Thread: Generator

Originally Posted by Mr Whippy

You can now buy that for about a third of this now.
As for parking in the sun I have a 20metre lead for my panels so I park in the shade and put the panels in the sun.
They still work when cloudy just not as well.

Dave.

I know, the prices have really dropped!

I think solar is by far the the best option for most camping applications, but there is a little more work in setting it up, and some people just don't have the setup sized correctly, but it's not for everyone.
One thing that annoys me is a 2Kva genny running for hours at maybe 2% load, just to run some lights and a fridge. waste of fuel/wear on the genny, annoying to others.
The number of campers I've seen trying to charge their batteries with a 4 amp charger on a 2kva is unbelievable.

Anyway, I have a Kipor 2Kva, and have never needed to use it camping, and I never stop for less than a week, and it's usually with 3 families, and I supply all the power for lighting (12v compact flouro's and LED's), music, and our 70 litre autofridge, recharging the portable DVD players, recharging torch batteries, running my laptop, charging the UHF handhelds.

But this is one of those topics that people seem to be destined to never agree on.......

If you have a need, go solar panels for charging batteiy sets. And if you do need 240V to power tools, etc, then inverter technology may not get you all the way. Check out the Kulkyne Kampers site for some info.

But like Wardy remarked, please keep the noise at home. On topic, we have used an el-cheapo Sino gen set for emergency work at home, a 2 stroke, run about 230 hours in 6 years - not a single drama.

HTH

Pete

Originally Posted by fraser130

I know, the prices have really dropped!

I think solar is by far the the best option for most camping applications, but there is a little more work in setting it up, and some people just don't have the setup sized correctly, but it's not for everyone.
One thing that annoys me is a 2Kva genny running for hours at maybe 2% load, just to run some lights and a fridge. waste of fuel/wear on the genny, annoying to others.
The number of campers I've seen trying to charge their batteries with a 4 amp charger on a 2kva is unbelievable.

Anyway, I have a Kipor 2Kva, and have never needed to use it camping, and I never stop for less than a week, and it's usually with 3 families, and I supply all the power for lighting (12v compact flouro's and LED's), music, and our 70 litre autofridge, recharging the portable DVD players, recharging torch batteries, running my laptop, charging the UHF handhelds.

But this is one of those topics that people seem to be destined to never agree on.......

Couldn't agree more here. It would not worry me if my camping neighbor asked would I mind if he ran his genny for an hour to charge his batteries as someone pointed out in a previous post. Putting some real grunt into them for an hour would do the trick and if set up properly would get you through the night and up to the point of needing another hour again

As you pointed out I hate the ones that as soon as dusk hits, on goes the genny to run a couple of lights and stays on till they go to bed. This is at a time when the area is usually at it's quietest (night time) and the hum from a genny can be heard(and annoying) from 300 metres away.

Dave.

I sell the Honda EU's at work. Don't waste your $$ on the cheapie chinese ones ... especially the 2 strokes!! ... apart from the damage I've seen, parts are usually non existant ... ymmv The 2 stroke chinese ones are throttle controlled for voltage ... that's just an accident waiting to happen ... I recently had one in that was putting out 384 volts & 118Hz !!! .... sure made the pedestal fan run fast on low ... buyer beware.

If it's just for standby use, then for my money if you're on a budget, buy a used Honda EU10i off Ebay, and a 240v 15A-25A (or larger) smart charger ... the EU10i will comfortably run a 50A 240v battery charger. You get 1000w of 240v & a quick recharge for your house batteries ... anything that needs 240v to recharge should be connected at the same time. They are quiet, use minimal fuel, and you'll get parts/repairs almost anywhere australia wide.

If you need more ... get an EU20i, same deal as above.

The onboard battery charging of these units is NOT suitable for anything other than a quick BULK charge into a flat cranking battery as it is limited at 12vdc ... it'll never fully charge a deep cycle, lead acid, agm battery. Never!

If you want a price for an EU, PM me. AULRO subscriber discounts apply.

Kev..

Originally Posted by Fluids

Don't waste your $$ on the cheapie chinese ones ... especially the 2 strokes!! ... apart from the damage I've seen, parts are usually non existant ... ymmv
Kev..

I paid $99 for mine when new. I don't expect to repair it or have to buy parts as repairs of any kind professionally performed would exceed the price of a new one. It has performed flawlessly for six years now. If it dies I will buy another the same.

Like I said Brian ... ymmv !

... it's not a 1000w or 2000w unit is it ?

One of the 650/850watt ones ? A 2 stroke ?

Do you run a laptop or other sensitive electronic devices off it ... or just lights, or a power tool ?

Thanks!
Kev..

Originally Posted by Fluids

Like I said Brian ... ymmv !

... it's not a 1000w or 2000w unit is it ?

One of the 650/850watt ones ? A 2 stroke ?

Do you run a laptop or other sensitive electronic devices off it ... or just lights, or a power tool ?

Thanks!
Kev..

A 650/850 two stroke. Runs camping fridge and lights. Has charged car batteries, and has been used for 240 volt lights and TV during a blackout. Easily runs my 3/4" AEG drill but will only operate a heat gun on low setting.

Great value for money. Economical, runs 9 hours of fridge and lights on 4 litres fuel. It has over 600 hours on it now. Starts easily, one or two pulls. I would buy another any time.

I have an 850 watt GMC which I bought for $99. Had a black out once about half an hour before Bathurst started. A mad panic followed to get the genny running. My $2500 plasma telly did not like it and the thing shut down. I pood myself thinking that I had destroyed it. Luckily when the power cam back the telly worked.

Dave.