One of the best things about living in Australia is the camping opportunities. Outback adventures complete with abundant amounts of sunshine, coastal wonders that stretch out for hours and a lot of outback magic to experience. And whilst camping is definitely all about disconnecting from the rest of the world and getting lost in the wilderness, a portable generator can be a smart option to stay connected when powered sites are not available or in the event of an emergency.
Thanks to the technology of today's generators, you don't have to leave power behind when you hit the road. Finding the right camping generator for your adventure means you can get the basics running, compliment your solar set up or have a reliable emergency charger on hand regardless of where you travel. And because you're on the road; you want something that's compact enough to take, whilst still offering a reliable solution to power your camping necessities. Here's a few essential considerations you'll need to decide on to determine which generator is right for you:
1. Fuel Efficiency: Diesel vs Petrol
The debate between diesel and petrol is an old one with generators and there's no right or wrong answer. If you're on a budget – and what family or camping enthusiast isn't – fuel efficiency is paramount, but which fuel option is 'better' depends on many affecting factors.
From servicing and maintenance costs, fuel availability, reliability, power, price, smell and safety, you'll need to be prepared to make a few compromises as to what option is best for you. Diesel's universal use in power generation and fuel efficiency makes it a popular choice for generators and as far as safety goes, it's definitely preferred because it burns cooler and slower than petrol.
Generally portable petrol generators are better for smaller power demands and are often cheaper to purchase. If your outback power demands are high though, a portable diesel generator will offer a more powerful and economical alternative. Most camping generators today are invertor generators too, which means they produce the cleanest power and reduce the amount of impact on the environment. These generators will automatically adjust their fuel consumption based on its load to ensure you maximise fuel efficiency.
2. Noise Considerations
No matter how quiet and efficient your generator is, it can still cause a disturbance to fellow campers or wildlife. Generators for outback travel should be as discreet as possible; bearing in mind that many national parks and camping grounds have noise restrictions after certain hours. Whilst most generators today are built with sound muffling features, it definitely pays to consider the impact its noise can have on your camping experience.
Select a generator with a db rating in the low to mid 50s, as this will be tolerable to most people and situations. Excessively loud engine noises are notorious for killing that relaxed camping ambience, so it's ideal to purchase an inverter generator over conventional as this will ensure a relatively quite operation.
3. Value for Money
If you're only using the generator for camping and recreational purposes, budget generators can be ideal and won't come with a hefty price tag to set you back. You can still purchase a powerful little generator built specifically for outdoor adventures that's compact and lightweight enough for around $350-$1,500. Make sure it comes with a good length warranty (at least 24 months is ideal) and produces less than 58 decibels.
Whilst there are a lot of great quality premium camping generators on the market too, you don't need to fork out an arm and leg to buy one that meets your requirements. Be aware though that many 'cheap' generators can be particularly noisy. Pay attention to the generator features; like full overload circuit protection and automatic tipping shutdown for safety purposes, whether it has a sound muffler and its size, ease of transport and starting ability. You want your generator to be portable with a carry handle, extension power cord and wheels or wheel kits for travel flexibility.
4. Quality Control
Purchasing a portable inverter generator doesn't just mean cleaner power and fuel efficiency, but it's fantastic for quality control too. Thanks to the booming inverter technology today's generators are able to provide a stable power source that won't cause damage to your powered equipment. If you are travelling with sensitive devices like a laptop, quality power control is important. Opt for a generator with voltage regulation to control the power output and keep it consistent. Fluctuations in power can damage the generator, up the maintenance requirements and cause it to unexpectedly shut down.
Consider the quality of craftsmanship of the generator too – you want it well put together with strong components so it's ideal for lugging around the outback. Quality and reliability are critical when selecting the right generator that'll last the distance and won't affect sensitive devices negatively.
5. Power Requirements vs Frequency
Understanding power requirements and how often you will be using your generator is essential to determining what one you will choose. If you're planning a long trip around the country, choose a premium brand to handle the frequent use and travel comfort, with a good 3-4 year warranty. If you're after a generator for smaller camping trips simply for emergency use or to power the absolute fundamentals, budget brands that are still good quality can do the trick.
The last thing you want when you're enjoying the outback is to be fussing over the generator too, so make sure it had a long runtime. Long runtimes at 25-50% of the maximum load with high fuel efficiency is a vital feature of a good RV generator.
Adding a good quality portable generator to your camping prerequisites will boost your outback experience and offer the reliable backup power supply you need.
This article is written by Jayde Ferguson, who writes for Able Sales – Australia wide supplier of quality diesel and petrol generators for outback travel. You can catch her on Google+.
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