LadyInBed
Well-known member
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Which portable generator is best and why?
- Thread starter bammylovechops
- Start date
CharlesSwallow
New member
The Yamaha Is quieter off load but as they use a relatively small motor it works hard to maintain the frequency at high loads and therefore makes quite a roaring "deep throat" sound. If I could sell mine and buy a Honda, I would do so.
Chas
zikzik
Member
My business has sold well over 1000 genny's in recent years so I have a little knowledge that might be usefull.
Many models available, particularly the 'suitcase' designs, are made in two or three China factories and sold under many names, including Clarke and some brands you would think are engine makers. These are all pretty good and great value but do not generally match Honda models. The price of any Honda product is controlled by Honda UK. Their dealers have parameters to work within and could lose their agency if they fail to do so.
Of course, market rules apply - the correct price for a product is what the market will stand - so Honda might be making a huge margin but don't expect to find one cheap.
I am not sure where Honda make these. It might also be China as so many major brands now do.
The quality difference might be small compared with the price difference though.
Many models available, particularly the 'suitcase' designs, are made in two or three China factories and sold under many names, including Clarke and some brands you would think are engine makers. These are all pretty good and great value but do not generally match Honda models. The price of any Honda product is controlled by Honda UK. Their dealers have parameters to work within and could lose their agency if they fail to do so.
Of course, market rules apply - the correct price for a product is what the market will stand - so Honda might be making a huge margin but don't expect to find one cheap.
I am not sure where Honda make these. It might also be China as so many major brands now do.
The quality difference might be small compared with the price difference though.
gjgm
Active member
I did think I looked at the various loadings too-at least Honda and Yam publish them... but I'll take your word for it.
nimbusgb
Active member
Best? To what criteria? Do you mean 'which generator has the most 'Jones' value?' or the most reliable, the quietest, the most powerful, the one with easiest spares availability, the cleanest output, the closest voltage regulation .........?
'Best' is a completely useless selection criterion.
Honda's the one with the Jones value. Kipor stacks up extremely well ( especially since it's a direct rip off of the Honda ) and offers good value and you'll get a lot of excellent feedback on the forums.
Neither is ideal if you are using it in an anchorage with neighbours. You need a proper, installed, water cooled marine genset to avoid being labelled as inconsiderate for running a noisy ( yes even Honda's ) piece of equipment.
'Best' is a completely useless selection criterion.
Honda's the one with the Jones value. Kipor stacks up extremely well ( especially since it's a direct rip off of the Honda ) and offers good value and you'll get a lot of excellent feedback on the forums.
Neither is ideal if you are using it in an anchorage with neighbours. You need a proper, installed, water cooled marine genset to avoid being labelled as inconsiderate for running a noisy ( yes even Honda's ) piece of equipment.
oldsaltoz
New member
We run a gen set when we have gusts aboard and are at anchor, keep in mimd we are in the tropics of Queensland in Oz.
The gen set sits on the foredeck and has an exhaust extension that runs down between the hulls of our cat, the effect is amazing.
The one thing I can assure you is that the smaller high revving (3000 RPM) units do last, the 1500 RPM units last a lot longer, seem to be more reliable and make a lot less noise. however they are not cheap.
Good luck and fair winds.
The gen set sits on the foredeck and has an exhaust extension that runs down between the hulls of our cat, the effect is amazing.
The one thing I can assure you is that the smaller high revving (3000 RPM) units do last, the 1500 RPM units last a lot longer, seem to be more reliable and make a lot less noise. however they are not cheap.
Good luck and fair winds.
rivonia
Active member
Eh - what's that you say?
Nope thats what they said when we asked them as we want to be good neighbours!!
EugeneR
Well-known member
This topic has been covered many times before - search the forum for EU20i or Kipor.
The usual conclusion is Honda if you have money or need reliable support. If not, Kipor where you get parts from various sources on EBAY but who may not be able to provide much support.
Whatever you do, go inverter - much quieter, lighter and you get a good quality output.
I went for Kipor several years ago an no issues so far. Servicing is easy and DIY costs a fiver. If something was to break, I can buy two new ones before I'm down compared to buying a Honda.
The usual conclusion is Honda if you have money or need reliable support. If not, Kipor where you get parts from various sources on EBAY but who may not be able to provide much support.
Whatever you do, go inverter - much quieter, lighter and you get a good quality output.
I went for Kipor several years ago an no issues so far. Servicing is easy and DIY costs a fiver. If something was to break, I can buy two new ones before I'm down compared to buying a Honda.
zikzik
Member
Spot on...
bammylovechops
New member
Many thanks for all your thoughts so far, I have seen a SDMO ineo 2000, with the Honda engine, second hand but in mint condition, what are the thoughts on these?
tinkicker0
New member
Another vote for the Kipor EU20i.
It is rumoured that all engine parts are directly interchangeable with Honda ones, although I have never needed to give it a try.
It is rumoured that all engine parts are directly interchangeable with Honda ones, although I have never needed to give it a try.
Monique
Active member
Honda onboard. Outboard not so good but 3KW generator is the mutts...
dancrane
Well-known member
Petrol, or diesel?
