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Topic: How do you run your genny during quiet hours? |
Posted By: remoandiris
on 06/07/12 10:11am
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Do boondock CGs have quiet hours? If so, how do you run your generator during the night? Is it's noise level acceptabe during quiet hours? Or do you just not have your a/c running at night?
2011 GMC 3500 Dually New to me 2006 Jayco Designer 38RDQS 2 Boxers and a Maine Coon |
Posted By: Pangaea Ron
on 06/07/12 10:17am
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Quiet hours usually means no generators. I've seen exceptions for special needs like running critical medical equipment.
2008 Itasca SunCruiser 35L 2014 Honda AWD CR-V EX-L ![]() |
Posted By: powderman426
on 06/07/12 10:18am
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Im not sure just how you boondock at a CG. Do you mean primitive camp at a CG? If so the answer is that you don't run jenny at quiet time.
Ron & Charlotte WD8CBT since 1976 32' Gulfstream Ameri-Camp & 05 Ram QC LB I started with nothing and I still have most of it left I never fail, I just succeed in finding out what doesn't work |
Posted By: ScottG
on 06/07/12 10:21am
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You don't run the gen during quiet hours.
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Posted By: Oasisbob
on 06/07/12 10:22am
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Shut it down. It's just rude.
Oasis Bob Wonderful wife 3 of 4 kids at home. 1 proudly serving in USAF 2018 Ford Explorer 2001 Bantam Trail Lite B-19 HAPPY TRAILS"> |
Posted By: ArcticDodge
on 06/07/12 10:27am
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If you are dry camping in a campground with quiet hours and set times for generator usage, you FOLLOW the rules and leave your generator off during quiet hours.
2009 Komfort 256TS 2001 Dodge Ram 3500 QC 4x4 Cummins DRW 2005 Dodge Durango Limited AWD HEMI 2006 Dodge Charger R/T HEMI 2001 Sebring Convertible 1995 Miata M-Edition 1 Wife "> 2 Boys UW & Bellevue College 1 Trixie (Bichon Frise) Only 21 years to retirement!!!! |
Posted By: hallock5
on 06/07/12 10:45am
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If in a remote CG, with a few neighbors intermingled, you could approach them and just let them know your intent and if it is bothersome to let you know and you will shut it down. Reasonableness goes a long way.
2008 Jayco Eagle Superlite 28.5RLS 2002 Ford 4x4 SuperCab 7.3 (Jr International) Diesel Sad to say, time to sell to a good home. ![]() |
Posted By: GrammyB
on 06/07/12 11:23am
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bpounds wrote: ![]() Quiet hours mean no generators, music, parties, barking dogs. Personally I don't camp where AC is required at night. Would rather stay home than visit such hot areas in the summer. X2 |
Posted By: weathershak
on 06/07/12 10:31am
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If you have no neighbors, then you probably could, unless there are rules that state otherise. If you have neighbors, plan on sleeping without the AC on.
Full timing it since July 2012 ![]() |
Posted By: christopherglenn
on 06/07/12 10:31am
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Big battery bank and an inverter. As far as ac, you are going to be in the 2000-3000 amp hour bank to run it overnight.
2007 Chevrolet 3500 CC/LB Duramax/Dually 4X4 Mine r4tech, Reese Signature Series 18k +slider, duratrac, Titan 62 gallon, diamond eye, Cheetah 64 2011 Keystone Fusion 405 TrailAir & Triglide, Centerpoint, gen-turi, 3 PVX-840T, XANTREX FREEDOM SW3012, G614 ![]() |
Posted By: bpounds
on 06/07/12 10:44am
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Quiet hours mean no generators, music, parties, barking dogs. Personally I don't camp where AC is required at night. Would rather stay home than visit such hot areas in the summer.
2006 F250 Diesel 2011 Keystone Cougar 278RKSWE Fiver ![]() |
Posted By: nina_70
on 06/07/12 11:31am
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As the others said quiet hours means just that...no gennies. If you need light or electricity use during quiet hours, your batteries should supply you just fine as long as you don't try to run something that needs a huge draw (e.g. AC). Lights, a bit of TV..all that stuff should be fine. The AC is too much so you'll just have to do without. You can run the genny and recharge in the AM once quiet hours are over.
