Got a generator packed for your next trip out bush? Beauty. Just make sure you know how to use it safely before you fire it up, because a generator that's been set up wrong isn't just an inconvenience, it's a hazard.
Carbon monoxide, fire risk, fried appliances, these are the things that turn a ripper trip into a nightmare real quick. Here's what every Australian camper needs to know.
This is the big one. Carbon monoxide (CO) is colourless, odourless, and moves fast. According to the ACCC's Product Safety, an Australian man died in 2011 from suspected CO poisoning while sheltering from Cyclone Yasi – the culprit was a generator running nearby.
The NSW Poisons Information Centre flags generator exhaust as one of the most common sources of CO in camping scenarios, particularly at night when people are battening down against the cold.
The rule is non-negotiable: keep your generator at least 6 metres from your sleeping area, with the exhaust pointing away from camp. No running it under a closed awning, inside a gazebo, or tucked against the van. And pick up a battery-powered CO alarm for your caravan.
Early symptoms of CO poisoning (headache, dizziness, nausea) are easy to mistake for dehydration or fatigue. If something feels off, get outside into fresh air immediately and stay there.
Petrol vapour igniting on a hot engine is one of the most common campsite accidents. Always switch your generator off and give it a good 2–3 minutes to cool before you touch the fuel cap. Pour slowly, use a funnel if you've got one, and keep your face clear of the filler.
Store your spare fuel in an approved container, such as proper red jerry cans, and well away from heat sources. And use fresh fuel. Petrol older than 30 days starts breaking down and can gum up your carburettor. Not ideal when you're three hours from the nearest servo.
Every generator has a rated wattage, and exceeding it is asking for trouble: tripped circuits, overheating, or a blown appliance.
A practical rule is to add up the wattage of everything you plan to run (fridge, CPAP, lights, battery charger) and stay within 80% of your generator's rated output. That headroom keeps the engine happy on hot days.
Quality inverter generators, like those in the Hyundai generators or Briggs and Stratton generators range, produce clean, stable power that won't spike and fry sensitive electronics like laptops or medical equipment. Worth knowing if you're running anything more than a 12V fridge.
Most campgrounds in Australia have noise curfews, typically 8pm to 7am, sometimes earlier in family areas. Running your generator past curfew is a fast way to become extremely unpopular. Check the campground rules before arrival, and position your generator on the side of your setup that's furthest from your neighbours.
A sound-deflecting cover or barrier helps significantly in busy parks. Some open-frame models benefit from purpose-built enclosures that reduce noise without blocking exhaust flow.
A few minutes of prep beats being stranded with a dead generator. Before you leave:
These checks take five minutes at home, but are near impossible to sort out in the middle of the Kimberley, so take the time before your trip.
A generator's one of the best things you can bring on a long trip: reliable power for your fridge, your CPAP, your coffee maker, whatever keeps you comfortable out there. But it earns its keep when you treat it with a bit of respect.
Get the placement right, keep on top of the basics, and you'll have a setup that runs trip after trip without drama.
And if you're still hunting for the right machine, browse our range of Hyundai, Briggs and Stratton, and Welling and Crossley generators. There's an option for every need.
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