I am thinking of getting a Gentrax inverter generator for my Van has anyone had any experience with these are they good or rubbish. I know the saying you get what you pay for but Honda etc are so expensive.
Your comments are most welcome
Regards
Shadow
Peter_n_Margaret said
09:24 PM Dec 13, 2014
Why do you need a generator?
Cheers,
Peter
exa41 said
10:40 PM Dec 13, 2014
Yep 4.4 kva works very well 1/3 the price of a Honda.
oldtrack123 said
12:43 AM Dec 14, 2014
Hi
How do you intend to use it?
PeterQ
DeBe said
08:00 AM Dec 14, 2014
Be lucky if the OP comes back after being challenged. Why do you need a generator? & then by how do you intend to use it? All he asked was comments on a generator.
Olley46 said
08:47 AM Dec 14, 2014
DeBe wrote:
Be lucky if the OP comes back after being challenged. Why do you need a generator? & then by how do you intend to use it? All he asked was comments on a generator.
I will second that.
lance C
Phil C said
09:45 AM Dec 14, 2014
Olley46 wrote:
DeBe wrote:
Be lucky if the OP comes back after being challenged. Why do you need a generator? & then by how do you intend to use it? All he asked was comments on a generator.
I will second that.
lance C
Ill go thirds. no way to treat a new poster, shame you blokes.....
I have sent a note off to Cindy on this one, you blokes need a kick up the date, shabby treatment of a new poster. Hope she kicks you good and hard!
-- Edited by Phil C on Sunday 14th of December 2014 09:56:20 AM
chrisnchris said
12:33 PM Dec 14, 2014
Hi Shadow
We have had said brand of generator for 2 yrs now and it's never missed a beat
It's slightly noisier than the honda but we've never had a problem and we always ask nearby vans
if they can hear it and so far no negative feedback
Hope this helps
Cheers
Chris
oldtrack123 said
03:18 PM Dec 14, 2014
Phil C wrote:
Olley46 wrote:
DeBe wrote:
Be lucky if the OP comes back after being challenged. Why do you need a generator? & then by how do you intend to use it? All he asked was comments on a generator.
I will second that.
lance C
Ill go thirds. no way to treat a new poster, shame you blokes.....
I have sent a note off to Cindy on this one, you blokes need a kick up the date, shabby treatment of a new poster. Hope she kicks you good and hard!
-- Edited by Phil C on Sunday 14th of December 2014 09:56:20 AM
HI Phil
Don't you think it is best for a person buying a generator OR inverter to be made aware of the risks,BEFORE they purchase?????
PeterQ
-- Edited by oldtrack123 on Sunday 14th of December 2014 03:20:19 PM
Phil C said
03:34 PM Dec 14, 2014
Perhaps not in that manner PeterQ... I am guessing this person has left the forum due to unfriendly answers.. sorry mate, the same thing could have been said a little less confronting.
Besides that there has only been one post that has answered the OP..
Cheers
-- Edited by Phil C on Sunday 14th of December 2014 03:42:31 PM
DeBe said
03:45 PM Dec 14, 2014
If we do a risk assessment on every thing we do then we might just as well not do any thing. Life is full of risks, just get on with life.
oldtrack123 said
05:27 PM Dec 14, 2014
DeBe wrote:
If we do a risk assessment on every thing we do then we might just as well not do any thing. Life is full of risks, just get on with life.
HI DeBe
It is for each to determine the risks they are prepared to take
Not to given the impression that there are no risks!!
But THEY NEED to KNOW the risks before THEY CAN MAKE THEIR OWN assessment
I stiil beleive that any one considering purchasing a generator or INVERTER should be advised of the risks
With the level of risk being dependent on HOW it is used!!
MY question still stands to Anyone considering such a device
HOW do you intend to use ??
PeterQ
-- Edited by oldtrack123 on Sunday 14th of December 2014 05:33:37 PM
JackoFJR said
05:38 PM Dec 14, 2014
I use a generator to generate 240volt power , I would suspect that's why he needs one .
I usually start mine up and plug stuff into it .
