How Big of a Generator Do I Need for a Camper?

Camping is an adventurous way to take a break from the hectic life that is everyday. And you want to relax while keeping in contact with your friends and enjoying activities you would do at home such as watching movies. For this, you’d need a power source. This is where a generator comes into play. But what size fits your energy requirements? Let’s find out.

Types of RV Generators

You can use different types of generators in a camper. They can vary depending on their portability and fuel types. Here are the most common types:

Solar Generators

As the name suggests, it is a generator that powers your RV appliances using solar energy. It is a combination of solar panels, a charge controller, batteries, and an inverter. Solar generators are an ideal option for campers who want to reduce their reliance on fossil fuel. Likewise, they are an excellent option if the camp site has plenty of sunshine. 

That said, solar generators may not power the whole RV since their power output is dependent on sunlight availability. Besides, they have lower power output than onboard and gas generators.

Dual Fuel Generators

This type of RV generator can run on more than one fuel type. Most will run on gasoline and propane or diesel. Whichever the case, they provide much-needed flexibility since you don’t rely on one source of fuel. If you run low on gasoline, you can seamlessly substitute it with propane or natural gas.

Dual fuel generators are also ideal for energy intensive RV appliances. The downside? They produce toxic gasses, hence should be placed a few meters from your camper. They are also notoriously noisy.

Onboard Generators

These are built-in generators, which come pre-installed in large campers. They are specifically designed to produce power that can run all and extra appliances in your RV. 

They run off your RV’s fuel supply and can produce high power output. They can even be used to charge portable camping batteries and backup systems. Like dual fuel generators, they can be quite noisy.

Portable Power Stations

Portable power stations are a convenient option for campers who need electricity away from shore power. They can power or recharge devices such as laptops, phones, lights, portable refrigerators, coffee makers, and other compatible RV appliances without the fuel, exhaust, and noise associated with conventional generators.

The right size depends on the total wattage of the appliances you plan to run. BLUETTI offers portable power stations with different output levels, so you can choose one that better matches your camper's power requirements.

BLUETTI Elite 100 V2 Portable Power Station

With 1,024Wh capacity and 1,800W AC output, the Elite 100 V2 is suited to moderate camper power needs. It can support compatible devices such as laptops, lights, portable refrigerators, TVs, and many small kitchen appliances, depending on their individual wattage requirements.

Its balance of capacity, output, and portability makes it a practical option when you don't need to power an entire RV electrical system. Multiple recharging options, including solar charging, also make it easier to replenish power while camping away from grid electricity.

BLUETTI Elite 200 V2 Portable Power Station

For campers with higher power requirements, the Elite 200 V2 provides 2,073.6Wh capacity and 2,600W AC output. The higher output gives you more flexibility to run compatible higher-wattage appliances while also powering smaller electronics and camping essentials.

The larger battery capacity also provides more stored energy for extended off-grid use. With fast and flexible recharging options, including solar charging, the Elite 200 V2 is better suited to campers who need more power and runtime than a smaller portable power station can provide.

How Big of a Generator Do I Need for a Camper?

When choosing the right camper generator size, you don’t have to always go for bigger options. They are often unnecessary. Aim for a generator that can run all your appliances and charge your peripheral devices without overloading. In short, opt for a generator with a slightly higher capacity than your energy needs. 20% more is a good start.

Three factors determine the size of the generator you need: watts, amps, volts.

A watt, which is a power unit, will help you determine the size of generator you need. The more the watts the larger the generator you’ll need. 

A volt is a measure of how much electrical current can flow in a wire. In this case, how much electrical current your RV can handle. Most RVs have a 120V rating. Quite adequate for everyday use. 

Amps indicate how much current a device can handle at a specific time. Most RVs have a 30 amps or 50 amps rating. It ensures they can handle most of the built-in and additional electrical devices.

So, to determine how big your RV generator should be, you can use the following formula:

Volts (V) x Amps (A) = Watts (W)

If you are using a 30-amp RV, you’ll need a generator that can provide at least 3600W.

120V x 30A = 3600W

Most BLUETTI generators can afford this power output without a hassle.

For a 50-amp Rv, you’ll need 6000W for each volt wire. So, you’ll need a generator with a 12,000W capacity

(120V x 50A) + (120V x 50A) = 12,000W

This high amount of power might be unnecessary for most campers. Using a 3600W to 8000W generator is a more viable option.

How Much Power Does Common Equipment in RVs Use?

Most common equipment in an RV is not energy hungry. In fact, most won’t use more than 3000 watts. 

That said, there are larger appliances that will need more electricity to run. For example, a typical RV air conditioner will require 1,200 - 2,400 watts. While not a necessity, it is always an ideal option to have a cooling system in your RV, especially if you’ll be camping in hot conditions.

And if you’ll be camping in cold conditions, an RV heater is a must-have device. The heater uses around 500 to 1500 watts. That’s a significant amount. You can check how much power your RV heater will consume on its labeling or manual.

Tips for Choosing a Generator for Your RV

Now that you know how to choose the right generator size, you need to consider the following aspects when choosing a camper generator.

You first need to consider the generator’s capacity. You don’t want to buy a generator that will not power all your devices. As a rule of thumb, choose a generator that has 20% more capacity than your energy needs. 

Also, consider the recharge options. Some may come with a single charging option while others have multiple charging options. For example, BLUETTI generators have more than five charging options. This gives you more flexibility when you want to keep it juiced up.

If you opt for a fuel-powered generator, consider the fuel types. Is it a bi-fuel or dual fuel generator? A dual fuel generator is the better option of the two. It allows you to use more than one type of fuel simultaneously. 

You should also consider the generator’s portability. Ideally, you’d want a unit that is easy to install and uninstall. If possible, choose one that you can move around with.

Will a 5000 Watt Generator Run a Camper?

Yes, a 5,000-watt generator can provide enough power for many campers, but whether it can run everything at once depends on the starting and running wattage of your RV appliances. High-demand equipment such as an air conditioner, microwave, water heater, or other appliances running simultaneously can significantly increase the total load.

Instead of choosing a generator based on wattage alone, add up the running watts of the appliances you expect to use at the same time and account for the higher starting wattage of appliances with compressors or motors. This will help you determine the appropriate generator or portable power station size for your camper.

For battery-powered camping setups, portable power stations such as the BLUETTI Elite 100 V2 and Elite 200 V2 offer different output and capacity levels for different RV power needs. Always compare the power station's rated output with the requirements of the appliances you plan to run.

Final Thoughts

So, how big should your camper generator be? Well, if you have a small RV, go for a generator with at least 2000W capacity. If you have one with basic appliances, a 4000W generator will be an ideal option. For larger RVs, a 6000W or higher generator is your best bet.