Few things derail a camping trip faster than a generator that can't keep up. You're midway through making coffee, the fridge is humming along, and someone plugs in a phone charger—then everything cuts out. According to industry data, over 70% of generator-related issues stem from incorrect sizing for the intended load. The good news is that avoiding this frustration requires nothing more than basic arithmetic and a clear understanding of how your appliances actually draw power.
Working out what size generator you need for camping comes down to one fundamental distinction: the difference between starting watts and running watts. Once you grasp this concept, selecting the right Outbax portable generator for your setup becomes remarkably straightforward. This guide walks through the calculation process step by step, then matches common camping scenarios to appropriate generator sizes—so you can buy with confidence and camp without worry.
Understanding Generator Power Basics
Every appliance in your camping kit has two power requirements, and confusing them is where most sizing mistakes happen.
Running watts, sometimes called rated power, refers to the continuous electricity an appliance needs to operate once it's up and running. Your LED camp lights might draw 20 watts steadily throughout the evening. A laptop charger pulls perhaps 60 watts for the duration of its charge cycle. These figures represent the baseline, ongoing demand.
Starting watts tell a different story. When appliances with motors or compressors first switch on, they require a brief surge of extra power—sometimes three to five times their running wattage. A portable fridge that hums along at 60 watts might demand 180 watts or more during that initial two-second startup. Your generator's surge capacity must exceed the highest starting wattage of any single appliance you intend to use, or you'll trip the overload protection every time that item kicks in.
Think of it like a sprinter leaving the blocks. That explosive first stride demands far more energy than maintaining pace mid-race. Your generator needs enough reserve to handle the push-off, not just the cruise.
Essential Steps to Calculate Your Power Needs
The calculation itself is simpler than most campers expect. Three steps, a bit of addition, and you'll have a clear target wattage.
First, list every piece of gear. Write down each electronic device and appliance you plan to bring—phone chargers, LED lights, portable fridge, coffee maker, laptop, water pump, whatever applies to your setup. Nothing should be left off; that forgotten hair dryer has caused more than a few campsite blackouts.
Second, find the wattage for each item. Most appliances display both running and starting wattage on a compliance plate (usually a silver sticker on the back or underside) or in the user manual. If you can't locate the figures, searching the model number online typically produces specifications within seconds. For reference, here's what common camping gear typically draws:
A phone charger runs between 5 and 15 watts with no startup surge. LED camp lights sit around 10 to 30 watts. Portable fridges vary considerably—expect 40 to 80 watts running, but 120 to 240 watts on startup as the compressor engages. Coffee makers and kettles pull heavily at 600 to 1000 watts, though they lack significant surge requirements since they use heating elements rather than motors.
Third, run the numbers. Add up the running watts of every appliance you'll operate simultaneously. Then identify which single item has the highest starting wattage. Add that surge figure to your running total, minus the running watts of that particular appliance (since it can't be both starting and running at the same instant). The result is your peak power requirement.
One final adjustment: add a 10 to 20 per cent buffer to your calculated total. Running a generator at absolute maximum capacity reduces fuel efficiency and accelerates engine wear. That buffer keeps the unit operating in its comfort zone, extending its working life considerably.
Matching Generator Size to Common Camping Setups
Abstract wattage figures become meaningful when connected to real camping scenarios. Here's how different setups translate to generator requirements.
The Minimalist Camper or Weekender
If your electrical needs amount to charging phones, powering a laptop for evening entertainment, running a string of LED lights, and perhaps a small USB fan, you're looking at a total draw well under 1000 watts with minimal surge concerns. A compact, lightweight inverter generator handles this comfortably.
The Gentrax GT800 Pro fits this profile precisely. With 0.7kW of rated output, it covers basic electronic needs without excess. At just 9.3 kilograms, it won't eat into your payload capacity, and its 56dB operating volume keeps things civil with neighbouring campsites. Priced around $469 through Outbax, it represents a sensible investment for lighter requirements.
Here’s what one of our customers said:
“Bought in 2021 as it was on sale for camping. Has now a 100 hours runtime. Never missed a beat the whole time. Quiet and fuel efficient and easy to use, also very light and portable. Recently used for work as work gen failed. Spent 30 hours over 4 days running lights and two 160 watt fans as well as charging Bluetti power pack as required. Never missed a beat. A great product l highly recommend.”
The Family Camping Trip
Add a portable fridge or freezer to the equation, along with a coffee maker for morning routines and perhaps a water pump or small power tools, and you're entering the 1600 to 2000-watt territory. The fridge's compressor surge becomes the critical factor here.
The Gentrax GT2000 addresses this middle ground effectively. Its 1.7kW rated output handles family-level demand, while pure sine wave technology ensures clean power safe for sensitive electronics like camera chargers and medical devices. The 60dB noise level remains campground-appropriate, and 18 kilograms keeps it portable for two-person lifts. At around $649, it offers genuine versatility for the typical family setup.
The Luxury Caravan or Off-Grid Enthusiast
When the list includes a caravan air conditioner, microwave, and simultaneous operation of multiple high-draw appliances, you're looking at 3000 watts minimum—and realistically closer to 3500 watts to handle startup surges without concern.
The Gentrax GTX3500 meets this demand with 3.2kW of rated output, sufficient to absorb an air conditioner's significant surge requirements. Remote start and key ignition add convenience, while integrated wheels address the portability challenges of its 37.5-kilogram weight. At around $1,199 from Outbax, it's positioned for campers who refuse to compromise on comfort regardless of location.
Here’s what one of our customers said:
“Bought in 2020. The gennie is only used for the longer power cuts, so only for 3-5 times a year. Rest of the time it sits in the garage... but every time so far it's started on the remote...after 5 years..! Amazing. Works well, no problems..An excellent buy.! Very Happy..!!”
Powering Specific High-Demand Appliances
Two items generate more sizing questions than all others combined: fridges and air conditioners.
Running a Camping Fridge or Freezer
The question "what size generator do I need for a refrigerator?" appears constantly in camping forums, and the answer requires understanding compressor behaviour. A fridge's motor creates substantial surge demand—often three to five times its running wattage—each time the thermostat cycles it on.
For most popular portable camping fridges, a 2000-watt inverter generator provides comfortable headroom. The Gentrax GT2000 Pro handles typical camping fridge surge requirements without strain, though you should always verify your specific model's figures on its compliance plate before purchasing.
Using an Air Conditioner in Your Caravan
Air conditioning represents the most demanding common camping appliance. Both starting and sustained running watts sit high, and undersizing here means an uncomfortable trip.
Most caravan A/C units require at least 3000 to 3500 watts of rated generator capacity. The Gentrax GTX3500, with its 3.2kW rated output, handles air conditioning loads alongside fridges and other appliances—the kind of simultaneous operation that luxury touring demands.
Final Considerations
The principles are worth repeating because they prevent expensive mistakes.
Calculate your total required wattage before purchasing—estimation and guesswork lead directly to frustration. Prioritise starting watts over running watts when determining generator capacity; it's the surge that trips circuits, not the steady draw. Build in that 10 to 20 per cent buffer for efficiency and longevity. Lastly, match the generator to your actual camping style rather than imagined future scenarios, as oversized units waste fuel and add unnecessary weight, while undersized units create the reliability problems you're trying to avoid.
The right generator transforms a camping trip. Reliable power, efficient fuel consumption, and genuine peace of mind let you focus on why you're out there in the first place. Whether you're running a single phone charger or powering an entire caravan, Outbax's Gentrax range—from the compact GT800 Pro through to the capable GTX3500—offers options matched to every camping style.
