Choosing A Camping Generator

Sounds really simple doesn't it finding a suitable generator after all just have a browse around and you'll find hundreds of different makes, models and sizes how hard could it be?

Well it's fairly simple so long as you bear a few things in mind. The most important decision is does it need to be quiet. If it does then I'm afraid you're going to have to pay much more. Near silent models are available but at a premium.

Assuming you're after a Camping Generator then silent it's going to have to be as disturbing your neighbours with a huge generator belching a cloud of noxious fumes that can be heard a mile away is going to get you booted out!

Having decided you need a near silent generator the next thing you have to decide is what do you want your generator to power? What you use it for will determine how big a generator you're going to require.

If all you want to do is keep a couple of 12 volt batteries topped up and run a small portable TV and maybe a laptop a 1000kva model will probably suit you just fine. However if you wish to use a hair dryer or microwave oven then 2000+ kva is going to be required.

On the plus side the 2000+ kva models aren't any louder (usually) however they are bigger, use more gasoline and weigh more.

If size wasn't enough to think about you also need to decide how clean you want your electricity :) In other words if you're connecting your generator directly to a Lap Top or computer the electricity needs to be clean and spike free which requires an Inverter type generator.

The down side is they are much more expensive but at least you won't blow up your Lap Top or have it reboot every 10 mins.

Honda and Hyundai produce some ideal generators which include an invertor and a 12 volt output so you can connect them straight to a battery for charging.

Take the The Hyundai HY1000Si 1kw Digital Invertor Generator for example it boasts a pure sine wave output that your computer will love, has auto shutdown in case of overload and has these additional features:

• Low 58db noise level
• 12 volt DC output
• Is a light weight 14kg
• Will run for 8 hours from a 2.7 Litre tank 
• Eco throttle for maximum efficiency

Costing about $400 not cheap but extrmely quiet and reliable

Portable generators are great but do bear the following in mind as they do have a few downsides.

• Be careful to keep with your generators output or in other words if you have a 1kw model don't plug in microwave, hair dryer and electric fire into it and expect a great outcome!
  
  Although these generators in theory should cut out in practice if you badly overload them they can fry! Keep within the stated rating though and it'll last you for many tears.
• Maintain it! It's an engine when all is said and done. Change the oil and do the standard maintenance tasks listed in the manual. If you don't guess what it'll stop working.