The OP might know everything about generators in general but maybe not that make
Phil C said
05:46 PM Dec 14, 2014
DeBe wrote:
If we do a risk assessment on every thing we do then we might just as well not do any thing. Life is full of risks, just get on with life.
I completely agree DeBe
We would have NO scientific advances, new technology and may even be living in caves if people were not prepared to take a risk. Now days generators are rather easy to operate and do a similar job, I believe its pedantic to risk assess such a device, most people know the risks with these devices.
Anyway enough from me, im out of this post..
oldtrack123 said
06:35 PM Dec 14, 2014
JackoFJR wrote:
I use a generator to generate 240volt power , I would suspect that's why he needs one .
I usually start mine up and plug stuff into it .
The OP might know everything about generators in general but maybe not that make
HI Jack
Yes that is what most people do, AND the OP MIGHT? know the risks
BUT do you know they can be just as deadly as your mains 240V?
Do you KNOW that deaths & shocks have occurred using them?
Do you know how to minimise the risks?
IT does surprise me that some with electrical knowledge would attempt to downplay the facts that there are known risks.
PeterQ
exa41 said
07:23 PM Dec 14, 2014
Generators are a lot safer to use these days than plugging into mains power , and with protection that is available these days even safer. I have been belted by 240/400 volts supplies many times but never from a Genny .getting back to my original reply , I have had 2 stroke bennies ,aldi Genny and have had the gentrax Genny for about 12 months now with no problems on a variety of equipment .
Sol said
07:29 PM Dec 14, 2014
This is the reason I don't ask questions on this forum!!!
It's still one of the best tho.
Cheers
Sol
TAJ said
07:41 PM Dec 14, 2014
exa41 good to see an answer for his question
i think some people hold back questions
because they get flogged or called GULLIBLE
TAJ
Sol said
07:43 PM Dec 14, 2014
We get to look like idiots!!!
Sol
Phillipn said
09:16 PM Dec 14, 2014
Phil C wrote:
Olley46 wrote:
DeBe wrote:
Be lucky if the OP comes back after being challenged. Why do you need a generator? & then by how do you intend to use it? All he asked was comments on a generator.
I will second that.
lance C
Ill go thirds. no way to treat a new poster, shame you blokes.....
I have sent a note off to Cindy on this one, you blokes need a kick up the date, shabby treatment of a new poster. Hope she kicks you good and hard!
-- Edited by Phil C on Sunday 14th of December 2014 09:56:20 AM
You lot remind me of a couple who were at the weir at Mitchell a few years back. I had just pulled in an they asked if I was going to use a genny, before they even said hello. My answer was " Yes and it will be on all night" The bloody hide of some people. I then told them that I would use it when I needed it and as long as I needed it.
I had used the genny and had put it away before they started their el cheepo 2 stroke that shook the area.
If you don`t like someone using a genny, then move on.
exa41 said
09:40 PM Dec 14, 2014
Well, I try to give advise when people request it ,and if I know something about it ,otherwise I just look and keep quiet. I am very carefully about when and where to use my Genny and that is why I have just added more solar , but if you need to run one for what ever reason , well you have to run it ,
oldtrack123 said
10:37 PM Dec 14, 2014
exa41 wrote:
Generators are a lot safer to use these days than plugging into mains power , and with protection that is available these days even safer. I have been belted by 240/400 volts supplies many times but never from a Genny .getting back to my original reply , I have had 2 stroke bennies ,aldi Genny and have had the gentrax Genny for about 12 months now with no problems on a variety of equipment .
Hi
Perhaps you do not understand that MODERN generators & inverters can become just as dangerous as non RCD protected Domestic supplies UNLESS ADDITIONAL precautions are taken
THEY certainly are not safer than plugging into RCD protected MAINS power & anyone who told you that has rocks in their head
IS THAT the ADDITIONAL protection that you are referring too??
?If so that is my whole point THEY NEED additional protection &/OR precautions in use
Many people have shown THEY are not aware of the potential for serious life threatening accidents.
