Generator Reviews.

Kompete said:
Hi, about a month ago I bought and installed a Gas Generator - Generac 8KVA model, here's my review:

Firstly the feautures and specs:
- Maximum 8.8kVA, 230v, 3000RPM
- Weatherproof, sturdy enclosure with rhinocoat finish for weather protection
- External indicator lights
- Fuel (LPG)
- 3 yr / 1000 hr Warranty
- Canopy design with easy access
- Environmentally friendly
- Automatic transfer swicth (not included)

See link for more detail. http://www.generac.com/for-homeowners/home-backup-power

Pros:
- Runs much softer than a normal diesel generator (although I think slightly more noisy than those really expensive very soft running R150k generators, like Cummins )
- No exhaust gasses, so you could even put it in your garage (although I wouldnt recommend as in that closed environment it would appear much more noisy)
- Runs relatively inexpensively I think. I calculated that if I get load shedded for 2-4 hours per week, every week, for a year, running at full load, I should use about x2 48kg LPG cylinders
- If you already use gas e.g. for cooking or fireplace, then simply hook it up to those cylinders
- You dont need to build an enclosure (to soften the noise or to keep children safe from touching a hot generator or to protect from rain)
- It looks cooler than a diesel generator :)

Cons:
- Still expensive, I paid about R36k for the 8kva gen (ex vat, installation and ATS)
- Not silent, as they claim - if you stand next to it you cant hear yourself speak, but when I'm in the house I cant hear it
- you need x2 cylinders feeding it, to ensure a certain min flow

cheers
Click to expand...

Who stocks these generators?
 
Honda EU30is finally arrived after 6 months on order replacing Grip 6.5 kVA. With only an hour run time on on EU30is, here is quick review.

Grip 6.5 kVA
Pros
- Could run almost everything required concurrently
- Voltage is very stable
- Affordable (R5.5k at time of purchase)
Cons
- Extremely loud, would rather deal load shedding than noise
- Frequency drifts between 50 and 53 Hz however equipment powered didn't have any issues with this
- High fuel consumption on low load


Honda EU30is
Pros
- Quiet, not silent but quiet enough to run though the night if needed
- Low fuel consumption, engine speed adjusts according to load
- Voltage is stable
- Frequency is stable
- Fiancee is able to start it up
Cons
- Expensive, very expensive for 3 kva
- Only 3 kVa, powers the essentials

Noise alone was the reason for purchasing the EU30is and it is delivering. Inverter was not ideal as the solution needed to cater for load shedding and longer failures (municipal incompetence, cable theft, etc).
 
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cfvh600 said:
Price is now R45k for the 8kva.
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hmm I ordered mine in Jan. Did they say if it includes an ATS and/or delivery? - they charged me an additional R4900 for the ATS and R4000 for delivery (the last bit of course ridiculous and I just asked the installer to pick it up)
 
Hi all, do any of you have experience with Anditiger 3-phase diesel generators (6.5kVA - 7.5kVA)?

I'd like to know how reliable and how clean the output is of these generators that Chris Willemse Cycles/Global6 are selling/importing.

Here is a spec sheet
 
ahh ok. I'd probably need a manual one then. (Will ask my electrician tomorrow) - My genny would not be able to auto switch on as I need to manually open the gas valve - choke etc.
 
So was looking at the inverter plus battery solution but then found this http://www.focalcom.co.za/1-2-kva-powermaster-inverter-generator-petrol-quiet/, it's an inverter generator. What do you guys think? How loud is 58db really, as online it says it's equivalent to a human conversation. Does that mean it needs to stay in the kitchen or can I use it in the same room as the TV. Since it says it can run a TV, DSTV and 6 lights at 50% load does it mean the sound will be 29db if I only use it at 50%. Also will it work out cheaper since it uses petrol and does not have to be charged. Sorry for all the questions but the wife is pestering me as load shedding seems to be getting worse and we always get it in the 6pm slot.
 
