It is very reliable, easy to start, very quiet and very economical (a tankful will recharge my batteries (van, mobile, laptop), run lights and TV for between 13 and 15 hours).
I run the fridge on gas (and don't have a freezer) rather than 240v when camping.
Cheers - John
Cheers - John
chrisnchris said
01:51 AM Jul 9, 2012
Thanks John for the info . I'm really worried abt the noise don't want to upset anyone . Will look at the site now Cheers Chris
neilnruth said
02:50 AM Jul 9, 2012
We have the Honda EU20i as above and have been surprised by how quiet it is. Now, when you start it and it's right next to you, you will think it is loud. But if you are worried about other people, just walk a few metres away from your generator and you will note you can barely hear it. The best thing to do is either have it out visible (near your van) so others pulling up can see you have one and it is their choice where they park, or tell other people you will be using a generator for a few hours. You'll be surprised at at how many will say, That's OK. I'll be using one too' or 'That's OK, it won't worry me.' We never run it during the night - use gas for fridge and LED lights to see. We do everything we need to do with it in the last few hours before going to bed. Then put it away. Safer that way.
justcruisin01 said
02:58 AM Jul 9, 2012
Go the honda.
JC.
jetj said
03:55 AM Jul 9, 2012
The Hondas are very good. I don't own one but have used them, seen them running, serviced etc by the blokes in the local Fire Brigade.
gold dandelion said
03:59 AM Jul 9, 2012
doesn't matter how quiet really, most camp grounds have time restrictions.
KFT said
04:18 AM Jul 9, 2012
gold dandelion wrote:
doesn't matter how quiet really, most camp grounds have time restrictions.
quite true, most as a matter of courtesy will shut them down by 9 pm at free camp sites. some official paid type camp sites will stipulate whether they can be used at all and if so at what times.
eg Banka Banka station they must be off by 8pm, devils marbles camp ground not permitted at all.
If you need to run it all night for medical reasons it pays to advise your neighbours so they will understand and also advise others who may be inclined to complain.
frank
sandsmere said
02:58 PM Jul 9, 2012
We have a Kipor 2.6kva . Happy with it . Starts easily . Doesn't seem to be any louder than others I've heard . Runs aircon , microwave etc. if we need it to , but mainly used as a backup for the solar in bad weather ..
If there are other people around , I never run it before 9am , and it is always off before dark .
George said
04:59 PM Jul 9, 2012
Whe have an MTM 3.2 kw which although runs slightly louder than a Honda 2 is a fraction of the price $420 new and unlike the Honda 2 can run air con, micro-wave, charge my batteries and not falter. Thoroughly recommend.
tonyd said
03:24 AM Jul 10, 2012
Generally speaking, what do you need just to recharge some 12v batteries from time to time, and nothing else? A 1kw gennie, or bigger? Like geojen, I wonder why Hondas and suchlike are so expensive and have been looking at the cheaper end of the market, but don't want a 2kw unit or bigger if it is not needed. Does a 2kw unit charge faster than a smaller one? I have been looking into 12v charging systems for a while now and have come to the conclusion that the only difference between 12v electrics and nuclear physics is that I find nuclear physics relatively easy to understand! Cheers, Tony
03_troopy said
03:28 AM Jul 10, 2012
Another fan of the Hondas. And that's from experience of running one 24/7 for 6 months straight (actually 2 of them on a fortnightly rotation). At least with the Honda you know it's reliable and can handle what it's rated to. The MTM on the other hand sounds pretty good for the price. It just depends on how long it is "pretty good for the price" I guess, and what it costs to repair if it doesn't hack it.
rockylizard said
03:29 AM Jul 10, 2012
Gday...
The Honda 2kva gennys are pure sine wave and therefore an excellent, safe solurce of power for all your use.
Usually, the cheaper ones are modified sine wave and, due to the potential for 'spikes' of power, can damage your laptops etc.
Check the specs of what you want to buy - I would certainly prefer the pure sine wave gennys.
Hi Anyone
We are soon to be nomads and need some info on generators please
Will be used for fridge small freezer lights etc We are also set up for 12 volt so it won't be used all the time
A nice quiet brand would be good
Cheers
Chris
Gday...
Welcome to the forum. The generator mostly used by 'travellers' is the Honda 2kva. We have an ad on this site (up the top - 2nd item in from left).
Their website is - http://www.thegeneratorwarehouse.com.au/generators/honda.asp
I have the EU20i shown at this site -http://www.thegeneratorwarehouse.com.au/online/Details.asp?ProdID=311&category=0
It is very reliable, easy to start, very quiet and very economical (a tankful will recharge my batteries (van, mobile, laptop), run lights and TV for between 13 and 15 hours).
I run the fridge on gas (and don't have a freezer) rather than 240v when camping.
Cheers - John
Cheers - John
Will look at the site now
Cheers Chris
Go the honda.
JC.
quite true, most as a matter of courtesy will shut them down by 9 pm at free camp sites. some official paid type camp sites will stipulate whether they can be used at all and if so at what times.
eg Banka Banka station they must be off by 8pm, devils marbles camp ground not permitted at all.
If you need to run it all night for medical reasons it pays to advise your neighbours so they will understand and also advise others who may be inclined to complain.
frank
We have a Kipor 2.6kva . Happy with it . Starts easily . Doesn't seem to be any louder than others I've heard . Runs aircon , microwave etc. if we need it to , but mainly used as a backup for the solar in bad weather ..
If there are other people around , I never run it before 9am , and it is always off before dark .
Like geojen, I wonder why Hondas and suchlike are so expensive and have been looking at the cheaper end of the market, but don't want a 2kw unit or bigger if it is not needed.
Does a 2kw unit charge faster than a smaller one?
I have been looking into 12v charging systems for a while now and have come to the conclusion that the only difference between 12v electrics and nuclear physics is that I find nuclear physics relatively easy to understand!
Cheers, Tony
Gday...
The Honda 2kva gennys are pure sine wave and therefore an excellent, safe solurce of power for all your use.
Usually, the cheaper ones are modified sine wave and, due to the potential for 'spikes' of power, can damage your laptops etc.
Check the specs of what you want to buy - I would certainly prefer the pure sine wave gennys.
Cheers - John