Generator Etiquette

[kfergiez]

I realize that this topic might get a bit touchy, but hear me out.

I'm genuinely asking your thoughts on the etiquette regarding the usage of generators, or more specifically, when is it okay to ask somebody to shut it off. Personally, I hate generators with the fire of a thousand suns because I love the peace and quiet of camping. But I understand that other people like to use them.

I could go on and on about how much I dislike generators, but it wouldn't lend much to the conversation at all. So here's the question, when is it appropriate or inappropriate to run a generator? My thoughts are no generators during quiet hours. But often times people run them late at night, or at the crack of dawn.... even during those quite hours.

What is a universally appropriate way to ask people to shut them off?

[timfromma]

Alot of parks have quiet hours where generators and other such loud noise must be quieted. As long as its not quiet hours, just grin and bear it. The only exception to this is if the generator itself violates noise level rules set by some parks. In this case, I'd go raise your concern to the park staff rather than confront them yourself.

[FirstTracks]

If you're boondocking with no one else in sight, this is a non-issue for you. Just sayin'.

[Mountndream]

Quiet hours mean no generators.

Many parks have set hours when they can be used. NP in particular have set time frames, but they vary park to park

[bikendan]

Originally Posted by FirstTracks

If you're boondocking with no one else in sight, this is a non-issue for you. Just sayin'.

A lot of us don't boondock but dry camp in campgrounds that have no hookups.
This happens a lot in most National Park and some State Park campgrounds.
Every campground like this, has definite generator hours.
If someone is violating that, they should be reported to the Ranger or camp host.
I have never seen any public campground that allows running the generator through the night.
But I've only camped West of the Mississippi.

Additionally, if you're in a campground with no electrical hookups, you need to use an INVERTER generator.
Open-frame generators will be too loud for the campground's noise level requirements.
If someone is using one of these, they also should be reported.

[kfergiez]

Originally Posted by bikendan

Additionally, if you're in a campground with no electrical hookups, you need to use an INVERTER generator.
Open-frame generators will be too loud for the campground's noise level requirements.
If someone is using one of these, they also should be reported.

Yep. We do our fair share of boondocking, but when we are in a campground, we don't usually have hookups. We operate on batteries only.

Would you approach them directly, or just report them to the hosts?

[timfromma]

Originally Posted by kfergiez

Yep. We do our fair share of boondocking, but when we are in a campground, we don't usually have hookups. We operate on batteries only.

Would you approach them directly, or just report them to the hosts?

Report them. Let the park employees be the bad guys.

[NMWildcat]

Always report to hosts or park personnel for perceived infractions. You might learn something about park rules you thought you knew. There is no need for direct confrontation unless you know them, or just like that sort of thing.

When in crowded cgs we expect noise, so we don't let it get to us. When we want perfect peace and quiet, we go places we know we will get it. And being old has it's advantages, if there is a disturbing noise, I just remove my hearing aids

[kfergiez]

Oh we have two little girls, so I'm reasonable with my 'peace and quiet' expectations. For some reason generators just grind my gears, especially early in the morning. It's for that reason that I'm just trying to be amicable when I know that I have a hard time with it.

[seagrace]

I'm finding this thread very interesting - I want to know too! I've always been a dispersed camper and absolutely despised people with generators - mostly because I felt that they used them inappropriately. For example a friend of a friend had a Honda Eu2000 that he ran all night so he could watch his cable and go to sleep. Problem was that nobody in tents, or cots (like me) could sleep as that sound carries no matter how quiet it is. Another time, in a campground, the guy next to me fired up his apparently un-muffled generator and let me enjoy the sound of it while he sat inside watching TV. Really? Watching TV when camping? This is one of the main reasons I avoid campgrounds.

Now, I'm on the cusp of becoming one of those generator people. I know what highly irritates me about generators, and I promise to be sensitive to others and only use it when I need it. If you come and ask me nicely, I will happily shut it down as quickly as I can. I'm pulling the trigger on an Inverter generator.

[timfromma]

Just remember that if someone with a generator is operating within the rules of the campground, they are under no obligation to turn it off. No matter how much it annoys you.

[mjones12]

Originally Posted by timfromma

Report them. Let the park employees be the bad guys.

Yeah, these days you never know when some nut will respond with violence if you simply look at them the wrong way. For a complaint like that, I would leave it to the professionals.

[325BH]

Originally Posted by timfromma

Just remember that if someone with a generator is operating within the rules of the campground, they are under no obligation to turn it off. No matter how much it annoys you.

I think this should be repeated!

Thing to understand is, are you dealing with rules or etiquette?

If at a campground, rules are more than likely in play.

If out in the sticks, there are probably no rules and etiquette comes into play.

Rules are more black and white. Etiquette, not so much. Out in the sticks, people have just as much rights to make noise as anyone else.

[FirstTracks]

Originally Posted by timfromma

Just remember that if someone with a generator is operating within the rules of the campground, they are under no obligation to turn it off. No matter how much it annoys you.

One more reason that I avoid campgrounds like the plague.

[325BH]

Originally Posted by FirstTracks

One more reason that I avoid campgrounds like the plague.

You would also have to avoid other people. Out in the sticks, people can run whatever they want whenever they want.

[Iwannacamp]

I tend to wake up early when camping. I don't know what early time you are referring. 5-6 am. I consider that early. If I relied on the generator to make coffee I would be chomping at the bit or making with fire. I found a percolator at my dads house....I'm gonna try it. Haven't made coffee on one of those in prolly 40 years.

[325BH]

Originally Posted by Iwannacamp

I tend to wake up early when camping. I don't know what early time you are referring. 5-6 am. I consider that early. If I relied on the generator to make coffee I would be chomping at the bit or making with fire. I found a percolator at my dads house....I'm gonna try it. Haven't made coffee on one of those in prolly 40 years.

My wife would ask where the k-cup goes... LOL!

[Iwannacamp]

Originally Posted by 325BH

My wife would ask where the k-cup goes... LOL!

Lol and where does the filter go? There is a stob sticking up in here!

[FirstTracks]

Originally Posted by 325BH

You would also have to avoid other people.

I do - again, like the plague.

[HangDiver]

Morning coffee. No generator needed.