They are not the pure sine wave type and were only purchased because we live on a rural property and were for standby power only.
Price was the factor and not noise. I have no problem for the application they were purchased.
We use a Honda EU200 gen for the caravan when away........mainly because of the lower noise level and the charging of electronic devices and running of the aircon.
Yes the Aldi generator is a reasonable price and would do a god job with lighting etc but be careful about relying for free camping etc. I don't believe that it is a Pure Sine Wave generator and therefore will present a few problems about what can be connected to it. Major electronics (TVs, DVDs, Battery chargers for cameras & phones) are likely to suffer if not connected to a PSW genny.
Also be aware where you can get parts for it. I have a Honda 2.0EU and I know that most country towns around Oz will have a Honda dealer and repairer. The Aldi device can be fixed but at what cost and in what time span. This also will apply to Kipor gennies. Although most major towns have a Bunnings (they sell Kipor gennies) but do not stock parts but can order replacement parts for you (in about a week).
So I repeat "let buyer beware" and stay with the known-to-be-reliable or at least if it lets you down you know where it can be fixed.
If price is not an issue, I would agree 100% with Big Gorilla and suggest you buy a Honda. However, price was an issue for me so I just bought a 4.4KVA Gentrax (Chinese Honda style) from Outbax Camping:
Their service was impeccable and I have no problems whatsoever with the product at this stage. It will produce 3500 watts continuous (more than enough to run the whole van including air con) is low noise (58dB) and will run for 6 - 8hrs on 3.5L of fuel. I found it on Ebay special deals for $519. (They even gave me an extra $15 off because it took 3 days to arrive!) You're right, there is no Gentrax service agent around here but it has a 12 month warranty and warranty service can be arranged locally. At 30Kg, it's not the sort of thing you can slip into an envelope! Fingers crossed!
-- Edited by Stratman77 on Tuesday 11th of November 2014 09:25:14 PM
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Best regards,
Chris
Licensed Electrician, Electronics, Gaming & Computer Technician. Now retired and loving it!
No doubt they are Chinese made....I carried a Chinese made blue Kipor 2Kva in the front of my Van for bit over 2 years, only having started it once when I bought it....first time I went to use it in the bush it dropped its piston...took to local mechanics...said to scrap it...and gave it back to me in a box full of bits and charged me $50 to pull it down.... out of warranty of course...$1400 down the drain.....don't know what the Chinese do to our good Aussie steel we send them.........!
Bought a new Honda 2Kva and havn't looked back since...works everything in my Van but not all at once!.....
What price can you put on reliability when you really need it....? Hoo Roo
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