People often run away from the hustle and bustle of the city by going out for camping. While a true journey away from a civilization requires a power source that is a generator.
However, selecting a generator that will meet your camping needs can take time and effort. Numerous varieties of generators come in different sizes. So, our guide to finding the right-size Generator will lay everything on the table so that you can pick a Camping Generator that is fit for you.
Why You Need a Generator For Camping?
Camping is a top way of communion with nature and fleeing from the city noise. Camping in nature may mean being off the grid, forced to use only nature's provided tools for igniting your fire, and creating your sources of heat and light without any electricity. However, we have smartphones, cameras, portable speakers, and other similar devices which must be charged. Therefore, a camping generator is a must-have to take care of items such as device charging, non-battery lighting, cooking appliances, and refrigerators, among many others.
What is the Right-Sized generator for camping?
Power
Here's a quick rundown of common camping devices and their wattage:
Laptop – 60-80 watts
Television – 120 watts
Coffee maker – 600 watts
Mini fridge – 500 watts
Portable heaters – 250-1500 watts
Camping stoves and ovens – 100-1500 watts
As you can note, camping cooking devices and heaters consume more energy compared to others in the list of gadgets. For you to power them, you will require a generator with at least 1500 watts of output power.
Surely, you will not run the devices simultaneously. You may be able to do just with a portable generator providing 800W if these are all of your electric requirements, like running a small desktop computer and mini-fridge at once.
Generators are labeled as the running wattage or the peak surge wattage. The running wattage is the amount of power that the set can sustain for long hours or continuously. On the other hand, the peak surge wattage defines the output capacity of the generator.
The ideal generator for you should be able to handle the starting watts of your appliances. For instance, you will need a generator with a starting power of at least 1,100 watts in order to run both your coffee maker and mini fridge. The starting watts are higher and should, therefore, be factored in while determining the generator size.
Type
These include gasoline, diesel, gas, and solar-powered generators. However, not all of them can be used in camps. Among all types of generators, the most common is portable ones. They are small and portable hence good for use in camping. Solar generators are normally portable generators. They operate on solar power, thus making you not worry about being short of fuel. Apart from that, solar generators are also quiet, unlike diesel generators; hence, they will not disturb your camper neighbors.
Conventional generators run on petrol and gasoline. They are usually louder, run longer, and consume fuel, though they are generally stronger than others.
Things To Consider In Generators
Wattage
First of all, you need to ask yourself how much power you want. Indeed, every camper's camping generator needs will be different. For example, if you only need to recharge your smartphones, laptops, and fans, then go for a small solar generator.
However, if you need a generator for running more appliances continuously, go for a large recreational camping generator. Tally the starting watts of all the things you need to power then purchase a generator with high enough power for that purpose. Oversizing the generator by approximately 20% should always be done because you wish to avoid having a constant run at 100% load.
Noise Level
You will not wish to have a super loud generator that is hated by everybody on the campground. Therefore, there are then some decibel-limits depending on which place you will camp, and going overboard may lead to either expulsion or a massive fine.
Solar camping generators do not have an internal combustion engine and hence, there is no noise made by them, making them the quietest camping generators.
Fuel Type
Camping generators can be powered by gasoline, propane, and solar energy. Some dual-fuel generators even let you flip between fuel options such as propane and gasoline to give you some variety. Nevertheless, high fuel costs, noisy engines, and pollution will soon undermine the utility of gas-powered items in camping. On the other hand, solar generators have been making their impact because of their environment-friendliness and hushed operation.
Clean Power
Clean power is essential for some of the most valuable devices that you would like to work on during your camp, for instance, your cell phone. The genset must have a THD of less than 5%. Your device gets fried any amount that exceeds this limit.
This kind of clean power is only assured by both the inverter and solar generators. You can use your smartphone, laptop, tablet, and other devices with no worries.
Portability And Ease Of Use
You should always remember to take into account the size and weight of a generator while making a purchase. However, it will affect your usage of this generator. Hence, please choose a light one. Carrying a heavy generator for camping would be tougher as it would take longer before one can move around the campsite.
Ensure you choose a portable camping generator that is lightweight and easy to transport without missing out on the additional useful qualities needed. It should be user-friendly and operable.
Related articles: What Size Portable Generator Do I Need for Camping?
How Do I Choose a Portable Power Station for Camping?
How Do I Know What Size Portable Power Station I Need?
Calculating Watt Usage for Camping
Let's now turn to simple mathematics. To estimate your power needs, use the formula:
Watts × Run time= watt-hours
Therefore, if you use 100-watt appliance for 2 hours, you will consume 200 watt-hours.