Many are grateful when that & how to minimise the risks is pointed out
I am not talking about how they run equipment I am talking about life saving!!
I Know of accidents, even deaths that have occurred with" isolated" power sources
That is why now, ALL generator for hire must be permanently fitted with a RCD
That is why now, ALL generators used on construction, mining, building sites, etc MUST be fitted with a permanent RCD
The accidents that bought that about can occur just as easy with other uses, such as in metal cages[ Vans etc]
That is why NOW, even some makers of smaller generators are fitting a type of earth leakage detector
They have recognised the potential problems
Simple question, ARE you aware of the risks & how to minimise them?? or do just believe they are safe
ps Not sure how you got belted by 400V ??, because you could not have got THAT to earth ,from ANY standard 240 /415V supply
Did you grab two live phase wires??
PeterQ
-- Edited by oldtrack123 on Sunday 14th of December 2014 10:53:52 PM
-- Edited by oldtrack123 on Sunday 14th of December 2014 11:02:31 PM
oldtrack123 said
11:10 PM Dec 14, 2014
Sol wrote:
This is the reason I don't ask questions on this forum!!! It's still one of the best tho.
Cheers
Sol
HI Sol
Why not ask questions??
All you have to do is try & sort the wheat from the chaff
There has been a bit of chaff on this thread
PeterQ
spondo said
11:26 PM Dec 14, 2014
wow at some of the ridiculously off topic answers for such a simple question....
....so to help shadow out with some kind of basic straight forward response I purchased one of these almost 12 months ago so it's there just in case its needed, I hate generators and use my solar exclusively. My Gentrax 4.4kva starts everytime I pull it out and run it, just for the sake of running it, and does everything else its supposed to do. The best part is I'm still here to tell the story as I haven't been zapped, bit, spat at or kicked by it.
maybe more should do as I do and respond to a query they can actually help with or, again, do as I do and remain silent look and learn. Hence why I don't have a huge post count and seeing the crap that goes on here I can understand why others are exiting. This forum is the only one I now frequent, mostly not logged in as a visitor, but I was hoping this wasn't one of them closed shop argumentative politics types that I and others avoid avidly, prove me wrong.
cheers
-- Edited by spondo on Sunday 14th of December 2014 11:30:28 PM
Sol said
06:06 AM Dec 15, 2014
oldtrack123 wrote:
Sol wrote:
This is the reason I don't ask questions on this forum!!! It's still one of the best tho.
Cheers
Sol
HI Sol
Why not ask questions??
All you have to do is try & sort the wheat from the chaff
There has been a bit of chaff on this thread
PeterQ
No thanks mate. We are getting our first van early next year after owning two camper trailers and there's heaps of questions I wanted to ask, but I've decided not to bother.
Sol
Phil C said
10:26 AM Dec 15, 2014
Some people go through life and the world thinks they are idiots. There are others who have their mouths always flapping in the wind and prove that they are.
-- Edited by Phil C on Monday 15th of December 2014 10:27:24 AM
KFT said
10:45 AM Dec 15, 2014
Sol wrote:
oldtrack123 wrote:
Sol wrote:
This is the reason I don't ask questions on this forum!!! It's still one of the best tho.
Cheers
Sol
HI Sol
Why not ask questions??
All you have to do is try & sort the wheat from the chaff
There has been a bit of chaff on this thread
PeterQ
No thanks mate. We are getting our first van early next year after owning two camper trailers and there's heaps of questions I wanted to ask, but I've decided not to bother.
Sol
Sol you could get answers to your questions if you choose someone on here whose answers you value by asking your questions in a PM. I have done this many times when I did not want the forum to see my question.
try that and see how you go.
frank
yackboy said
11:10 AM Dec 15, 2014
what are the dangers of generator ? How are they dangerous ? Mine has a connection for an earth, I have been told I don't need to use it,, true or false ?
cheers yb.
Phil C said
11:23 AM Dec 15, 2014
yackboy wrote:
what are the dangers of generator ? How are they dangerous ? Mine has a connection for an earth, I have been told I don't need to use it,, true or false ? cheers yb.
