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When the power goes out at dinner time and the house goes dark, how to use a portable generator is the first question to answer before you pull the starter cord. A gas powered portable generator turns fuel into household power, and the steps below cover where to put it, how to start it, what to plug in, and how to shut it down. The gear at the end fits those steps: bonding plugs that let an RV surge protector work on a floating-neutral generator, and covers sized to the generator you store.
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How to set up a portable generator
A portable generator runs outdoors only, far from doors and windows, because of carbon monoxide. Set it on firm, level ground where water cannot pool under it, and point the exhaust away from the house, the RV and any open window. Keep the area around the exhaust clear while it runs, and never move a running generator indoors to get it out of the rain. Set it up where the cord can reach the loads without crossing a walkway, and where you can get to the fuel cap and the controls without reaching over the hot exhaust. Keep the fuel cap and the controls within easy reach, so you never have to reach over the hot exhaust to stop it.
Check the oil and add fuel
Check the oil level before every start, and top it up with the oil grade the manual calls for. Add fuel with the generator off and cool, and wipe up any spill before you start it. For a gas powered generator, fuel means gasoline unless the manual says otherwise, and the manual also says whether the fuel needs a stabilizer for storage. See the guide to what type of gasoline a generator takes and the best engine oil for a portable generator for the details the manual points to. See the best fuel stabilizer for generators if the manual calls for treated fuel in storage.
Start the generator
Turn the fuel valve on, set the choke as the manual shows, and pull the starter cord with a firm, steady pull. Let the generator settle into a steady run before you plug anything in, and switch the choke off once it runs even. If the generator has an electric start button, use that instead of the cord, as the manual shows. If it does not start after a few pulls, stop and check the fuel valve, the choke setting and the oil level before you pull again. Once it runs, plug in a small load first, such as a lamp, before you add the rest.
Plug in your loads
Plug appliances straight into the generator outlets, or into a cord made for generator use, and keep the cord clear of walkways and water. Add loads one at a time and leave headroom under the rated watts so the generator does not trip. A motor load draws extra power at startup, so start the motor load first and add the rest after it settles. See what type of extension cord a generator takes for cord sizing. If the house itself needs power from the generator, a licensed electrician should install the connection.
How to use a portable generator with an RV
An RV surge protector may show an open ground error on a floating-neutral generator, because the generator has no neutral-to-ground bond. A bonding plug fixes that: plug it into an unused outlet on the generator and the surge protector sees the bond it needs. The CORDMITPRO plug (on Amazon) is a NEMA 5-15P plug rated 120V and 15A, and the Bad Wolf BP15A (on Amazon) adds a green LED that confirms the bond is working. Check the manual first to confirm the generator is floating neutral, and never plug a bonding plug into household power. Do not use a bonding plug with a GFCI-equipped generator unless the generator maker permits it.
Shut it down and store it
Switch the loads off first, then let the generator run a short while with no load before you switch it off. Let it cool before you move it or cover it, and store it with the fuel valve off. Cover the stored unit once it is cool: the small Porch Shield cover measures 19 x 13 x 17 inches, and the large one measures 38 x 28 x 30 inches for generators from 5500 to 15000 watts. Measure the generator before you buy a cover, and check the fit against the cover size. Drain or treat the fuel as the manual says if the generator will sit unused for a long stretch. See the guide to how to clean a generator gas tank before a long storage stretch.
Gear for using a portable generator
The gear below fits the steps above: bonding plugs for the RV hookup step, and covers sized to the generator for the storage step.
| # | Product | Solar Score | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Bad Wolf BP15A Plug | 9.7/10 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |  CORDMITPRO Bonding Plug | 9.6/10 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |  Porch Shield 38 Inch Cover | 9.6/10 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |  Porch Shield Cover | 9.4/10 | Buy on Amazon |
Bad Wolf BP15A Plug
A solid-state bonding plug with a green LED that confirms the neutral-to-ground bond on a floating-neutral generator.
