If a electric hook-up is not available. Can a portable generator be used. I will likely buy a [font=Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif]Cummins Onan [/font] P45001 that rates "[font=Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif]as low as" 52 decibels according to the manufacturer. As I read the Codes concerning this issue the park service are given some leeway, but if someone complains about the noise they generally side with the complainant. I don't want to obtain the generator if I will be prevented from using it.[/font]
camping in Nat'l Parks
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highdesertranger
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Welcome lucitom to the CRVL forums! To help you learn the ins and outs of these forums, this "Tips, Tricks and Rules" post lists some helpful information to get you started.
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generally there is a quite time when making a lot of noise is prohibited like generators. most of us only use a generator as backup. most of us have solar so no need for a generator.
may I ask why do you need so much electricity?
highdesertranger
Most of our rules boil down to two simple over-riding principles: 1) What you post should provide good information (like your introductory post), and 2) Any response to someone else's post should make them feel glad they are part of this forum community.
We look forward to hearing more from you.
generally there is a quite time when making a lot of noise is prohibited like generators. most of us only use a generator as backup. most of us have solar so no need for a generator.
may I ask why do you need so much electricity?
highdesertranger
You won’t be able to run it in the park after quiet hours which is 10 or 12 hours a night in most national parks. You can camp outside the park on other federal lands and possibly run it. If you are expecting to watch movies, pop popcorn in the microwave while sitting in the AC while in a national park campground it ain’t gonna happen. Everyone in miles will call and file a complaint. Sound travels really well at night. Most parks have reserved RV full hookup sites ours are $58 a night your only real option other than a large solar system, battery bank and generator for cloudy weeks even CPAPs can be operated off battery power and are no longer permitted generator use!
And some campgrounds restrict generator use to just a few, specified hours each day.
eDJ_
Well-known member
Are there not large alternators that can produce 12 vdc/ 115 vac/ 240 vac (at 1500 watts) ? And with the rig running wouldn't it be more quiet than a generator and less baggage to carry along ?
I'm asking because I don't really know and electrical isn't my strong suit.
I'm asking because I don't really know and electrical isn't my strong suit.
Noise is noise. Quiet hour regulations are written to keep the park quiet. Rangers will write tickets for anything making excessive noise (meaning it can be heard in the next site causing a complaint) running a vehicle to make electricity is very expensive and inefficient and would still warrant a ticket after a very short time. They wrote one here for someone watching DVD’s while running their truck after 10 PM. In the campground. Again national parks are known for strict quiet hour regulations and sound carries.
Hello Everyone,
I use my generator daily while boondocking. I have not been to a national park but often use free national forest lands. I have never been asked to turn it off. Of course I do not run it late at night if there are others around but most of the time there is nobody near my camp.
I run a Champion 2000 watt inverter/generator (cost under $500) which is very comparable to the Honda as far as noise but a fraction of the cost. When I am inside my rig I cannot even hear it run.
Very fuel efficient, I use about 1 gallon of gas for every 8 hours of run time.
I also have a small (25 watt) solar panel to trickle charge my battery bank when I am traveling long distances and charge the batteries with the generator during the day to use at night. I also have a 1500 watt inverter that feeds off of a battery connected to the vehicles alternator. I always have plenty of power.
For me the reliability of the generator was a must as I still work and need the reliable power to fill orders in a timely manner.
I have found that it is much like anything else. If you are respectful to those around you it probably will not be a problem. When I am near others I simply use my stored power from a battery bank from 10p or so until around 8-9am.
With all this said there are different rules it seems for every park, campground, forest, etc. With my setup I have always been able to stay within the rules, be respectful, and still have all the power I could ever need.
Good Luck
God Bless
I use my generator daily while boondocking. I have not been to a national park but often use free national forest lands. I have never been asked to turn it off. Of course I do not run it late at night if there are others around but most of the time there is nobody near my camp.
I run a Champion 2000 watt inverter/generator (cost under $500) which is very comparable to the Honda as far as noise but a fraction of the cost. When I am inside my rig I cannot even hear it run.
Very fuel efficient, I use about 1 gallon of gas for every 8 hours of run time.
I also have a small (25 watt) solar panel to trickle charge my battery bank when I am traveling long distances and charge the batteries with the generator during the day to use at night. I also have a 1500 watt inverter that feeds off of a battery connected to the vehicles alternator. I always have plenty of power.
