Generator Noise

Have you seen those $129.99 generators from Harbor Freight and been tempted. I'm still tempted to buy one. I just wonder if a generator that cheap will last, and how much trouble it would be to use (noise, etc.). In looking up the subject, I found this pretty revealing: http://www.popupportal.com/index.php?topic=45219.0

how big is that generator? I would think you would need 4000 watts or so

Alan, it's only 900 watts. It would be good for one circuit, or for charging a battery. At that noise level it would ruin a camping trip to run it for very long.
http://www.harborfreight.com/800-rated-watts-900-max-watts-portable-generator-66619.html
they are on sale for $129, not $89 (oops)

If you are interested in powering just one circuit, I would just use my battery, and take a second. Unless you are going to be gone for a long period of time two deep cycle batteries should heat up one circuit

I do have an inverter, but converting battery to 110 runs it down pretty fast. Odds are I'll not need a whole lot of power. I'll go in the spring or fall when I won't need the AC and then it will be just for my lights at night. I'll probably convert another one or two to LED by then, so they won't take much juice at all. The fridge will run on propane. If I need the furnace, it would be just to knock off the chill in the morning, and the furnace fan wouldn'really run long enough to do much damage. If I'm working a regular Mon-Fri job, as I hope to be doing really soon, it would only be for two nights.

Still, I'd kinda like to have a generator, because I just like them.

Our generator 5000 is loud and I have read that others add a 12 foot PVC pipe from it straight up in the air to lower the sound of it.

Wow Darlene, that makes sense. It might not actually reduce the noise, but just pointing it up would make the campsite quieter. Let me know the result if you try it.

One other thing to keep in mind is many RV appliances require more amps to start the appliance than they do to run the appliance. A roof air conditioner can draw 16 amps to start, but may only use 13 amps once it is running.

To get your Wattage just ------ Volt x Amps = Watts
This may be helpful to some for how large of a generator they mey need, or what they can run/use with the generator they currently have.

120 Volt AC Amp Ratings
Appliance or Electronic Equipment Estimated Amps
Air Conditioner (X number of A/C) 12-16 Amps
Blender 5-6 Amps
Coffee Maker 5-8 Amps
Compact Disc Player 1 Amp
Computer (Laptop) 2-3 Amps
Converter 1-8 Amps
Crock Pot 1-2 Amps
Curling Iron <1 Amp
Drill 2-6 Amps
Electric Blanket 0.5-1.5 Amps
Electric Fan 1 Amp
Electric Water Heater 9-13 Amps
Electric Skillet 6-12 Amps
Hair Dryer 5-12 Amps
Iron 5-10 Amps
Light (60 watt % 120V) <1 Amp
Microwave 8-13 Amps
Microwave (Convection Oven) 13 Amps
Refrigerator in AC mode 5-8 Amps
Space Heater 8-13 Amps
Television 1.5-4 Amps
Toaster 7-10 Amps
Vacuum (handheld) 2-6 Amps
VCR 1-2 Amps
Washer/Dryer 14-16Amps

12 Volt DC Amp Ratings
Appliance or Accessory Estimated Amps
Aisle Light 1 Amp
CO Detector 1 Amp
Fluorescent Light 1-2 Amps
Furnace 10-12 Amps
LP Gas Leak Detector 1 Amp
Overhead lights (Per Bulb) 1 Amp
Porch Light 1 Amp
Power Roof Vent 1.5 Amps
Radio/Stereo 4 Amps
Range Hood (Fan & Light) 2-3 Amps
Refrigerator (LP Gas Mode) 1.5- 2 Amps
Security System 1 Amp
Television (12 volt) 4-5 Amps
TV Antenna Booster <1 Amp
TV Antenna Booster 12 Volt outlet Up to 8 Amps
Variable Speed Ceiling / Vent Fan 4 Amps
VCR Recorder / Player 2 Amps
Water Pump 4 Amp

Richard on Sat Jan 21, 2012 5:05 pm

.Alan, it's only 900 watts. It would be good for one circuit, or for charging a battery. At that noise level it would ruin a camping trip to run it for very long.
http://www.harborfreight.com/800-rated-watts-900-max-watts-portable-generator-66619.html
they are on sale for $129, not $89 (oops).

I just seen this generator at Tractor Supply for $89.00 I was at the Soddy Daisy Tn. location but I would think all of their locations would honor that price, if anyone is interested in getting one.