Portable generators are a great source of electricity when off the grid, but if you or your new neighbors value the beauty of nature, you might want to keep that noise to a minimum.
Camping generators are typically much quieter than conventional generators because they feature inverter alternators that generate a very clean AC power supply. Because of this, they are also much smaller and lighter than their conventional counterparts. Another important aspect of camping generators is that their engines can run at different speeds depending on the load, which further reduces the noise as well as fuel consumption. The clean power produced by an inverter is particularly important when it comes to powering sensitive electronics such as laptops.
This step up in technology does come at a price. A camping generator can run 2-3 times the price of a conventional generator with comparable wattage. However, when you consider all the advantages an inverter camping generator has in a camp setting, you'll understand the price difference.
A conventional generator like the Generac GP1800 is rated at 1800 watts, weighs over 85 lbs, carries 3.5 gallons of gas (additional weight), runs for 10.5 hours at 50% load, and has an engine about the size of a quality lawn mower (and about as loud). Conversely, a camping generator like the Honda EU2000 is rated at 1600 watts, weights about 45 lbs, carries about a gallon of gasoline that can achieve up to 9.6 hours of run time at 25% load (this is where is self-adjusting engine speed comes in) all powered by an engine about half the size and is about as loud as a typical conversation.
All in all, less weight, less noise, less fuel, cleaner power and a good time camping.