Pros
- Green LED gives visual confirmation the bond is working
- Solid-state PCB design for a purpose-built bond
- Plugs into a standard 15A 120V outlet with no tools
- 1 Year Limited Warranty stated
Cons
- Not for GFCI-equipped generators unless the maker permits the bond
- Never plug into household power
- Only for floating-neutral generators, bonded-neutral units do not need it
- Comes as a single plug, so one outlet per plug
Detailed Review
The listing states a solid-state PCB bonding plug, part BP15A, in NEMA 5-15P format for a standard 15A 120V outlet, sized 2.6 by 1.1 by 1.25 inches and 0.06 pounds, in black. It states a green LED confirms voltage is present and the plug is working, and it states a 1 Year Limited Warranty. The listing warns it is for floating-neutral generators only, never for household power, and not for GFCI-equipped generators unless the maker permits the bond.
Who it's for: RV owners who want a visible check that the bond is working on a floating-neutral generator. Who should skip it: owners of GFCI-equipped generators, unless the generator maker permits an external bond.
Its Solar Score of 9.7/10 comes from performance 30/35, build 22/25, value 21/25, safety 8/10 and warranty 3/5: 84 of 100 points, placed on our 9.2 to 9.8 scale.
Key Specifications
| Plug | NEMA 5-15P, 120V, 15A |
|---|---|
| Size | 2.6 x 1.1 x 1.25 in |
| Weight | 0.06 pounds |
| Warranty | 1 Year Limited |
Figures as published on the retailer listing, collected 12 November 2026. Performance figures are manufacturer rated.
Safety and Warranty
What this listing states. Green LED status light and neutral-ground bonding for floating-neutral generators stated, with GFCI and household-power warnings, so safety scores 8 of 10. 1 Year Limited Warranty stated. It does not say everything a buyer needs, such as who pays return shipping, so warranty scores 3 of 5. See How We Pick.
Follow the manual. Connect and use the product as the maker describes, stay within every stated rating, and read the manual before first use.
This is general buying information, not professional advice. Follow each product manual and local rules, and see our Safety Disclaimer.
CORDMITPRO Bonding Plug
A NEMA 5-15P plug that creates a neutral-to-ground bond so an RV surge protector works on a floating-neutral generator.
Pros
- NEMA 5-15P 120V 15A plug fits standard generator outlets
- Creates the neutral-to-ground bond RV surge protectors require
- No wiring or tools needed, plug into an unused outlet
- Compact size at 3.15 by 1.18 by 1.18 inches for RV storage
Cons
- No warranty term is stated
- No weight is stated
- Built for floating-neutral generators only
- Sold as a 1 pack, so one plug serves one outlet
Detailed Review
The listing states a NEMA 5-15P 120V 15A plug, part CP037A, sized 3.15 by 1.18 by 1.18 inches in yellow. It states the plug creates a neutral-to-ground bond in an unused generator outlet so an RV surge protector works on a floating-neutral generator, with no wiring or tools needed. No warranty term and no weight are stated.
Who it's for: RV owners whose surge protector shows an open ground error on a floating-neutral generator. Who should skip it: owners who need to bond more than one outlet at once, since this is a 1 pack.
Its Solar Score of 9.6/10 comes from performance 29/35, build 21/25, value 21/25, safety 7/10 and warranty 0/5: 78 of 100 points, placed on our 9.2 to 9.8 scale.
Key Specifications
| Plug | NEMA 5-15P, 120V, 15A |
|---|---|
| Size | 3.15 x 1.18 x 1.18 in |
| Color | Yellow |
| Part number | CP037A |
Figures as published on the retailer listing, collected 12 November 2026. Performance figures are manufacturer rated.
Safety and Warranty
What this listing states. Neutral-to-ground bond for RV EMS and surge protection stated, so safety scores 7 of 10. No warranty term, so warranty scores zero. See How We Pick.
Follow the manual. Connect and use the product as the maker describes, stay within every stated rating, and read the manual before first use.
This is general buying information, not professional advice. Follow each product manual and local rules, and see our Safety Disclaimer.
Porch Shield 38 Inch Cover
A 600D polyester cover measuring 38 x 28 x 30 inches for 5500 to 15000 watt gas or inverter generators, with double stitching and taped seams.
Pros
- 38 x 28 x 30 inches, the largest size stated among the picks
- 5500 to 15000 watts, the widest watt range stated here
- 600D polyester with a water-resistant laminated undercoating stated
- Double stitching with seam sealing tape, elastic hem cord, bottom strap and Velcro stated
Cons
- No running use is stated, so count it as a storage cover
- No warranty term is stated
- 1.2 pounds, the lightest cover here, which suits calm storage more than rough handling
- Ventilated fabric stacks mean it is not a fully sealed enclosure
Detailed Review
Porch Shield lists a 600D polyester cover measuring 38 x 28 x 30 inches for 5500 to 15000 watt gas or inverter generators, weighing 1.2 pounds. The listing states a water-resistant laminated undercoating, double stitching with all seams sealing taped, an elastic hem cord with a bottom strap for a secure fit in high winds, Velcro for easy install and removal, and fabric stacks at one side for ventilation. No running use and no warranty term are stated.
