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When the open road calls, you want to be able to get out and enjoy, so you may be wondering what size generator for a caravan you need. A generator can give you the power you need when taking your caravan out to places off the grid. Instead of having to rely on an outlet at a campsite, you can enjoy the comforts of hot food, some tunes and cold drinks wherever you are in the great outdoors. However, before you consider what size generator for your caravan, make sure you check that you can use your generator where you are heading. It’s always good to be informed, and some places in Australia, such as national parks, do not permit generator use.
What size generator do I need for a caravan?
There are a number of factors to consider when thinking about what size generator for a caravan. This is a relatively simple question with an answer that is a little more complicated as size is affected by many other parts. These include what will power the generator, where you will use it, what you will plug into it, the physical size such as weight and dimensions of the unit, and finally, cost.
There are two main types of power for portable generators; fuel-powered and battery-powered. A traditional fuel-powered generator will run on petrol or diesel and will require you to carry fuel with you if you are heading out to where there are no service stations for a while. You don’t want to run out of fuel in the middle of nowhere. That will add a little weight to your kit, and you will require somewhere safe to store enough fuel for your needs so that more space may be used. A battery-operated generator will run from a battery, which will need to be charged from an outlet or by solar, so you may need to have a solar kit as well. Generally speaking, battery-operated generators are more expensive than fuel-operated ones, so that might be a consideration when choosing what size generator for a caravan.
What size generator for a caravan will also depend on where you use it. Battery-operated generators can be used inside or outside a vehicle, so maybe a little smaller in design. Fuel-powered ones must never be used indoors and must always be used in a well-ventilated area outdoors. That means they can be a little larger – and you may get more power. Noise is also a factor related to location and size as well. Small battery-operated generators will be silent, compact portable inverter generators will be relatively quiet, and standard petrol generators will be the noisiest, so if you are around other people, buying a quiet caravan generator needs to be considered too.
The size of your generator can translate to the wattage output as well. The wattage rating of your generator will depend on what appliances you are going to use with it, so what load they will draw down. Generally speaking, a 2000w generator is a pretty standard size and will give enough electricity for camping comforts such as charging your phone, making a coffee and running a hotplate. However, you need to work out exactly what capacity you need by checking how many watts are needed for start-up and for running your brands of electrical goods. Note that start-up power is much larger than running power. Also, a generator to run AC will have to pump out a lot of watts to be effective, especially if you want to run other technology at the same time. Once you have worked out what you need for the efficient running of your equipment, you will know what size generator for a caravan you need in regards to actual power output.
How to connect a generator to a caravan?
There is no one-size-fits-all situation for this, and it is important to consider safety first, no matter what size generator you have for a caravan. If you are using a fuel-powered generator, you will need to locate it outside as the engine gives off carbon monoxide, which is dangerous. Also, the motor can reach quite high temperatures, so it needs to be away from where it might accidentally get touched. Furthermore, you need to put it where it won’t get wet.
In order to connect your generator to your caravan, you need to consult the manual of your particular brand of generator and caravan carefully and follow the instructions.
Where can I buy the best generator for a caravan?
At Outbax, we have a range of caravan generators for your camping needs – from petrol generators and diesel generators to battery generators. Not only that, but you can also buy marine generators, a small generator for camping or the smallest generator you think you might need. Want to know which is the best generator for a caravan or what size generator for a caravan you need? Then get in touch with us, and we can help you out.