ITECH WORLD have an advert in todays Sunday Times (Western Australia) for a 4.89kva Fuel Injected pure sine wave inverter Generator reduced to $1400..
I am still undecided on whether to buy a generator or not and have read previous posts about the pros and cons, but would be interested in others views on the above deal.
I think solar is the way to go if travelling as the amount of times you would use it wouldn't be worth the hassle of carting it around. If staying in SA however its almost essential to have one even without traveling.
If you travel full time. Solar or not, in any quantity. You WILL need a genny sometime. Most of us older travellers (long term) have the practicality to have one.
It runs a LOT of tools too when needed for repairs etc. 4.9 is a leeetle on the large side. Unless you in large motorhome and want the dogs bedding heated too etc. I have a 3.2 and it runs 2 vans with aircond's. Or mine with Air cond. Microwave. frypan etc etc. You want to weld. 7kva MIN..
Chinese ones "Some" are ok. just read up a little on them (Chinese\Honda engines and copies of) And get one of the currently recommended ones. Get either of them and you usually ok.
The Genuine Chinese \Honda (exported to china under the door) has eng no, ground off. and better paint quality.
My last genny was one of them and lasted me over 20 yrs with just a coupla solenoids replacing.
Sold to mate as a water pump power on property for $50.
Far as I know it still trundling along. Those early Honda's were good engines.
Current genny has Chinese Honda "copy" engine. and is near 6 yrs. Also never missed a beat. But change the spark plugs. they clog easily. and run Full Synthetic oils.
Mate, a chippy contractor. bought 6 and still running 4 after same period of time used daily.
Honda overated and just as noisy as others on full steam. Overpriced too. Yamaha the better (I reckon) plus a coupla other named brands.
But value for money. The Chinese\Honda would be top of the list for what we do..
-- Edited by macka17 on Monday 5th of December 2016 12:05:52 PM
Depend how you travel ? If you stay in one place more than 3 days and have room , capacity to store it. Another option is extra alternater to charge storage batteries ? I would have atleast 200 watt solar though ..Atleast solar is a one off cost . Make sure you get the noisiest generater acaiable . So it upsets everyone who doesn't have power !! Lol
The genny will be cheap Chinese rubbish with little if any back up or spare parts if needed, many small engine repairers wont touch them because of this, so they become excellent expensive "boat anchors" )
Do your homework on both the genny and if I can say this , the supplier !
I carry a Gentrax 4.4 kva Pure Sine Inverter Genny on the rear of our van, had it for a couple of years now, not a worry,
Sure it's a copy of the honda and comes out of the same factory,
But it's a hell of a lot cheaper that the honda at a bit over $500.00 off Flea Bay.
With 4.4 kva I can run everything in the van at once, incl the Air Con, and it isn't really straining,
It's also very economical, will run for around 5 hours on a tank of juice,
At around 56db noise level, it's a lot quieter than many other generators on the market
I'm not trying to promote the sale of these generators in any way and have nothing to do with any company, just making a statement that, as far as I'm concerned, this generator is doing just what I want, so why pay out something like $1000 more for something that will do the same thing ???
K.J.
-- Edited by kiwijims on Monday 5th of December 2016 03:10:37 PM
__________________
From Coast to Coast, We'll see it all.......One Day
Don't knock the Chinese stuff nowadays.
As long as it Q.C'd, It's probably as good as anything else.
I've been on a few chinky tugs and though Basic. they good as. and normally run Cummins machinery.
A lot of the LARGER yacht hulls, sail and motor are moulded and assembled in States of China.
And some have the best reputations in the marine world.
Mine 3.3cont. 3.8max and ran this house for near 2 weeks after the last Cyclone 24/7.
Never missed a beat.
Ran Next door Air cond too for a coupla hot days.
It grunted a bit then. But normally just ticking over.
Econ. Inverter. soft start.
What more do you want...
Thanks for the responses guys, appreciate that. I have 200w of solar with plenty of room for more panels on roof IF I need. Was only thinking of genny for mainly air con. I will be full time on road.
I like the sound of yours Kiwijim. The one advertised says 57db so around the same as yours, but yours at a much (1/3rd) better price.
)
