<span class="highlight">Generator</span> Question - Again

Submitted: Wednesday, Aug 26, 2009 at 20:13
ThreadID: 71807 Views:5969 Replies:12 FollowUps:17
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Hi all,

I know this has been done to death and if anyone can send me to the appropriate threads that would be great.

Looking for a generator and I have a few questions.

We have a Jayco Swan O/B.

I want a generator that will charge batteries, run the mircrowave when needed and run an asthma ventilator.

Have been looking at the Honda 1kva, is this big enough?

Also has anyone any feedback on Engel Generators?
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Reply By:- Wednesday, Aug 26, 2009 at 20:19

Wednesday, Aug 26, 2009 at 20:19
Hi Cram,

I have a Honda 1kva, should do what you want, provided the micro isn't more than a 1000watts.

I ran 2 CTek chargers and 2 waeco 50l fridges in 40 degree heat and it didn't even look like struggling. They are a good unit.

Regards
AnswerID: 380599

Follow Up By: Member - joc45 (WA) - Thursday, Aug 27, 2009 at 07:58

Thursday, Aug 27, 2009 at 07:58
Re the microwave, most units quote output in watts, and they are about 50-60% efficient, so don't forget to factor that in your calculations; ie, a 1kw output microwave will need about 2kw input, not taking into account power factor, which may require even more.
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FollowupID: 648037

Reply By: Member - Fred B (NT) - Wednesday, Aug 26, 2009 at 20:22

Wednesday, Aug 26, 2009 at 20:22
Hi Cram,
personally I'd go for (and I have one) is the honda EU-20i which is quiet, handles 1500 Watts continues, and as far as I am concerned good value for money. They are invertor type, so you can run electronic equipment such as laptops, asthma ventilators etc safely. They also have an "eco - throttle", which means if the load drops, they throttle down to suit the load.
regards
Fred B
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AnswerID: 380601

Follow Up By: Kim and Damn Dog - Wednesday, Aug 26, 2009 at 20:50

Wednesday, Aug 26, 2009 at 20:50
Gidday Cram

I fully suport Fred's comments. The Honda 20i is with out a doubt the benchmark at the moment. The extra capacity will allow you to use power tools and many other gadgets in the future.

Regards

Kim
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FollowupID: 647987

Follow Up By: wazzaaaa - Thursday, Aug 27, 2009 at 14:58

Thursday, Aug 27, 2009 at 14:58
I would have to agree with both Fred and Kim having owned two Eu 10i with the alloy bore, one after total rebuild.
Now on the EU-20i with no alloy bore and all is well.

Wazzaaaa
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FollowupID: 648111

Reply By: Member - ranger1 - Wednesday, Aug 26, 2009 at 20:28

Wednesday, Aug 26, 2009 at 20:28
I would say yes, depending on the size of your microwave, I have the EU10i for my camper and it does a great job.

5 year warranty and its very quiet.

Stay away from the cheap junk, you will regret it maybe not the first time but soon enough.

Hondas are pure sine wave so your electrical gizmos will be ok as well.
AnswerID: 380604

Follow Up By: Member - Cram (Newcastle NSW) - Wednesday, Aug 26, 2009 at 20:32

Wednesday, Aug 26, 2009 at 20:32
I am hearing you on that. I have a said piece in the garage. Cost me $400.00, used it twice and it died.

Engel's are not cheap, just a little cheaper then Honda's so just wondering if they are any good?

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FollowupID: 647984

Follow Up By: Ray - Thursday, Aug 27, 2009 at 09:08

Thursday, Aug 27, 2009 at 09:08
Engles are not sine wave
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FollowupID: 648044

Reply By: Robin Miller - Wednesday, Aug 26, 2009 at 20:47

Wednesday, Aug 26, 2009 at 20:47
Hi Cram

It will not run the Microwave - you need the 2kva for that




Robin Miller

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AnswerID: 380607

Reply By: Best Off Road - Wednesday, Aug 26, 2009 at 21:12

Wednesday, Aug 26, 2009 at 21:12
I'd consider the Kipor 2000 watt (2 Kva).

Similar specs to the Honda at a far better price.

Mine works like a dream.

Jim.