3 Handpicked Solar Generator Kits
BLUETTI AC200P Solar Generator Kit
BLUETTI AC200P solar generator boasts an insane, monster-size 2000Wh! In addition, this camper is designed with a special Lithium Iron Phosphate high-performance battery that provides up to 10 years of service before being replaced – it may be used for many camping trips. You know what’s even better? You can recharge the battery with solar panels that you get with this kit. Smart BMS ensures constant check-ups of your device and maintaining its safety. It's a superpower for your gadgets that can keep them away from any threat at all.
What's tempting is the three 200W PV solar panels you get with this kit! BLUETTI solar panels are monocrystalline magic, rated at a 23.4 % conversion efficiency. Which means it is boss-like, and turns sunlight into power. In addition, the slick 95 % transparency also makes it outshine polycrystalline panels regardless of the light level.
And guess what? The power does not stop here. We have a USB-A/USB-C with a cigarette lighter port and a 12V/3A DC port. But wait, there's more! The special 12/25RV ports and 15W wireless charger give you lots of options as you charge up your items during camping. Therefore, always carry the BLUETTI AC200P with you on any camping trip to have the ultimate camping experience.
BLUETTI AC200MAX Solar Generator Kit
The coolest power station ever for your camping adventures is BLUETTI AC200MAX. What's super awesome about it? Yes, it features a huge 2048wh battery and a monster 2,200w inverter – basically bringing your miniature power station. Imagine that it is possible to recharge batteries while somewhere in the wilderness.
But wait, there's more! The AC200MAX still has another trick that may make you want more power—remember that you can always connect additional batteries there up to two. It’s similar to increasing your maximum energy at a time by eight times. It is going all the way to 32 kW which brings 8192 Wh total. So many things are you can charge with that much power of camping devices.
And guess what? The AC200MAX becomes a complete solar-powered machine with BLUETTI PV 200S Solar Panels. At turbo speed with the panels, you are not only charging; you're absorbing energy.
These BLUETTI panels with the awesome 23.4 % conversion rate can gather in some incredible solar power by giving up just 6 hours of prime sunshine, which adds up to about 2kWh per day. That's enough juice to run your gadgets for hours on end. And the secret? Monocrystalline solar cells are used in the made-up of these panels, as well as multi-layered ETFE which provides superior light transmittance and efficiency with a lifespan that keeps the good times rolling.
The AC200MAX comes with endless outlets. This product boasts sixteen different sockets that one can use to power all their amazing items concurrently. This power station will charge your cell phone, run a blender, and even your RV's gadgets. Talking about RVs, the AC200Max is definitely a superstar among RVs. Additionally, it features an exclusive 30A NEMA TT-30 outlet as well as a supreme 12V power 30A DC outlet that will take care of all your power requirements in the RV.
BLUETTI EP500 Solar Generator Kit
BLUETTI EP500 is the ultimate power wizard to cater for your campsite parties and unscheduled household blackouts. What's so cool about it? Talking about superpowers! a 5100wh battery and 2000w inverter… In other words, the batteries will remain plugged in so that there is no difficulty lighting up houses, charging laptops, or driving electric cars.
For example, while you are camping with your family, at the same time, the EP500 is brightening your campsite. They are quiet; they don't run on gasoline; all you get is complete and straightforward power. And guess what? It is even good that you have to wait for only one minute when recharging it using 1,200 watts. Using this kind of stove is similar to having a small photovoltaic power plant in the wilderness.
What makes EP500 complete is BLUETTI’s three PV200 solar panels. Made of monocrystalline solar cells, these can turn up to 23.4 % sunlight into pure energy-it doesn't care about the weather playing games with you either. Need to avoid scratches and water splashes? Fear not. With ETFE coating and an IP65 junction box, it's just rugged enough for camping, fishing or hiking.
However, this is different from where the awesomeness ends. The EP500 is a power wizard. It could also link up with a network, accessing updates that will improve its functionality over some time. It's never done; there is no end limit to its goodness!
Cautionary Procedures Applicable To Generators While Camping
Although a generator enhances the camping experience, it may be harmful when misused. Here are a few things to keep in mind when using a generator while camping:
Before use, read the generator's manual. It sounds obvious, but it is a surprising number of those who neglect this rule. The manual will contain essential safety instructions on operating the generator. An important thing to note is that you do not use generators in the tent or RV. If enclosed in a small space, the exhaust coming from the generator can be lethal, but this is not the case with solar generators.
Ensure that there is ample circulation within the generator to prevent overheating or fires. Carbon dioxide is released through the exhaust of the generator. With time, it can develop a lethal effect if it accumulates in an area. The fact is that you should never run a generator close to open water. Water can also cause the generator to spark and start a fire if placed close to it.
Final Thoughts
Keep in mind that it doesn’t need to be something big and heavy, but you do want it strong enough for all your appliances. OK, so look at all the stuff you need to run that needs power and that will give you an idea of how big a generator is necessary on your next trip.
