Ice fishing remains a popular activity in the northern tier of the United States. Frozen lakes abound with tip-up towns and ice shanty villages as anglers vie for trout and panfish, walleyes, northern pike, catfish, and more.
The classic picture of an ice fisherman is someone sitting on a bucket, focused on a hole in the ice, waiting for the first bite. While that still might be true for those who like to fish closer to the shoreline, it’s an entirely different story for others. Seasoned outdoorsmen and women have their ice-time down to a science, complete with heated shanties, flat-screen televisions to pass the time while waiting for a hit, power augers to make drilling holes easier, stoves for hot meals, and even bunks for overnight stays. Keeping these mini-homes powered up frequently falls to a reliable inverter generator.
Inverter generators are lightweight, easy to transport, and have low-noise levels, a nod to not disturbing your fellow anglers or the fish below the surface. Inverter technology produces electricity on demand, based on what is being powered. That results in a slower engine speed with less noise and lower fuel consumption. The portability, quieter operation, and longer run times of the inverter generators make them well-suited for outdoor activity.
Inverters are also inexpensive to run. A 2,000-watt inverter can run about seven hours at 50 percent load on just a gallon of gas. Another advantage is that inverter technology uses clean power, meaning it’s safe for electronics, such as televisions, tablets, and other power sensitive equipment.
When choosing an inverter, look for one that has enough receptacles for all the items you plan to run. Inverters that have USB adapters will allow you to charge a battery or cellphone. A-iPower inverters also come equipped with a built-in parallel kit, allowing two generators to connect for nearly double the power.
Even though you are out on the ice, keep in mind the dangers of carbon monoxide poisoning – the deadly tasteless, colorless, and odorless gas. Keep these safety tips in mind:
- Don’t use your generator inside or in a partially enclosed space.
- Place the generator pointing away from occupied spaces – yours and your neighbor’s.
- If you start feeling the symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning (sick, dizzy, weak), move to fresh air immediately.
Also, keep in mind that the engine that runs a generator produces heat. Be aware that placing your generator directly on ice may cause melting.