For me the reliability of the generator was a must as I still work and need the reliable power to fill orders in a timely manner.
I have found that it is much like anything else. If you are respectful to those around you it probably will not be a problem. When I am near others I simply use my stored power from a battery bank from 10p or so until around 8-9am.
With all this said there are different rules it seems for every park, campground, forest, etc. With my setup I have always been able to stay within the rules, be respectful, and still have all the power I could ever need.
Good Luck
God Bless
RoamerRV428
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catch 22. call the national park you are camping at and learn the rules for gennys.lucitom said:
also if you are 'wanting leeway' then that is super personal on each visit
you are better with the genny than without cause even if we stop for a day at a rest area on route, in that trucker spot when they run their rigs for comfort, you can fire up you genny for your needs too.
I say better with genny on board than without just 'cause of an national park and rules and regs' and what ifs cause we have one onboard and use that sucker more than I would have ever thought
Tony's Dream
Well-known member
I find myself asking.......what is camping? To me, it's staying in a tent or small camper and roasting hot dogs. It's sitting around a campfire with friends catching up on what is going on in each others lives. It's spending time with your children and reestablishing that bond. It's not hauling your home, AC, TV, recliners, and full stove and freezer. If you go to a national park and want to run a generator...are you enjoying the national park? Regardless of the type, generators make noise.....a noise I don't want to hear. I also don't want to hear my neighbor watching a foot ball game, listening to music, or watching TV/videos outside. I go to the parks to see the parks.....live naturally.....and soak in the great outdoors. If you want to sit in an air conditioned room while watching a football game, do it at home and open a space for someone who wants to really enjoy the park!
nature lover
Well-known member
Tony - yea and amen!
So true, Tony!
Even boondocking has been ruined by those tethered to generators. Can you imagine setting up a simple camp site in the middle of nowhere and before you get to hear the music of the water tumbling down the river, a big rig parks next to you and starts the generator....drowning out all sounds of nature and ruining your experience. There should be "generator only" sections everywhere....far away from those who don't wish to hear or smell them
Even boondocking has been ruined by those tethered to generators. Can you imagine setting up a simple camp site in the middle of nowhere and before you get to hear the music of the water tumbling down the river, a big rig parks next to you and starts the generator....drowning out all sounds of nature and ruining your experience. There should be "generator only" sections everywhere....far away from those who don't wish to hear or smell them
Amen to that, Tony.
I don’t understand the need to run the AC, lots of electrical appliances and high levels of electronics when traveling, but understand that for some this is not vacationing or traveling or camping, but a full time life.
In an established campground, other than the most remote and with no facilities of any kind, there are always rules and restrictions on generator use. In my 18 years of experience.
If you are truly boondocking in the forest or wherever, not so much, but WHY remove yourself to nature only to run a generator nonstop and pollute the environment?
My opinion, my practice.
I don’t understand the need to run the AC, lots of electrical appliances and high levels of electronics when traveling, but understand that for some this is not vacationing or traveling or camping, but a full time life.
In an established campground, other than the most remote and with no facilities of any kind, there are always rules and restrictions on generator use. In my 18 years of experience.
If you are truly boondocking in the forest or wherever, not so much, but WHY remove yourself to nature only to run a generator nonstop and pollute the environment?
My opinion, my practice.
Some National Parks that do not offer full hookups do offer generator only areas as well as limiting hours of operation. Fortunately today there are better solutions like solar and improved storage battery systems for people that require electric power for medical devices. One of the main reasons I work or sometimes volunteer in the park is because that is the only way to extended stay in a National Park. It allows me to use or rent a full hook up lot. Visitors are expected to be able to enjoy temporary stays in the outdoors free of the noises of urban life. Unlike the populated city where urban sounds rule, in National Parks the peace and quiet of the outdoors attempt to be the rule which I feel is a better way to live. If you want to make noise you need to do so somewhere it won’t affect others and is therefore allowed.
In Big Bend National Park, there are 4 types of camping. RV parks with hook-ups, campground parks (water), Zone camping (walk-in 1/2 mile from road in a designated zone), and primitive campsite (a designated camp spot off a road somewhere marked and bordered with timbers) The campground 1/2 that allows generators has a night quiet time. No generator use is allowed at the Zone and Primitive sites anytime.lucitom said:
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