It would seem the most important aspect of a generator is not mentioned in this thread and that is the fuel consumption.
A generator is the most expensive means of generating electricity especially if you are only worried about a 2 hour load shed.
I have a 5.5 KW Electric start generator purchased in 2008 for R4500 and it uses 1.7 litres of petrol per hour, that is approx R20 per hour or R15000 per month for electricity if Eskom had to die.
Some generators in the 5-7 KW category use up to 4 litres per hour so be careful what you buy.
If you're only interested in some lighting and maybe your TV then an Inverter is the cheapest way to go.
 
ProAsm said:
It would seem the most important aspect of a generator is not mentioned in this thread and that is the fuel consumption.
A generator is the most expensive means of generating electricity especially if you are only worried about a 2 hour load shed.
I have a 5.5 KW Electric start generator purchased in 2008 for R4500 and it uses 1.7 litres of petrol per hour, that is approx R20 per hour or R15000 per month for electricity if Eskom had to die.
Some generators in the 5-7 KW category use up to 4 litres per hour so be careful what you buy.
If you're only interested in some lighting and maybe your TV then an Inverter is the cheapest way to go.
Click to expand...

It's why I rather went for a smaller generator.
My 2.8KW peak generator uses around 400ml an hour (if I plug a heater into it as well as my 2000kva UPS and a couple of lights it goes up to around 550ml ph).

I did however service it after first 15 hours use (was supposed to be after 50 hours) and will do so again as soon as it hits 15 hours and thereafter every 40 hours (as opposed to every 100 hours).
Get all the manufacturing gunk out of the oil early and you have a much happier engine.
 
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Yes, a 2.8 KW is a very wise choice.
I hardly ever use more than 3 KW except on the odd days when we have a long outage (sometimes several days) I then run the geyser and that puts the generator under pressure and uses more fuel.
If I had to start again I would get a 3.5 KW.
 
Stokstert said:
This 2.5 KVA Powermaster Inverter Generator was available at Chamberlains Silver Lakes for R6995 two weeks ago and for R7 xxx at Agrinet Centurion.
I have bought one and used it with a 2000W steam-iron and later with a 2000W kettle for a few hours just to test. It runs both the fridge and deep-freeze together quite happily. On a low load it changes to a power saving mode automatically which drops the speed of the engine.
I just hope that, with some TLC, it will give a good service as it is just a chingchong. :)

Agents of Powermaster
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I'm VERY interested in the same generator. It's going for R6999 now at Chamberlains.

So, you still happy with it?
 
Hey guys. Need some help if possible please. My gran passed away and I got her generator amongst other things.

I'm looking to sell it but have no idea of the value. I know that it has not been used more than 10hours though. Its red with 8000W written on it and closest thing to a logo is CP130 Power Pro 13.0HP

Any and all help appreciated on someone providing the value for it if I were to sell it.
 
EliteOp said:
Hey guys. Need some help if possible please. My gran passed away and I got her generator amongst other things.

I'm looking to sell it but have no idea of the value. I know that it has not been used more than 10hours though. Its red with 8000W written on it and closest thing to a logo is CP130 Power Pro 13.0HP

Any and all help appreciated on someone providing the value for it if I were to sell it.
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should be high in demand - if you can confirm it to work, put it on OLX for a few thousand and see? 8kw can easily go for 10 to 15K i think..
 
Update on my Ellies FBG2800CX (op thread).

Our power at home was off completely from Friday till Tuesday morning and that was our sole electricity supply.

I used it for a total of 32 hours in those four days.
The longest it was on in one go was 9 hours.
It now has 48 hours of usage total.

I ran a 1400w UPS (with tv/sound/pc plugged into it), as well as lights from dusk till around 11pm each night and all chargers and other small things (routers, alarm etc).
It had a 220v desktop fan plugged into it permanently to cool it and direct the fumes away from the house.

I basically turned it on when I woke up and off when I went to bed.

I also on occasion used it to boil the kettle and do washing.

Absolutely no hassles at all.

Still starts on first pull and still on first spark plug although I serviced it and changed oil at 15 hours.
 
Hello, wondering if anyone has had any experience with this brand called Zooltro?

Keen on buying this generator from Takealot, it's on today's daily deals but not sure if it's a decent make; before I pull the trigger would like to hear if I should go for it or stay away? - Also I haven't had the best experiences with Takealot in the past when it comes to returning goods so would rather not buy something that's going to give hassles...

Link
 
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