help with generator buying advice

Mark · Senior Member

help with generator buying advice

deconuts · Veteran Member

Hi everyone

We have been comparing various generators, in particular the Honda vs Yamaha, but now I have come across the Fuji 4.4 kva which has all and more of the functions of the other two and at a price of only $1000. Does anyone have one or can any of you offer some advice.

freefish1 · Member

Hi, There are all types of generators out there. Honda 2.0 Kva over $1500 has the reputation. Yamaha nearly the same. When I was looking last year found a Fuji look a like for $450 landed here in Cent Q'ld. Has the added bonus of electric start which sold me as I can no longer handle pull start motors. All the features of a Honda but will say it does seem not as quiet as a Honda despite having the same decibel rating. Use it while travelling & also while at home to run electric chain saws for fire wood. Figured that at that price I could buy 4 as disposables. Had a small problem with the primer bulb & the fuel cap but both replaced no problem. The rate I'm wearing out it will outlast me. Bill

beiffe · Guru

You have not mention what you want the generator for.

Do you run high drain products regularly and how often will you need to use the generator.

Do you have room for a large generator, do you have the weight allowance to carry it and also can YOU carry it from your RV to somewhere to run it or will it stay fixed to your RV.

Best to work out your NORMAL use and also your HIGH end use. If your high end is rarely used then perhaps better to regulate your life style or spend short time is a CP. If you just need for an Aircon for the very hot days do you want to lug the weight for the rest of the year. This will also depend on you travel eg if full time or just a couple of weeks a year.

A lot of places now ban generator use so you may find you won't be able to run it when needed and beside most places have a time limit so if you want it to run all night then you will find it is normally not allowed and if you do then be prepared to camp in isolated spots on your own.

I started with the idea that I would use a generator a lot and I started with TWO . One a 2.4Kw and the other a 1Kw both Yamahas and now I just carry the 1Kw and have normally used it for other people. I have used 10ltrs so far since Oct last year and some of that was to run to ensure that the bore was lubricated etc.

After you consider your power needs it may be better to add an extra battery and perhaps more solar as this power is available whenever you have sun and will even charge while driving etc.

My new bus power system was designed to not need external power and so far has preformed to allow me to use a higher than normal power regime but many don't have that option.

If possible before you purchase any generator take you RV to where there is one and try it, as many people find even the 2kv Honda will not run their Aircon. It may start it the first time but will it run it when the compressor is under compression in repeated starts eg let it run till the compressor cuts out and then starts again and listen how much the generator slows back and whether the aircon runs OK. If it struggles too much you can harm the generator and or the Aircon.

Hope that helps and does not confuse.

I am no electrical expert just someone who has been there / done that, and has learnt along the way by experience and listening to many travelers over the 5 years I have been on the road.

Regards
Brian

brandydod · Member

I've got the 4.4 and goes like a beuty, Runs the whole house ,In fact used it this morning as we had a power outage for 4 hours. Runs the van like a breeze. Also only paid $450 delivered to Central Qld.

VKPORTABLE · Senior Member

I got a 4..5 KVA job from eBay, not sure of it's name, just a generic little red Honda lookalike thing with remote start. It was about $500 and it is great never had a problem with it. Every 100 hours I change the oil and use Penrite oil made specifically for 4 Stroke engines.

The only issue I have had with it is the remote start battery (an SLA) going flat, to be fair it had sat for about a year without been run as well.
It's still running fine, although I am definitely going to have to get a new battery for it - I can't pull start it at all, ever since having a heart attack last year I get pretty chuffed for air quickly, two or three yanks at the cord and I'm buggered.

deconuts · Veteran Member

Thanks beiffe for your time in replying, and you are correct in many ways. I guess the generator would be a fail safe for when we are free camping which will be only a couple of days a week.

We are just trying to cover all the bases now. The van we have ordered has 2 x 135 kw solar panels and 2 x 100 batteries as standard. We will probably hit the highway without one but allow one in the budget if required for the future. We would only be using it if we were free camping and the batteries were going flat and weather was remaining unfavorable.