12 paws, 40-feet and the open road http://wheelingit.us ![]() |
Posted By: Pangaea Ron
on 06/07/12 12:01pm
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hallock5 wrote: ![]() If in a remote CG, with a few neighbors intermingled, you could approach them and just let them know your intent and if it is bothersome to let you know and you will shut it down. Reasonableness goes a long way. That's a good approach. I hate using the generator for lots of reasons, but need to run it for ~2 hours/day to recharge my dedicated CPAP battery. While dry camping at The Goosenecks for a few days this year, I talked with my neighbors and asked them when would be the best time to run the generator (non-quiet hours). They were very appreciative. I hate it that my Suncruiser only has (2) Group 24 batteries, and limited solar. I plan to remedy those two issues soon. |
Posted By: time2roll
on 06/07/12 12:03pm
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I use the OFF position during quiet hours.
2001 F150 SuperCrew 2006 Keystone Springdale 249FWBHLS 675w Solar pictures back up |
Posted By: Mootpoint
on 06/07/12 10:44pm
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dannytas wrote: ![]() Pretty simple with me...if there are rules posted, follow the rules!! If not, use your own judgement. x2 Pretty simple. ![]() Nothing sucks more than that moment during an argument when you realize you're wrong. |
Posted By: sirdrakejr
on 06/07/12 01:22pm
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Moved from 5th wheels to Public lands, Bookdocking & dry camping. Frank 2011 Palomino Maverick 1000SLLB on a 2004 Dodge Quadcab CTD Ram3500 SRW long bed equipped with Timbren springs, Stable Load bump stops, Rickson 19.5" wheels/"G" range tires and a Helwig "Big Wig" rear anti sway bar. ![]() |
Posted By: laknox
on 06/07/12 01:33pm
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remoandiris wrote: ![]() Do boondock CGs have quiet hours? If so, how do you run your generator during the night? Is it's noise level acceptabe during quiet hours? Or do you just not have your a/c running at night? "Boondock" usually refers to a unimproved camping area like public lands where camping is allowed, i.e. National Forest, BLM, etc. If that's where you're camping, then it's up to you to check with your neighbors if it's OK to run at night. "Dry camping" also can refer to "boondocking", but is more commonly used when talking about a designated camping area or camp ground without power, water and/or sewer. You might be in a dry camping area that's nothing more than a big lot, with no designated camp sites, but with rules posted and enforced or you might be in an improved camp ground with designated sites. My late BIL, who started our annual family camp out, was adamant about "no generators", though if someone brought one, he would have just given them hell for 2 or 3 days. :-) We did give him a =very= rough time when he got up at 3 AM to start his truck when his CPAP machine drained his coach battery. :-) Lyle 2002 GMC Sierra 2500 HD Duramax Crew Cab 4x4 6.5' Bed Banks Bullet Tuner and Monster Exhaust B&W Turnover Ball with 5th Wheel Companion 2017 KZ Durango 1500 D277RLT 1936 John Deere Model A International Flying Farmers 62 Year Member |
Posted By: dupreet
on 06/07/12 02:48pm
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We often camp area state and national campgrounds with no power at the sites. As mentioned quiet time is quiet time. We baked like chickens last July 4th in our popup camper at one of these campgrounds. We moved up to a TT and I have a not-so-quiet Champion generator that I hope to only run for a few hours in the afternoon if the temps get as high as they did last year. I certainly DO NOT plan on cranking it up at 7am when 'noisy time' starts and run it until the 10pm curfew...been there and camped next to folks like this. Now, if you have a medical condition that requires power (but not air conditioning), a Honda or Yamaha 1000 quiet generator would probably be tolerated by neighbors and a camp host. These units ramp down when power draw is reduced to a CPAP or other equipment to a noise level that is barely noticable a few feet away. Happy Camping! Todd Todd 1993 Ford E-350 pushed by a 1988 Wilderness 24' TT |
Posted By: trickyvic3
on 06/07/12 02:53pm
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We have a special needs son who is on a ventilator for breathing. Even with this I make sure my batteries are all charged up, and can usually get through the night without running the genset. It does draw the batteries down pretty quickly. People have always been very understanding with us however, and always tell us that if we need to run the genny, they understand and have no problem with it. We do have the auto feature on ours, but rarely use it depending on where we are. We very rarely dry camp because of our situation, but sometimes we have to. We always try to be respectful to other campers. Vic |
Posted By: Terryallan
on 06/07/12 03:17pm