Welcome to the forum. I have a Honda eu20 2kva genny. The book tells me it doesn't need an earth unless there are earthed appliances being run of it, that opens a new can of worms IMHO, but there is a connection for it, I don't know a huge amount about these beasts so I can only go with what the book tells me. None the less it runs very well without the earth, I am experimenting with the vans RCD to see what happens when it connected only to the genn, will post the results later
Problem with earthing these is that the standard calls for a stake (I believe 10mm dia) driven 1200mm into conductive earth (I'm sure I will be corrected if I am wrong) so I would suggest not conducive to caravanners. Anyway despite what has been said here, today's gennys are safe and easy to use, just follow the instructions and be safe when using them.
Have a great and safe Xmas.
-- Edited by Phil C on Monday 15th of December 2014 11:24:43 AM
-- Edited by Phil C on Monday 15th of December 2014 12:06:04 PM
oldtrack123 said
05:44 PM Dec 15, 2014
yackboy wrote:
what are the dangers of generator ? How are they dangerous ? Mine has a connection for an earth, I have been told I don't need to use it,, true or false ? cheers yb.
Hi yackboy
Good to see you ask some questions
I'll try to keep it simple & FACTUAL but if you want further explanations,just ask
Small portable generators ,as you buy them of the shelf are classed as " fully isolated"
That simply means there is no connection between the windings[240V] & the frame /earth
Do not have what is referred to as a NEUTRAL[ which simply means a line connected to frame/earth]
In that situation it is impossible to get a shock to earth from either of the LINES
The problem is that isolation of either line to "earth" can be lost
Not just by a short but even just a leakage path
If that occurs[ & IT DOES] the generator output is no longer isolated
It is then just as potentially deadly as any domestic supply which does not have a RCD
Many deaths have & are still occuring in those situations
The authorities have recognised that & have taken action"
[A}
Made a strong recommendation [which some reputable generator makers are following that:
ONLY ONE clas1 device should be connected at any time
Class1 have 3 pin plugs the van has a 3pin plug.
That is the only ONE that should be connected yet it also has othe cladd 1 permanently connected ,fridge battey charger etc, then there are the portabl eunits that are plugged in & are the real danger
Note: the VAN RCD even if one is fitted will not be opertational with the genny plugged into the van inlet socket
[B]Accepting the risk, made it mandatory for ALL HIRE generators & inverters to be permanently fitted
with a fully operational RCD
Made it compulsory for ALL generators & inverters used on building , construction, Mining, etc, site to be permanently fitted with a fully operational RCD
Some small portable generator makers have also followed
Honda offer a front plate for some models, that plugs into the existing socket & is permanently fixed that gives RCD protection
A major warehouse now has a generator that has some form of ELCB protection
I expect that within a few years THAT will be the norm
It may even be a condition of approval
Regarding the earth stake
Ignore that in any manual
IT does not apply in Aus
The Authorities STATE "An earth stake is NEITHER required or recommended"
There are sound tech grounds for that!
PeterQ
-- Edited by oldtrack123 on Monday 15th of December 2014 05:46:57 PM
Hi Forum,
I am thinking of getting a Gentrax inverter generator for my Van has anyone had any experience with these are they good or rubbish. I know the saying you get what you pay for but Honda etc are so expensive.
Your comments are most welcome
Regards
Shadow
Cheers,
Peter
Hi
How do you intend to use it?
PeterQ
Be lucky if the OP comes back after being challenged. Why do you need a generator? & then by how do you intend to use it? All he asked was comments on a generator.
I will second that.
lance C
Ill go thirds. no way to treat a new poster, shame you blokes.....
I have sent a note off to Cindy on this one, you blokes need a kick up the date, shabby treatment of a new poster. Hope she kicks you good and hard!
-- Edited by Phil C on Sunday 14th of December 2014 09:56:20 AM
We have had said brand of generator for 2 yrs now and it's never missed a beat
It's slightly noisier than the honda but we've never had a problem and we always ask nearby vans
if they can hear it and so far no negative feedback
Hope this helps
Cheers
Chris
HI Phil
Don't you think it is best for a person buying a generator OR inverter to be made aware of the risks,BEFORE they purchase?????
