8kva generator-confused

I bought a small Mac Africa 2.8 KVA which is wired into the home DB board to mainly be able to WFH since its full time currently and to also power up some lights and TV.
So far its been working well with no issues.
I tested the generator the other day by powering up the double door fridge that has bottom freezer, TV, sound system, my pc with 2 screens, WIFI router, couple of LED lights around the house and an odd kettle boil or microwave something for few minutes with no issues but i could hear that it pulls hard for that short while then returns to normality when kettle or microwave is finished.

It is very fuel efficient when i dont use Microwave, Fridge or kettle for our 2 hours load shedding cycle.
This past week on Monday was the 1st time i used it for 12 hours straight as our power came back for 5min after loadshedding then never returned and i was working nightshift. It worked the whole night with no issues using half a tank(5-6 litres) of fuel as its tank size is 12L according to specs. For my needs currently it works well plus easy to service.

At church we have a Ryobi generator RG-6900 25L that is 3-5 years old which has been working with no issues. It can easily stand for 2-4 months with no use when there is no loadshedding and i gave it, its first oil service on Friday as the oil was filthy and no one looks after it. I noticed some petrol leaking on the bottom of the CARB which will need attention. Need to get new Air filter, spark plug and get the CARB serviced.
 
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Noobneedshelp said:
Hey yall, I know this has probs been asked before, but I can't find a comprehensive answer out there. I need to buy a gennie, looking at spending around 12k.

Thing is there are so many petrol gennies at this price point i really need help chooosing one that will work well without needing an engineering degree to operate. Looking at these right now:
Husqvarna G8500p
Mac africa 8.75kva

There's also 8 kva ryobi, turner morris and talon at this price. I really just want to buy a good system that works without drama. For a few grand more I could go for a closed diesel or gas gennie which I am willing to do if it would mean less maintenance or drama.

Suggestions?
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I bought a 7.5kva Ryobi some 3.5 years ago. Connected it to our 4 bedroom house with a flatlet. I just excluded 2 geysers from the system as well as the oven and stove. It's been running each and every loadshedding session without any issues. Our first loadshedding sessions were about 4.5 hours, but since the latest batch they lowered it to 2.5 hours. Still did not have the need to service it. The day I need to service my Ryobi I will simply replace it with a bigger one.
 
rvZA said:
I bought a 7.5kva Ryobi some 3.5 years ago. Connected it to our 4 bedroom house with a flatlet. I just excluded 2 geysers from the system as well as the oven and stove. It's been running each and every loadshedding session without any issues. Our first loadshedding sessions were about 4.5 hours, but since the latest batch they lowered it to 2.5 hours. Still did not have the need to service it. The day I need to service my Ryobi I will simply replace it with a bigger one.
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Sounds like you’re following Koko’s Strategy. Oil must be like jelly, probably any day now when you’ll need the bigger one. Will you service that one? Do you service your car?
 
bwana said:
I've only had my Ryobi generator for two years but I haven't had any problems with it.

As for service - the PE branch has always gone out of their way to solve any problems I've encountered with other products.
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True, I took my brand new Ryobi inverter there (twice though) and they eventually managed to fix the pull starter, the centrifugal clutch was oval. Now it starts every pull...
 
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Napalm2880 said:
Don't ever do this. It bypasses the earth leakage and you can easily draw too much current through wiring not rated for the load. Also turn on the mains by mistake and you'll ruin your genny.
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I have done it before as a quick fix, but grounded the genny and selected my plugpoints very carefully. But the procedure gets tedious over time, and chances are good that a step will be missed, with disastrous consequences. Agreed that it is dangerous, and for protracted loadshedding (like we are experiencing now) it's completely unacceptable.
 
Napalm2880 said:
Don't ever do this. It bypasses the earth leakage and you can easily draw too much current through wiring not rated for the load. Also turn on the mains by mistake and you'll ruin your genny.
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Yeah I do not recommend it and if your house burns down your insurance will NOT pay. It’s best to just fork out the cost of having it properly connected with a changeover.
 
