New Kipor or Secondhand Honda Generator?

Submitted: Friday, Jan 25, 2013 at 14:33
ThreadID: 100190 Views:6232 Replies:7 FollowUps:6
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Hi Forum, I have been offered a Honda Eu10i for $565 which I thought was reasonable but I had thought you can get Kipor GS1000i for around the same money so which would you choose? It wont see excessive use as its just for backup around the house etc but reliability is important in that I would like it to work when needed in emergencies. I have read through a number of threads I found on search and get mixed feelings about either. Its true the Kipor is new but it seems quite a few fail with not many hours on them and on the other side the Aluminium bore of EU10i can score easily and the repair would be more than Im paying for the generator itself due to Honda's high parts and service prices. So which way would you go? Thanks
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Reply By: Member - Robert M11 - Friday, Jan 25, 2013 at 14:50

Friday, Jan 25, 2013 at 14:50
A secondhand Honda would be better than new cheap crap.
AnswerID: 503367

Follow Up By: Member - Ian H (NSW) - Friday, Jan 25, 2013 at 15:06

Friday, Jan 25, 2013 at 15:06
I agree. Secondhand Honda. I did just that. Starts first time EVERYTIME.
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Follow Up By: Palaeoboy - Friday, Jan 25, 2013 at 15:23

Friday, Jan 25, 2013 at 15:23
After reading through some threads here I thought although made in China the Kipor models were a bit better than those unnamed ones you see on the bay?
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Reply By: beaul - Friday, Jan 25, 2013 at 14:53

Friday, Jan 25, 2013 at 14:53
I bought a Kipor from Bunnings, because at the time Honda's were out of stock. Within weeks the cord broke on the Kipor which is impossible to fixby yourself . So I took it to the Kipor agent who fixed it for free. a month later the cord broke again. I threw the Kipor away and bought a Honda 2000e I have now owned the Honda for 5 years an it still starts first pull every time.
AnswerID: 503368

Follow Up By: Palaeoboy - Friday, Jan 25, 2013 at 15:22

Friday, Jan 25, 2013 at 15:22
Was the Kipor from Bunnings the GS770 model with 700 watts or so? thats the only one I have seen there but do they sell the GS1000i model as well?
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Reply By: Notso - Friday, Jan 25, 2013 at 15:18

Friday, Jan 25, 2013 at 15:18
I do think Kipor have picked up their game over the past few years. I have owned one for 12 months and it's been given a good workout. Never missed a beat for me.
AnswerID: 503372

Reply By: Rockape - Friday, Jan 25, 2013 at 18:54

Friday, Jan 25, 2013 at 18:54
Got my EU20 out to change the oil and get it ready for the cyclone season. It was stored for the last 12 months which means all fuel had been drained. 2nd pull and away she went as usual. Go the Honda. Expensive but a great bit of gear.

RA.
AnswerID: 503389

Follow Up By: MartyB - Sunday, Jan 27, 2013 at 11:19

Sunday, Jan 27, 2013 at 11:19
Gees Rockape,
You have a good generator, mine is not that good. Buggered if it will start until I put fuel into it.

from Marty.
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Reply By: Sigmund - Sunday, Jan 27, 2013 at 11:21

Sunday, Jan 27, 2013 at 11:21
My Honda is dead reliable.

Can't tell you the Kw but it's a 1000 cc ;-)
AnswerID: 503460

Reply By: Wilko (Parkes NSW) - Sunday, Jan 27, 2013 at 21:16

Sunday, Jan 27, 2013 at 21:16
I'd go the Honda. Ive got a 1kva Honda and i got a Cheaper $800 3.7kva Gennie of Fleabay to run the AC on the Cvan.

It hasn't let me down but you can tell the Honda is just a better quality unit. I wish my funds stetched to get the 3kva Honda, I'd get the in an instant.

Cheers Wilko
AnswerID: 503478

Reply By: Palaeoboy - Thursday, Jan 31, 2013 at 19:52

Thursday, Jan 31, 2013 at 19:52
I decided to get the Honda as most suggested. It has a couple of scuffs on the body but it cleaned up nicely and am very happy with it. Ive changed the oil and spark plug and it does start first go. The weather is so warm though it prefers not to start with the choke on. I put some Nulon 10w 40 Synthetic in it but I read somewhere online that you shouldn't put Synthetic oils in splash type engines so will have to investigate that further. I should say its not as quiet as I imagined it to me but definitely an improvement on the 2 stroke GMC one I have.


There were several factors that made me go with the Honda. The new Kipor was appealing but it is a blatant Chinese rip off of the Honda and it does concern me that these Chinese companies make their business from stealing the designs of others. Many say the Honda is overpriced and they are sort of correct. Honda Australia clearly charge more when you see what they sell for overseas and with the strength of our dollar they should be cheaper. That said they did put the money into design and development and all these other Chinese makes come along and take their designs. So of course they are cheaper they paid virtually no research and development. The Eu10i design has been around for over 10 years now im surprised there hasnt been any development in generator design. I wonder if Honda simply wont bother any more if they know they are just going to have it stolen and profits go elsewhere.


There was also the quality issue. It seemed a 50/50 split from my research on the forum those that were happy and those that has problems but 50% chance I would get a good one wasnt enough. Many Kipors owners experienced problems if they let their generators sit without use for extended periods while the Honda always started. That was important to me as its mainly their for emergencies.


The main appeal for me though was the Honda's ability to parallel attach 2 units together. There would be some times they 1000w isnt enough and 2 together could share the load. Most of the time 1000w would be enough though and I could possibly alternate between the 2 and if one needs repair there would always be a back up. I liked this idea than just getting a larger single unit. Thats just me however I would imagine most would be better with the Eu20i. So if second Eu10i comes up at a good price I may grab it. I saw one just go for $510 on the bay so they arent outrageously priced on the second hand market.


Thanks to all those who posted their advice.
AnswerID: 503731

Follow Up By: Alloy c/t - Friday, Feb 01, 2013 at 09:19

Friday, Feb 01, 2013 at 09:19
Good luck with the honda ?? 1000w ? You will be lucky , the EU10i cannot sustain that load for very long as that is it's peak loading , constant more like 800w ,, join 2 together ? Nah that capabillity only comes into play with the EU20i that is in fact only a 1600w with a peak load of 2000w ,,,
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Follow Up By: Palaeoboy - Friday, Feb 01, 2013 at 09:31

Friday, Feb 01, 2013 at 09:31
Sorry but the Eu10i has both the ports for the parallel cable and how join two units in its instruction manual. with 2 Eu10i's you can get up to 1800w more than a single Eu20 that as you say puts out 1600w. Another forum member has paralleled 2 Eu10i with great success.
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