Hi all, just bought a new 4.4kva generator on Ebay for $560. Will pick it up when we resume our trip this weekend. Will run the aircon and washing machine, plus charge batteries in the wet.
Because it is 4.4kva will it be noisier than a 2kva? Also seems very cheap. What brand is it? Saw someone had bought a 2kva Pure Wave(?) and he was very unhappy that it ran out of fuel before it had heated a small water heater! Paid $500 and was going to get rid of it.
Neilnruth, its a Tomahawk brand, what i can gather several "Brands'use the same machinery inside. All out of the same factory as Honda and Yamaha. Noise level 59db at 4mt, pull start , electric or remote up to 30od metres. Will tell you more next week at Gympie. Did you realise it is brand new in box, they have auctions of them every night, and ship all over Aus.
Yes it is ISO Certified, 12 month garantee, and CE certified. One Caravaner posted had taken one round the block, ran everything incl. aircon.Will have it at Gympie.
"an earth stake is niether required or recommended""when using a "portable "generator
ALL for very good reasons
Earthing means not deliberately connecting to the general mass of earth by ANY means[ NOearth stake ,connecting to metallic water pipes , metal building frames .etc
AND REMEMBER:
YOU HAVE NO RCD PROTECTION
You should, for safety, only connect ONE Class1 device @ any time
IF plugged into the van inlet socket the van itself becomes that ONE class 1 device
If an earth fault developes anywhere in the system you have the potential for an electric shock to occur with the next fault,
Peter
-- Edited by oldtrack123 on Tuesday 29th of May 2012 10:39:30 PM
Well, have had said generator for two weeks now. Can run aircon and water heater at same time. Two others at Gympie get together also had them, and they also were rapped. Not too noisy either, as far as generators go. Will probably get an earth peg set up just to be on the safe side.
So if anybody is contemplating purchasing a 2kva plus generator, look onEbay under Inverter Generators.
Peter, perhaps you could explain what a "class 1" device is, preferably in a non-technical and non-"jargonistic" fashion that the "layperson" will understand.
The majority of folks coming to this forum do not have an in-depth knowledge of the Australian Standards and its terminology.
Jim
-- Edited by jimricho on Wednesday 30th of May 2012 07:05:52 AM
Peter, perhaps you could explain what a "class 1" device is, preferably in a non-technical and non-"jargonistic" fashion that the "layperson" will understand.
The majority of folks coming to this forum do not have an in-depth knowledge of the Australian Standards and its terminology.
Jim
-- Edited by jimricho on Wednesday 30th of May 2012 07:05:52 AM
Hi Jim
Yes, I have done that in many posts
My apologies for not doing it this time
Electrical devices generally come in two classes
The class depends to a major extent the the way in which they are constucted & insulated
All Mr Average needs to understand is that if it is factory fitted with :
[1]A 3pin plug ,it is Class1, & requires an effective earthing system back to the source to reduce the risks of electric shocks [it is not very effective ]
[2]The CORRECT fitting of a RCD or URCD greatly encreases the level of safety
[1] or [2] DO NOT require a ground connection of the earthing system to be effective [ with portable generators or inverters]
They do require a continous low resistance earthing cable connection between devices & the source
They generally have exposed conductive material , externally or internally, which may become "live" with a fault
Devices covered are such as toasters , frypans , many /most fridges , air cons , many/most battery chargers, microwaves,electric jug & kettles,, virtually ALL caravans / motor homes/ camper trailers , desktop computers,
[3] Class 2 devices will be factory fitted with a 2 pin plug
They may also have a square within a square symbol on them [signifies "double insulation"]
They do not require an earth connection, due to built in high levels of electrical insulation/isolation which greatly reduces the risk of electric shock when in use
[4]But remember damaged cables can make all above highly dangerous as no system can protect from active [live] to neutral faults
If further explanation is required feel free to ask
Thanks guys, Jim and Peter. Appreciate your honest input. Thought I had better do things right and hook up an earth stake to the earth outlet on genny, but after your input Peter, will reconsider. I am sure I have a genuine article.
I always shudder when I hear someone buying a chinese "bargain"... oh dear ... they've got another one. "The thrill of the price is quickly overshadowed by the lack of quality". I will only ever buy a Honda or Yamaha.... 20 year parts back up... 4 year warranty... 450 Honda dealers in Oz if something just happens to go wrong ... which in my case never has. When this chinese cheapie (Chonda) does break down in a dramatic burst of flame what you will do is what all other thrill buyers do, is bite the bullet and buy a decent brand. These copy machines defitinely DO NOT have the same components as better brands do... its like saying a Great Wall is the same as a BMW. Please please think before you buy and don't waste your money. I call it the Bunnings syndrome. Australian landfills are full of this type of rubbish... don't add to it.