This is my complete recommended generator setup for playa. You can easily expand it with dual generators if you want. Many tips also apply to other setups.

I recommend you start by understanding your power requirements. Estimate how much power you'll draw. Will this setup make the cut?

The heat and altitude of playa makes your generator less efficient. Your 1800w generator can only produce about 1400w or less. See my nifty calculator here!

Generator Setup

Generators gets stolen - this has happened to multiple friends. Lock it up!

As of 2018, the quietest and most powerful 2kw-range generator, highly dependable.

Generator ships dry. For the first 20 hours, use this Honda oil. After that, switch to Mobil One fully synthetic.

Catches metal filings in oil. Especially great on a brand-new generator during break-in. Usually metal filings in oil is a bad sign!

Necessity to maintain your generator, easy to install. Different brands are interchangeable. You can also get a cheap chinese knockoff.

You can run two (or more) Honda EU2200i generators in parallel to get 4.4KW output.

Their "companion" model is equivalent except it has a 30 amp RV plug. This is exceptionally useful to draw high current from one socket. I suggest getting the companion model as a second

Companion has RV socket

Connect two generators together, will intelligently share the load.

Install your hour meter. You need this to know when to perform maintenance. The install is very easy!

Do your first oil change after 15 hours of runtime. Definitely less than 20.

Use Honda or equivalent non-synthetic 0W30 or 5W30 for your first 15 hours.

Switch to fully synthetic 5W30 such as Mobil 1 from here on out.

Theft Deterrant

We've had our generator stolen. Friends have had the same experience. You need to lock your gennie.

Thieves easily break the handles with a hammer. Install this.

I prefer combo locks. Can't lose your keys.

Fuel and Fire Safety

Class ABC is important: solids, liquids, and electrical fires. 4lb is a good size. The aerosol spraycans are NOT.

At least 110% of fuel volume. Fuel Storage Guidelines Here

Get two, so they are visible from all directions.

Tools and Parts Bin

Generators needs periodic servicing. You can easily do this yourself.

I like to keep a small tools and parts storage bin just for the generator, containing everything to keep the generator working perfectly for many many years.

You can take your old oil to most auto service stations, they'll recycle it for you

Keep a small tools-and-parts bin with your generator, where you keep your generator manual, extra spark plugs, oil, and the tools to work on your generator

I like to print the periodic maintenance sheet, laminate it, and keep it in my parts bin.

For the maintenance screw. Don't need a long one.

Change your oil every 100 hours or once a year. Check spark plugs.

You need a funnel to get oil into your generator. This one is great.

I do not take this to the burn. But you need something to catch your oil when changing oil.

Should come with generator.

Measure and set the spark plug gap correctly.

Replace every 300 hours. Check when you chage the oil.

Every 100 hours or so, run seafoam through your generator to clean it.

There's a better solution than gas cans. Get an extended run fuel kit and a few extra extended run tanks with quick connect fittings.

This way, you never need to transfer fuel between containers on playa! Just unclip your fuel line from one tank, clip it to the next one. Bask in the glory of being a professional.

If you get gas cans, get these. Don't bother with the carb-compliant stuff at gas stations. It doesn't spill, and it stops automatically when full.

Extended Run Kit

An extended tank lets you run for 40+ hours without refueling. No more spilling gas or pesky late-night generator fuel-ups.

You can also purchase multiple extended run fuel tanks rather than gas cans. You never need to transfer fuel on playa - the quickconnect system simply pops off the one tank and onto the other.

The quick connects on the gas line is extremely useful! I like this tank since it has a fuel gauge.

Today's EPA-mandated gas caps are designed to build up pressue in the tank. This will flood your generator. Replace the caps.

Put this on the quick connect fitting threads, then screw the fitting into the tank. Voila!

For each multiple of 6 gallons you want to bring, on top of the 6 gallon tank in the above kit, purchase the following:

These tanks are great - fuel gauge, breather port, easy-fill. My only complaint - they don't stand up straight very well.

This is a fuel-specific and moeller-specific fitting. This is the fitting used on the above listed extended run kit.

Alternatively, get a 12 gallon tank. This weighs 100lb when full, quite difficult to move.

These tanks are great - fuel gauge, breather port, easy-fill. My only complaint - they don't stand up straight very well.

This is a fuel-specific and moeller-specific fitting. This is the fitting used on the above listed extended run kit.

This lets you hook two generators to the same tank, with the same fittings as listed above.

Extention Cords

Use this thick cable as your main feed from your generator. Do not a thin long extention cord - those will lose significant power across the wire.

Even the quiet Honda EU2200i (47db!) can get annoying to you and your neighbors.

How to Set Up a Soundproof Enclosure Around Your Power Generator

Use this stuff to build yourself a box for your generator. They will cut it for you at Home Depot!

Useful Accessories

Charge your dead car battery if necessary.

I like having a power meter to monitor how much we're drawing from the generator. It's a nice-to-have.

You can find many generators second-hand. It's hard to know the service history, but you can get lucky!