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remoandiris wrote: ![]() Do boondock CGs have quiet hours? If so, how do you run your generator during the night? Is it's noise level acceptabe during quiet hours? Or do you just not have your a/c running at night? CGs dom have quiet hours, and that means no generators of any kind. IF you believe you have to run the AC at night. A CG with electric hookups may be more of what you need. Terry & Shay Coachman Apex 288BH. 2013 F150 XLT Off Road 5.0, 3.73 Lazy Campers ![]() |
Posted By: Twomed
on 06/07/12 03:40pm
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First mod on every rig we have owned has been a ceiling fan. Very few times do we have to run the a/c at night. Exception is combat parking at football games or NASCAR where everyone has one running. ![]() ![]() Happy Trails "> 06 Monaco Dynasty 07 Hummer H3 FMCA 279843 |
Posted By: greenrvgreen
on 06/07/12 04:23pm
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Although I doubt this was the OP's question, out in the actual boondocks there are no quiet hours, only your own good judgment and consideration for others that may show up, although if I collect neighbors I tend to move. In a campground with quiet hours, I would hope no one would impose on me by asking if I "minded". If it's not an emergency, pay for a campground with hookups. If it's an emergency, call 911. |
Posted By: pkunk
on 06/07/12 08:07pm
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I removed one of my ACs because I never use them at night. I replaced the bedroom AC with another Fantastic vent to provide quiet 12v ventilation.![]() 1999 Coachman Mirada 34 ft.V10-F53 chassis 12ft.LR slide-2 gp31 AGM 12V @220AH ![]() |
Posted By: jauguston
on 06/07/12 08:19pm
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If your battery bank will not get you through the night due to a special needs child BUY MORE BATTERIES. Jim 2005 Coachman Sportscoach Elite 402 40' 350hp Cat C-7 w/MP-8 7500w Onan quiet diesel generator 6-Kyocera 130w solar panels SB3024i MPPT controller Pressure Pro TPMS 1987 Suzuki Samurai tintop Toad w/VW 1.6 turbo diesel power ![]() |
Posted By: dannytas
on 06/07/12 09:07pm
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Pretty simple with me...if there are rules posted, follow the rules!! If not, use your own judgement.
2014 Keystone Springdale 202QBWE 1998 Dodge 1500 Club Cab, 4x4, 5.9 magnum DW-Lynn BigDog-Kelley LittleDog-Kroozer LittleCats-Pokie and Dottie ![]() |
Posted By: pnichols
on 06/07/12 11:43pm
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Personnally, we don't like to camp where folks might be irritated by our built-in Onan generator - so that we can run it whenever we please. We had to run it almost all night in order to sleep once in high humidity and heat in the Deep South in August when in a drycamp spot where it didn't matter. I've checked our well installed Onan's noise many times by walking around our RV while it's running. About 60-80 feet away it can hardly be heard - especially when camping on soft surfaces such as grass, leaves, dirt, etc.. We also carry a little ultra quiet four-stroke Honda EX650 generator which can hardly be heard 30 feet away, and even then it's sound is a very low frequency humming free of any mechanical frequencies - which is not irritating at all. Of course the Honda can't power an air conditioner but can easily power some medical devices plus very large fans. For real stealth battery charging "anytime", I sometimes idle the main V10 motorhome engine, which is quieter than any Honda generator. Not only the raw loudness level - but also the "pitch" - of a generator's noise makes a difference to me. Some camping generators I've heard I could care less if my neighbor ran them all night (i.e. our little EX650 would be one) for whatever reason(s) they might have. The quietest RV generators I've ever "not heard" are the very low RPM chugging diesel types buried deep underneath certain Class A motorhomes. My camping neighbors could feel free to run these type all night as far as I'm concerned. IMHO, it's a bit immature being too generator-phobic in campgrounds - after all, one may find themselves in the emergency position of needing their's running within quiet hours someday too - regardless of the rules. Try drycamping at night in the Deep South, as we did to see what I'm referring to. We've found that by "never camping in high heat" we miss a lot of opportunities to do what we like to do. ![]() Phil, 2005 E450 Itasca Spirit 24V |
Posted By: W4RLR
on 06/08/12 02:27am
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I added two deep cycle batteries and an inverter for running the CPAP and satellite TV. When there are no quiet hours or I am Wallydocking amongst big rigs, I run the generator. I added another Fantastic Vent to the bedroom, replacing the standard vent that came from the factory. If I am prudent, I can get two days worth of power off the deep cycle bank, which is separate from the factory deep cycle that runs the 12 volt for the refrigerator, water pump, and interior lighting. Running the generator recharges everything.
