Planning Your Camping Trip: Generator Checklist
Jul 12th 2024
Generators are essential supplies that produce power to run appliances when planning an RV trip, whether it's a camping trip or you're attending concerts, carnivals, and festivals. Because of their lightweight design, quiet operation, and portability, inverter generators are the perfect option for camping trips.
With an inverter generator, you can keep your phone, laptop, and other devices charged; power your electric skillet or camp stove to enjoy hot meals, and keep beverages cold in your mini-fridge.
Generators elevate your camping experience. However, it's important to be aware of potential hazards associated with generators and know the proper safety protocols. This RV camping checklist covers all the necessary generator checks you should conduct before, during, and after using a generator.
How to Choose an RV Camping Generator
Today's RVs have many offerings, including refrigerators, air conditioners, and cooking stoves, which must be powered using a generator. There are many factors to consider when choosing an inverter RV generator for camping. Here are a few of the best tips:
- Choose a generator with the right wattage for the appliances you'll be running. It's a good idea to oversize the generator to prevent overloading it.
- Get a built-in generator that uses the same fuel as your RV.
- Select a “dual fuel” generator that runs on both gas and propane to increase efficiency.
- Choose a quiet generator to prevent disturbing other campers.
- Invest in a small and easy-to-carry RV generator.
RV Generator Transportation Checks
Inverter generators are often lightweight and easy to carry, but you should still follow proper transportation procedures. Here are some tips for transporting RV generators:
- Drain all the fuel in the tank and carburetor.
- Close the fuel valve tightly.
- Pack it on the RV luggage rack or mount it on the trailer.
- Secure the generator using tie-down straps or bungee cords.
- Cover the generator with a tarp during transit to prevent damage.
Pre-Operational Checks
Before powering your generator when outdoors, you need to conduct the following checks:
- Read and follow the generator manufacturer's manuals and instructions for proper use and to ensure safety.
- Turn off the generator's main switch before plugging in or starting it to ensure it can take the wattage and amperage load. Once the generator is idle, you can turn on the main switch. The switch should also be off when stopping the generator, plugging in, or unplugging cords into the generator's electrical panel.
- Check for twists, cuts, broken, loose, missing, frayed, or damaged cords and generator parts.
- Ensure the generator is properly grounded by consulting the manufacturer's proper grounding instructions to reduce the risk of electric shocks.
The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) recommends keeping your generator at least 20 feet away from your mobile home or camping site. Use manufacturer-supplied cords or invest in heavy-duty, low-gauge extension cords that help connect the generator to all the appliances and devices you need to power. The extensions should be outdoor-rated and grounded or 3-pronged.
Fuel Checks
Safe generator operation includes taking the proper precautions when dealing with fuel:
- Regularly inspect for leaks in pipes, cords, and valves.
- Don't leave fuel in the generator for over three months without using it.
- Never fuel a generator on turf. Always safeguard it with some protection underneath.
- Shut down the generator and give it time to cool before refueling with either gasoline or kerosene. Refueling a generator while running increases the fire risk when gasoline spills on hot engine parts.
- Gasoline and other generator fuels should be transported and stored in approved containers that are properly marked and vented.
- You should never store generator fuels near heat-generating, fuel-producing, or flame-producing devices, such as generators, water heaters, and lighters.
- Never smoke near fuel containers because the vapors and flammable fuel droplets can ignite easily.
Safe Generator Operation Checks
The following tips ensure the safe operation of your inverter generator:
- Avoid overloading the generator because this can cause overheating, creating a fire hazard. Confirm that the appliance and equipment loads aren't greater than the generator's output rating.
- Never use a generator in the rain or wet conditions unless a canopy protects it. After it dries, check for any strange odors or smoking before powering it to reduce the risk of electric shocks.
- Do not power a submerged generator or manipulate its electrical components when wet or standing in water to prevent electrocution.
- Run the generator on level ground to prevent it from tipping or rolling.
- Install warning signs around the generator and secure all the cords during use.
Storage and Performance Maintenance Checks
For safe and secure storage of your inverter generator, conduct the following checks:
- Have a professional inspect the generator annually, regardless of how often you've used it in the past year.
- If you intend to store your generator for a long period, shut off the fuel valve and run the generator dry.
- After storing your generator for a long time, use fresh fuel. A fuel stabilizer helps keep fuel fresh and prevents fuel crystallization that occurs when the fuel sits in the carburetor and fuel injectors.
- When your generator is in storage, run it at least every 3 months to minimize start-up issues and ensure peak performance when you need it the most.
- Store your generator in a cool and dry place to keep out moisture and dust.
- Use a generator tent when running a generator in the rain or in storage to protect the exterior metal parts from rusting and extend the life span of the backup power machine.
- Regularly drain and clean the fuel tank using detergent and a cloth to prevent internal rusting and corrosion, which may result in leaking.
- Coat the generator exterior and all exposed metal parts with polymer epoxy or corrosion-resistant paint to stop moisture from collecting, causing rusting and corrosion.
Emergency Preparedness Checks
Your RV trip checklist should also include these emergency preparedness checks:
- Every generator must have an accompanying fire extinguisher. It's also good practice to have another in the fuel storage area and to familiarize yourself with the proper operation of a fire extinguisher.
- Install battery-powered carbon monoxide detectors in your RV, test them frequently, and replace dead batteries promptly.
- Be keen to observe signs of carbon monoxide poisoning, including dizziness, nausea, headaches, and excess fatigue, and seek immediate medical attention.
- It's not recommended to run your inverter generator in the rain, snow, or extremely wet conditions. However, you'll still need to power your camper off-grid when it's raining. Using NFPA-Rated generator tent covers allows you to run your generator safely in the rain, snow, or wind while offering sufficient ventilation to prevent overheating.
Protect Your Generator in Storage With GenTent Generator Covers
If you have an inverter generator you use mostly when camping outdoors or attending festivals, concerts, and fairs, it means it stays in storage for long periods. So, you must be keen on protecting it and conducting maintenance practices to get it up and running fast. Additionally, you must have a generator checklist that ensures it's safe to use and the common hazards are contained.
GenTent generator covers are the best for protecting your generator when it runs in the rain and while it sits in storage. They're made of flame-retardant materials that keep your machines dry and safe. Browse our line of GenTent Safety Canopiesor contact us to learn more about how our generator covers help protect your machine.