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Choosing a quiet RV generator is essential if you want a peaceful camping experience while still enjoying the luxuries of home.
If you want to hear the birds sing and the wind rustling in the trees, you might think you need to sacrifice your power needs for peace and quiet. However, you can choose an ultra-quiet generator that still has plenty of power to run any RV appliance you may have.
Let’s explore the world of quiet RV generators so you can enjoy a peaceful camping experience.
What Is Considered a Quiet RV Generator?
What is considered quiet depends on your perspective. We all hear sound differently based on our hearing and what kind of noise we’re used to. For instance, if you live or work downtown in a busy urban area, you’re more used to noise than those who live on a quiet country road.
However, in general, generators are considered quiet when they operate between 50 and 60 dB, about the noise of a refrigerator (50 dB) or a normal conversation (60 dB).
When we talk about noise, it’s important to understand how sound is measured. Sound is measured in decibels (dB) on a logarithmic scale, not linear. Logarithmic scales increase by factors of 10. This means that a 60 dB sound is a tenfold increase in sound intensity over one that is 50 dB.
To complicate matters, we don’t hear 60 dB as ten times louder than 50 dB, but we perceive it as a doubling in volume. This means that a 60 dB generator will sound twice as loud as a 50 dB model. One final factor in how noisy something might sound is that it also depends on how close you are; the closer you are to the source of sound, the louder it will be.
So, some people may find 60 dB loud if they’re looking for a relaxing vacation where you can hear the sounds of nature. Under those circumstances, even 50 dB might be disruptive for some.
What Are the Benefits of Opting for a Quiet RV Generator?
Here are some of the many benefits of opting for a quiet power source for your RV.
Peaceful Camping
The most important benefit of a quiet generator is the lower noise level. When camping in a van or RV, you usually want to get away from the hustle and bustle and noise of your everyday life. You want to hear the birds sing or the frogs croak and listen to the wind rustle in the leaves as you relax and unwind at your campfire. Traditional gas generators are loud and will disturb that peaceful setting.
Won’t Disturb Fellow Campers
Loud noises may annoy your camping neighbors, who might also be there looking to escape the noise of everyday life and enjoy a stress-free vacation. They won’t want to sit down to enjoy their evening campfire only to have to listen to your generator running right next to them.
Comply With Campsite Noise Restrictions
Many on-grid campsites have strict noise restrictions, especially at night. Some campgrounds limit noise to 60 dB, while other private campgrounds sometimes ban traditional gas generators altogether so their campers can enjoy nature without noise disturbances.
Using a quiet portable power station while camping will keep you in compliance with any campground that restricts noise, and you’ll keep your camping neighbors happy.
Better Efficiency
Quiet generators are usually much more energy efficient than traditional models. The best are solar-powered models; they can pack more power into less space since they have no motors to run or moving parts. It also means you will save lots of money by not having to buy expensive fuel that you have to carry around in your vehicle or RV, especially when going off-grid.
This makes for more fuel-efficient and more convenient travel. Simply set up your solar panels when you park and enjoy quiet, free recharging with limitless energy from the sun. You may never want to go home again.
Since they’re more efficient, you can easily run or charge your portable refrigerator and AC simultaneously, allowing you to camp in luxury.
What To Consider When Choosing a Quiet RV Generator
Power Needs
Even before noise level, the most important factor when choosing your generator will be the power you need. Your power needs are determined by what you intend to run and for how long.
To determine how much power you need, make a list of all your appliances, including the air conditioner, microwave, coffee maker, refrigerator, etc. Add up all of their running watts to determine the capacity you need. Also, consider the starting watts of your refrigerator and other appliances and choose a model with enough power or extra surge or X-boost power to cover those initial starting watts.
Next, remember it’s always best to choose a model with at least a bit more power than you need; never select one with less or exactly what you need. Underpowered generators will frustrate you when you must decide which appliances you can and cannot run simultaneously. Also, if you limit your capacity, you’ll never be able to add anything new to your system.
If you need lots of power, the EcoFlow DELTA 3 Pro Solar Generator starts at an impressive 4 kWh, more than many traditional portable gas models. You can add additional batteries, and an EcoFlow Smart Generator 4000 (Dual Fuel) to increase your capacity to cover any RV power needs.