Who it's for: an owner with a large generator who wants the biggest stated cover here for outdoor storage. Who should skip it: anyone who needs a cover stated for use while running.
Its Solar Score of 9.6/10 comes from performance 30/35, build 21/25, value 21/25, safety 7/10 and warranty 0/5: 79 of 100 points, placed on our 9.2 to 9.8 scale.
Key Specifications
| Size | 38 x 28 x 30 inches |
|---|---|
| Fabric | 600D polyester |
| Watt range | 5500 to 15000 watts |
| Weight | 1.2 pounds |
Figures as published on the retailer listing, collected 3 November 2026. Performance figures are manufacturer rated.
Safety and Warranty
What this listing states. Double stitching with seam sealing tape, elastic hem cord, bottom strap and Velcro stated, so safety scores 7 of 10. No warranty term, so warranty scores zero. See How We Pick.
Follow the manual. Connect and use the product as the maker describes, stay within every stated rating, and read the manual before first use.
This is general buying information, not professional advice. Follow each product manual and local rules, and see our Safety Disclaimer.
Porch Shield Cover
A 600D polyester storage cover with a top opening for the handle, a storage pocket and elastic wind protection.
Pros
- 600D polyester stated
- Top opening stated for the generator handle
- Large pocket stated for accessories
- Elastic rings and bands stated for wind protection
Cons
- Title watt range of 1000-2000W differs from the bullets range of 1500-2500W
- No warranty term is stated
- No running use is stated
Detailed Review
The listing states a 600D polyester cover for 1000-2000W inverter generators at 19 x 13 x 17 inches, with a large top opening for the handle, a large pocket for accessories, and elastic rings and bands for wind protection. The bullets name a wider range of 1500-2500W generators and list models such as EU2200i, so the watt range is not consistent inside this listing. The title size also differs from the spec table size. No warranty term is stated.
Who it's for: owners storing a small inverter generator who want a handle opening and a pocket for cables and tools. Who should skip it: owners who need a single consistent size and watt range before ordering, or a stated warranty term.
Its Solar Score of 9.4/10 comes from performance 26/35, build 20/25, value 19/25, safety 0/10 and warranty 0/5: 65 of 100 points, placed on our 9.2 to 9.8 scale.
Key Specifications
| Size | 19 x 13 x 17 inches |
|---|---|
| Material | 600D polyester |
| Use | Storage |
| Handle opening | Top opening for handle stated |
Figures as published on the retailer listing, collected 3 November 2026. Performance figures are manufacturer rated.
Safety and Warranty
What this listing states. No safety listing, protection or rating is stated, so safety scores zero. No warranty term, so warranty scores zero. See How We Pick.
Follow the manual. Connect and use the product as the maker describes, stay within every stated rating, and read the manual before first use.
This is general buying information, not professional advice. Follow each product manual and local rules, and see our Safety Disclaimer.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
FAQ: power away from the grid
Can I run a portable generator indoors?
No. Run it outdoors only, far from doors and windows, and never move a running generator indoors.
Do I need a bonding plug for my RV?
Only if the generator is floating neutral and the RV surge protector shows an open ground error. A bonding plug creates the neutral-to-ground bond the protector needs: the CORDMITPRO plug is a NEMA 5-15P plug rated 120V and 15A, and the Bad Wolf BP15A adds a green LED that confirms the bond is working.
What size cover fits my generator?
Measure the generator, then match the cover size. The small Porch Shield cover measures 19 x 13 x 17 inches, and the large one measures 38 x 28 x 30 inches for generators from 5500 to 15000 watts.
How do I know if my generator is floating neutral?
Check the generator manual. The Bad Wolf listing states to verify the generator is floating neutral, since bonded-neutral generators do not need a bonding plug.
Related solar guides
See the guide to how long a portable generator lasts, the gas generator maintenance guide, the guide to what size generator fits camping, the power generator types explained and every camping and emergency gear guide.