Richard L. Ray SSgt USAF (Retired) Life Member DAV W4RLR 146.52 mhz 2008 Ford F-250 Lariat Crew Cab 1995 Jayco Eagle 277RBSS fifth-wheel "Never ask a man what kind of computer he drives. If it's a Mac, he'll tell you. If not, why embarrass him?" Tom Clancy ![]() |
Posted By: JiminDenver
on 06/08/12 08:12am
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OP try real boondocking without the noisy, smelly, cramped campground where there is no one to make noise or hear you if you make some. Also I have seen threads where people have taken quiet generators like the Honda inverters and enclosed them in boxes or the truck bed with a cap that they claim can barely be heard. Otherwise you are stuck with the batteries and even a small AC unit would require quite the battery bank and need lots of recharging the next day. 2011 GulfStream Amerilite 25BH 2003 Ford Expedition with 435w tilting portable/ TS-MPPT-45 750w solar , TS-MPPT-60 on the trailer 675 Ah bank, Trip-lite 1250fc inverter Sportsman 2200w inverter generator ![]() |
Posted By: trickyvic3
on 06/08/12 08:21am
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jauguston wrote: ![]() If your battery bank will not get you through the night due to a special needs child BUY MORE BATTERIES. Jim Not sure if this statement was directed at us? But we have 6 deep cycles already. But even at that we have a pretty high power draw because of all the equipment that has to run 24-7 ie- ventilator, low air loss mattress, suction machine, electric hospital bed, power lift ect. This is the reason we only dry camp when we're traveling and have no choice. Times have changed for the better, and not all handicapped people are hidden away in nursing homes anymore. My son deserves a chance to enjoy some sort life too, and we do our best to try and do that. As I mentioned before, we are ALWAYS respectful to other campers around us, and in 10yrs of camping with our son, have never had any issues. I assume you don't have a special needs family member to make a statement like that? |
Posted By: laknox
on 06/08/12 12:30pm
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trickyvic3 wrote: ![]() jauguston wrote: ![]() If your battery bank will not get you through the night due to a special needs child BUY MORE BATTERIES. Jim Not sure if this statement was directed at us? But we have 6 deep cycles already. But even at that we have a pretty high power draw because of all the equipment that has to run 24-7 ie- ventilator, low air loss mattress, suction machine, electric hospital bed, power lift ect. This is the reason we only dry camp when we're traveling and have no choice. Times have changed for the better, and not all handicapped people are hidden away in nursing homes anymore. My son deserves a chance to enjoy some sort life too, and we do our best to try and do that. As I mentioned before, we are ALWAYS respectful to other campers around us, and in 10yrs of camping with our son, have never had any issues. I assume you don't have a special needs family member to make a statement like that? BRAVO! Lyle |
Posted By: doc brown
on 06/08/12 01:04pm
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Simple - I don't. Quiet means quiet.
