I, too, think that generators are really bad when camping.  Why someone
would assume that other people within earshot of their generator noise are
not being constantly bothered by that irritating noise has always puzzled
me.  Running a generator in a quiet public environment is very
selfish.  They make noise. Just for YOU.   They aren't really necessary.
 If decide you simply must have electrical devices in use,  quiet power is
fair to other's who happen to have you camped near them.  Nobody should be
forced to listen to generator noise when their neighbors decide to Zap some
popcorn and watch TV or whatever .
   There are plenty of  more considerate ways to provide yourself with
electrical power if you simply must have it.  Generators really belong in
environments where their noise is going to be drowned out..Job sites, Race
tracks, Football stadium parking lots, Off Road vehicle parks, etc.    Even
the quietest tiny little gen-set.. Noisy and very similar to a sonic
toothache...nagging, like a drippy faucet...
  Go solar, wind, battery, please!
  Don Hanson

On Wed, Nov 4, 2009 at 5:35 AM, B Feddish <bfeddish@netreach.net> wrote:

>  >> Has anyone ever installed a small generator on board.
> Size,fuel,location
> noise? I am considering doing this if it can be done safely. I think it
> would eliminate the stress of battery/power management.Any thoughts would
> be
> appreciated. <<
>
> I have not heard of anyone installing one on board in a vanagon. Not sure
> where you'd put it. Those Vanagon owners that I have seen with generators
> (very few) have used a small Honda one outside.  They are pretty quite and
> reliable.
>
> That being said I really can't stand the sound of a generator at a campsite
> no matter how quiet. I think your money is better spent on a 150 watt or
> more solar panel. That should suffice for almost any electrical need you
> could have in your Vanagon except possibly a space heater and in that event
> you should get a propane furnace.
>
> Bryan
>