Member - DAZA (QLD) replied:

Hi Derek

I was in the Varsity Lakes / Reedy Creek Camping store to day and
I noticed a Engel generator which was powered by a Honda motor,
it was to power Tv / Lights/ Power Tools / Fridges / most 240 volt
equipment, the price was $1600.

Cheers

Daza

Member - Norm C (QLD) replied:

Derek, I won't presume to tell you what you should do. Instead, I'll share my experience and that of friend.
Mine:
About 2 years ago I was in the market for a generator. Honda at the time were even more expensive than they are today. I read about Kipor and at half the price, I bought one. Worked well for just over 12 months, then died. Warranty was 12 months. I had it checked out at a local generator place that deals with Kipor and they said it was the the inverter and it's the most expensive part in the generator. Their price to repair it was about $100 less than I paid for it.

I eventually got onto the importer (Primus) and they agreed to have a look at it if I got it to Melbourne (I'm on the Gold Coast). After some argy bargy, they agreed if I got it to their Brisbane warehouse, they would get it to Melbourne. After a few weeks, they contacted me and said, yes it is the inverter. As the warranty had expired, they would not fit a new one, but would take the part out of another that had a siezed motor and repair it free of charge. I was happy with that, and got it back a couple of weeks later (total about 7 weeks). Despite the time taken, I was happy with this service and said as much on this forum.

Went on a 12 week trip a couple of months later. Gennie worked well for first 10 weeks, then started to play up. Would not hold load. By week 11, it was dead.

When we got home, my first stop was a Honda dealer, where I got a 2KVA Honda. Honda warranty is 4 years and the dealer endorsed my receipt that he would provide a further 12 months after that; 5 years total warranty. Honda has run perfectly since.

Only cost me about 1.5 times the price of a Honda to get to where I am today. I'f I'd bought the Honda up front, I'd have had less stress, probably no generator problems, and I'd still have 3 years left on my warranty.

Friend:
Through another friend he was offered a great deal to be part of a bulk buy of 2KVA generators to be imported from China. I think the price was around $450, so it was a great saving. when the gennie arrived, it worked well (but was a bit noisey). After two short trips, the gennie died. He is still trying to get it repaired I think.

If you are interested in getting a Honda, look on the web, there are some reasonable deals available. Good local agents will match these deals if you push them.

I do camping in very remote areas and at the moment don't have solar. Apart from charging batteries for the camp site (2 fridges, lights, etc), we carry laptops, cameras etc and I carry an electric motor for the tinnie. Not being able to charge batteries is a real downer on our travels.

In our travels, Honda is far and away the most common generator. They are the quietest by far and I'm yet to come across anyone who has not been happy.

We are heading off again for 4 to 5 months in a couple of weeks. Generator is now the least of my worries.

That's my experience. Hope it helps in some way with your decision.

Norm C

MEMBER - Darian (SA) replied:

A few of us here have the blue Yamaha versions of inverter gennies - made in Japan - exactly the same specs as the more common Honda - usually a few hundred to be saved (maybe more on the bigger ones) and it appears no less quality or expected lifespan. I got my EF1000iS around caravan show time - specials are quite keen then in most brands - even if the retailer is not at the show, they have specials anyway - whatever - discount promos in any respected brand are the target of course.

80seriescruiser replied:

Dude I know went out on the Oodnadatta Track, up to Birdie and beyond and had a cheap Suyama or something generator.

Bought it brand spankers before he left. I think about $600 it cost. He hadn't used it for the couple of weeks it took to get to Birdie and it was lashed into the back of the 4wd.

By the time he got to Birdie and unlashed it, there was a rattle inside the generator. Pulls it apart to see what's what and several parts had come loose and broken off inside the generator.

Some parts had just worked loose, others had broken off.

Never used it and it was already junk, unuseable.

You get what you pay for I guess. If you have the $, stick with Honda or Yamaha, or even the Engels which are just the Honda's with an Engel badge on em.

Member - Wilgadene (Bundaberg) replied:

Hi, Derek try this site. They have got the engel 2.0kw (honda motor) for $1195 plus $25 freight anywhere in australia.

www.olbis.com.au/ap_template/subcat_generators.asp

also Discount camping has the Yamaha 2.4kw for $1799 plus $30 freight. (quite a large size but runs most things including aircon).

www.discountcamping.com.au

They also have the Engel 2.0kw but a bit dearer at $1299

Mainey (wa) replied:

Derek,
Have you considered looking at Solar power ??

Have you been told you can use Generators in all National Parks now??

Mainey . . .

Waza & Wend replied:

Hi Derek,

I guess it is the old saying, you get what you pay for. We are about to head off for a 4 month trip and after a fair bit of searching, and for peace of mind, have decided to get a Honda.
That said, shopping around can help as I found a place here in Perth that has the E20i for $1890, and the guy told me to wait till next Tuesday and Honda are doing a $200 cash back offer.

Cheers