Gas Generator Etiquette

[sas7001]

We are newbies and are taking our first 3 day trip to see a city's zoo. We don't have a toad, so will go from the RV park to the zoo's parking lot in the RV. My question, is it OK to leave the gas powered generator running for the A/C while we are in the zoo, or is it bad form, lol? That is one of the options we are looking at regarding what to do with pooch. Cellular video and temp monitoring, doggy day care, etc. We would be able to return to the RV in a few minutes, if alerted. There are a lot of pro and con discussions regarding pets and RVs. My question is specific, does the running generator disturb those in a parking lot (maybe even a Walmart lot).

[ppine]

There appears to be little gas generator ettiquette.

[sas7001]

Thanks. Just trying to fit in.

[KyDan]

Hi Steve and Cindy!
Welcome to FRF (even tho you've been lurking since April)!!
I don't see how running your genny in a parking lot is going to be an issue. I assume since you're in a motorhome you'll be parking way out in the lot.
As far as WalMart- same thing.....
Other places like camp grounds with no hookups you have to play by the rules. Most CGs have them posted or in the handout brochure at the check in station.


Happy Trails!

[sas7001]

Thanks Dan & Rita. It took us that long of lurking to decide what to buy, lol.

[cfo111]

In a parking lot no problem now if at night and people are sleeping that maybe different. But at a Zoo I really don't see a problem if you think it maybe park a little father away from entrance.

[sas7001]

I appreciate your thoughts. I agree with reduced hours at the campground. Hopefully will be using shore power at the CG anyway ;-)

[U.S.ArmyVeteran]

Stella Approves

Day time parking lot. No problem with generator.

Monitoring the interior of your rig while you are away is a good idea. You never know.

And thanks for trying to be considerate of others. A very rare commodity these days. Ughhh

[Beachbourbon]

There is the possibility that other people in the parking lot will see your animals in a closed vehicle in the summer and call the authorities or break a window out of an abundance of caution. Leaving animals in a closed vehicle in the summer is a red flag and many folks with good intentions may intervene, not knowing the AC is on…just another potential scenario to consider

[rsdata]

Originally Posted by Beachbourbon

There is the possibility that other people in the parking lot will see your animals in a closed vehicle in the summer and call the authorities or break a window out of an abundance of caution. Leaving animals in a closed vehicle in the summer is a red flag and many folks with good intentions may intervene, not knowing the AC is on…just another potential scenario to consider

leave a hand written and dated/with time sign in the window with phone number for anyone concerned

[sas7001]

Thanks Stella.

[sas7001]

Thanks. Always good to see all possible outcomes of a decision.

[sas7001]

That's exactly what I was going to do. I cannot see any personal safety issues (other than perhaps spam calls) with leaving a nicely printed note by MH door and cab driver's side door stating, "In case of emergency call xxx-xxx-xxxx". That would be the cell number that is always with me. I am very much a newbie, but I can see where many types of emergencies could arise while away from the RV, not just pet related. Thanks.

[D W]

Myself, In an RV, I would no more leave a running generator unattended than I would leave an oven on, a furnace on or a campfire unattended. But that's just me.

[ppine]

I have a generator but rarely use it, partly because it is so intrusive. It bothers me so it probably bothers other people.

Now I use 200 watts of solar panels mostly.

[rsdata]

Originally Posted by sas7001

That's exactly what I was going to do. I cannot see any personal safety issues (other than perhaps spam calls) with leaving a nicely printed note by MH door and cab driver's side door stating, "In case of emergency call xxx-xxx-xxxx". That would be the cell number that is always with me. I am very much a newbie, but I can see where many types of emergencies could arise while away from the RV, not just pet related. Thanks.

SINCE you have an older 2006 MH, I might want to test your capability in your driveway, running for a few hours and closely monitor the MH just in case something overheats or shuts down...

I always advise driveway camping to test out the rig before going on the road. In this case using the genny in the MH unattended MIGHT be a problem and maybe you could catch that problem before going on your trip.

[dfriedman]

Originally Posted by D W

Myself, In an RV, I would no more leave a running generator unattended than I would leave an oven on, a furnace on or a campfire unattended. But that's just me.

The furnace in a home runs unattended because the exhaust goes up and out. Oven and campfire, definite no.

But notice where the exhaust pipe for the generator is located. RV windows and doors are notoriously leaky. With pets onboard, I would sure want to verify that I had a functioning CO detector in the motorhome - preferably with a mobile phone notification if such a thing exists.

[TitanMike]

Every parking lot will be a little different. If you are parked with a nearby residence just across the "fence" the generator noise may be objectionable to the "neighbor".

If you are parked a distance away from those who might be annoyed, no problem.

It's not unusual for large trucks to be parked and leaving their engines running or refrigeration units running. Chances are they are louder than a small generator (with the exception of Contractor Style open frame generators that can be very annoying even at distance.

Look around and if all you see near where you are parked are other cars, don't worry and keep the pet(s) comfy.

[eric1514]

Testing in your driveway is a good idea but besides heat, be aware of CO poisoning. I know you probably have an alarm, but if it's not heard or there's no one around to shut off the generator it could be trouble.

[sas7001]

Good idea, thanks, RSData