Generators

[Rabbitz]

Hi All,

The generator I have (a 2kVA chinese thing) has developed an oil leak.

Just spent an hour taking the covers off. I reckon there's another hour getting the engine shrouds off before I can even begin to look for the oil leak.

It looks like I can get a Kings 2kVA for about $450 or a 3kVA for about $650.
https://www.4wdsupacentre.com.au/produc ... rs-24.html

I use (used?) this one to run household fridges and to charge batteries during extended power outages and to run a water pump from the tank during bush fires.

Although having a clean output for using with radios would be nice, for the price I wouldn't expect that.

Has anyone used a Kings genset?

Opinions?

[Stuie0]

I haven't heard anything bad about them yet which is a good thing.
And I saw one advertised on Facebook market place today. A 3kva I think it was for $200

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[Stuie0]

It's gone now, was a really good price.

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[Rabbitz]

Hey Stuie,

Not surprised it went quickly at that price

[Camel]

After years and years of using generators daily when living out bush, I would never use anything but a honda powered generator, the EU20I model is fantastic, sure they cost a lot more than other cheap shit, but when you run one of these little things for approx 10 per day for 12 or more years and only have to change oil, you cannot beat them, I wore out two of them over the time, and both were because of engine wear and not being worth the cost of replacing piston, rings and so on.

[Rabbitz]

I would love a Honda or Yamaha.

The amount it get used - two or three times a year (and that is just to run it to keep it running) means that $450 vs $2000 is a big justification.

This chinese one is 10 or 12 years old (maybe more) and did all I needed it for. Maybe I should get the local small engine mechanic to give it a once over first? (If there is one about these parts, that is).

[macca]

After years and years of using generators daily when living out bush, I would never use anything but a honda powered generator, the EU20I model is fantastic, sure they cost a lot more than other cheap shit, but when you run one of these little things for approx 10 per day for 12 or more years and only have to change oil, you cannot beat them, I wore out two of them over the time, and both were because of engine wear and not being worth the cost of replacing piston, rings and so on.

Ditto. As long as the motor is still made in Japan and not farmed out like some of the firefighters.
cheers

[Rabbitz]

Well I've pulled the trigger on one of the Kings 2kVA gensets.

Is apparently due here by Thursday.

I guess I'll find out what it's like when it gets here.

My Dad wants the old one - he says it might be something to tinker with in the shed. (He was a mechanic all his life).

[The Raven]

I have a genset that ran for three hours before toasting a poorly connected plug. I suspect it toasted a cap in the potted box of tricks.

If someone wants to tinker with it I’d much appreciate it. Would even sling some dollars at it....remembering it’s a $200 genny.

BTW it’s a 3000 Powergen (3 phase and 3 x 240v outlets).

Yep it’s a Honda copy engine from what I can tell.


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[Camel]

I have a genset that ran for three hours before toasting a poorly connected plug. I suspect it toasted a cap in the potted box of tricks.

If someone wants to tinker with it I’d much appreciate it. Would even sling some dollars at it....remembering it’s a $200 genny.

BTW it’s a 3000 Powergen (3 phase and 3 x 240v outlets).

Yep it’s a Honda copy engine from what I can tell.


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Motor still running, but no zap zap ? Could just be a fuse or capacitor, both easy replacements, but the capacitor could be worth more than the generator.

[The Raven]

I have a genset that ran for three hours before toasting a poorly connected plug. I suspect it toasted a cap in the potted box of tricks.

If someone wants to tinker with it I’d much appreciate it. Would even sling some dollars at it....remembering it’s a $200 genny.

BTW it’s a 3000 Powergen (3 phase and 3 x 240v outlets).

Yep it’s a Honda copy engine from what I can tell.


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Motor still running, but no zap zap ? Could just be a fuse or capacitor, both easy replacements, but the capacitor could be worth more than the generator.

Motor runs fine (at least the last time I ran it) but there's zero voltage anywhere. Tried resetting the fuse (unless there's other hidden ones) but do suspect the cap as it doesn't look ideal.

Replacing the cap sounds easy, except I'll have to get it out of the potted box without hurting anything else.

PS. While I can do basic wiring and soldering I'm not going to claim to be a sparky by any measure....

[Rabbitz]

So I ordered the gennie on Sunday arvo.

It arrived Tuesday arvo. Not too shabby.

Finally got a chance to play with it today. Put in some oil, some fuel, turned on the fuel cock and main switch. Started first pull.

I couldn't believe it. Purrs like a kitten and is reasonably quiet.

So far, so good.

[Rabbitz]

After the storm here on Tuesday we were without power until the wee small hours of Thursday.

Needless to say, the generator got pressed into service and did sterling service.

I found that I could run an upright freezer, two full size fridges and charge various batteries all at once. The trick was to stagger the start up of each of the big devices. It couldn't handle the start up current for all three at once.

I ran it for about three hours for the first run then left everything overnight. Ran it for two hours, off for two hours, ran for 1 hour (once I had all three fridges together), off two hours, on 1 hour, etc.

Didn't really miss a beat and probably used about three or four litres of fuel.

All in all it passed it's first test.

[mick_762]

Good to hear Rabz, have often thought of a little generator - but without the "Honda price".

[The Raven]

After the storm here on Tuesday we were without power until the wee small hours of Thursday.

Needless to say, the generator got pressed into service and did sterling service.

I found that I could run an upright freezer, two full size fridges and charge various batteries all at once. The trick was to stagger the start up of each of the big devices. It couldn't handle the start up current for all three at once.

I ran it for about three hours for the first run then left everything overnight. Ran it for two hours, off for two hours, ran for 1 hour (once I had all three fridges together), off two hours, on 1 hour, etc.

Didn't really miss a beat and probably used about three or four litres of fuel.

All in all it passed it's first test.

Sounds good. I know a lot of people who can’t understand a staggered start for heavy loads.

Can I ask what brand?


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