Engel generator horror story - cont.
Submitted: Saturday, Dec 08, 2007 at 22:03
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redmeatgrr
thanks all for the input re thread 52201. The shx2000 Engel generator is back from the authorized repair centre. They said that the generator is within specifications and while is does make squealing noises, there is nothing they can do about it and if you are unhappy with it, you can always sell it on Ebay.
As it is known that other shx:s also squeal, according to their Customer Service Centre, are there any Engel shx2000 owners out there who have run their gennie in properly say 100 hrs, and would the bastard still squeal...?
Any replies would be greatly appreciated.
The Engel shx200 motor is the Honda GX100, made in Japan, and other bits by Sawafuji, but the exhaust side of it (where the squaling is maybe coming from) is a different setup from the Honda 20i. I have noted that an exactly same model is sold in England under the name Stephill SHX2000, and others.
So much for the "Engel reliability..."
Reply By: Spider - Saturday, Dec 08, 2007 at 23:13
Saturday, Dec 08, 2007 at 23:13
Certain appliances require a very reliable sine wave. Unfortunately some
inverters and generators supply a jagged sawtooth type waveform which may interfere with the running of an appliance. Conversely, the load on the circuitry drawn by the appliance when it can only supply a particular form of alternating current may also be giving the electronics a very hard time, hence the squeal.
Does it squeal regardless of load? If not, then I would say its not fit for the appliance you are trying to power, thats all. Nothing really to do with overall "Engel reliablility"
AnswerID:
275721
Reply By: redmeatgrr - Sunday, Dec 09, 2007 at 12:23
Sunday, Dec 09, 2007 at 12:23
Hi, and thanks for replies,
I have run the gennie with all apps I've got in the shed, power tools, small a/c drawing (evap) approx 500W, heaters etc. The squealing happens at half load (around 500w-800W) Small or big loads, and it doesn't squeal. Only the exhaust noise is a bit more audible, when it's running at 1300-1500W. So even with the same apps I'm running, the squealing is not present when more load, say 1000 - 1500 W, is applied. Needless to say, this is enough to frustrate you at
campsite...I had one bloke coming over and ask what the $%$%$% is that noise coming from your gennie.
Dunno, I might trade up to a Honda 20i. But the lesson is, from now on I will
test the next gennie with all loads before I buy it...
AnswerID:
275774
Follow Up By: mick55 - Tuesday, Dec 11, 2007 at 11:55
Tuesday, Dec 11, 2007 at 11:55
Hi, I'm not a 4WDer but I have a houseboat and purchased an Engel SHX2000, I am impressed with the ease of starting, less so with the noise (no squealing), I thought it was a good deal for $1299. I've done approximately 12-15 hours with it. I have found it runs the following satisfactorily : 800W Microwave (draws 1300W+), 1500W Vacuum cleaner, 1800W halogen heater, 1600W chainsaw, 1200W hair-dryer, 1200W heat gun, 600W, 650W toaster oven and laptop computer 75W. All ran perfectly although the microwave may have been a bit slower than normal mains power. Interestingly I found it refused to run a small capacity battery charger, although a similar type (different brand) ran perfectly. Overall I am pretty happy with it, although Engel told me that it was not able to run microwaves (it does) or refrigerated airconditioners (haven't tried yet), if this is true I think Engel is being less than honest in their promotion of this product. They mention the things it WILL run in their advertising all small things that you could run with 1KVA or less. Surely people buy the larger unit to run things like microwaves and air cons. Just my 2 bobs worth. Cheers Mick
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Follow Up By: Mike Harding - Tuesday, Dec 11, 2007 at 12:21
Tuesday, Dec 11, 2007 at 12:21
Sounds like something is the gen is becoming resonant at those middle loads - from your reports it may be the exhaust system, it also may be impossible to cure without major mechanical modifications but you could try adding extra brackets to the exhaust or putting rubber mountings on the existing brackets or drilling a couple of holes near the exhaust exit - I don't say any of this will cure it... but it may?
Mike Harding
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539954