“Thousands of tired, nerve-shaken, over-civilized people are beginning to find out that going to the mountains is going home; that wildness is a necessity.” ― John Muir, Our National Parks

The 2020 pandemic led to a huge boom in camping, with many people discovering what John Muir so eloquently said many years ago. Being out in nature is a necessity, and one that many people are starting to discover and enjoy. Going on hikes, cooking over a campfire, fishing, swimming, or even just sitting and enjoying the sounds of nature— there are many activities to experience out in the wilderness.

Everyone has different levels of comfort when it comes to roughing it. While some people love to throw up a tent and sleep on the ground, others prefer to enjoy camping with more of the comforts of home. Whether you're an RV camper or a tent camper who brings a generator to power your small devices, you can (and should) interact with the great outdoors on whatever level you are comfortable with.

In order to maximize their enjoyment of the peace and quiet of nature, many campers search for a quiet RV generator. We’re taking a look at what makes a generator quiet and how to determine if your generator is suitable for camping.

What is considered quiet for a generator?

Generators are considered quiet when they are rated for a 50-60 decibel (dB) range by the manufacturer at the specified distance. There are, however, factors that complicate this simple-seeming statement. 

In order to understand how loud a generator is, it's important to understand how sound is measured. Sound is measured in decibels (dB), which is a logarithmic scale, rather than a linear one. Another complicating factor is that the logarithmic values (where 50 dB is ten times greater than 60 dB) don't correlate to how we perceive the loudness of a sound. In fact, each 10-decibel increase creates a ten-times increase in sound intensity, which our ears perceive as a doubling of volume. So, to our ears, 60 decibels sounds twice as loud as 50 decibels, despite the fact that 60 dB is technically ten times as intense as 50 dB.

One factor that complicates how loud a generator may be considered is that some manufacturers measure the noise output of their generators while operating at a 25% load while others, like Cummins, measure at a 50% load. When the load is increased, the noise of the generator will be louder. So if you decide to run more appliances, your generator may be outside that 60 dB range, even though they are rated as 60 dB. 

Another factor is distance from the generator. The sound output of some portable generators is measured at a distance of 23 feet (or 7 meters) away, while with other types of generators the manufacturers may measure at a different distance. For Cummins installed RV generators, the sound is measured at a distance of 10 feet (3 meters) away.  If your campsite is situated quite close to others, your generator may cause more of a disturbance. However, if you camp further away from others, the noise of your generator will be mitigated by the physical space. 

To recap, to determine how loud your generator is, make sure you look for the distance it was measured at and the load it was carrying when the measurement was taken.

Is 65 dB loud for a generator?

Some people may consider 65 dB loud for a generator, while others will find it acceptable. Here are some common noises and their decibel levels to help you understand how the noise of a 65 dB generator may be perceived:
 

Source: HealthLinkBC

So, a 65 dB generator would be between a normal conversation and the noise of being inside a car that is traveling 60 miles per hour—keep in mind that the distance from the sound source will affect how loud it is. To some people, that would register as quite noisy, while others may not be bothered by it.

What is the quietest generator for camping?

When searching for the quietest generator for camping, keep in mind that the smaller the generator and the lighter the load you run, the quieter it will be. What is the quietest generator on the market today? We suggest you take a look at our Onan line of generators. The Cummins RV Generator Onan QG 2800i is rated at 65 dB, a reading that was taken at 10 feet (3 m) while operating a half load. This means that the generator will be even quieter at the industry standard reading of 23 feet (7 m). A portable option for camping is the Onan P4500i. This is an inverter generator that can be as quiet as 52 dB, and is double-insulated to help keep sound output at a minimum.

How loud can a generator be in a campground?

The acceptable generator noise level for camping will vary depending on the campground rules and regulations. Most campgrounds have sound limits of 60 dB from a distance of 50 feet at all times.

Can you run a generator in a campground?

It depends on the campground. Some privately-owned places have banned generators, but in general, most campgrounds will allow you to run a generator as long as you follow their rules. These rules will probably include a noise limit of 60 dB and/or restrictions on when you can run your generator (for example, they may have campground quiet hours during which no generators may be operated). They may have specific generator hours-time that is designated for running generators.

Are generators allowed in national parks?

Most national parks allow generators, but be sure to check before taking your generator with you. Some may require you to get a permit from them, or have rules on when you can operate your generator. It’s also a good idea to familiarize yourself with the national forest generator regulations, as these guidelines are used at most national parks. These regulations designate quiet hours between 10 pm and 6 am, as well as specifying  a campground generator noise limit of 60 dB when measured on the A-weighted scale at 50 feet. Some national parks interpret these regulations more strictly, while others are more lax. 

With the Onan QG 2800i, you’re covered. This generator meets the National Park Service sound level requirement (60 dB at 50 feet) for use in national parks.

Is it rude to run a generator at night?

It can be rude, depending on a variety of factors. In order to determine if you should run your generator at night, here are a few questions to ask yourself: 

• What are the campground generator rules? Do they prohibit running a generator at night?
• Are there campground quiet hours? Will running your generator disturb the peace?
• How close is your campground to other people? If it's 50 feet or less, probably best to turn your generator off for the night.
• How big of a load will you be running? Remember, larger loads create more sound.
• How old is your generator? Older models tend to be louder.
• What is the noise rating of your generator?
• Can you do without a generator for the night?

In general, it’s best to limit your generator usage at night to avoid disturbing others.

Are generators too loud for camping?

If you invest in a quiet generator, and follow the rules and regulations of the campground you visit, there is no reason that you can’t take a generator camping. It’s important to be courteous to others, especially when they are trying to enjoy the peace and quiet of nature. A quiet generator that is at or under 60 dB from a distance of 23 feet is an important part of being respectful while still being able to power your essential equipment. Generators like the Onan P2500i inverter portable generator are designed to go wherever you do, without causing a ruckus. And, of course, this generator (and all Cummins generators) are backed by the Cummins 24/7 support network to ensure that you’ll always have power for when you need it most.

When trying to determine if your generator is too loud for camping, here are a few things to keep in mind: 

• Size - Generally, larger generators make more noise, while smaller generators are quieter. 
• Type - Built-in RV generators are typically measured for the noise level prior to being installed, so they will usually sound quieter than the stated decibel rating when seating in their housing. Portable generators are usually outside any enclosure, so there is nothing to muffle the sound of their operation. 
• Distance and Angle - As discussed above, how far away you are from the generator will impact the noise level. If you were to measure the sound of an RV generator at 4 feet, it would be much louder than if you measure it at 10 or 23 feet.  It also makes a difference where you measure the sound from. The noise comes from different sources in your generator, so the angle that it is positioned at will affect where the sound is projected. 
• Load Level - Running more appliances means your generator will be noisier. Always consider how much you are running on your generator when thinking about your noise level.

While investing in a quiet generator is one of the best options, there are a few other strategies you can try if you are concerned about your generator being too loud for camping. No matter what technique you use, it's important to make sure that you aren't blocking the exhaust and that you are taking every appropriate safety precaution. 

Remember, any aftermarket part that was not designed by the manufacturer runs the risk of impairing the performance of your generator and voiding any applicable warranty. 

What is the best generator for camping?

The best generator for camping is the one that gives you the power you need and has quiet operation so you don't have to worry about breaking any noise limits. The first step to picking out a generator for camping is to determine how much power you actually need. What appliances do you want to operate? What is the maximum number of watts that you will need to pull? The second step is to consider the type of generator you want. Inverter generators are typically quieter, due to the way they are designed. The final step is to determine which model has the features that you're looking for, as well as a company that backs their designs with a warranty and service department.