This article was last updated on May 28, 2024.
It’s been about 18 months since I got the ALP 1000-watt propane generator.
When I got it, more than a few friends and acquaintances in the overlanding community scoffed at the idea of having “just” 1000 watts of power. I wanted to prove to them that a 1000-watt generator was more than enough for my needs and answer the most common question I get asked about this generator: “Does it do what you need it to do?”
To answer that question, I’ve put this generator through its paces over the last year and a half. I’ve used it at the beach and in the mountains. It’s been used in cold weather and hot weather. It’s powered everything from my coffee maker to my entire Turtleback Expedition Trailer.
In other words, this 1000-watt generator (which is actually 850 running watts) has been a champ in every single situation I’ve put it in.
With that in mind, I want to share the five features that I most appreciate about my ALP generator.
Table of Contents
- The ALP 1000-Watt Propane Generator is Whisper-Quiet
- Propane is so Much Cleaner
- The ALP Generator Has a Small Form Factor
- Runtime is Excellent
- The ALP 1000-Watt Propane Generator Has Tons of Power Options
- Other Recommended Overlanding Gear
The ALP 1000-Watt Propane Generator is Whisper-Quiet
I don’t know about you, but when I think of camping generators, I think of loud, obnoxious gas-powered generators that drown out all other sounds in the area.
Fortunately, the ALP 1000-watt propane generator is not at all like that…
Rated at less than 52dBA, this generator gives you the power you need without causing a huge racket.
In fact, as I noted in my one-year review of this generator, you can actually stand right next to it and carry on a conversation while it’s running. This is not the case with many other generators on the market.
When you’re camping or overlanding, you’re there to get away from the hubbub of daily life and enjoy the peace and quiet of nature. Having a quieter generator like this allows you to do that while also enjoying the power you need around camp.
Propane is so Much Cleaner
If you have a gas-powered generator, you know how dirty, smelly, and gross they can be.
Not only are gas cans prone to leaks, but gas-powered generators can also put out an obnoxious amount of pollutants around camp. But with a propane-powered generator, these concerns are all but eliminated.
On the fuel front, propane canisters are leak-proof, so you don’t have to worry about gas spilling all over the back of your truck or in the storage bays of your trailer.
And in terms of pollutants, the ALP 1000-watt propane generator is EPA and CARB approved. This means that it runs cleaner than non-EPA and CARB-compliant generators. So, not only is there less of a mess with this generator, but you can also get the power you need while reducing the amount of pollutants released into the atmosphere.
PREVIEW | PRODUCT | RATING | |
| ALP 1000W Propane Generator | ||
Honda EU2200i Portable Inverter Generator 2200 Watt | |||
GENMAX Portable Inverter Generator 3200W | |||
| CRAFTSMAN 2,500-Watt Gas Portable Generator |
The ALP Generator Has a Small Form Factor
Another feature that I definitely appreciate about the ALP propane generator is its size.
At 18-1/4”L x 10-1/4”W x 14”H, it isn’t exactly going to fit in your pocket, but it’s definitely much smaller than many other generators on the market. As you know, storage space is at a premium when you’re camping or overlanding, so having a generator that’s this small is a huge bonus.
It’s also much lighter than many generators at around 31 pounds. With the big, beefy carry handle on top, it’s easy to move from the back of my truck to its spot at camp, and then back to the truck when we’re ready to head home. That’s not something you can say about many gas-powered generators!
Runtime is Excellent
With a 20-lb propane tank, the ALP 1000-watt generator has a runtime of around 60 hours. That’s a long time! Since I have two 20-lb propane tanks on my Turtleback Trailer and another 20-lb tank in the back of my truck, I have enough fuel to run this generator for days and days on end.
Now, obviously when the generator is running at full load, the runtime isn’t going to be as robust, but still, I can use this generator all weekend long and not have to replace the fuel tank. If you only periodically need power, you could easily make a 20-lb propane tank last for multiple camping or overlanding trips.
Heck, even on a 1-lb propane tank, you still get three hours of runtime. This is a great option if you just need incremental power and don’t want to lug around big 20-lb tanks.
The ALP 1000-Watt Propane Generator Has Tons of Power Options
Having a generator is no good to you if it doesn’t offer the charging options you need. In the case of the ALP generator, you get dual USB ports, dual 120-volt AC outlets, and a 12-volt DC outlet.
For me, this means that I can charge my phone and my laptop while making coffee (or some other combination of accessories).
Additionally, you can run two of the ALP 1000-watt propane generators in parallel. This gives you 2,000 watts of starting power and 1700 watts of running power.
In other words, this is a flexible, functional setup that gives you all the options you need to power your overlanding setup.
Speaking of which…
This Generator is Everything I Need
Earlier, I mentioned that more than a few of my overlanding friends were skeptical about the ALP 1000-watt generator being enough to meet my power needs. I fully admit that I have high power needs, so their concerns weren’t completely unfounded.
But, as I’ve explained throughout this article, this generator has been everything I need – and more – over the last 18 months. And, honestly, I fully believe that it would be more than enough power for 90 percent of overlanding enthusiasts as well.
Sure, you can be seduced by cheap 3,000-watt generators that only cost $850, but those generators are huge. They’re also loud, smelly, and not terribly fuel-efficient.
The moral of the story is that you should take stock of what your power needs around camp actually are. Don’t get stuck on how many watts a generator produces, and instead figure out how much power you actually need. I’m willing to bet that most of you don’t need as much power as you think!
I know plenty of folks that have big RVs and campers that require more power than the ALP 1000-watt generator can provide – and that’s okay! But for the rest of you, this is a fantastic option that’s also budget-friendly at just $529.99.
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