Steve & Kate

Pam_Chris · Veteran Member

just to throw another aspect into the equation has anybody had any experience with vertical wind turbines, I'm considering on of these for those cloudy days when there in a bit of wind about. Only about $amp input but can run 24/7 without upsetting anyone.

www.dariocaravans.com.au/page.asp

Chris

herbie · Guru

I have a Honda 2.5,but after being away for over 10 weeks bush camping a lot of the time, mate who was with us had his new 2.5 Yamaha and really think it out shone my Honda in many ways. If my Honda sh..s it self I will be switching to the Yamaha.

VKPORTABLE · Senior Member

herbie wrote:
I have a Honda 2.5,but after being away for over 10 weeks bush camping a lot of the time, mate who was with us had his new 2.5 Yamaha and really think it out shone my Honda in many ways. If my Honda sh..s it self I will be switching to the Yamaha.

Herbie;

In what ways did you feel the Yamaha was better then the Honda?

bill12 · Guru

I bought a Honda copy for $310 delivered, and can say that I amhappy with it. Its quiet,it runs the microwave, and the small 7000btu aircon, and at that price, I canbuy 5 against the price ofa Honda. I have also run the sat tv and the laptop on it with no problems. Its a Praelia brand, and , at the price, it seem a good buy. Bill

oldtrack123 · Guru

Hi

I do hope that ALL portable generator users are aware that the RCD ,if fitted ,is not operational with a generator [or inverter plugged into the van power inlet socket !!

Also the RCD function of portable outlet boards is not functional!!

If a fault to earth develops in the system , you have the same potential risks of electric shock as with any mains supply without a RCD .

The safety recommendation is to "only connect ONE class 1 device at any time" [Class1 have 3 pin plugs]

Your van itself will be that ONE class 1 device , with at least some other class1 devices inside & connected!

You can ,with a very high degree of safety, from shocks to earth, connect mulitiple Class2 devices [have 2 pin plugs]

One other point

Despite what the manual may say ,DO NOT deliberately connect the frame of the generator to Mother earth by ANY means [ earth stake ,connecting to any metal that is grounded]

Doing so has no advantage ,& can actually lead to problems

PeterQ

herbie · Guru

The reason I would invest in the Yamaha,is that it has a heavier stronger slower revving motor,it can run continuously for nine hrs before refilling/Really super quiet/clean and more powerful and

Envirorment friendly.

The next step forward in generator technology.It has been built US CPA phase 11emissions standard (worlds strictest )

As well as the 2002/88/EC standard of Europe and Japan's LEMA standard'The new Yamaha Generator is assembled factorey certified under the 150 9001&140001 standards and have eliminated the use of toxic materials like Cadmium/lead & sexivalent chrome in accordance with Yamaha's self instigated regs.

It also is 97.1 recycle ability ratio.

The design also provides very easy access to oil filler cap & easy air filter and also easy access for oil changes & other servicing.

Hope this has given you a little on the reason I said I would replace my Honda to a Yamaha.

My personal view.

Regards Herbie,

fitzy · Veteran Member

recently went touring with a group with 3x hondas 2kva and 1xfuji 4.4kva

The Fuji was extremely noisy and chewed up the juice, whilst the Hondas

ran very quiet and very eco. I guess its the old story ,you only get what

you pay for

regards Fitzy

The dog lady · Guru

fitzy wrote:
recently went touring with a group with 3x Hondas 2kva and 1xfuji 4.4kva
The Fuji was extremely noisy and chewed up the juice, whilst the Hondas
ran very quiet and very eco. I guess its the old story ,you only get what
you pay for
regards Fitzy

There's a huge diff between fuel consumption of a 2kva to a 4.4 kva of any brand (&noise level too). You can't compare apples with oranges. I have a fuji 2kva and it is just as economical as the 2kva honda I borrowed from family after the floods (no power for 6weeks). My fuji is definitely a bit louder, but at 1/4 the price I'll put up with that. It starts easy, and the only problem I've had is that a fuel line came off the fuel tap, fixed in Blackwater by a lawnmower mechanic for $20 smile . And I believe they're all made in the same place anyway. Sometimes what you get for the extra money is a brand name and not much else!

