Bringing an Inverter Generator for Camping & Hunting Season: Benefits & Uses
If you’re like most campers, you love hopping in your RV and going off the grid. Unfortunately, going off the metaphorical grid can also result in going off the literal grid.
An RV inverter generator for camper excursions can provide you with a much-needed continuous power boost while you’re hunting and camping without limiting you to campsites with electricity hookups. It can also be used during storm preparation or during an extreme public safety power shutoff event. Understanding how camper inverter generators work and their potential benefits, can help you decide if it makes sense to add one to your camping gear.
Camper Inverter Generator 101
At the most basic level, when wondering the difference between inverter generators vs. traditional generators, an inverter generator is a type of portable power generator.
To get more technical about it, an inverter takes direct current power (DC) and converts it to a clean form of alternating current (AC) power to create a more consistent output that’s comparable to the quality of power you’d receive from your power company. RV batteries can supply DC power, but many of your RV’s appliances need AC power to run.
These AC appliances include:
● Refrigerators
● Stoves
● Microwaves
● Electrical outlets
● Air conditioner
For comparison, your RV likely uses DC power to power:
● Lights
● Pre-installed TVs and radios
● Water pumps
Inverter generators can run on fuels like gasoline, natural gas, and propane. However you fuel it, an RV power inverter generator kit can power your camping trip, no matter where the road takes you.
Benefits of Using a Camper Inverter Generator
When it comes to powering most of your RV appliances, you have two options: You can stick to campsites that offer an external electric hook-up, known as shore power. Or you can use an RV inverter generator kit for campers. Figuring out what size camping generator you need before greeting the great outdoors can ensure your set up for electrical success during your trip.
Inverter generators offer a range of benefits for the camping and hunting communities.
Camping Benefits
Depending on how you like to camp, an inverter can let you fully realize the possible benefits of camping with an RV or it can level up your tent-camping game.
That said, an inverter generator can help you:
● Expand your RV campsite options – Using an inverter generator means you’re not limited to campsites with shore power. Whether those campsites are all occupied or you’re camping somewhere farther off the beaten path, an inverter generator can let you use all of your RV appliances, no matter where you are.
● Power up your tent camping – Just because you’re tent camping doesn’t mean you have to give up electricity. Try a gas- or propane-fueled inverter generator to keep your campsite powered. Whether you need to power a coffee maker, an electric camp stove, or just your cell phone, an inverter can make it easier to enjoy life’s little luxuries, like a hot meal and a catchy playlist.
● Extend camping season – Easy access to electricity can make it easier to camp in weather that’s cooler or wetter than you’d normally want. When you don’t have to worry about cooking over a campfire in the rain, that late September camping trip starts to sound more inviting.
Knowing what you want to power with your RV inverter generator and how much electricity each of those appliance uses can help you find an inverter generator that meets your needs.
Hunting Benefits
In addition to the more general benefits, any camping aficionado can appreciate, camper inverter generators offer a few benefits specific to hunters. These include:
● Charging e-collars – Some people use e-collars to train hunting dogs. Depending on how long of a hunting trip you’re taking, a camper power inverter can help you keep your equipment charged, including your dog’s e-collar.
● Charging boot dryers – If you plan on spending several days in a row hunting in cold, wet climates, an electric boot dryer can be the difference between permanently cold feet and a fresh, dry start every morning. If you’re hunting in snowy areas, dry shoes can also help prevent worst-case scenarios like frostbite.
● Keeping game cool – Cooling your game as soon as possible can help preserve its taste and prevent bacteria from growing and spoiling the meat. If you’re on a day trip, you can use a cooler. But for longer trips, it helps to have refrigeration as an option. Ideally, meat should be stored at a temperature between 32 and 40 degrees until you have a chance to cook it or freeze it.
You’ll notice most of these benefits come down to one thing—time. Inverter generators allow you to go on long hunting trips without worrying about your phone dying or your game spoiling. And we could all use a little more time doing what we love.
How to Choose the Best RV Inverter Generator for You
You may first ask yourself, do I even need an inverter generator for my RV? You will soon find out that it really does matter. Luckily, when you first start shopping for an inverter generator, you’ll find many options so you can pick the one that is right for you and your needs. Examining your personal priorities can help you narrow the search down to options that can best meet your needs.
We recommend considering the following:
● Wattage – Smaller portable inverter generators can handle about 2,300 watts. Medium models offer around 4,500 watts, while larger ones offer around 9,000 watts. While the largest models offer the most power, they also tend to be heavier and more expensive. Knowing how much generator power you need can help you use your budget and storage space to decide what size portable generator you need. To calculate how much generator power you need, try looking up how much power each of the appliances that you want to use requires to run. Sometimes you can get by with a lower wattage if you’re careful about not running all your appliances simultaneously.
● Portability – When it comes to inverter generators, the term “portable” covers a wide range of options. A smaller model might clock in around 53 lbs, while a larger model may weigh closer to 253 lbs. If you want to power a large RV and don’t plan on moving your inverter generator often, a larger model might make sense for you.
