Decisions, Decisions, regarding "which Gen Set" ?

Scotty01 · Senior Member

Decisions, Decisions, regarding "which Gen Set" ?

Veejayh · Member

Hi all, interested in your thoughts, suggestions, comments etc re Generators!

We have a 25foot Paramount van, travelling full time and have decided to get a Gen Set in order to do more free camps.

We want to be able to run the airconditioner/heater when required, charge up the laptop, phone etc without causing damage, and maybe even run the front loading washing machine if needed, or the microwave (not essential but it might be handy). Noise level is also a concern to me so I want something super quiet.

I did suggest perhaps we go Solar instead of Gen set, but it seems my dearly beloved is adamant on the Gen Set

We dont want something that will 'be adequate' and find it's working hard constantly, but also dont want to break the bank either!

Have looked at Honda 3000 which retails for around $2999 (seems like a lot of $$ to me, but beloved tells me he's not going to settle for some 'cheap Chinese crap'.

Look forward to your responses, particularly those who have similar situations eg. similar size van, useage etc.

Hylda&Jon · Guru

Veejayh wrote:
Hi all, interested in your thoughts, suggestions, comments etc re Generators!
We have a 25foot Paramount van, travelling full time and have decided to get a Gen Set in order to do more free camps.
We want to be able to run the airconditioner/heater when required, charge up the laptop, phone etc without causing damage, and maybe even run the front loading washing machine if needed, or the microwave (not essential but it might be handy). Noise level is also a concern to me so I want something super quiet.
I did suggest perhaps we go Solar instead of Gen set, but it seems my dearly beloved is adamant on the Gen Set
We dont want something that will 'be adequate' and find it's working hard constantly, but also dont want to break the bank either!
Have looked at Honda 3000 which retails for around $2999 (seems like a lot of $$ to me, but beloved tells me he's not going to settle for some 'cheap Chinese crap'.
Look forward to your responses, particularly those who have similar situations eg. similar size van, useage etc.

If I had the money to do it I would definately over rule my better half. Generators are noisy (even the quiet Honda's) You are constantly aware of where your neighbours are and how close you're parked to them. It also restricts where you can camp as many spots, especially many national parks either don't allow them at all or have designated generator areas which can become very noisy (especially when inconsiderate people run them from 7am till late in the night.)

You can't charge the batteries when you are away from the van for fear of generator theft. Even when it is running at night they have been known to be swapped for a cheap one very quickly without you even noticing by sneaky thieves.

You have to worry about having enough petrol and also carying said petrol all the time.

Best to use solar and have a gennie as a backup in my humble opinion.

Cheers

Jon

briche · Guru

Hi guys, that question is one that will have many answers from many people because there are different needs and opinions. In the end it comes down to your requirements and take that into account when you are camped with others. While the cheaper gensets can do the job they are in the main noisier because they are just that, a cheap model. If you use one of them around a camp site you can pretty well know the results. Therefore, it really comes to what is called a Eco throttle, that is automatic throttle setting dependent upon the load. Now I may sound a bit biased here but as far as I am concerned the Honda models are the only way to go. Sure there are $'s involved but you can get parts and service almost anywhere in Australia and that is of major importance as far as I'm concerned. Gensets from EBay, etc are possible but to a degree you can be left with no place to go if it all goes wrong. I am basing all these comments as experience as an electrician for 40 plus years and as a Honda owner. We had a problem with ours when it got wet ( flooded in heavy rainstorm and had it fixed in no time from the local Honda dealer. So there you are, my comments for what they are worth. You will get others and you will just have to finally make the choice but for me there is no choice, Honda is the only way considering the total picture.

Sorry if I have rattled on for so long but it's a big question to ask and lots of dollars involved.

Have fun out there and enjoy it all

Brian.

spida · Guru

I use a generator for a couple of hours in the afternoon - charges the battery, computer, heats the water so warm enough in the morning for a shower. Honda 2000 - very quiet on econo setting but needs to be full bore for air con. Dont need to leave it on all day so I am sure a few hours noise should is not a problem - especially when others are all doing the same thing. Hardly use the solar by doing this.

valnrob · Guru

We hardly use the genie with our solar setup. I run it for the washing machine. Hubby uses it if he needs his power tools. Try not to run it if people camped nearby. We have a1KVA Honda which won't run the A/C. Will have to get the 2KVA for that.

Whatever you get make sure it is pure sinewave to protect your computers etc.

KFT · Guru

briche wrote:
Hi guys, that question is one that will have many answers from many people because there are different needs and opinions. In the end it comes down to your requirements and take that into account when you are camped with others. While the cheaper gensets can do the job they are in the main noisier because they are just that, a cheap model. If you use one of them around a camp site you can pretty well know the results. Therefore, it really comes to what is called a Eco throttle, that is automatic throttle setting dependent upon the load. Now I may sound a bit biased here but as far as I am concerned the Honda models are the only way to go. Sure there are $'s involved but you can get parts and service almost anywhere in Australia and that is of major importance as far as I'm concerned. Gensets from EBay, etc are possible but to a degree you can be left with no place to go if it all goes wrong. I am basing all these comments as experience as an electrician for 40 plus years and as a Honda owner. We had a problem with ours when it got wet ( flooded in heavy rainstorm and had it fixed in no time from the local Honda dealer. So there you are, my comments for what they are worth. You will get others and you will just have to finally make the choice but for me there is no choice, Honda is the only way considering the total picture.
Sorry if I have rattled on for so long but it's a big question to ask and lots of dollars involved.
Have fun out there and enjoy it all
Brian.

