If you have been camping, then you must know how important it is to have all the important and necessary items for a fun and safe trip. This also includes having a camping generator that can power your RV and electronic equipment. In this article, you will be able to read about what you should consider when buying a generator. Let’s take a look:
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Tools and Appliances
One of the first things that you should consider is what tools and appliances you are going to use to power and after that, you should check the number of watts for every item. If you are planning on powering more than one device at the same time, you should combine the wattage requirements to determine which generator you should buy.
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Caravan
Your caravan will need between 30 to 50 amp connection. Portable generators can have an outlet that is caravan-ready, hence, you can just plug it in. However, some might need an adapter to connect to the caravan’s power cord. With a 50 amp caravan, you can use a 30 amp output or you can use a 50 amp output.
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Onboard vs. Portable Generators
According to the experts from 10 Power Up, for camping, it is better to use a portable one that you can easily move around. Not only should it be portable with a carry/tow handle, wheels, and an extension cord, but it should also be silent and light. A portable generator is also more flexible, which allows you to have power at all time, wherever you are. If you are only planning on using the generator inside, then it is better to purchase an onboard generator, especially if it is generator-ready.
Power Output
As previously mentioned, the power output is measured in watts. In order to choose the right one, you should calculate the wattage requirements of the caravan and the appliances. If you are planning on using it to power all electrical equipment at once, you can add the total wattage amount by multiplying the voltage and amp of every device. Keep in mind that most electrical and caravan equipment has a voltage of 120, while clothes dryers and stoves have 240 volts.
The Weight and Size
The weight of the generator and the size of its fuel tank is related to the power output. Generators with 1-2kVA can weigh about 10 to 20 kilograms and have a fuel tank size of 3 to 4 liters, while those with 3 to 5kVA can weigh around 20 to 30 kilograms with a tank size of 5 to 8 liters.
Fuel
A portable generator has a fuel tank that is built-in and that runs on regular-grade gasoline. With an extension cord, you will be able to move it far from the camp to minimize the fumes. An onboard one can use gasoline, liquid propane, or diesel which will mostly depend on the type of caravan you have and the fuel source.
Noise Level
When camping, a noisy generator might not be allowed on the campgrounds since it can annoy or disturb other people. If you will be camping at a place where there are other people or in a camping or national park, you should use an onboard or portable generator that is quiet and that has a low decibel output. 50 to 70 decibels is the perfect noise level for generators.
Conclusion
By following the steps from the article above, you can easily choose a generator that is efficient, useful, and one that has no noise level.