Steve,Kathy and Josh Morpheus(Basenji)at Rainbow Bridge 2004 40' TSDP Country Coach Inspire DaVinci 350 Cummins, 3000 Allison 2014 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Sport S, Air Force One Braking, Blue Ox ![]() |
Posted By: jauguston
on 06/08/12 01:46pm
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My comment was in no way intended to sound hard hearted but simply logical. If you say you have 6 batteries already and they will not get you through the night then it would sound to me like they are not enough for your needs. Jim |
Posted By: mrw8i
on 06/08/12 10:01pm
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doc brown wrote: ![]() Simple - I don't. Quiet means quiet. x2 |
Posted By: Eurocamper
on 06/09/12 06:31am
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No generators during quiet hours while in a campground. I guess you'll have to turn off turn your a/c off. If you are truly boondocking in a remote location ... well, that's another story. 2008 Fleetwood Evolution E1 2011 Dodge Ram 2500 Crew Cab 4x4 Hemi 2007 Nissan Xterra 4x4 Ex 1997 Volkswagen Eurovan Camper ![]() |
Posted By: Teacher's Pet
on 06/09/12 06:53am
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Another thing to consider with a generator in a dry hook-up situation such as a rally, is fumes. Nothing can be worse than fumes in your RV from someone else or yourself, when running a generator for any reason. This has led to deaths at several sporting events. We use a Gen-Turi (after market exhaust stack), on our Onan Quiet Diesel exhaust, when at such a location. Very thoughful of us to do this since usually we get parked next to someone with a generator and Hydro-Hot or Aqua-Hot water heating system, without stacks, both spewing fumes under our RV.
'06 Phaeton 40' QSH '14 Ford Flex SEL AWD Toad '04 R-Vision Trail-Lite 213 Scottiemom's Pet or husband to Dale RV.net Rallies 13, Other Rallies 21, Escapades 7 Fulltimers since 2005, Where are we? Our Travel Blog |
Posted By: zman-az
on 06/11/12 08:58pm
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I strongly suggest anyone that camps were there are quiet hours invest in 3-4 batteries. Also by a portable fantastic fan that runs on 12V. It's not AC but with the ceiling fan on, windows open and the portable fan running in our bedroom you can't get much better. I am looking at making a 12V swamp cooler as I have a portable 120V one that I may replace with 12V stuff.
![]() |
Posted By: Eurocamper
on 06/22/12 08:00am
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The rules against generators are unbending because if they weren't they would never be obeyed. There is ALWAYS someone who thinks their circumstances makes them the exception.
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Posted By: jauguston
on 06/22/12 08:18am
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X2
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Posted By: tyler_bustos
on 06/12/12 08:18pm
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We mostly dry camp and boondock and turn ours off at night.
* This post was edited 06/12/12 08:26pm by tyler_bustos * |
Posted By: jake2250
on 06/12/12 08:24pm
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500 foot rule when "Boon Dockin" If no one is with in 500 feet of you, your good to go!! Hell you can weld after quiet hours for all I care,, as long as you are 500 + or more from me!!
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Posted By: dieseltruckdriver
on 06/12/12 08:57pm
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If I am in a campground with quiet hours, I will honor them. If I am boondocking (which is NOT in or even remotely close to a town) then I will run my Honda 2000 when I want to. The two do not interchange.
2000 F-250 7.3 Powerstroke 2018 Arctic Fox 27-5L ![]() |
Posted By: rustycopperballs
on 06/13/12 11:34am
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Quote: ![]() how do you run your generator during the night? you don't if you need your A/C, you need to go to a CG w/ hook ups IMHO |
Posted By: regis101
on 06/13/12 08:49pm
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Good lord. I have finally found some peoples who understand quiet time. My faith in humanity has been restored. Thank you. Peace, Peace. ~RL |
Posted By: MrWizard
on 06/17/12 09:58am
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yep if your the avg person with avg needs you DON'T. run the during quiet hours, not for a/c you live with fans like everybody else or you go to a campground with hook ups now I do know one enterprising smart fellow who has a Volvo HTD , filled the storage area with batteries and put a window a/c guts inside a roof top case over the 5th wheels bedroom he can and occasionally runs this a/c for a few hrs to cool the bedroom after quiet hrs, using an inverter powered by these batteries, it o lay draws about 800w running 7amps at 120v , 70amps at 12v, but he has a 1000 amphr battery bank to power it, he could run 6 hrs and still be at 50 percent SOC, but would still have a long recharge period, so to conserve recharge time the next day , he only runs it for a couple of hrs before bed then runs fans No Generator power at night 12v evaporative. coolers are still made and sold, they cost almost as much as a new a/c unit I installed one in my first MH 20 yrs ago, I was looking at them online last year http://www.turbokool.com/ Radiate The Happy .... Connected using Verizon and AT&T 1997 F53 Bounder 36s ![]() |