PeterQ
-- Edited by oldtrack123 on Sunday 14th of December 2014 03:20:19 PM
Perhaps not in that manner PeterQ... I am guessing this person has left the forum due to unfriendly answers.. sorry mate, the same thing could have been said a little less confronting.
Besides that there has only been one post that has answered the OP..
Cheers
-- Edited by Phil C on Sunday 14th of December 2014 03:42:31 PM
HI DeBe
It is for each to determine the risks they are prepared to take
Not to given the impression that there are no risks!!
But THEY NEED to KNOW the risks before THEY CAN MAKE THEIR OWN assessment
I stiil beleive that any one considering purchasing a generator or INVERTER should be advised of the risks
With the level of risk being dependent on HOW it is used!!
MY question still stands to Anyone considering such a device
HOW do you intend to use ??
PeterQ
-- Edited by oldtrack123 on Sunday 14th of December 2014 05:33:37 PM
I usually start mine up and plug stuff into it .
The OP might know everything about generators in general but maybe not that make
I completely agree DeBe
We would have NO scientific advances, new technology and may even be living in caves if people were not prepared to take a risk. Now days generators are rather easy to operate and do a similar job, I believe its pedantic to risk assess such a device, most people know the risks with these devices.
Anyway enough from me, im out of this post..
HI Jack
Yes that is what most people do, AND the OP MIGHT? know the risks
BUT do you know they can be just as deadly as your mains 240V?
Do you KNOW that deaths & shocks have occurred using them?
Do you know how to minimise the risks?
IT does surprise me that some with electrical knowledge would attempt to downplay the facts that there are known risks.
PeterQ
It's still one of the best tho.
Cheers
Sol
exa41 good to see an answer for his question
i think some people hold back questions
because they get flogged or called GULLIBLE
TAJ
Sol
You lot remind me of a couple who were at the weir at Mitchell a few years back. I had just pulled in an they asked if I was going to use a genny, before they even said hello. My answer was " Yes and it will be on all night" The bloody hide of some people. I then told them that I would use it when I needed it and as long as I needed it.
I had used the genny and had put it away before they started their el cheepo 2 stroke that shook the area.
If you don`t like someone using a genny, then move on.
Hi
Perhaps you do not understand that MODERN generators & inverters can become just as dangerous as non RCD protected Domestic supplies UNLESS ADDITIONAL precautions are taken
THEY certainly are not safer than plugging into RCD protected MAINS power & anyone who told you that has rocks in their head
IS THAT the ADDITIONAL protection that you are referring too??
?If so that is my whole point THEY NEED additional protection &/OR precautions in use
Many people have shown THEY are not aware of the potential for serious life threatening accidents.
Many are grateful when that & how to minimise the risks is pointed out
I am not talking about how they run equipment I am talking about life saving!!
I Know of accidents, even deaths that have occurred with" isolated" power sources
That is why now, ALL generator for hire must be permanently fitted with a RCD
That is why now, ALL generators used on construction, mining, building sites, etc MUST be fitted with a permanent RCD
The accidents that bought that about can occur just as easy with other uses, such as in metal cages[ Vans etc]
That is why NOW, even some makers of smaller generators are fitting a type of earth leakage detector
They have recognised the potential problems
Simple question, ARE you aware of the risks & how to minimise them?? or do just believe they are safe
ps Not sure how you got belted by 400V ??, because you could not have got THAT to earth ,from ANY standard 240 /415V supply
Did you grab two live phase wires??
PeterQ
-- Edited by oldtrack123 on Sunday 14th of December 2014 10:53:52 PM
-- Edited by oldtrack123 on Sunday 14th of December 2014 11:02:31 PM
HI Sol
Why not ask questions??
All you have to do is try & sort the wheat from the chaff
There has been a bit of chaff on this thread
PeterQ
wow at some of the ridiculously off topic answers for such a simple question....