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wingnut771 said:
Sounds like you’re following Koko’s Strategy. Oil must be like jelly, probably any day now when you’ll need the bigger one. Will you service that one? Do you service your car?
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Nah, I bought mine for R9k at Builders Warehouse. It was not a lot of money in any event. If it starts giving problems I will just buy a bigger one. It has not run a lot since I bought it though, as we were excluded from loadshedding during Covid time. It really only started working from last year and now. So, for now, I think oil is still fine.
 
RonSwanson said:
I have done it before as a quick fix, but grounded the genny and selected my plugpoints very carefully. But the procedure gets tedious over time, and chances are good that a step will be missed, with disastrous consequences. Agreed that it is dangerous, and for protracted loadshedding (like we are experiencing now) it's completely unacceptable.
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Agreed. It is irresponsible and stupid to do it. I have spent R5k on an electrician to do it right. Definitely worth it.
 
rvZA said:
Nah, I bought mine for R9k at Builders Warehouse. It was not a lot of money in any event. If it starts giving problems I will just buy a bigger one. It has not run a lot since I bought it though, as we were excluded from loadshedding during Covid time. It really only started working from last year and now. So, for now, I think oil is still fine.
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Oil degrades over time too afaik, and it's such an easy thing to do for the value it provides.
 
wingnut771 said:
Oil degrades over time too afaik, and it's such an easy thing to do for the value it provides.
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I'll check it today before we get cut off again at 14:00. You are right. Probably worth the while to buy a bottle of oil and just top it up.
 
rvZA said:
I'll check it today before we get cut off again at 14:00. You are right. Probably worth the while to buy a bottle of oil and just top it up.
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Give it a Oil service and take out the Air filter to clean it with some soap water. Let it dry then refit.
After this, it will be a happy Generator.
 
unobeat said:
Give it a Oil service and take out the Air filter to clean it with some soap water. Let it dry then refit.
After this, it will be a happy Generator.
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Are they not paper filters? Replace air and oil filters, drain oil and replace with new.
 
wingnut771 said:
Are they not paper filters? Replace air and oil filters, drain oil and replace with new.
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On mine, it is a foam type filter (air filter). The Fuel filter, is a simple cup like mesh. In fact the manual states the same, to clean the air filter with soapy water.


My 20 hour first service is 3 hours of use away.
So my plan is:
1. Change oil.
2. Wash out air filter and fuel filter.
3. Anything else?
 
rh1 said:
On mine, it is a foam type filter (air filter). The Fuel filter, is a simple cup like mesh. In fact the manual states the same, to clean the air filter with soapy water.


My 20 hour first service is 3 hours of use away.
So my plan is:
1. Change oil.
2. Wash out air filter and fuel filter.
3. Anything else?
Click to expand...
I heard it’s better to switch off by turning the fuel line off so the fuel in the carb gets drained because if you just turn it off normally and let the fuel sit in the carb for extended periods, it evaporates into gel which blocks up the carb.
 
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wingnut771 said:
I heard it’s better to switch off by turning the fuel line off so the fuel in the carb gets drained because if you just turn it off normally and let the fuel sit in the carb for extended periods, it evaporates into gel which blocks up the carb.
Click to expand...
This is what I have been doing to turn of the genny. Switch off the fuel line.
 
Ok so don't plug in straight from gennie, got it bottom line is husqvarna 8500p vs Mac africa 8.75kw. Final verdict? R2k difference
 
Noobneedshelp said:
Ok so don't plug in straight from gennie, got it bottom line is husqvarna 8500p vs Mac africa 8.75kw. Final verdict? R2k difference
Click to expand...
Or this bad boy
www.adendorff.co.za

MAC AFRIC 6.5 kVA (5 KW) Standby Enclosed Type Diesel Generator - 220V Single Phase | Adendorff Machinery Mart

A diesel-powered electricity generator. The engine is enclosed in a sound-shielded cover, making it ideal to provide backup power to a home or small business. diesel Electric (keyed) start Enclosed design
www.adendorff.co.za www.adendorff.co.za

2.5 kw less and 6 grand more, but is enclosed diesel
 
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