Posted By: dave54
on 06/17/12 09:30pm
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remoandiris wrote: ![]() Do boondock CGs have quiet hours?.. The term boondock CG is an oxymoron. If it is a campground it is not boondocking. Boondocking by definition means no campgrounds, site designations, tables, fire rings, outhouse, or bulletin board covered in rules. It should also mean no neighbors to complain. =~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~= So many campsites, so little time... ~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~ |
Posted By: bukhrn
on 06/19/12 05:45pm
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dave54 wrote: X-2, You may dry camp in a CG without hookups, but you don't boondock, thats done in the Boonies.![]() remoandiris wrote: ![]() Do boondock CGs have quiet hours?.. The term boondock CG is an oxymoron. If it is a campground it is not boondocking. Boondocking by definition means no campgrounds, site designations, tables, fire rings, outhouse, or bulletin board covered in rules. It should also mean no neighbors to complain. ![]() 2007 Forester 2941DS 2014 Ford Focus Zamboni, Long Haired Mini Dachshund You can have my RV, when you pry my cold dead fingers from the Steering Wheel ![]() |
Posted By: pnichols
on 06/20/12 09:33am
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Quote: ![]() I have finally found some peoples who understand quiet time. I fully understand it ... that's why our stick house is somewhat in the boondocks. However, I also appreciate the excellent engineering that goes into a quality built quiet generator and am not myopic about those who have the discernment to own and run them any time they want to protect health or improve comfort out in the middle of nowhere. (I also don't appreciate during quiet or any other hours, but am not myopic about, the racket from diesel powered RV tow vehicles or the V8 powered RV tow vehicles with growlingly loud mufflers.) I can hardly wait for propane fuel cells for RV use to finally arrive so we can all be happy. ![]() |
Posted By: greenrvgreen
on 06/20/12 01:03pm
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Rationalize it however you will, but there is no federal or state campground in America that draws a distinction between inverter and synchronous generators, as regards quiet hours. Regarding "discernment": Ironicaly, that was a Madison Avenue buzzword from decades ago, used to coerce vulnerable lunatics into buying expensive Scotch so they could gain entry into a world of priviledge. |
Posted By: pnichols
on 06/20/12 03:00pm
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Quote: ![]() ...a distinction between inverter and synchronous generators... That makes my point about (not) appreciating excellent engineering enough versus sticking to dogma so as to occasionally cut some leeway in certain situations. i.e. I have a superbly designed synchronous generator that - unless one is myopically radical for emotional reasons about "noise" - makes none to speak of. Quote: ![]() Regarding "discernment": Ironicaly, that was a Madison Avenue buzzword from decades ago, used to coerce vulnerable lunatics into buying expensive Scotch so they could gain entry into a world of priviledge. Taking a look at the dictionary definition of it one can see that we could all use more of it. I doubt that anyone under 60 even knows what it means anymore, let alone display a bit of it once in awhile. |
Posted By: regis101
on 06/20/12 07:57pm
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Last weekend was spent at Pincrest CG in the Sierra's. Took the kids to the movie at the ampitheater on Saturday night. We got back to the trailer at 10:30 pm and lo and behold, the hum of a generator coming from B Loop. sigh
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Posted By: mena661
on 06/21/12 04:36pm
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pnichols wrote: I know you strongly disagree but I'm soooooo happy that the one's making these quiet hours rules don't know anything about newer generators. Despite what you believe to be true, your so-called "quiet" generator makes noise. And in a quiet campground at night, it sounds even louder. I don't want to hear YOUR generator period! I want to hear birds, wind, waves crashing, etc. Not your generator. Granted, going to a CG entails compromises and I accept generator noise during the day but, Jesus, do I have to listen to that******all night too? Any CG that allows that******will NOT have my business.
![]() That makes my point about (not) appreciating excellent engineering enough versus sticking to dogma so as to occasionally cut some leeway in certain situations. i.e. I have a superbly designed synchronous generator that - unless one is myopically radical for emotional reasons about "noise" - makes none to speak of. 2009 Newmar Canyon Star 3205, Ford F53 V10 Trojan L16 6V's 740 Amp-hours ![]() |
Posted By: christopherglenn
on 06/21/12 08:21pm
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Keep in mind, AC's and heatpumps make as much noise - or more then inverter generators.