VKPORTABLE · Senior Member

Thanks Herb - excuse any spelling mistakes I may make, I don't have my speckacoils with me at the moment bit hard to read the screen.

Just the fact of the oil fill been easier to get to sells me right away, mine even though relatively easy to get to, it's a pain to clean up the dipped out oil when you fill it.
For emptying I have one of those oil pumps you can buy from Bursons - best thing I ever brought I reckon makes oil changes a snap, and I use the old oil comes in handy for many uses.

Mine is supposed to be silent - but it's not. It is reasonably quiet but I wouldn't call it silent.
I will add the Yamaha to the shopping list whenever I need a newie. Although I do need at least 4 KVA, not sure if the Yamys go that high.

leevin · Senior Member

herbie wrote:
I have a Honda 2.5,but after being away for over 10 weeks bush camping a lot of the time, mate who was with us had his new 2.5 Yamaha and really think it out shone my Honda in many ways. If my Honda sh..s it self I will be switching to the Yamaha.

We have the 2.4 Yamaha.

Used quite a few times from Broome to Cooktown during summer (March - June) this year.

Worked. No probs.

Saw a few red ones sitting in the shade, cooling.

redjcw · Veteran Member

oldtrack123 wrote:

Hi
I do hope that ALL portable generator users are aware that the RCD ,if fitted ,is not operational with a generator [or inverter plugged into the van power inlet socket !!
Also the RCD function of portable outlet boards is not functional!!
If a fault to earth develops in the system , you have the same potential risks of electric shock as with any mains supply without a RCD .
The safety recommendation is to "only connect ONE class 1 device at any time" [Class1 have 3 pin plugs]
Your van itself will be that ONE class 1 device , with at least some other class1 devices inside & connected!
You can ,with a very high degree of safety, from shocks to earth, connect mulitiple Class2 devices [have 2 pin plugs]
One other point
Despite what the manual may say ,DO NOT deliberately connect the frame of the generator to Mother earth by ANY means [ earth stake ,connecting to any metal that is grounded]
Doing so has no advantage ,& can actually lead to problems

PeterQ

So is there any way to connect up the genny to the van that still allows the RCD to work?

oldtrack123 · Guru

HI redjcw

Nothing much you can do with the generator itself EXCEPT

[1] get a licensed electrician to permanently FIT & WIRE IN a RCD ON THE GENERATOR

[2] Get a UNIVERSAL RCD [URCD]fitted to your van instead of the existing RCD.[BY a licensed electrician]

For more informationon URCDS,contact :

info@powerstream.com.au

usual disclaimer, I have no personal involment with this company but believe the product answers the safety questions of using small portable inverters, when plugging into the van power inlet socket

[3] have the generator permanently fitted & wired into the van in accordance with THE AUS STANDARD, AS/NZS 3001:2008, BY a licensed Electrician

PeterQ

-- Edited by oldtrack123 on Monday 16th of September 2013 08:14:37 PM

-- Edited by oldtrack123 on Monday 16th of September 2013 08:18:04 PM

sandsmere · Guru

I'm with Fitzy here . I reckon you get what you pay for .

We have a Honda 30iu ( about 3 kva ) . Certainly not the cheapest , but it is a great gennie .

Runs the microwave and aircon together . Grunts a bit , but does the job . Not that we do it very often .

Yamaha . . . . . they're good . Have a good mate that's got one .

We did have a Kipor 2.6 , but it played up so much in the first 12 months that I dumped it . Yes , it was fixed under warranty 3 times ,

but the cost of getting to and from a service place was too much . It went to the tip at Ararat if anyone wants it . smile

Sometimes you have to admit mistakes and cut your losses .