OT camping with a generator

[omahagreg]

This one is quite abit off topic! We go camping every labor day weekend. This year we missed out on reserving an electric hookup, because of the popularity of the event. I have a medical condition which requires electricity for me to sleep. So, we rented a non electric site, and bought a portable generator. We will be using a canvas sided 'pop up camper', and there will be 3 other tents in our group. My question is about carbon monoxide safety. Any thoughts on distance from tents-although there will probably be enough neighbors that a short distance only will be allowed. Also, how to plan for rain protection. I could put it under one of the beds on the pull outs, but that seems to me to be a CO2 possible problem. Greg

 

[Anonymous-0]

Are you powering a CPAP? Mine is about 8 years old and will run on 12v. It runs all night on 1 car type battery. Special adapter and fuse to run on 12v.

Most campgrounds will not let you run a generator at night, say after 10 PM or before 8 AM.

 

[Iowa Dave]

I"ve been investigating this because I have CPAP (air machine). We are going out east with a 5th wheel and plan to spend at least one night solo. A pair of normal auto batteries or a deep draw marine should be good for 1-2 nights. Then you can recharge during the day.

Good Luck

Dave.

 

[D&Dservice]

As saied before you will likely not run the gen all night, your neighbors will be knocking when they are ready to go to sleep, no matter how quiet it is.

 

[John S-B]

Greg, you might want to see about Ernies suggestion and get a converter and a couple of batteries, you'll make more friends that way. However, you might be able to play the ADA card, since you have a medical condition. I would ask for a site on the edge of the campground so you can disturb as few as possible, preferrably down wind. You can make a two sided lean-to with some plywood with hinges and some 2x2's along the top to attach a plywood roof. If you have enough room to store 4x4' panels I'd go with that, 1/2" thick ought to work since it's just temporary, and you can use a 2x2 for a leg to support the far corner. point the exhuast towards the open sides. Use a heavy guage cord, and if you need to cover a plug connection, make a simple loose knot and the plugs and set it on a small block of 2x4, and cover with an upside down bucket with a small weight on it.

 

[omahagreg]

Yes, I would have everything to power my bipap off a 12 volt battery, but we will be without power for all 3 nights we are there. I realize I could charge the battery during the day, but it seems like too many things could go wrong with that set up. We are in charge of all cooking for our group of 20 or so, so we definitely need electricity. I already emailed the organization to see if we can be isolated in some way. Even in the electric area they run HUGE diesel generators 24/7, and it is VERY annoying. But, out where we will be, they are not expecting generators, I would imagine. Life gets complicated when we get used to all our 'stuff'-some of it is even necessary. Greg

 

[Bob]

Did you get an "inverter generator", that only runs fast enough to provide the needed power?

 

[omahagreg]

No, not the inverter type, wanted to, but it was $200 more. The 2000 watt was not enough to do at home what I needed it to for backup. Got the Honda AN2500AL. Still $700.00, 76 decibles, but that appears to be a good size for backup at the house as well. Greg

 

[Chris(WA)]

Greg . My CPAP will run three nights on my new Optima battery IF that is the only thing I use it for.
I do like to charge it in the daytime for the peace of mind but it made it all three nights last Labor day.

 

[Larry59]

Some camp grounds do not allow generators to run after certain hours at each day. Better check this out where your going. Neighbors will be real unhappy with you when running them all night and they are close.
Also hope you got a generator with a 3 gallon tank and not one of them one gallon jobs. Otherwise you are someone will be up many times at night just to put more gas in tank.
If you got one of them small tanks. Forget about putting on a bigger fuel tank. The PSI's would be to much for the smaller carburator and it will flood carb out a lot.
As someone said in comments here. Get one or two battires. Then a converter to take on trips. I used them many times to run lights. Use a good marine battrie and they work well. Won't run an air conditoner but regular light are two is fine. Also great to hook up outside lights for night.
Another thing one can do is just use a battery for outside lights. Buy a regular 12 volt light bulb that looks like one in your house. Take an old lamp and attach to clip wires from end of plug to battery. Works for hours on marine battery.

 

[buickanddeere]

It's not the size of the fuel tank. It's the head height above the float/seat/needle valve.

 

[Mike (WA)]

Done a lot of camping, and never heard of a campground that doesn't enforce "quiet hours" from about 10 PM to 6 AM. Even if it doesn't, other campers have a way of doing it for them. I wouldn't give your generator a snowball's chance of making it through the night intact. Another idea- how about a space real close to the bathroom, and a 100 foot extension cord? Might we worth discussing with the powers that be at the campground.

 

[omahagreg]

It is a music festival, so it is all temporary. Even the electric sites have a HUGE diesel generator on a semi trailer running 24/7-and it is very annoying, but one has to live with it. Now, it is becoming so popular that all the electric sites were spoken for before we got one-hence the trouble. Greg

 

[Anonymous-0]

I find camping and electric generators an odd mix.You could use a deep cycle battery with an inverter.Small inverters cost little.I keep this setup in my shop so I can repair fence chargers in my shop when the power goes down.The battery runs my electric boat motor most of the time.Camping used to be a time for coleman lanterns and fishing,reading and getting away from the TV.My wife says camping just means a lot of extra work for women.I have live stock to care for so havnt done any camping for many years.