Excellent post Brian,

I would consider the 3Kva Honda as the pinnacle of "quieter" gennies the Yamaha would almost get there too but it is a bit bigger in dimensions.

The 3 Kva Honda will do all you have stated you want to do and it will do it on "ECO" throttle with an occasional rev up to cope with a starting load.

There are lots of people who absolutely hate gennies and there are those of who like some creature comforts when we camp out. We dont run ours all the time only when we need to cool the van off on a hot day just before going to bed or to charge the batteries if the solar couldnt do it.

I think we have only run the washing machine once while camped out because water supply is our usual issue.

I am seriously considering upgrading to the bigger machine like you are looking at.

Go for it, you can always sell it if you dont like the idea of having power.

frank

Veejayh · Member

Thanks Brian, great reply and also Frank - much appreciated !

sandsmere · Guru

We have a 3KVA Honda . It does the lot easily and is very quiet .

Yuo won't be disappointed if you buy one .

-- Edited by sandsmere on Monday 11th of February 2013 07:52:21 AM

rowdy · Veteran Member

I have one of those cheap chinese crap generators and to be honest it was way better than I expected .it is the 3000 watt version
and runs eveything in the van easily,air con ,tv computer etc.
Easy to start and I have had no problems with reliability. Had it for 1 year now
as for noise it is a little bit noiser than a 3000watt honda but not significantly louder
I normally use it for camping at archery competitions we attend and used it on our last holidays to
free camp and had no complaints.I always place the genny as far away as possible from others with a long
extension cord and chain it to a tree. I am currently making weather proof box with some sound proofing and cooling .I will post some pics if its successfull

Why did I buy cheap chinese crap...cost.... I paid $350 second hand (new $490)
I would like to own a Honda but cant afford the inflated price.
Also If mine breaks I can buy another five and still be ahead

-- Edited by rowdy on Monday 11th of February 2013 05:06:20 PM

leevin · Senior Member

Tell me where you can get the Honda 3 for $2999. The best I could find was $3600!
Settled for a Yamaha 2.4 ($2100), and are glad we did. Wouldn't bother with the other now.
Runs everything I want and more.
We do have solar, the generator is for back-up & air con when needed.

Cruising Cruze · Guru

@ Leevin

please check this site

http://www.generatorplace.com.au/

regards John

jandas fun · Guru

Have a look at "the GENERATOR warehouse" ad at the top of this page. One of the forum advertisers.
Has all the Honda prices and lots of other info, which may help you decide what size etc you require.

The final choice of brand and price is yours, good luck with it.

Johnw

Sheba · Guru

http://www.generatorplace.com.au/

leevin · Senior Member

Cruising Cruze wrote:
@ Leevin

please check this site

http://www.generatorplace.com.au/

regards John

Thanks John.

When I was looking 2 years ago the "3000 Handy" was $3699.

They have come down a lot.

Very happy with my Yamaha 2.4.

way2gokev · Senior Member

Veejayh, Am at present going through the process of deciding on what Genny to take on the road. After alot of research and trial and error the conclusion I have come up with....... boils down to reliability, distribution and parts, warranty, ease of use, noise, safeguards for equipment used, size and weight, how to carry it etc.

By far the money is on Honda, many of the chinese are good machines but you take potluck on reliability and I had serious concernes in regard to their claims of what their machines put out, there is also the matter of voltage irregularity. Most sparkies I talked to have a high regard for Honda Yamaha and Kibor.

Many of the chinese machines are copies but use inferior products, like plastic. I have a GMC 2.3 kva used rarely but it is a mother to get started and it wont run my AC , some of the china generators use aluminuim windings, so it is a hard decision to justify the cost of Honda but when you have 4 years of warranty, plus a superior made machine and you need reliability I have decided on the Honda. I checked the requirements for the AC a Dometic B3200 and it is reccomended to use a generator that will produce 3.5 kva. The enclosed EU series Honda is far to expensive so I have gone for the EG3600CX with D-AVR which controls stable voltage for$1599.00 it is quite heavy at 71kg but I am going to shift the gas cylinders into the boot and build a robust fold down box that will sit on the A-frame, I will incorporate sound proofing and rubber mounting to limit vibration and my hope is that I will not need to move it once fixed in position.

For peace of mind I think you have to go for a generator that is going to last for years and I feel that the cheaper brands will not last long term. The point of saying that you can buy 2 or 3 cheapies for the price of one goody does not stack up when you are out in the whoop whoop in 40 degree heat and the bloody genny wont start.

Have a good one regards Kev

beiffe · Guru

Be careful with the sound proofing as I started with a 2.5K Yamaha geni (never used it in anger) but built a box for sound proofing etc. I had two computer fans one blowing air and one sucking from the box and I had the exhaust exiting the box, so no exhaust gasses or heat inside the box. The geni was given to a mate as it was dead weight.

When testing to see how it would go I found that it very quickly overheated to the point that either the fuel or the oil was boiling (I could hear something boiling eg bubbling) so I quickly turned it off and threw away the box idea.

To run it in a box you will need lots of ventilation and not sure how you can achieve this and the sound proofing, not to say it cant be done but just a warning to be aware of the built up heat.

Regards
Brian

sandsmere · Guru

Leevin , We got ours at Horsham ( Victoria ) about 3 months ago for $2850 .