It would help if you chose a portable generator for caravans and camping, which can supply you with adequate power for the duration of your trip. Work out your electrical needs and what the generator is going to be used for. The generator you ultimately purchase will depend on how much power you require and how much noise you are prepared to put up with. Write down everything that is going to be plugged into the generator, such as a television, fridge, heater, electric stove, literally everything you use that needs power. The next step is to hit the stores.
Find out the amount of wattage all appliances need for everything you are taking with you. As an example, a skillet will churn up approximately 1,500 watts of energy, portable heaters can use about 1,300 watts, while a hairdryer will burn 1,200. Televisions, laptops, and radios are a little less demanding, as they generally require much less than 500 watts individually. A quick calculation will give you the approximate amount of power you can get by on.
Find generators that can supply the total of all the wattage you have added up. Do not forget that fridges and other appliances will need a boost of extra juice to start up to get them going. This will mean that the generator will need a burst rate (a maximum high amperage for a short amount of time) higher than the total you have calculated.
Anything less than 4,000 watts will not require a huge generator. These types of generators will suit the majority of campers, as they are small, lightweight, and easily transportable. A medium-sized generator could produce as much as 8,000 watts, which is plenty to run a fridge and TV with some backup power to charge the iPhone. It is possible to get generators that can churn out a steady 10,000 watts of power but are not so practical for camping, due to price increases at this level of power, and affordability to fix or replace.
It is not just the size you need to consider, as some other features come into play as well when choosing a generator for camping. The second biggest factor determining generator choice is the noise level. A super silent generator can put out less noise than the average conversation, so they will not bother fellow campers. Circuit breakers are also essential to prevent shocks and fires, as are fuel-efficient engines, with voltage regulators that are easy to operate. A four-cycle overhead-valve on your generator will make it a lot less harmful to the environment, due to their low emission rates, quieter running, easy start, and easy maintenance.
Always have a long discussion with a sales representative before departing with your hard-earned money, when choosing a camping generator. Browse online retailers as well, as there are some great reviews from real users, who have no kickback from saying good things, so you know it is an honest review. Get an idea of what people think of various brands so you can narrow down your search. It is not much fun to be out in the wilderness, eating cold dinners, and having cold showers, because you did not get the right portable generator for your needs.