But if you only need to power a handful of small items and you want to maximize your car’s fuel efficiency on camping road trips, a smaller or medium size model might fit your needs better. If you’re working with limited storage space, you’ll also want to pay attention to your inverter’s length, height, and width.
● Fuel source – As we mentioned before, different models of inverter generators use different fuel sources. Diesel is affordable and fuel-efficient but also noisy and expires after six months. Gasoline is quieter than diesel but expires sooner around three months.
Propane is less efficient as a fuel, but it stores longer and can be easier to find and transport. Solar power batteries can work well in the summer but might not charge fully during cloudy or snowy weeks. Dual Fuel gasoline and propane inverters give you the best of both options.
● Outlets – Most models have outlets directly on the inverter generators themselves. If that’s important to you, always check the product specifications to learn more about if it has outlets, and if so, what type.
● Budget – As we mentioned, smaller, less powerful inverters tend to cost less than larger, more powerful models. Knowing your budget ahead of time can help point you in the right direction once you start shopping.
Once you’ve narrowed down the category of inverter you’re interested in, we recommend looking for one with the following qualities:
● CO Alert – Safety comes first. That’s why we recommend choosing an inverter with a built-in CO alert that automatically shuts down your generator if it detects any harmful fumes.
● A digital control center – A display screen that shows your voltage output, hours run, and load level can help you use your inverter efficiently.
● Dual Fuel technology – We’ve covered the pros and cons of different fuel sources. If you’re looking for ease and reliability, we recommend an inverter generator with Dual Fuel technology so that you can take advantage of the benefits of both gasoline and propane as fuels.
● Outlet variety – An inverter with several different outlets makes it easy for you to charge whatever you need to. We prefer an inverter that includes outlets for USB, parallel, AC 120 30A, and the standard American two-pronged plug.
● Copper windings – Some inverter generators use aluminum wiring, but we recommend finding one with copper wiring. It’s a better heat conductor that can help your inverter generator last longer.
● 3-year warranty – Whether you’re purchasing a model that costs a few hundred dollars or a few thousand, you want your inverter to last. A warranty ensures you’re taken care of if something goes wrong. But more than that, a warranty shows that a company stands by its product and expects it to last.
For Camper Inverter Generators, Trust DuroMax
DuroMax has served our customers for twenty years by providing our signature high-quality, durable, reliable products. As an industry leader in Dual Fuel portable generators, we offer a series of exceptional inverter generators to power your camping and hunting season.
And while we’d rather you use our generators for a rugged adventure than an emergency power outage, we’re proud to offer a tool that can help you whenever and wherever you need it.
We’re committed to providing continuous power for everyone, everywhere. That’s DuroMax.
An RV inverter generator for camper excursions can provide you with a much-needed continuous power boost while you’re hunting and camping without limiting you to campsites with electricity hookups. It can also be used during storm preparation or during an extreme public safety power shutoff event. Understanding how camper inverter generators work and their potential benefits, can help you decide if it makes sense to add one to your camping gear.
Camper Inverter Generator 101
At the most basic level, when wondering the difference between inverter generators vs. traditional generators, an inverter generator is a type of portable power generator.
To get more technical about it, an inverter takes direct current power (DC) and converts it to a clean form of alternating current (AC) power to create a more consistent output that’s comparable to the quality of power you’d receive from your power company. RV batteries can supply DC power, but many of your RV’s appliances need AC power to run.
These AC appliances include:
● Refrigerators
● Stoves
● Microwaves
● Electrical outlets
● Air conditioner
For comparison, your RV likely uses DC power to power:
● Lights
● Pre-installed TVs and radios
● Water pumps
Inverter generators can run on fuels like gasoline, natural gas, and propane. However you fuel it, an RV power inverter generator kit can power your camping trip, no matter where the road takes you.
Benefits of Using a Camper Inverter Generator
When it comes to powering most of your RV appliances, you have two options: You can stick to campsites that offer an external electric hook-up, known as shore power. Or you can use an RV inverter generator kit for campers. Figuring out what size camping generator you need before greeting the great outdoors can ensure your set up for electrical success during your trip.
Inverter generators offer a range of benefits for the camping and hunting communities.
Camping Benefits
Depending on how you like to camp, an inverter can let you fully realize the possible benefits of camping with an RV or it can level up your tent-camping game.
That said, an inverter generator can help you:
● Expand your RV campsite options – Using an inverter generator means you’re not limited to campsites with shore power. Whether those campsites are all occupied or you’re camping somewhere farther off the beaten path, an inverter generator can let you use all of your RV appliances, no matter where you are.
● Power up your tent camping – Just because you’re tent camping doesn’t mean you have to give up electricity. Try a gas- or propane-fueled inverter generator to keep your campsite powered. Whether you need to power a coffee maker, an electric camp stove, or just your cell phone, an inverter can make it easier to enjoy life’s little luxuries, like a hot meal and a catchy playlist.
● Extend camping season – Easy access to electricity can make it easier to camp in weather that’s cooler or wetter than you’d normally want. When you don’t have to worry about cooking over a campfire in the rain, that late September camping trip starts to sound more inviting.
