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A camping generator is one of the most useful pieces of gear you can add to a serious off-grid setup, but buying the wrong size is a common and avoidable mistake. Too small and it cannot handle your load. Too large and it burns more fuel than necessary and weighs more than it needs to. This guide walks you through how to calculate your actual power needs so you can choose the right camping generator the first time.

Browse our range of Gentrax camping generators at Campalot - from 2,000W to 6,000W - or read on to understand which size suits your setup before you buy.

Why Generator Wattage Matters

Every camping generator has two wattage ratings: continuous (or rated) watts and peak (or surge) watts. Continuous watts is the power the generator can deliver steadily over time. Peak watts is the higher output it can sustain for a few seconds to handle start-up loads from motors and compressors.

Your camping generator needs enough continuous watts to run everything you plan to use simultaneously, and enough peak watts to handle any start-up surges from appliances like fridges, air conditioners and pumps.

Step 1: List Everything You Plan to Run

Start by writing down every appliance and device you might run from your camping generator at the same time. Common items and their approximate wattage:

• Portable air conditioner: 700 to 1,400W continuous, up to 2,200W startup surge
• Caravan fridge: 100 to 200W continuous, up to 400W startup
• Microwave: 700 to 1,200W continuous
• Electric kettle: 1,200 to 2,400W continuous
• Laptop and device charging: 60 to 200W continuous
• LED lighting: 20 to 100W continuous
• Battery charger: 200 to 600W continuous
• 12V water pump: 60 to 120W continuous

Add up the continuous wattage of everything you plan to run at once. That total is your minimum continuous requirement.

Step 2: Account for Start-up Surge

Appliances with electric motors, including fridges, air conditioners and water pumps, draw 2 to 3 times their running wattage for a second or two when they first start up. Your camping generator needs peak wattage above this startup load.

If your fridge draws 150W continuously but surges to 450W on startup, and you plan to also run a laptop and some lights at 200W continuous, your camping generator needs at least 450W peak capacity available on top of your other loads.

A practical rule of thumb: choose a camping generator with a continuous rating at least 20 percent above your calculated total load, and a peak rating that comfortably covers your highest startup surge.

The Gentrax Generator Range: Which Size for Which Use

2,000W Camping Generator

The most popular camping generator size in Australia for good reason. A quality 2,000W inverter generator handles fridge charging, laptop use, LED lighting, device charging and moderate appliances like a coffee machine or toaster without stress.

What it will not comfortably run: an air conditioner, a large microwave or an electric kettle at the same time as other significant loads. For most caravanners who camp at powered sites regularly and use the generator for quiet hours or when solar is insufficient, a 2,000W unit is the right fit.

3,500W Camping Generator

Adds enough headroom to run a small portable air conditioner alongside other typical camp loads. A good choice for families with higher power needs or anyone running a caravan that relies on air conditioning in hot conditions.

4,500W to 6,000W Camping Generator

For serious off-grid setups running large air conditioning units, power tools, electric cooking appliances and multiple high-draw devices simultaneously. These are not everyday camping generators. They are designed for off-grid worksites, emergency backup and setups that genuinely need full household-level power.

Inverter vs Conventional Generator

All Gentrax camping generators in our range are inverter generators. This matters because inverter generators produce clean, stable sine wave power that is safe for sensitive electronics like laptops, phones, CPAP machines and modern battery chargers.

They are also significantly quieter than conventional generators, more fuel-efficient at partial load and better for campsite use where noise restrictions apply. For camping applications, an inverter generator is the correct choice every time.

Fuel Consumption: What to Expect

A 2,000W Gentrax inverter generator running at half load typically uses around 0.9 to 1.2 litres of petrol per hour. At full load, this increases to around 1.5 to 1.8 litres per hour. For a four-hour evening run, budget approximately 4 to 6 litres of fuel depending on load.

Running a camping generator at 50 to 75 percent of its rated load is the most fuel-efficient operating range. Running at very low loads for extended periods is not as efficient as using a smaller generator for the same task.

Maintenance: What to Plan For

A camping generator is a petrol engine and needs regular maintenance to keep performing reliably. Key tasks include:

• Oil change every 50 hours of operation or annually, whichever comes first
• Air filter cleaning or replacement every 100 hours
• Spark plug inspection and replacement as needed
• Running the generator every few months if in long-term storage to keep seals and the fuel system in good condition
• Draining the carburettor if storing for more than a month to prevent gum deposits

The Short Version

Calculate your total continuous load, add a 20 percent buffer and check that the peak rating covers your highest startup surge. For most caravanners and campers, a 2,000W inverter camping generator handles everyday needs comfortably. Step up to 3,500W if you need to run air conditioning, and to 4,500W or above only if your load genuinely requires it.

  Shop Gentrax camping generators at Campalot - 2,000W to 6,000W inverter generators for Australian camping.