Generators are made to perform a wide variety of tasks from charging a battery for a flashlight to running the microwave in your camp trailer. Choosing a generator does not have to be a difficult task. Here are some tips for choosing the best generator for your camping needs.
First of all you need to decide if name brand is a factor in your decision. Some brands carry generators that have extra equipment to make them as quiet as possible and some brands carry generators that are easier than others to store and transport. There are many differences between brands and this decision will depend on your personal preferences for brand names.
One consideration would be how loud the generator is going to be. National parks and most campgrounds require generator sound to be below a certain decibel level. Check with these facilities before buying a generator. Additional features are required for a generator to operate at a quiet level and will usually cost more but will be worth the extra money.
The way in which a generator starts is another consideration. Some generators start with a manual recoil starter and some have an electric start. Again, this is up to your personal preference.
Since you will be transporting your generator to different places, ease of transport is an important consideration. Some generators are small enough to store easily in a storage compartment in a trailer or truck. Larger generators should have wheel kits for easy movement and should be able to be mounted onto a trailer or truck.
One of the biggest considerations when buying a generator is the power it can provide. Generators produce AC voltage that is similar to the voltage used in your home. Generators are limited in the power they can produce in relation to the engine horsepower. Generator power is rated in watts and rated power, power that can be produced for extended periods of time, is generally 90% of the maximum power. For example, in a 1500-watt generator, the rated wattage would be 90%, or about 1300 watts. You should never operate your generator at maximum power output for more than 30 minutes.
To determine what type of wattage you will need from your generator you must determine which devices will need to be powered simultaneously. Will you be using a refrigerator, microwave, and television all at the same time? You must also consider the starting requirements of each device.
A load is how much power a generator can handle at one time. A 2500 watt generator can handle a load of no more than 2500 watts.
Resistive loads are appliances that contain no electric motor to start such as curling irons, coffee makers, televisions, or toasters. These items run on continuous wattage at all times.
Reactive loads are appliances that contain electric motors to start. Refrigerators and furnaces will require more power to start but will operate at a lower wattage the rest of the time unless they are continually shutting on and off. Starting power can be up to 3 times the running power.
The best place to find information on volts, amps, and horsepower is on a data tag on the generator that is supplied by the electric motor manufacturer.
Generators over 2000 watts should be sufficient to power your microwave and other electrical cooking devices.
One more very important consideration when buying a generator is the warranty. Make sure the generator manufacturer offers a warranty with 12 to 24 months on the engine and at least 24 months on the electrical and frame components.
