Now that everyone's able to do some travelling again, it's second nature for Australians to get into their campervans and spend a weekend or longer to enjoy the peace and rejuvenation that only Mother Nature can provide.
Of course, not everyone's keen on fully letting go of home comforts while caravanning and camping. This is why having an inverter generator as your portable power source is a must. Remember, the best camping generator are stable power sources, fuel efficient and as quiet as possible. Three characteristics that you'll find in a Gentrax inverter generator.
Why use a generator when you have your caravan?
Unless your caravan's batteries are capable of powering up your campsite lights and camping appliances, or unless you're a highly experienced, natural-born outdoorsman, it'd be difficult to spend even a weekend without electricity.
It's hard and dangerous to not have LED lights around your caravan or campsite at night. It's very difficult to cook meals when you're working with not-so-fresh rations because you don't have a camping fridge or cooler.
A Gentrax inverter generator saves you from all these stressors and well, you don't have to 100% rough it when you're camping.
Why not just use a regular generator?
Regular generators are LOUD. You can hear them from half a kilometer away. They're just too loud to bring in campsites, especially if you are staying in unpowered caravan parks. You won't get a restful night's sleep because instead of the campsite's natural sounds, it's the roar of the generator you'll hear all night.
Gentrax inverter generators are QUIETER than regular generators. You can sleep soundly and you don't have to worry about bothering nearby campers. Depending on its maximum output and rated continuous operation, an inverter generator can provide power to your appliances and help recharge your RV batteries, among other things. Because this is an important piece of equipment, it is vital that you keep it from harsh elements like rain and wind.
To do this, you need a designated storage area for your generator, preferably inside your RV. For this reason, compact and lightweight generators are preferable, although they won't be able to generate as much power as the heavyweight ones do.
Types of caravan generators for camping
For the most part, caravan generators can be categorised into two types: portable and built-in. Portable generators are popular, as they are easier to maintain, not to mention their spare parts are usually available. The downside is that you'd need to build a platform that could stabilise it whilst you are moving; otherwise, you're risking damaging the unit.
Despite this, you cannot just pin the portable generator on a permanent platform, as you need to lift it up to refuel. Also, connecting long extension cords to a portable generator can reduce the wattage it produces.
Built-in generators, on the other hand, are usually installed in RVs by hardwiring it to its AC electrical system. Due to its electrical nature, built-in generators are significantly more expensive than portable generators. This is why you'd mostly see built-in generators in high-end RVs and motorised homes.
It all seems worth it as you don't need to strain yourself with lifting the whole thing up just to refuel. Normally, the fuel supply comes from the RV's engine fuel tank, although most of such generators automatically shut off whenever the vehicle runs low on fuel. The downside of investing in a built-in genset is that it is far more difficult to send in for repair and maintenance. Also, the owner should be aware of the dangers of carbon monoxide poisoning coming from the generator.
The best way to decide which inverter generator to purchase is to calculate how much power your RV needs. To be able to do this, you need to take into consideration the type of fuel the generator is required to run on.
Choosing the right generators for caravan camping
There are several factors you need to consider when you buy the right inverter generator for your caravan. Aside from type, fuel source, and number of appliances that would use the generator, you'd need to also take into account its compatibility with your RV.
For practical reasons, you should choose a generator that runs on the same type of fuel as your RV. For example, if you are driving a gasoline-fuelled RV, it is natural to choose a petrol inverter generator. That way, it won't be much of an inconvenience to find a refilling station because you can fill up both at the same place.
Contrary to what most people imagine when they hear the word ˜portable', there are a few portable generators that are too heavy to be lifted by one person and might even need a set of wheels just to move smoothly from one place to another. Furthermore, most portable generators nowadays sport a heavy-duty design that can provide an impressive and enormous amount of power to get you through your camping adventure.
You should also determine how much noise a portable generator will produce once it is running. After all, nothing's more irritating than listening to loud machine sounds when all you really wanted is some peace and quiet (the main reason why you were camping in the first place). What is the acceptable noise level that a human can bear to hear for long periods of time without growing irritated? Generators that can produce a sound lower than 75 decibels are desirable. A portable generator that can produce a noise of around 60 decibels is considered ideal, as this is of the same level as normal human speech.
Where can you buy the best generator for your caravan?
If you're buying an inverter generator for the first time, you'd be happy to know that we have a range of Gentrax generators that'd fit your needs and budget. Apart from portable power sources, we have all the camping gear you need to make your time outdoors safe, comfortable and enjoyable. Let us know how we can help by visiting our site or giving us a call today.
