Generators

Hetho · Senior Member

Generators

macka17 · Guru

Well.
There are Top Price. (Not necessarily quality, value)

Mid range and then cheaper.

You can afford a top one?. I'd be looking at probably a Yamaha or Genquip?
For the value\performance.
Honda if you follow the sheep.

I had a Honda powered\Aust Alternator 1.8kva for decades. Never missed a beat.
But they charge too much for the name.
Like that Vehicle we all know.

There are a LOT of reliable Chinese units on market.
SOME are Actual Chinese Honda ENGINE.... Driven.

Take some time looking on net.
I have a Chinese 3.8\3.5kva. Honda eng.
around 7 ish yrs old now. just about to change to third plug.
Pull start.

Quite a few on here will give advice on which THEY have and are happy with.
Full time. REGULAR daily usage.
I'd go the better ones.
Regular Intermittent.
A good Chinee is fine.

Mine ran 2 homes 24\7 for 8ish days last Cyclone.
Ended up using stale fuel out of 100ltr boat tank
as local servo's rationing too much.

I always keep some fuel in boat tanks "Justin".

Snail · Senior Member

Hi Hetho,

If I was after a 4Kva generator I would buy 2 Honda 2000 generators with the connecting lead that would give me 4Kva.

4kva generators are just to heavy to lift and move around.

Snail.

Yuglamron · Guru

Please check out with the search facility recent posts about a Company selling amongst other things Gennies. Called Mills Trading. A Bargepole company.

Aus-Kiwi · Guru

You CANNOT join two 240v supplies together . AC cannot be joined like DC ! Two opposing phases ?you could end up with 415 volts ? Good luck !! The Honda everyone uses is a little small if your after 4000 watt .. There's plenty out there for under $500.. Even Bunnings sell them with warranty !!

-- Edited by Aus-Kiwi on Thursday 5th of October 2017 10:31:09 PM

DeBe · Guru

You can join 2 Honda 2KV inverter generators to give 240V ac at 4KV with a connecting lead that puts them in phase.

Peter_n_Margaret · Guru

If I had that power requirement I would install some Lithium batteries, a DC-DC charger, an inverter and a pile of light weight solar panels.
End of expense, end of problem.
Everyone happy, no lifting, no dangerous fuel to buy or carry and use it ANYWHERE, ANY TIME.

Cheers,
Peter

robol · Veteran Member

I have a Yamaha 2.4 kw and ended up buying a 2 kw generator as I found the 2.4 kw too cumbersome and heavy. The 2 kw is just that bit lighter and also not as wide as the 2.4 kw. The extra size of the 2.4 makes it too cumbersome to move around.
I think Peter has got the right idea so I will just have to wait until I need new batteries.
Rob.

Continuous · Newbie

Hi Hetho,
I imagine the reason you want 4KVA is because you are running a A/C on top of normal goodies? Peter n Margaret's solar suggestion is a good one, but it is expensive for the batteries. Perhaps a hybrid solution? A smaller 2KVA generator with solar panels, a couple of extra house batteries and a 2KVA inverter. The nice thing with solar panels and A/C is that they provide the most power when the A/C is most required, so you won't need quite as much house batteries as trying to run the entire load only from batteries (the solar panels are putting in part of the required current).

The 2KVA generator, in this hybrid environment would run a battery charger to provide power to the batteries - like the solar panels do while the sun is out.

If you have no solar panels, you can have the new ones mounted on the roof of the van with a small (25 - 50mm) air gap - this will allow the panels to cool, but most importantly stop the sun getting to the roof of the van which will further reduce the load on the A/C.

You might find this hybrid approach works for you, lightens the load with the genny and will not require top of the range since the genny is more a backup than the main game.

-- Edited by Continuous on Friday 6th of October 2017 11:29:45 AM

-- Edited by Continuous on Friday 6th of October 2017 11:33:47 AM

macka17 · Guru

You AIn't priced those Lithium battery's mate.

A genny covers at home as well as everything else.

Hey. Advert for 2kva Honda recently $1650?1675ish.
Not that I'd buy one.
Thought just crossed my mind.
IF they $400 cheaper than 6 or more yrs ago.
They can't be selling too well hey??.

You only reduce costing of sales stock when it don't go off the shelf.
Normally.

There ARE too many. Fraction of the price.
GOOD quality units on todays market methink's.

Every cyclone the last 7 or so yrs.
My $450ish Chinee. has run continuously for 6 to 9 days.
Running 2 homes and my Aircond.
20 ltr Plastic gerry can set above it. Stop once a day for check. Oil etc.
Never misses a beat.
WHY would I spend 6+ times as much for same job.
A bit dumb really hey. For a bloody name.

Barboots · Senior Member

Yawn. Must you constantly repeat your stories?

Jaahn · Guru

Hetho wrote:
Hello, and some suggestions please.
We are about to do the "Big Lap" in Jan 18, for 12 months; and am about to purchase a generator for the trip.
My "on boards" require (if we use multiple devices at once) a 4kva generator.
I would value your suggestions.
Regards.
Hetho.