Knowing what you want to power with your RV inverter generator and how much electricity each of those appliance uses can help you find an inverter generator that meets your needs.
Hunting Benefits
In addition to the more general benefits, any camping aficionado can appreciate, camper inverter generators offer a few benefits specific to hunters. These include:
● Charging e-collars – Some people use e-collars to train hunting dogs. Depending on how long of a hunting trip you’re taking, a camper power inverter can help you keep your equipment charged, including your dog’s e-collar.
● Charging boot dryers – If you plan on spending several days in a row hunting in cold, wet climates, an electric boot dryer can be the difference between permanently cold feet and a fresh, dry start every morning. If you’re hunting in snowy areas, dry shoes can also help prevent worst-case scenarios like frostbite.
● Keeping game cool – Cooling your game as soon as possible can help preserve its taste and prevent bacteria from growing and spoiling the meat. If you’re on a day trip, you can use a cooler. But for longer trips, it helps to have refrigeration as an option. Ideally, meat should be stored at a temperature between 32 and 40 degrees until you have a chance to cook it or freeze it.
You’ll notice most of these benefits come down to one thing—time. Inverter generators allow you to go on long hunting trips without worrying about your phone dying or your game spoiling. And we could all use a little more time doing what we love.
How to Choose the Best RV Inverter Generator for You
You may first ask yourself, do I even need an inverter generator for my RV? You will soon find out that it really does matter. Luckily, when you first start shopping for an inverter generator, you’ll find many options so you can pick the one that is right for you and your needs. Examining your personal priorities can help you narrow the search down to options that can best meet your needs.
We recommend considering the following:
● Wattage – Smaller portable inverter generators can handle about 2,300 watts. Medium models offer around 4,500 watts, while larger ones offer around 9,000 watts. While the largest models offer the most power, they also tend to be heavier and more expensive. Knowing how much generator power you need can help you use your budget and storage space to decide what size portable generator you need. To calculate how much generator power you need, try looking up how much power each of the appliances that you want to use requires to run. Sometimes you can get by with a lower wattage if you’re careful about not running all your appliances simultaneously.
● Portability – When it comes to inverter generators, the term “portable” covers a wide range of options. A smaller model might clock in around 53 lbs, while a larger model may weigh closer to 253 lbs. If you want to power a large RV and don’t plan on moving your inverter generator often, a larger model might make sense for you.
But if you only need to power a handful of small items and you want to maximize your car’s fuel efficiency on camping road trips, a smaller or medium size model might fit your needs better. If you’re working with limited storage space, you’ll also want to pay attention to your inverter’s length, height, and width.
● Fuel source – As we mentioned before, different models of inverter generators use different fuel sources. Diesel is affordable and fuel-efficient but also noisy and expires after six months. Gasoline is quieter than diesel but expires sooner around three months.
Propane is less efficient as a fuel, but it stores longer and can be easier to find and transport. Solar power batteries can work well in the summer but might not charge fully during cloudy or snowy weeks. Dual Fuel gasoline and propane inverters give you the best of both options.
● Outlets – Most models have outlets directly on the inverter generators themselves. If that’s important to you, always check the product specifications to learn more about if it has outlets, and if so, what type.
● Budget – As we mentioned, smaller, less powerful inverters tend to cost less than larger, more powerful models. Knowing your budget ahead of time can help point you in the right direction once you start shopping.
Once you’ve narrowed down the category of inverter you’re interested in, we recommend looking for one with the following qualities:
● CO Alert – Safety comes first. That’s why we recommend choosing an inverter with a built-in CO alert that automatically shuts down your generator if it detects any harmful fumes.
● A digital control center – A display screen that shows your voltage output, hours run, and load level can help you use your inverter efficiently.
● Dual Fuel technology – We’ve covered the pros and cons of different fuel sources. If you’re looking for ease and reliability, we recommend an inverter generator with Dual Fuel technology so that you can take advantage of the benefits of both gasoline and propane as fuels.
● Outlet variety – An inverter with several different outlets makes it easy for you to charge whatever you need to. We prefer an inverter that includes outlets for USB, parallel, AC 120 30A, and the standard American two-pronged plug.
● Copper windings – Some inverter generators use aluminum wiring, but we recommend finding one with copper wiring. It’s a better heat conductor that can help your inverter generator last longer.
● 3-year warranty – Whether you’re purchasing a model that costs a few hundred dollars or a few thousand, you want your inverter to last. A warranty ensures you’re taken care of if something goes wrong. But more than that, a warranty shows that a company stands by its product and expects it to last.
For Camper Inverter Generators, Trust DuroMax
DuroMax has served our customers for twenty years by providing our signature high-quality, durable, reliable products. As an industry leader in Dual Fuel portable generators, we offer a series of exceptional inverter generators to power your camping and hunting season.
And while we’d rather you use our generators for a rugged adventure than an emergency power outage, we’re proud to offer a tool that can help you whenever and wherever you need it.
We’re committed to providing continuous power for everyone, everywhere. That’s DuroMax.