AnswerID: 380612

Follow Up By: dazza62 - Wednesday, Aug 26, 2009 at 22:21

Wednesday, Aug 26, 2009 at 22:21
Second that.
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FollowupID: 648014

Reply By: DIO - Thursday, Aug 27, 2009 at 09:47

Thursday, Aug 27, 2009 at 09:47
If you intend to use an Asthma Ventilator then I suggest that an inverter connected to a battery is a much better proposal. Running a generator all night will not endear you to your neighbours. You are likely to find that your generator has walked or at the bottom of the nearest water hole. Good luck with your travels.
AnswerID: 380671

Reply By: Geoff (Newcastle, NSW) - Thursday, Aug 27, 2009 at 09:54

Thursday, Aug 27, 2009 at 09:54
Marc,
Send me a Message and we can get together.

You're welcome to test run off my EU10I before you buy.

I do suspect though with the microwave you'll need 2kva.

Geoff
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AnswerID: 380672

Reply By: _gmd_pps - Thursday, Aug 27, 2009 at 10:46

Thursday, Aug 27, 2009 at 10:46
Guys what is your obsession with Honda ??
Yamaha makes the better and cheaper generators.
much better value for money. I have a Honda 30is
and I consider the Yamaha 2400 the bees knees for travelling.
Kipor, Scorpion, GMC whatever you come up with is going to
be third class.

good luck
gmd
AnswerID: 380680

Follow Up By: Racey - Thursday, Aug 27, 2009 at 20:17

Thursday, Aug 27, 2009 at 20:17
Yes I would agree the Yamaha is an excellent unit a better choice than the Honda. Unfortunately it now comes $1 per kva, yes $2400. I have a Kipor 2600 which is a very good unit for the price, reasonably quiet and a true 2300kva constant output. It drives the A/C and 1200w microwave without any dramas. I think the current price for series II is around $1700.


Cheers Racey
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FollowupID: 648144

Follow Up By: Member - Cram (Newcastle NSW) - Saturday, Aug 29, 2009 at 08:10

Saturday, Aug 29, 2009 at 08:10
If I was to buy a Honda over Yamaha it would be for the reason that through a certain supplier you get a 5 year warranty plus a few extras.
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FollowupID: 648329

Follow Up By: Racey - Saturday, Aug 29, 2009 at 17:00

Saturday, Aug 29, 2009 at 17:00
Don't confuse performance with warranty, they are entirely separate issues. Most of the comments in this thread refer to the Honda 20i which is has a nominal rating of 1.6kva; the Yamaha is 2kva. Keep your eye on the sausage and not on the sizzle.

Cheers
Racey
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FollowupID: 648404

Follow Up By: Member - Cram (Newcastle NSW) - Saturday, Aug 29, 2009 at 17:08

Saturday, Aug 29, 2009 at 17:08
Just in case you don't realise it I may actually have a brain and can work things out for myself based on what I read not only on this site but plenty of other sites.

Not sure if it was your intention but your reply is what I would refer to as patronising.

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FollowupID: 648408

Follow Up By: Member - Cram (Newcastle NSW) - Saturday, Aug 29, 2009 at 17:16

Saturday, Aug 29, 2009 at 17:16
Another question for you Racey. How long have you had the Kippor for? Do you find it works ok? After reading your post the other day I priced the locally and they wanted 2k for one but I have found you can get them alot cheaper on line.

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FollowupID: 648411

Follow Up By: Racey - Saturday, Aug 29, 2009 at 17:35

Saturday, Aug 29, 2009 at 17:35
No offense intended, but you did ask the question. I've had my Kipor for approximately 2 years. I had a minor problem with the float valve getting dislodged apart from that there are no problems. I saw them in Bunnings, which surprised me, I think they were around $1800. Be wary of the internet purchases. Just prior to my purchase Primus were appointed as distributors for Australia. Since then you will have noticed the cases are now the Primus blue. The blue one wil have nation wide warranty, whereas the yellow will be ??????

Cheers
Racey
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FollowupID: 648414

Follow Up By: Member - Cram (Newcastle NSW) - Sunday, Aug 30, 2009 at 11:28

Sunday, Aug 30, 2009 at 11:28
Hi Racey, I guess what I was alluding to in my response about warranty, and granted I did not phrase it very well was that if I had a product of equal standing then I would go with the Honda because of the warranty. Of course, performance needs to be considered and it would be silly to buy something that won't do the job.

Thanks for your info on Kipor. The ones I have seen on the net are from a camping supplier in Victoria and they are the blue ones.

