B&Q cheapo generator

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Petercatterall

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Further to postings last week the new genny was tested over the weekend.
The genny was run for a total of 12 hours.
It always started 2nd or 3rd pull.
It was not as noisy as I feared. For a time I had it in the wheelhouse door pointing out, not too noisy but not reccomended as fumes can still be blown back in! Mostly I had it on the rear deck (behind the after cabin) foreward of the wheelhouse I could hardly hear it.
The unit ran my drill/sander well for fairly sustained periods.
It charged my batteries well through a 'car shop' 15 amp charger.
Early days of course but am well pleased so far.

3 posts this AM but then it is raining !!

I still have to seek advice about my outboard!!
 
I would be very interested to hear the results if you connect electronic devices to the 240v output - like do they survive the experience.

Did you have anything connected to the batteries - wind instruments or sounder or radar or plotter etc while charging?
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“Artificial intelligence is no match for natural stupidity”
Skype id:cliffillupo
 
I have one. There is a warning in the instructions not to use it to power electronics. I suggest heeding the warning as most electronics cost more than the genny did. I have found the B & Q £49.98 generator very good for driving small power tools.
 
The genny cost £49. It looks identical to those tested in PBO recently but is 'badged' differently.
It is rated at 650 watts continuous (850 short periods) and has a 12v DC output point.
 
Cliff,
No I did not connect to anything expensive!! (I too read the warning!!).
I believe that it was your good self who thought that this kind of genny was a load of rubbish but I think that it is horses for courses. I only plan to use it for power tools and battery charging through a cheap charger. Nothing much at risk so I think that it is a valuable tool.
 
I have one and have been driving my 900 watt hoover with it- much better than previous £300 generator for this task, its also a bit lighter and quieter, although a bit larger. I am certainly quite happy about it.
 
Coming out of the woodwork now !!!

Bravo !!!!

Its nice to see and read that others are getting value for money .... myself and another have been debating these and others off forum ... I reckon its good for basic use and emerg. back-up ... and far cheaper than a Honda etc.

Excellent. I may even go for one m'self !!

Reminds me ... before winter hits me here - I need a 2-4Kw diesel job as back up for minimum house duties !!!!
 
Talking Hoovers, the DeWalt vacuum cleaner that takes their cordless drill batteries or can be mains powered is an excellent bit of kit for boats.
Plan to fit mine with cable to run direct from 12v batteries some day.
 
Guilty! - It was me and I still think they are rubbish for clean 240v power. I have one also lying in the back of the garage but it is of no use to me on the boat as I do not have a standard battery charger of sufficient output to be of any use for charging the boat's batteries. For simple resistive loads, lights, small NON-electronic power tools etc I am sure it does the job. I am glad I read the manual and contacted the tech help line before connecting the 4 stage charger on the boat to it.

As you say "horses for courses" and If I do need 240v genny power I can always bring my 4Kva diesel down to the boat as I have done in the past - trouble is it is too big and heavy to keep onboard.
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“Artificial intelligence is no match for natural stupidity”
Skype id:cliffillupo
 
The 12v hoovers were never really man enough for what we were using it for. The one we have now is a 230v 900w, in a small package with telescoping, collapsable handle, so it folds up small for storage. Bought it from a caravan shop.
 
Hi, probably the same thing, £39 + VAT from Makro cash and carry, 850 watts of pure first 'pull on the string' happiness. It has run the jig saw, planer, drill, stereo and battery charger.

God forbid anything that wanted a real steady AC supply, as it is all over the place when you put a load on it, But if I can't get this flaming old Taylors Parafin heater working by winter, I know what job this little genny will be doing for me!

Happy as a pig in doo I am. And I still can't believe it still starts on the first pull!
 
Macro genny is actually abt same price as the £49.99 one from B&Q when you add VAT. It has a lower peak power rating, and the dc outlet is rated at 12v which is good for running 12v items, but useless for charging a 12v battery, whereas the B&Q one has a 14.4v outlet, which is ideal for putting a bit of fizz straight into the battery.
 
Yes Talbot I did note the voltage at the DC end. The lead looked substantial but very short though. I guess that a longer lead would have to be substantial section or the batteries will have to come out to be charged near the genny.
Simpler in many cases to have a long mains lead and go through a charger?
 
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I guess that a longer lead would have to be substantial section or the batteries will have to come out to be charged near the genny.


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That surely depends on your boat and where the batteries are located. For me, the lead is plenty long enough!
 
Oh, you have a DC output? Missed out on that with mine, no DC output at all.

Still very pleased, just think of all those jobs I can do on the boat on the mooring that I have successfully put off until now............... /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif
 
Before I realised the problems with these units (ickky wavform and poor voltage control) I ran an old Hi Fi tuner amp without problems. Always meant to put on a scope and see what the waveform and voltage looked like but never got round to it.
 
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