two, a small battery generator may be something to look into. However, if you are going to be spending a week or longer in the backwoods, you might need something with a little more power output to accommodate your needs. Below are a few of our picks for top-rated generators based on the needs of various campers.
Sportsman 7,500 Watt Gas/Propane Generator (Amazon ASIN: B00GX9K8A4 ) –
This large generator has the benefit of being dual fuel compatible. Depending on your specific needs at the time of your camping trip, you can decide whether to use gasoline or propane as a fuel source. The unit itself weighs 135 lbs which is heavy but not unmanageable. Getting it in and out of your vehicle can be challenging but the wheels that are attached to the frame make movement between locations convenient. The 6.2-gallon gas tank should get you about 9 hours of runtime. This unit is great for both traditional camping and RV camping as well.
DuroMax Duel Fuel Inverter Generator (Amazon ASIN: B076CWJZHB ) –
This midsize generator might be a more manageable option for campers who are either camping alone or who just do not require the added power output of their larger counterpart. Weighing in at 53 lbs., this generator has dual fuel capability, which allows the user to choose between gasoline and propane as a fuel source. This unit also has an Eco Mode feature that lowers the idle speed of the generator, which will reduce fuel consumption, and noise of the device. Anyone planning on camping regularly needs to consider having this generator in their arsenal of camping supplies.
Jackery Portable Power Station (Amazon ASIN: B07D29QNMJ ) –
We’ve mentioned this generator in other articles on this site as well. It isn’t just a good camping generator, it’s a handy device to have around the house in case of a power outage as well. The device weighs 6.61 lbs. so it can easily be managed while camping or on long hikes in the woods. It puts out 200 watts (110 volts) and can power a domestic cooler or mini fridge for 5 hours or recharge your laptop. The most convenient feature of this device is its capability to the Lithium battery in a wall, in a car charger, or with a solar panel (SOLD SEPARATELY).