Which Generator?

Yorkcov

Yorkcov

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Hi
I am considering buying a suitcase generator to run off gas via my barbeque point. I am not in general a high electric user but find that my eberspacher does hit the batteries hard. I only want to charge the batteries and don't anticipate using on sites or when other people around.

I have 2x90Ah batteries charged by a CTEK XS 25000 25A charger. I have considered both the Honda 1Kw and 2Kw and also the Kipor 1Kw, 2Kw and 2.6Kw which are half the price of the Hondas.

I was considering only using the generator to charge the batteries from about 50% to 80% and then occasionaly charging to 100% on EHU or B to B when travelling.

Any thoughts on size of generator to charge quickest, Honda versus Kipor and general charging strategy?

Regards

Alan (Yorkcov)
 
It's worth looking at the Hyundai range as well, we have the HY1000si for the same purpose that you intend to use one for, pretty sure you can get the as a dual fuel model, Beware of warranty issues with LPG converted generators pretty sure Honda void some of their warranty, this was copied from a Honda owners site
"Due to the dry combustion characteristics and the higher combustion temperature the possibility of premature wear to the valve seats and piston rings is dramatically increased. Therefore any combustion chamber related failure that is attributed to an LPG conversion will not be covered under warranty. Honda (UK) will not cover any costs or consequential costs that relate to a failure caused in any part by a gas conversion", not sure about the others but with Honda this also seems to apply in models they supply.

They'll all charge more or less the same regardless of size as you will be using the genny through your mains hook up to power your on board charger, we have found the 1000si pretty reliable and I have a 24v 25amp Sterling battery Charger this takes a maximum of around 600 watts at it's highest output so we can normally charge a couple of phones / laptops at the same time, only reason to get a bigger genny is if you need the extra power for higher wattage items otherwise you will just be using more fuel to achieve the same job
 
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I use the Honda 2kw and it is super quiet but expensive. One major plus point is spare parts are available from most major towns should you need them, though I never have in 15 years with Honda. Changed mine about 12 months ago as I originally had a 1kw and wanted a 2kw, Costco was the best price.
 
Thanks David - Unfortunately don't have room for one of those. Only have a campervan and planning to store it in front passenger footwell and move to drivers footwell when parked up! I'm a sole camper.

Regards

Alan
 
Sorry - I meant storing it in the cab. Obviously I would have it outside when using it!

Alan
 
Yorkcov said:
Only have a campervan and planning to store it in front passenger footwell and move to drivers footwell when parked up! I'm a sole camper.

Regards

Alan
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I suppose if you were a sole camper you would keep it in your footwell.....
John
 
Fazerloz said:
SNIP

Had a kipor and it was a waste of money.
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I had a Honda 2kw Suitcase generator and it was also a waste of money as I used it twice in five years. Probably worked out at about £30/kw hour! The point is do you need the obvious reliability of the Honda as opposed to the cheaper Chinese versions?
John
 
I bought a cheap generator to charge my batteries, but found it far more effective to just run the van's engine for a short time - the alternator pumps out much more power than a battery charger.
 
Just a few points on this issue, you have to ask yourself some questions ,like How much do I want to spend, how often will I use it, space for storage reqd, and noise levels. I myself looked long and hard on all the issues and after sometime settled on a Kipor 2kw. whether it was worth it is another thing. It will have to be between you and your conscience. Pleased with it never the less.
 
on the other hand 400 quid is a lot of occasional nights on a campsite on hookup with showers etc.:)
 
Generator

We also never stay on campsites in 43 years we have stayed on less than you can count on one hand we have never run out of battery power we run 2 x 85a leisure batteries and no solar power we use TV occasionally and in our current van have gone down the LED route we are ready to change one battery which is 7 years old the other being 6 years old. Never let the batteries fall to 50%.
We also run the Eberspacher quite a lot they only use a higher current on start up is on your own and in a remote location start the van whilst the heater fires up and starts this will save your leisure batteries we have never felt the need for a Generator and in a PVC we would find difficult to give the space to carry one.
Battery Maintenance pays dividends

Alf
PS I might add the best way to check your battery is with a Hydrometer


Yorkcov said:
Not if you don't like campsites! They're never where I want to stop!

Alan
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+1 for running the engine whilst firing up the ebber,once running it uses very little 12v.
 
Alf 1 said:
We also never stay on campsites in 43 years we have stayed on less than you can count on one hand we have never run out of battery power we run 2 x 85a leisure batteries and no solar power we use TV occasionally and in our current van have gone down the LED route we are ready to change one battery which is 7 years old the other being 6 years old. Never let the batteries fall to 50%.
We also run the Eberspacher quite a lot they only use a higher current on start up is on your own and in a remote location start the van whilst the heater fires up and starts this will save your leisure batteries we have never felt the need for a Generator and in a PVC we would find difficult to give the space to carry one.
Battery Maintenance pays dividends

Alf
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I'm envious Alf.

Unfortunately I have a rogue eberspacher which uses a colosal amount of electric, even when it's running normally (i.e. not just at start up).

I have discussed this at length on this and other forums in the past and am disinclined to revisit the subject. I have decided that getting a generator is cheaper than throwing more money at Eberspacher agents or changing my camper!

Regards

Alan
 
I work in the generator industry although mainly bigger industrial stuff. But we do get asked a lot about the small stuff. Generally having seen the amount of failures and the very poor backup / spares support then I would not personally entertain a Chinese or well cheapy unbranded. The quality control and build quality, esp the alternators failing is just too common for me.

The Hondas are great but well pricey. The Hyundais I would consider as they do have a distributor and dealer network and seem quite well made. I don't have direct experience of them although Hyundai are coming to see me next week cos they want dealers which is a good sign.

As for the LPG thing..... We have sold and seen quite a few Honda GX engines on gas. Only one ever ate its exhaust valve. Has fuelled engines are much more sensitive to overheating so use one in an enclosed space and while a petrol set will run rich as it gets hotter than it should, a gas one will run lean which makes the Combustion chamber even hotter and burns the Exh valve out.

The failed Honda we saw had been run inside a small kennel to keep it out of the weather and there simply wasn't enough airflow so the trapped air got exponentially super heated.

On the other hand I recently replaced a GX160 with a new one that had done about 8000 hours on gas - a fantastic amount equivalent to 210,000 miles in a car at av 30mph speed. Run it in the open so plenty of air and change the oil often and chances are it'll be fine on LPG. It also helps if you run a slightly closed spark plug gap over the std minimum (petrol) recommended gap - this retards the ignition a touch and drops the comb chamber temp a wee bit to compensate for the higher gas temps of LPG over petrol fuel.

I hope this helps.

G.
 
Hi I bought a 1k Honda second hand off ebay last year for around four hundred quid i thought the new ones were a bit pricey I was lucky it was in good condition I havent used it as much as I thought yet but if it does'nt work out I'm fairly confident of my money back even in a year or two
Tony
 
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