oakleyb
Well-Known Member
Should i go for 1 Kw or 2 Kw, looking to provide power for water heater,TV kids needs etc
Thanks
Thanks
1 Kw or 2 Kw generator
- Thread starter oakleyb
- Start date
GrahamM376
Well-Known Member
2 kw, which is usually peak output, 1600w constant. The smaller ones won't handle the calorifier heating element. We have Honda 2kw inverter genny which is excellent, adjusts revs to load so, is very quiet when just charging batteries. For computers and TV, suggest you install small inverter rather than annoy everyone with genny on anchor for hours.
chinita
Well-Known Member
I had a Honda 1kw in the Med but wished I had bought a 2kw instead.
That answers your question.
However, No matter how 'quiet' they claim to be you will still be as popular as a fart in an elevator at anchor.
These days I just manage without all the electricity. Far nicer with oil lamps, a warm single malt and playing 'snap' with kids.
That answers your question.
However, No matter how 'quiet' they claim to be you will still be as popular as a fart in an elevator at anchor.
These days I just manage without all the electricity. Far nicer with oil lamps, a warm single malt and playing 'snap' with kids.
rivonia
Well-Known Member
We also say get 2kw. We humed and harrd but were persuaded to get the 2kw. The reason also is that the new one are VERY QUITE-honestly our neighbours could not hear it and we could only hear a quite hum. It is a Honda
Good luck
Peter
Searush
Well-Known Member
I'm gobsmacked that you think a 2Kw genny will power a water heater!
Just read the wattages off the appliances you wish to use simultaneously & add them up. It shouldn't exceed 1.6kw for a 2kw genny.
Just read the wattages off the appliances you wish to use simultaneously & add them up. It shouldn't exceed 1.6kw for a 2kw genny.
cliff
Well-Known Member
IMHO 2kw (2.6kva) is just about the right capacity - anything lower is a waste of time and beer tokens
see this thread presently running on "scuttlebutt"
maxi77
Well-Known Member
Well my water heater (calorifier immersion unit) is 1Kw and would be quite OK with my 2.6Kva generator leaving lots spare for the TV, charger etc, though I suspect it would cough severely if I used my 3Kw kettle.
pvb
Well-Known Member
The immersion heaters in most calorifiers are only 1kW.
pheran
Well-Known Member
Mine is a mere 900W!!
Searush
Well-Known Member
Goodness, they must take ages to heat up a tankful then!
LadyInBed
Well-Known Member
Depends on the size of the Tank
To OP:
I bought a 'cheap' Clarke 700W gen as I thought it would be adequate for power tools, easy size to store, lift and move around. It was, but I then wished I could boil a kettle, use the immersion heater, fan heater maybe even power washer!
I have now ditched the Clarke and bought a Planet 2 2kW which also pushes out the best part of 8 amps @ 12v.
It's quite heavy to maneuver around the boat but just manageable, I am very pleased with it.
Don't waste your money on a 1kW
pheran
Well-Known Member
Whichever one you buy, make sure you check the rated output carefully. Some model designations are (deliberately?) misleading. For example, the Kipor IG2000 might lead you to assume 2000W - but its not. Its 2KVa, which is only errr....... 1600W.
prv
Well-Known Member
If you might use it in the yard in winter (the only use I have for mine), having it man enough to power a decent hoover is handy. Mine is 2.4Kva, and can *just* run a Henry (occasionally it stalls when the hoover's turned on). Vital to clear up that itchy fibreglass dust ASAP!
Pete
Pete
Bosun Higgs
N/A
have a look at your own SeaRush. I'll bet its 1kw - most small boat immersion heaters are because many marinas limit current draw on one leccy point to not far above that.
prv
Well-Known Member
neale
Well-Known Member
I have a Kipor 1kw and it heats my water up no problem. I do only have a 900w immersion.
Obviously I can't do much else with it while the water is heating up but it only takes around half an hour so this is rarely a problem.
The 2kw are obviously more useful but then again they are also quite a bit larger and a reasonable amount heavier.
Personally I would get a decent battery bank and an inverter for the smaller drain items that might be used over long periods, such as a TV, and get a 1kw genny for short burst to heat up water, assuming you have a 1kw or less immersion.
Obviously I can't do much else with it while the water is heating up but it only takes around half an hour so this is rarely a problem.
The 2kw are obviously more useful but then again they are also quite a bit larger and a reasonable amount heavier.
Personally I would get a decent battery bank and an inverter for the smaller drain items that might be used over long periods, such as a TV, and get a 1kw genny for short burst to heat up water, assuming you have a 1kw or less immersion.
sailinglegend420
Well-Known Member
We reduced the size of our calorifer from 40 litres to 29 and the immersion from 1.5Kw to 750 watts. It now takes half an hour for enough hot water for showers for two people. It takes 35 Ah via our 2.5Kva inverter. In the summer in the med 15 mins is enough for warm water for showers, but we mainly use solar showers.