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Posted By: MrWizard
on 06/21/12 09:09pm
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yes.. but the point is, 999.9 people won't be running an A/C or heat pump in a "no hookup" campground, when they can't run the genny the a/c is 'white noise' that masks the sound of the generator when running no generator, No a/C white noise maker i have generators and i use them, "at the appropriate time" and NOT at night after quiet hours, not in campgrounds |
Posted By: pnichols
on 06/21/12 09:53pm
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Quote: ![]() I want to hear birds, wind, waves crashing, etc. Me too. Try going w/o generators during the night in Texas in August on the Gulf of Mexico coast ... or anyplace drycamping the South in August. You might jolly well wish there were no "quiet hours" for A/C generators, then. We know because of a 10 week summer trip in the South that for various reasons we had no choice but to go on when we did. Thank goodness we had a great well-insulated RV with a generator and A/C system that we could count on to use even through the night while sleeping. We could have cared less about birds, wind, waves, etc. during most of that trip whenever we were in that 90/90 weather. I realize you have a very generous RV coach battery bank, but not large enough for the situation I describe above. I'm not against "no generators during quiet hours". I'm just against having a closed mind and unbending rules regarding the issue ... especially in hot seasons or hot locations. |
Posted By: christopherglenn
on 06/22/12 11:53am
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MrWizard wrote: ![]() yes.. but the point is, 999.9 people won't be running an A/C or heat pump in a "no hookup" campground, when they can't run the genny the a/c is 'white noise' that masks the sound of the generator when running no generator, No a/C white noise maker i have generators and i use them, "at the appropriate time" and NOT at night after quiet hours, not in campgrounds My point was more of a dead quiet is rare, and even with hookups there are still noise sources other then generators that arn't birds, wind or waves. I find when I want to hear nature, I hike an hour or two and pitch a tent. As long as you can drive there, Someone brings Somthing that makes noise - even it is ends up being traffic on the road. |
Posted By: MrWizard
on 06/22/12 02:44pm
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Duely Noted
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Posted By: colliehauler
on 06/22/12 05:45pm
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I for one would not go to a campground to boondock. If you feel the need to camp next to me in the middle of nowhere you might just here my generator.
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Posted By: bpounds
on 06/22/12 06:55pm
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MrWizard wrote: ![]() Duely Noted Thanks for stepping up. It isn't safe to tow with anything less. ![]() |
Posted By: pnichols
on 06/23/12 12:20pm
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Quote: ![]() It isn't safe to tow with anything less. Not necessarily. ![]() We leave in a few hours towing our boat behind our 11,800 lb. Ford E450 Class C motorhome to a lake way up high in the Sierras. The V10 gasser will handle it just fine ... it's the 10+ year old yellow top Optima boat trolling battery that may not make it through the week! |
Posted By: Shavano
on 06/26/12 05:23pm
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All right, back to the conversation on generators... or this one goes to the "Towing" forum... ![]() '15 Chevy Silverado 2500 HD '18 Forest River Avenger "> "Dolci" Kipor KGE3500Ti CHECK OUT THE RV.NET BLOGS!! |
Posted By: christopherglenn
on 06/26/12 10:53pm
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If you MUST run a generator during quiet hours, google "propane fuel cell"..
