I personally would look at generators that produce less then 60db. Keep in mind that most ratings are dB taken at around 20 ft away (give or take). Depending on your watt requirements the larger ones generally are louder. Without looking up the exact specs I believe Honda’s new 2200 is rated at 56 or 57 dB. 

Personally I have a Champion dual fuel 3400 that is rated at 59 db. It’s still loud under a full load, like the others as the ratings are at a lower demand. I like the fact I can run mine off propane so I don’t need to worry about the carb getting clogged with old gas. But yet in the case of an emergency I can also run it on gas. But that is just my opinion. 

lonesomerider wrote:

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Doing some planning/researching.
I have a backup generator which is quite loud and annoying, so I feel uncomfortable staying in camping grounds and that's why I would like to replace it asap.
(Unfortunately, solar energy is not an option as I need to run AC + I want a reliable backup in case of emergency).

First and general question - what dBa rating does everyone recommend for camping? In other words - how loud is too loud? As for now I'm looking for something not louder than 90 dBa.
Second - as I understand, inverter ones are the quietest. Do you have any particular brand recommendations? Suggestions are welcomed. 

Thanks in advance, ladies and gents. 

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As usual, “it depends.”  Forgive if you already have some of this perspective.

Some CG have “generator hours” and therefore they are saying one can run the generator during that time and others “expect” to hear generators.  Naturally the quieter the better, but that’s why they have “generator hours.” No one goes around with a sound level meter to check.  Outside of those permissible hours one cannot run the generator regardless of the noise level.  This is especially true in federal and state parks, etc. where the permitted hours are well enforced.

In a campground that has power provided, especially a commercial campground, generators are seldom allowed – except in an emergency – like when power is out.  In that situation we were permitted to run ours without comment.  I.e. no one said anything other then “can be borrow some power off your generator.”

All that said, if your generator is strictly for “an emergency” it really doesn’t matter all that much.  If you really plan to use it during generator hours in a CG that has same, then out of respect for others a Honda or like “quite” unit is certainly preferable for noise and other practical reasons.   Keep in mind, "big box store" generators that are inexpensive typically don't have good power "quality."  That is the power is not "clean" and with all the electronics in RVs now that "dirty" power can cause a lot of damage.  One gets what one pays for with the more expensive, dual conversion / inverter type Hondas that produce very clean power and are safe as well as quiet.

All of the above is based on experience over many years under all of the above-mentioned situations.

Bill

I have the Honda 3000. IMHO I don’t thing you can go wrong with a Honda or Yamaha. I found the following article very interesting about dB.

https://www.rvtravel.com/generator-noise-pollution-part-1/

Safe travels!

Thanks everyone!
Especially to those who are against noise and generators - no worries, Bill, as I'm not going to use it outside permitted hours, I'm not a monster after all. And I'm looking for the best option to run at "generator hours" not to disturb anyone ideally. Cause as for now I feel quite awful whenever I had to turn my generator on. 

Dan, I'm talking about Air Conditioner. 

Rickl wrote:

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I personally would look at generators that produce less then 60db. Keep in mind that most ratings are dB taken at around 20 ft away (give or take). Depending on your watt requirements the larger ones generally are louder. Without looking up the exact specs I believe Honda’s new 2200 is rated at 56 or 57 dB. 

Personally I have a Champion dual fuel 3400 that is rated at 59 db. It’s still loud under a full load, like the others as the ratings are at a lower demand. I like the fact I can run mine off propane so I don’t need to worry about the carb getting clogged with old gas. But yet in the case of an emergency I can also run it on gas. But that is just my opinion. 

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Thanks for recommendations Rickl! We recently camped next to someone using a Champion 3k gennie and it sounded just like a Honda just puttering along. I was surprised how just quiet it was as most of the Champions I have heard are the job site variety. So considering some nice comparisons and sources it might be a good option after all. Like, "I'm running a 15K BTU AC in my 32' TT and it sounds like a lawnmower outside" (quote found at Amazon, as I guess it'd be about 50% load) is still better than a device of doom I have now. 

Danny and Cheryl, I realise that Honda's are unbeatable when it comes to quality, but those are slightly off my budget right now.

Should look at more performance (and fuel consumption) comparisons before pulling the trigger though.

Ok, air conditioner...just wanted to clarify. Be sure to verify your air conditioner start up requirement (watts) and get a genny with enough power. Air conditioners make a huge draw when starting up, depending on size could be in the 1700-2000 watts range. The requirement drops off big time after they get going, somewhere in the 600-700 watts range. My rig has an onboard genny, but when I had a 5'er I carried around a Honda EU2000i that I now use at the house for emergency power. It is very quiet until it goes into high rpm mode due to an increase in load. I like that it auto-adjusts itself to handle the load being drawn.

Always like the Honda genny but make sure the Wattage Rated; 3K or 2k with 2 Hondas; which is enough to power the load of the AC; Microwave; Coffee maker; hair blow dryer; etc. I used a 3200 Wattage one with only One Appliance on then got a bigger Genny 5250 Wattage. JMHO.

Honda generators are a great choice, and provided the one Honda you buy outlasts 2 or 3 competitor generators, you’ll be money ahead.