quiet generator options?

[Suprathepeg]

I'm thinking of getting a generator for camping with the family and our infant son. Looking at getting a small generator so we can run small appliances, AC etc. Any recommendations for something that's quiet so we don't piss off the neighbors? Would prefer diesel as our truck is diesel.

 

[BritKLR]

Generally speaking get a small Honda gen. I've been running the same Honda 2000 for over 20 years on 3 different Truck Campers and now our Tiger camper and trailer. Of course, make sure it'll start-up your AC unit but, it'll have no problem with lights, microwave, blow driers, etc....

Also, rule of thumb to not piss off neighbors is shut it off at 10 pm and don't re-start till 6 am.

No such things as a totally quiet gen. and nothing worse then the guy that runs it all night because he can't hear it inside the camper but everyone else outside hears the damn thing running all night.

 

[SanJuan]

Generally speaking get a small Honda gen. I've been running the same Honda 2000 for over 20 years on 3 different Truck Campers and now our Tiger camper and trailer. Of course, make sure it'll start-up your AC unit but, it'll have no problem with lights, microwave, blow driers, etc....

Also, rule of thumb to not piss off neighbors is shut it off at 10 pm and don't re-start till 6 am.

No such things as a totally quiet gen. and nothing worse then the guy that runs it all night because he can't hear it inside the camper but everyone else outside hears the damn thing running all night.

This, except 8pm and 8 am

 

[Dave in AZ]

Generally speaking get a small Honda gen. I've been running the same Honda 2000 for over 20 years on 3 different Truck Campers and now our Tiger camper and trailer. Of course, make sure it'll start-up your AC unit but, it'll have no problem with lights, microwave, blow driers, etc....

Also, rule of thumb to not piss off neighbors is shut it off at 10 pm and don't re-start till 6 am.

No such things as a totally quiet gen. and nothing worse then the guy that runs it all night because he can't hear it inside the camper but everyone else outside hears the damn thing running all night.

All true, but 10pm to 6pm, while published forest quiet hours, is way too short. If you're running a gen at 930pm and 615am, YOU'RE THAT GUY!! Don't be him...

 

[SanJuan]

All true, but 10pm to 6pm, while published forest quiet hours, is way too short. If you're running a gen at 930pm and 615am, YOU'RE THAT GUY!! Don't be him...

I'd take it a step further. With current solar and battery technology, if you need to screw up someone else's camping experience by running an obnoxious generator, maybe you should consider just sticking to campgrounds that offer shore power!

 

[alia176]

I'd take it a step further. With current solar and battery technology, if you need to screw up someone else's camping experience by running an obnoxious generator, maybe you should consider just sticking to campgrounds that offer shore power!

This is a great compromise, especially camping with an infant and the need for a/c. During the summers, I aim for high elevation camping but that's a luxury that some may not have. I agree with others as there's no such thing as a "quiet" generator. Even my Honda 2000 is quiet when it's idling but when it ramps up, it's not quiet. However, it's not as loud as the garbage from China when it's under load.

 

[jkam]

I saw an RV a few years ago that had a pretty quiet generator.
When I went over to see I noticed that they had added an extension to the exhaust piping
about 5 feet.
that really helped keep the noise level down.

 

[TwinStick]

We have also had 2 Honda eu2000i generators for over 20 years. Both still run fine but they run fine because of regular maintenance, like anything mechanical.

Your lucky because you have options today that we didn't 30-40 years ago. I bought the Honda's because at the time, Campgrounds around us were getting prickly about generator noise. It was money well spent IMHO. Never had a noise issue.

But today you can buy portable power stations that make zero noise. But they are expensive and so is the solar to charge them. Best bet is to get one with as many recharge options as possible. A/c, dc, solar, a/c + solar, etc. . Also, fast charging is now a thing. One brand name portable power station will recharge from zero % to 80% in just 45 minutes. Not only is that impressive, it can be important when you have limited time to recharge. Most Campgrounds around us limit you to 2 hrs in the morning and 2 in the evening and are VERY STRICT about it and yes, you get fined if you violate it.

I am still in the research stage myself and trying to educate myself on the most current options. I would like to be able to charge the power station from a/c, d/c, solar, a/c + solar, d/c + solar and while we are driving down the road.

The trouble is, if you do anything to the truck they want to void your warranty. I think a power station will be my choice for this truck.

 

[Ozarker]

All true, but 10pm to 6pm, while published forest quiet hours, is way too short. If you're running a gen at 930pm and 615am, YOU'RE THAT GUY!! Don't be him...

Better yet, turn it on when you need the extra power and shut it off and use your 2000+ watt solar gen set.