GenTrax Inverter Generator 3.5KW Max 3KW Rated Portable Silent Camping Petrol

Which model ? https://www.bbta.com.au/categories/Generator/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIuO6amfbA2wIVAh4rCh3gNw0_EAAYAiAAEgJo4vD_BwE

A smaller engine then the Honda 3 but it miraculously produces more power, where have they been hiding these gems.

Kebbin wrote:

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A smaller engine then the Honda 3 but it miraculously produces more power, where have they been hiding these gems.

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I don't think that is correct. This link specifies a 150cc engine, the latest Honda is (iirc) 120cc and my EU20i is 98cc.

https://outbaxcamping.com.au/3-5-kw-silent-inverter-generator

About 31kg wet - not light, I have a 30kg battery, I try not to carry it.

58dB - Who, when, what and how - take 58dB with a pinch of salt - it will be noisy.

"Tested with Sensitive Equipment" - Does it break into tears easily? Meaningless drivel.

"Up to 8 Hours run time" - With what load?

3.5kW maximum output - for how long? 1 second, five hours?

"Rated" output 3kW - I don't know what a "rated" output is but if they mean continuous then I guess a 150cc engine could do that especially at 5500rpm but it's going to be very noisy and use a fair bit of fuel and probably wear quite quickly.

This is a standard Chinese e-bay type generator. It may be fine for years or it may fail soon and/or often, spares will be difficult or impossible to obtain.

3.5kW is *a lot* for sine wave shaping electronics to handle especially when price has been the major factor in the design criteria.

Why do you want 3kW? That's a lot for caravanning.

My opinion: I would not buy it.

Kebbin wrote:

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I'm obviously wrong Mike.

powerequipment.honda.com.au/DetailPages/ProductDetail

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Oh, don't go all girly on me.

I thought you were talking about the Honda replacement for the Eu20i.

 

For anyone else looking at these - I bought a 2.5 kw rated (peak 2.7kw) off ebay. Did a lot of research, worked out it should run the van's Ibis 3 aircon, and despite some mixed reviews decided it should do the job. The output and lighter weight suited the occasional use I envisage. Due to circumstances beyond my control, it arrived and sat in the box for months before I got it out.

Turns out it would run the fan of the aircon, but as soon as the compressor kicked in, it went to overload mode. I made sure everything 240v was turned off, including battery charger, and tried again. Same result. Optimistically went to the local servo to get premium unleaded (manual says the preferred fuel), again with the same results. It would run an electric kettle, but would only run a 2400w iron on the lowest setting (both plugged in directly to generator). Wouldn't run the microwave in the van. Seems about 2000w is it's limit, not the 2500w stated.

I had read about success with the Honda gennies with the Ibis, so took the van to the nearest dealer. He got out one of the new EU22i 2200w models and obligingly plugged it in, and it had no trouble running the aircon.

I am now the proud owner of a Honda EU22i (at about 3 times the cost), and have a barely used ebay generator for sale cheap. Buyer beware.

Nev

HandyWalter wrote:

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Personally myself I have the Cromtec 2.4Kva. At least half the price of a Honda or Yamaha, and also has Australia wide back up and service. I have used it extensively on my last 2 trips and it could comfortably run the air con and microwave oven at the same time, providing the air con and kicked in and was running. It does have a smaller motor than the others but at such a cost differential and given the occasional use it gets,( maybe 6-8 weeks over a year) I just cannot see any reason to pay big $$$. What I do is before every trip I change the oil and clean the filter and check the spark plug. So far it starts 1st go every time.

-- Edited by HandyWalter on Friday 8th of June 2018 01:15:44 PM

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 Someone that I know has a Cromtec 2.4kva generator and when I heard it running it was very quiet. He told me that the generator has a Subaru motor in it and ran his air conditioner in his van with no problems.

Chris

mischief wrote:

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I grabbed a fuji micro 3.7 from evil about 3 years ago.It puts out 3.2 and has remote start. not missed a beat and doesn't suffer when you forget to turn items off .Cost was cheap,noise is fair if your remote camping..Have no issues with it..Just lacks the designer name.

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I bought similar 3.7 from Pinnacle Wholesalers whose base is here in Ballarat, and no problems.

Aussie Paul. 

 

Happy with your Inverter or Generator Inverter you may not be after you read this. 

Buy a power usage meter (about $25 ) or get the output tested if you don't like wasting your money because you may never may never know otherwise.

When friends or I receive a Inverter or Generator we always test them all. Why, for the safety of our appliances and see below. These issue may be happening with any Generator, some more than others granted. Had one of these issue with a Gentrax Generator Inverter.

When you buy and carry your fuel for your Generator or you moving you solar panels around think.

If your power output has one or more of these issues this is what may happen.

60Hz not 50Hz - 20% inefficiency or for 5 Litres buy throw away 1 Litre.

.67 Power Factor - 33% inefficiency or for buy 3 Litres throw away 1 Litre.

Modified Sine Pure instead of Pure Sine Wave up to 30% inefficiency. You work it out.

Voltage to High or low.

BillySA wrote:

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Happy with your Inverter or Generator Inverter you may not be after you read this. 

<respectful snip!>

60Hz not 50Hz - 20% inefficiency or for 5 Litres buy throw away 1 Litre.

.67 Power Factor - 33% inefficiency or for buy 3 Litres throw away 1 Litre.

<snip!>

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Hi BillySA,

I am intrigued by these comments - thanks for your posting.

I looked at the Honda EU20i specs and it says the rated frequency is 50 Hz.  Reference article:  https://generatorstore.com.au/honda-eu20i-inverter-generator-runout-sale/

I then looked at the Yamaha EF2000iS specs and it's also 50 Hz.  Reference article:  https://www.yamaha-motor.com.au/products/power-products/generator/inverter/ef2000is

I finally looked at the Honda EU22i specs and its rated frequency is also 50 Hz.  https://generatorstore.com.au/honda-eu22i-2200-watt-inverter-generator-package-deal/

 

 

My question is as follows:

Are there any brands of inverter generators with rated outputs around the 1600 - 1800 continuous Watt that you can recommend which run at 60 Hz?

 

 

 

BTW Australian domestic power for residential voltage and frequency is 230 V @ 50 Hz.  Reference article:  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mains_electricity_by_country

In contrast the USA version of the Yamaha EF2000iS generator and the Honda EU2000i or EU2200i are all rated at 120 V @ 60 Hz, but their mains power is indeed 60 Hz.

 

 

 

 

-- Edited by tempestv8 on Saturday 25th of September 2021 12:01:11 PM

-- Edited by tempestv8 on Saturday 25th of September 2021 02:06:57 PM

If using your generator for longer periods you probably need to get a higher quality generator & also derate it.

 

ISO 8528-1 Generator set ratings:

 

https://africa.cummins.com/sites/za/files/9%20September%202018%20-%20Understanding%20Generator%20Set%20Ratings.pdf