....so to help shadow out with some kind of basic straight forward response I purchased one of these almost 12 months ago so it's there just in case its needed, I hate generators and use my solar exclusively. My Gentrax 4.4kva starts everytime I pull it out and run it, just for the sake of running it, and does everything else its supposed to do. The best part is I'm still here to tell the story as I haven't been zapped, bit, spat at or kicked by it.
maybe more should do as I do and respond to a query they can actually help with or, again, do as I do and remain silent look and learn. Hence why I don't have a huge post count and seeing the crap that goes on here I can understand why others are exiting. This forum is the only one I now frequent, mostly not logged in as a visitor, but I was hoping this wasn't one of them closed shop argumentative politics types that I and others avoid avidly, prove me wrong.
cheers
-- Edited by spondo on Sunday 14th of December 2014 11:30:28 PM
Some people go through life and the world thinks they are idiots. There are others who have their mouths always flapping in the wind and prove that they are.
-- Edited by Phil C on Monday 15th of December 2014 10:27:24 AM
Sol you could get answers to your questions if you choose someone on here whose answers you value by asking your questions in a PM. I have done this many times when I did not want the forum to see my question.
try that and see how you go.
frank
cheers yb.
Welcome to the forum. I have a Honda eu20 2kva genny. The book tells me it doesn't need an earth unless there are earthed appliances being run of it, that opens a new can of worms IMHO, but there is a connection for it, I don't know a huge amount about these beasts so I can only go with what the book tells me. None the less it runs very well without the earth, I am experimenting with the vans RCD to see what happens when it connected only to the genn, will post the results later
Problem with earthing these is that the standard calls for a stake (I believe 10mm dia) driven 1200mm into conductive earth (I'm sure I will be corrected if I am wrong) so I would suggest not conducive to caravanners. Anyway despite what has been said here, today's gennys are safe and easy to use, just follow the instructions and be safe when using them.
Have a great and safe Xmas.
-- Edited by Phil C on Monday 15th of December 2014 11:24:43 AM
-- Edited by Phil C on Monday 15th of December 2014 12:06:04 PM
Hi yackboy
Good to see you ask some questions
I'll try to keep it simple & FACTUAL but if you want further explanations,just ask
Small portable generators ,as you buy them of the shelf are classed as " fully isolated"
That simply means there is no connection between the windings[240V] & the frame /earth
Do not have what is referred to as a NEUTRAL[ which simply means a line connected to frame/earth]
In that situation it is impossible to get a shock to earth from either of the LINES
The problem is that isolation of either line to "earth" can be lost
Not just by a short but even just a leakage path
If that occurs[ & IT DOES] the generator output is no longer isolated
It is then just as potentially deadly as any domestic supply which does not have a RCD
Many deaths have & are still occuring in those situations
The authorities have recognised that & have taken action"
[A}
Made a strong recommendation [which some reputable generator makers are following that:
ONLY ONE clas1 device should be connected at any time
Class1 have 3 pin plugs the van has a 3pin plug.
That is the only ONE that should be connected yet it also has othe cladd 1 permanently connected ,fridge battey charger etc, then there are the portabl eunits that are plugged in & are the real danger
Note: the VAN RCD even if one is fitted will not be opertational with the genny plugged into the van inlet socket
[B]Accepting the risk, made it mandatory for ALL HIRE generators & inverters to be permanently fitted
with a fully operational RCD
Made it compulsory for ALL generators & inverters used on building , construction, Mining, etc, site to be permanently fitted with a fully operational RCD
Some small portable generator makers have also followed
Honda offer a front plate for some models, that plugs into the existing socket & is permanently fixed that gives RCD protection
A major warehouse now has a generator that has some form of ELCB protection
I expect that within a few years THAT will be the norm
It may even be a condition of approval
Regarding the earth stake
Ignore that in any manual
IT does not apply in Aus
The Authorities STATE "An earth stake is NEITHER required or recommended"
There are sound tech grounds for that!
PeterQ
-- Edited by oldtrack123 on Monday 15th of December 2014 05:46:57 PM