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Posted By: livingaboard
on 06/27/12 12:31am
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for whatever reason, engines running or generators running don't bother me. It's those damn dogs and loud music that pisses me off. A generator is like a white noise to me and actually helps me sleep
Dave Everett, WA 2000 Itasca Suncruiser 35U, F53 Triton V-10 Firestone air bags with Quad control air gauge Pressure Pro tire pressure monitor Banks Exhaust SuperSteer rear trac bar Olympian Wave heaters (Wall mount and portable) ![]() |
Posted By: EMD360
on 06/29/12 08:06am
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Has it been made clear that there are no generator rules in dispersed camping? At least not that I have read. But it is quite annoying to be near folks who play loud music or shout to one another even during the day. These noises can carry 1/4 mile! Engine noises, however, rarely carry that far. It would be possible to run a generator all night in the places we camp, however, we would not. We would sleep warm instead. I do have a 12 volt O2Cool fan that holds ice and acts as a mini evaporative cooler. We mostly camp up in the mountains or on the rim during the summer. I can't imagine trying to camp in 90/90 with it, evap coolers don't work in high humidity either. We're hooked! 2003 Itasca Spirit 22e ![]() |
Posted By: pnichols
on 06/29/12 11:10pm
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Quote: ![]() If you MUST run a generator during quiet hours, google "propane fuel cell".. I did. Here's a link to a typical propane fuel cell for RV use. This hasn't got much to do with providing enough direct real-time power during quiet hours so as to be able to run air conditioning, but for other uses during quiet hours and no-sunlight hours ... such as RV battery charging and small appliance powering ... a propane fuel cell in your RV could be an outstanding way to create electrical energy from a source you normally have in an RV anyway: http://www.ultra-ami.com/portable-power-........el-cell-products/roamio-explorer-series/ |
Posted By: JiminDenver
on 06/30/12 06:43am
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EMD360 wrote: ![]() Has it been made clear that there are no generator rules in dispersed camping? At least not that I have read. But it is quite annoying to be near folks who play loud music or shout to one another even during the day. These noises can carry 1/4 mile! Engine noises, however, rarely carry that far. It would be possible to run a generator all night in the places we camp, however, we would not. We would sleep warm instead. I do have a 12 volt O2Cool fan that holds ice and acts as a mini evaporative cooler. We mostly camp up in the mountains or on the rim during the summer. I can't imagine trying to camp in 90/90 with it, evap coolers don't work in high humidity either. There are no restrictions on quiet times where we boondock and I have heard other generators while we were out there. One we could hear at 11 pm and they were quite a bit farther than a quarter mile from us. I did DB test on our Champion 3500/4000 this last time. I'm not sure about just how accurate the smart phone app was but it gave me a general idea. 2 ft ..mid 80s 23 ft high 60s 50 ft low 50s 100 ft low 40s at this point a singing bird was 48 dp. the wind and a plane way over head were both louder but you could easily hear the hum of the genny. After that it dropped into the 30s but stayed there even if I doubled the distance. I was on foot and never got far enough away to not hear it at all. I will say listening to it at 50 db was not that quiet. |
Posted By: pnichols
on 06/30/12 09:53am
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Quote: ![]() I will say listening to it at 50 db was not that quiet. That may be due to the particular frequencies in the sound spectrum that your Champion is putting out. We just returned from camping with our friends (both of us in small Class C motorhomes) in which our rigs were about 100-125 feet apart in a pine tree forested campground. We both carry along the same model of a small portable generator for battery charging and powering of small appliances. Both of our portable generators put out around 54dB at full power. Their sound is a low frequency muffled putt-putt type of sound with very, very little mechanically derived clicking or clanking sounds of any type ... pretty much only the muffled 3600 RPM putt-putting sound. These generators could "almost not" be heard by each of us between our rigs when we were outside our rigs. Way less volume than the chirping of birds. You even have to listen hard to hear them when inside the motorhome when they are running just outside the motorhome. They are entirely enclosed (except for their exhaust opening) inside an insulated all-steel case. IMHO, the sound spectrum frequency content may be just as important as overall sound spectrum volume in a generator's perceived loudness. |
Posted By: christopherglenn
on 06/30/12 11:15am
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pnichols wrote:
![]() Quote: ![]() If you MUST run a generator during quiet hours, google "propane fuel cell".. I did. Here's a link to a typical propane fuel cell for RV use. This hasn't got much to do with providing enough direct real-time power during quiet hours so as to be able to run air conditioning, but for other uses during quiet hours and no-sunlight hours ... such as RV battery charging and small appliance powering ... a propane fuel cell in your RV could be an outstanding way to create electrical energy from a source you normally have in an RV anyway: That is a 250 watt cell, coupled with a decent battery pack, and an inverter you could run everything but the AC. 3 or 4 said units would run the ac if it was cycling (like it does overnight). I have seen 1kw units (on the internet). http://www.ultra-ami.com/portable-power-........el-cell-products/roamio-explorer-series/ |
Posted By: 2oldman
on 06/30/12 11:18am
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pnichols wrote: The cheaper gennys do a pretty good job of engine muffling, but it's that bolts-in-a-can sound of the generator section which is annoying and carries quite far.
![]() That may be due to the particular frequencies in the sound spectrum that your Champion is putting out. |
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