When is it appropriate to run a Generator?

[Bamby]

Re: When is it appropriate to run a Generator?

We have a lot of rights in this country, but the right not to be annoyed isn't one of them. And taking someone's property and throwing it in the lake might not be a safe thing to do, I'm thinking.



There should be laws against annoying others. Those who enjoy in annoying others ought not be protected by the same laws should they? Yes there are perverted people who live to annoy others. People should have the right not to be bothered by the same perverted people. Not just loud generators, but loud music, Harleys that are painful noisy as they drive by, etc. People need to consider others as it once was. It would make for a better world to live in.

 

[CATransplant]

Re: When is it appropriate to run a Generator?

Well, one person's pleasure is another person's annoyance. Is a generator in a campground annoying? Sure, a little. However, that's no reason to pass a law against all generators in campgrounds. Instead, individual campgrounds have rules about times generators can be used. Some ban generators.

It's a matter of degree, really. Is that Harley going down the street too loud for you? Well, some folks really like the sound of Harleys in full voice. Loud music? Well, how loud, and what music, and where is it playing? Lots of folks pay big money for tickets to concerts where the music is very loud. Lawnmower interrupting your nap? What time do you mow? Is someone taking a nap then? Maybe a baby sleeping next door?

See, the thing is that something might annoy you, but not others. Need a law for that? Life's noisy at times.

About the only way to avoid the noise other people make is to move out in the country. Even then, the neighbor's probably going to be running his tractor, chainsaw, and other tools.

It's all a matter of degree? There are noise laws in most cities. Call the cops if things break those laws. But, let the guy use his generator at the campground, as long as it's not in the middle of the night. Too loud? Take a hike and get away from it. If it's not against the rules of the campground, I'm afraid you're out of luck.

 

[ehenry]

Re: When is it appropriate to run a Generator?

The Honda EU series generators are the quietest I've seen. As was mentioned they have the eco throttle and only run as fast as they need to. I have two EU2000's that I use on my camper. In the winter only one unit is needed but summer time requires two to run the A/C. These units can be run in parrallel for 4000 total watts at only 53db 1/4 load 59db full load. Will run 14 hours at 1/4 load on a gallon and a half of gas. They weigh less than 50lbs too!

 

[Shizzy]

Re: When is it appropriate to run a Generator?

They're hard to beat for good coffee period. Coffee from a press has way more body than from any other method...

81dB is too loud. Get something around 60dB...

X3!!

I tossed out my Mr Coffee years ago after my first cup out of a french press. the one I have now cost $12 at target and doesnt need to be plugged in and doesnt need filters.

 

[mthieme]

Re: When is it appropriate to run a Generator?

Seems pretty extravagant for coffee.
Personally I would not want to hear a generator from a neighboring slip bright and early.

 

[jkru]

Re: When is it appropriate to run a Generator?

Seems pretty extravagant for coffee.
Personally I would not want to hear a generator from a neighboring slip bright and early.

I finally found time to catch up on my boating threads

I decided that I will use it for short periods. < 20-30 minutes between daylight hours.

I have a funny story though so I did get a guy give me sh&t the other month. He said you should not be running a generator, blah blah blah.. I appologized and turned it off. He then came to me the next day and asked to borrow the generator as the batteries were dead in his boat would not start ROFL!!!!!!

Of course I helped him, but he felt pretty dumb.. so before you go throwin that gen set into the water you might want to think twice! ;-)

Thanks everyone great thread I enjoyed the diverse opinions..

Cheers
JKru

 

[lowkee]

Re: When is it appropriate to run a Generator?

80 dB = alarm clock

And that's about exactly what I would consider it when I'm on the water to be part of nature. Get a heavy duty inverter to run your night light and coffee pot.

 

[boat1010]

Re: When is it appropriate to run a Generator?

I also use the Honda EU2000 generator. Very quiet and reliable. BUT you have to pay for the quiet. They run about $1000.00. Even with the quiet Honda I try to observe the times of day I run it. I will run it when there is usually other noises that are louder than my generator. I run it during the day to charge my batteries and us the inverter at nite. (happy neighbors are good neighbors)

 

[thefairlaneman]

Re: When is it appropriate to run a Generator?

I have a 5000 watt coleman run by a 10hp briggs. It will slow down as the load drops but it still makes noise. My rule is when the power goes off the generator goes on. A power emergency is more inportant than keeping things real quiet. I still wouldnt run it real late or early when I only needed light.My home is total electric and so the generator can be used to run the heat pump.It would ruin my time at the lake if the sound of a generator overpowered the nature sounds.

 

[jkru]

Re: When is it appropriate to run a Generator?

I just baught a Xantrex PRO Inverter 1800 watt..

Problem solved

 

[boat1010]

Re: When is it appropriate to run a Generator?

The Honda EU series generators are the quietest I've seen. As was mentioned they have the eco throttle and only run as fast as they need to. I have two EU2000's that I use on my camper. In the winter only one unit is needed but summer time requires two to run the A/C. These units can be run in parrallel for 4000 total watts at only 53db 1/4 load 59db full load. Will run 14 hours at 1/4 load on a gallon and a half of gas. They weigh less than 50lbs too!

I have two of the EU2000's work great. I usually try to run them during the noisy part of the day. When everything else id going on. Not too many people even know my generator is running (very Quiet) so I am charging my batteries during the day and use inverters off the batteries during quiet time. Usually speaking "quiet neighbors are good neighbors" Happy camping..

 

[mike64]

Re: When is it appropriate to run a Generator?

Coleman stove and big perc is the answer... Get one at least twice the size that you'll think you need so that you can offer your neighbor's a cup and enjoy the quiet morning.

Seconding this setup-- it's what I use when I camp. Inexpensive, quiet, and I think percolators make great coffee (I like my camping coffee like mud though). Although all the french press replies are intriguing-- might look into one of those...