Noise Level
Of course if you are looking for a quiet generator, you must look at the noise level of your model. You want one lower than 60 dB since those are considered quiet, and you can comply with most campground noise restrictions.
However, if you really want a quiet model, that is where solar generators really shine. Since they don’t use a combustion engine, they are much quieter than traditional and inverter models. For instance, the powerful EcoFlow DELTA 3 Pro runs at only 35 dB. For comparison, a whisper is between 20 and 30 dB.
Size
Size is always important since RVs have limited space so you need to make sure the model you choose will fit in the space you intend to store it. Measure the space you want to put it and check the unit’s outside dimensions.
Portability
Portability is almost as important as size since you will need to be able to move it in and out of your RV and its storage location. Look for things like sturdy handles and wheels to make it easier to move around.
Fuel Source
The fuel source is a critical consideration. Most generators use gas, diesel, or propane. Diesel is particularly noisy, making it not a very good option. Solar generators like the EcoFlow DELTA Pro 3 have no moving parts and use clean energy from the sun to charge them, making them the quietest option.
However, sometimes you want the convenience of using gas or propane, in which case the EcoFlow Smart Generator 400 (Dual Fuel) is a fantastic option since it can take both gas and propane and produces less emissions than traditional fossil fuel models. You can pair it with your EcoFlow DELTA Pro 3 and save 40% fuel, meaning that with the same 1 gallon of fuel, it will provide an extra 1kWh of power.
Brand Reputation and Warranties
Buying a new generator is a big decision, so it’s best to choose a reputable brand. They should offer a 5-year warranty. If they don’t stand by their product, neither should you. You don’t want to be out on an adventure only to have it quit working.
Safety
Safety is important, especially if you want to run your generator indoors. In that case, solar is the only way to go since fossil fuel models produce carbon monoxide and other toxic fumes and cannot be safely run indoors. Some solar-powered generators with batteries can also present issues. Lead acid models, while cheap, also off-gas toxic fumes and are prone to leakage. Older lithium-ion batteries are prone to thermal runaway.
However, newer LiFePO4 batteries, like those in EcoFlow’s DELTA series, have no such safety concerns. They are safe to run indoors and are not prone to thermal runaway. Then you can rest assured that you, your family, and your pets will be safe.
What Is the Quietest RV Generator for Camping?
The EcoFlow DELTA Pro 3 Solar Generator is the quietest generator to use for camping. Because it uses solar panels to charge it, there’s no engine to make all that noise, only the quiet sounds of the inverter when it is running. In fact, it operates much quieter than any traditional model can.
Traditional generators are considered quiet at 50 to 60 dB. That’s about the noise of sitting in a restaurant or running a dishwasher. However, the EcoFlow DELTA Pro 3 Solar Generator runs at only 35 dB for the quietest and most relaxing camping trip you can have.
Frequently Asked Questions
If you’re looking for a quiet, relaxing experience in nature, then 65 dB is pretty loud. However, we all perceive sound differently depending on how well we hear and what noise level we are used to, so some people don’t consider 65 dB loud. For comparison, laughter is around 65 dB.
It depends on the campground, so you will need to contact them. While some have banned them altogether, most will allow them if you follow the rules. Those rules often include a noise limit of 60 dB and probably have specific hours when you can run it and quiet hours when you cannot.
You cannot run a fossil fuel-powered generator inside an RV due to the toxic gases it emits and the loud noise it makes. Solar generators, especially those using LiFePO4 batteries, are perfectly safe to run indoors and make virtually no noise.
Final Thoughts
When heading out in the RV to enjoy nature or to just relax in a popular campground, opting for a quiet generator is crucial for a relaxing experience. Many campgrounds have noise restrictions, and you don’t want to upset your neighbors even if they don’t.
But you don’t need to compromise power for peace and quiet; the EcoFlow DELTA Pro 3 Solar Generator is ultra-quiet. At only 35 dB, it runs at just above a whisper, much quieter than any traditional model. Yet it also packs plenty of power. Starting at 4kWh, it already has more power than many portable traditional generators. That way, you can camp in luxury while still enjoying nature’s peaceful sounds.