Hi Hetho smile

My suggestion is that 4KW is too big and heavy, as others also say. When you are travelling you should try to ration your use of " things" a bit or you will start well over loaded and soon grind to a halt fully over packed with gear of every description. You cannot just live the same as in a 20sq house in mid suburbia furious

So when you turn something on you need to allow for what else is running and turn it off as necessary. Even plugged in to a caravan park you might have to do this to limit the overload tripping off. Perhaps the a/c is the biggest load and other items will need to fit around that. Some have made other suggestion for handling the extras.

Rethink your needs for your big trip or you may think it is just penance and go home soon. AND we have not even mentioned the problem of p*ssing off the other people around you with your big generator running confuse

Jaahn

Aus-Kiwi · Guru

More than happy with my built in Onan.. runs off diesel tank no lifting, no dangerous fuel .. Good luck syncronising two generators ! How are you going to keep engine rpm the same ??

-- Edited by Aus-Kiwi on Friday 6th of October 2017 05:35:20 PM

DeBe · Guru

Aus kiwi. you need to do a bit of research on Honda inverter generators. They have a wiring loom that goes betwean 2 generators that combined give 4KV. The power is done with an inverter. Nothing like a conventional generator like your Onan.

Hydeeeho · Senior Member

DeBe you 100% correct, AusKiwi do some research on the Honda's

Bagmaker · Senior Member

you could use 4kva to charge a lithium battery REALLY fast then shut it off for the day lol

Aus-Kiwi · Guru

Right so two Honda generators are cheaper than one 4kw ?

dragonfly1 · Senior Member

We have a 4.4 kva Fuji generator with a electric and remote start had it 7 years no problems at all bought on eBay for $510 at the time it will run anything that you have in your motor home and you can buy spare parts for them regardless what people say

Dragonfly1

DeBe · Guru

Currently there are deals $3399 for 2 Honda EU20i with kit to run both together.

Warren-Pat_01 · Guru

macka17 - your new piccy is a great improvement!

Bagmaker · Senior Member

dragonfly1 wrote:
We have a 4.4 kva Fuji generator with a electric and remote start had it 7 years no problems at all bought on eBay for $510 at the time it will run anything that you have in your motor home and you can buy spare parts for them regardless what people say
Dragonfly1

Do you find it noisy Mr Fly??

macka17 · Guru

Barboots.

NEW? Contributor.
Extra advice. Sharing.

As b4.

You no like. DON'T read.

Instead of straight out ignorance.

Kiss. Kiss.

YEP. Bad mood (extra sore)

I bit this morning.
Anymore......

==============
Sorry Cindy. They get annoying. A bit like Blowflies at times.
======

A "Hybrid" is what most use.

Solar (350 to 500w) to run van. With genny big enough to run Air cond.
Which usually needs to be around 3.5kva.

Why would a normal person pay near 4 grand. When around $600\700 does same job.
With reliability. and decent longevity.

Cost\longevity wise comparison is.

Nearly 6 x 7 yrs and more for same price as ONE Honda.
Which no way could last that combined period of time.

The figures don't add up do they.

Mine inverter too. Runs everything at once. WithAir-cond on ECO sw too. If req.

""I GOT A HONDAAAAAAAAa", Maybe.

I'll spend my $$$'s elsewhere thank you muchly.

Barboots · Senior Member

Macka my advice on the topic is best kept to myself... since you ask I'm one of of those solar/lithium zealots and like to avoid generators as much as possible. In this regard, occasionally keeping one's advice to one's self could be something you consider? Whether I am new or not has no bearing on the quality of your posted content.

Aus-Kiwi · Guru

The OP asked about generator's . He didn't ask if you liked them . !!! Agree solar & batteries are nice to have also .

databoomer · Newbie

try this, can couple together two for 4Kw total cost for two $1998, also these are pure sine wave generators (ok for computers)

https://www.jaycar.com.au/2kw-sine-wave-inverter-generator/p/MG4508

all the best

-- Edited by databoomer on Saturday 7th of October 2017 12:39:26 PM

tarbaby · Newbie

Those Jaycar ones look good, and as you say, they are stackable so can get 4kw. But the noise: 91dB !!! Must be a misprint. Just imagine two of them roaring away together if that is correct ð®

Aus-Kiwi · Guru

4kw . ?? Will you running everything at once ? Run TV etc on 12v . My guess it's the AC if your planing on using it ? That'll require the geni especially at night .. We got away with a good fan..

dragonfly1 · Senior Member

Just slightly noisier than a honda but not that much different but it weighs 28 Kls so is a bit heavy for a old fart to lift but you can buy a set of wheels for them

Dragonfly1

Aus-Kiwi · Guru

Or fit geni semi permanently ? In ventilated sound proof box ?? Under chassis or tray ??

macka17 · Guru

Mine's 32kg. with wheels. and extendable handle like suitcase at front.

Plus the carry handle for short steps. 3.8kva.