They currently have

1000 for $999.00

2000 for $1390

2600 for $1799

I am having difficulties in finding spec sheets for them.

Anyway I will keep looking.
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FollowupID: 648506

Follow Up By: Racey - Sunday, Aug 30, 2009 at 20:15

Sunday, Aug 30, 2009 at 20:15
Hi, No probs.

Follow the link for the specs.
Primus Kipor 2600

Cheers

Racey
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FollowupID: 648574

Reply By: bruce - Thursday, Aug 27, 2009 at 11:06

Thursday, Aug 27, 2009 at 11:06
We have a 600w microwave in our van and the Honda 1kva runs it easily without any fuss at all...would really depend on the size/power of your microwave....cheers
AnswerID: 380683

Reply By: Rut Tearer - Thursday, Aug 27, 2009 at 11:23

Thursday, Aug 27, 2009 at 11:23
The Honda 1Kva would be ok however would limit your ability to run a few things simultaneously , you could minimise this by buying a microwave that uses the least amount of watts and possible, or alternatively you could buy a 12v Microwave. For example a 600Watt Microwave would leave plenty for a battery charger and ventilator to all run at once if needed.
AnswerID: 380688

Reply By: Member - Clay S (NSW) - Thursday, Aug 27, 2009 at 13:04

Thursday, Aug 27, 2009 at 13:04
Cummins have their baby generator on special.....

http://www.generatorpower.com.au/cummins-p1700i-petrol-portable-inverter-generator-p-118.html

AnswerID: 380698

Follow Up By: RV Powerstream P/L - Friday, Aug 28, 2009 at 06:48

Friday, Aug 28, 2009 at 06:48
Cummins!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Subaru re badged.
Ian
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FollowupID: 648210

Reply By: Member - Mike W (NSW) - Thursday, Aug 27, 2009 at 14:11

Thursday, Aug 27, 2009 at 14:11
Hi Cram,

I have a Honda 1kva and it has worked faultlessly. A mate has the 2.4kva Yamaha and its also a good unit. IMHO i don't think there is much of a difference between the 2 brands as far as quality goes.

I suggest you look at a 2kva Honda or 2.4kva Yammy for your needs, compare the prices and try to haggle them down.

Just ensure that when you use either of them that you put a bit of load on them (say 500 watts on the 1kva) half load.

They don't like running lightly loaded or continuously fully loaded. They will do it but it will reduce the overall life of the machine.

Id unsure the you use at least 1000 watts of power on a 2kva. I run a 250watt light even during the day when I'm using my Honda to ensure that its loaded.
AnswerID: 380708

Follow Up By: Racey - Saturday, Aug 29, 2009 at 17:03

Saturday, Aug 29, 2009 at 17:03
The honda has a nominal rating of 1.6kva whereas the Yammy is 2kva. the 2 and 2.4 respectively are peak short term ratings.

Cheers
Racey
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FollowupID: 648406

Follow Up By: OREJAP - Tuesday, Sep 22, 2009 at 10:45

Tuesday, Sep 22, 2009 at 10:45
Just a couple of points. 1. I do not have a Honda Generator but I will relate what was told to me by a Honda dealer so don't shoot the messenger. (i) If you want to power up a van etc to run all the items fitted to it like m/wave a/cond etc...buy a Honda 2. The dealer told me he has "many" Honda 1's sitting at his store (used) traded in by people on the move because the Honda 1 they cannot do the things they want to do. (ii) The Engel generator is assembled by Engel but has a Honda motor fitted. (iii) Honda were selling the 2 at $1900 with a $200 cash back. They mail you an order & you can go to the local P.office & they hand you over $200. Don't buy it on a ABN unless you ask Honda will not give you the full warranty once you porchase is recorded with an ABN you get 6 months commercial warranty only. A mate bought one (he is a farmer) used his ABN & saved $50 on what I could have bought it for. But I would have got 5 years warranty he got 6 months!!! I bought a Honda/Yamaha look alike off E Bay (I know there is no substitute for quality) but frankly I could not afford a Honda 2. The generator I bought is a Multi Wave Sine Wave inverter fitted & is a 3 KVA. A little heavier & noisier than the Honda & has not failed me in 3 years. I bought it for $601 & picked it up in Melbourne. It has all the features a Honda has & as I said it's basically a direct copy. My daughter had to have her Asthma pump every night & we plugged in an inverter to power the pump which is AC/DC.
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FollowupID: 651904

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