Gusts aboard? Try an Aerogen!
Interesting looking at the price per kw, of the Honda silent-suitcase gens...the 2kw looks like much better value than the bulkier 2.6 "3.0".
But...not sure if OP actually specified petrol?
If one doesn't have an outboard for the tender, it would be a handy thing if the gen runs on diesel like the auxilliary. Possibly safer, too: I believe diesels pump out much less carbon monoxide under reduced load, than running a petrol unit below decks, does.
That also assumes one won't wish to move the set around, much. This 2.1kw Draper weighs 80kw:
http://www.google.co.uk/products/ca...2&ei=d6hkT4rBPOiY4ga-h7DFDg&ved=0CAcQ8wIwAA#p
...looks good to me, though it's fairly rapid-revving.
We run a gen set when we have gusts aboard and are at anchor, keep in mind we are in the tropics of Queensland in Oz.
Good luck and fair winds.
Gusts aboard? Try an Aerogen!
Interesting looking at the price per kw, of the Honda silent-suitcase gens...the 2kw looks like much better value than the bulkier 2.6 "3.0".
But...not sure if OP actually specified petrol?
If one doesn't have an outboard for the tender, it would be a handy thing if the gen runs on diesel like the auxilliary. Possibly safer, too: I believe diesels pump out much less carbon monoxide under reduced load, than running a petrol unit below decks, does.
That also assumes one won't wish to move the set around, much. This 2.1kw Draper weighs 80kw:
http://www.google.co.uk/products/ca...2&ei=d6hkT4rBPOiY4ga-h7DFDg&ved=0CAcQ8wIwAA#p
...looks good to me, though it's fairly rapid-revving.
Loggo
Member
.
Usual arguements Pro/con Kipor but I see they do something similar,rated at 5kVa for under £900 (see Ebay)with electric start. Tempting compared to the price of a suitcase Honda producing half the power. If you have the room, that is
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HONEYMOMMY
New member
Has anyone had one of these?
http://www.pushtheboatout.com/acatalog/info_HYU3000SEI.html
I am asking as it is 2.8kw at an OK price compared to honda.
http://www.pushtheboatout.com/acatalog/info_HYU3000SEI.html
I am asking as it is 2.8kw at an OK price compared to honda.
stevensuf
New member
Another vote for the eu20i, if you want to run portable air con units or the like, they are great at handling surge loads.
BERT T
New member
Kipor generators.
Just found this on another site folks, it may be of interest.
Honda has seized and destroyed a further 50 Kipor generators, after discovering the products for sale on Ebay.
The Intellectual Property Department of Honda Motor Europe Ltd. recently discovered the generators for sale on the auction site. All of the stock held by the seller was subsequently returned to Honda for destruction at HLC Swindon.
The action follows a similar disposal in June 2007, when a UK company's entire UK stock of Kipor generators was seized and destroyed by Honda, as a result of an Order from the High Court of Justice restraining Procurement (UK) Ltd. from infringing its state-of-the-art generator technology with regards to the importation and sale of certain Wuxi Kipor Power Co. Ltd generators in the UK.
The ruling relates in particular to Honda's EU Series Generators, including model numbers EU10i and EU20i, which use technology so advanced it is the subject of patent protection including, but not limited to, European Patent (UK) No. 1 069 293.
Despite the Court Order-, stock of the models known as KGE980tc, KGE1000ti, KGE1000tsi, KGE1300tc, KGE1300tsc, KGE2000tc, KGE2000ti, KGE2000tsi, KGE3000tc, KGE3000ti and KGE3000thi continue to enter the UK.
Primarily manufactured in China and sold in the United Kingdom under the name of the manufacturer or distributor, these unlawfully imported- generators utilise Honda's patented technology without permission and therefore infringe Honda's UK patent.
Geoff Matthews, General Manager of Honda (UK) Power Equipment comments:
'As a leading global provider of generators and other power products, it is vital that we protect our patents in order to allow our R&D teams to continue to innovate for the benefit of our customers. Our products are widely regarded as among the best in the world, and we'll continue to take a strong line with any company which breaches the law in this way.'
Just found this on another site folks, it may be of interest.
Honda has seized and destroyed a further 50 Kipor generators, after discovering the products for sale on Ebay.
The Intellectual Property Department of Honda Motor Europe Ltd. recently discovered the generators for sale on the auction site. All of the stock held by the seller was subsequently returned to Honda for destruction at HLC Swindon.
The action follows a similar disposal in June 2007, when a UK company's entire UK stock of Kipor generators was seized and destroyed by Honda, as a result of an Order from the High Court of Justice restraining Procurement (UK) Ltd. from infringing its state-of-the-art generator technology with regards to the importation and sale of certain Wuxi Kipor Power Co. Ltd generators in the UK.
The ruling relates in particular to Honda's EU Series Generators, including model numbers EU10i and EU20i, which use technology so advanced it is the subject of patent protection including, but not limited to, European Patent (UK) No. 1 069 293.
Despite the Court Order-, stock of the models known as KGE980tc, KGE1000ti, KGE1000tsi, KGE1300tc, KGE1300tsc, KGE2000tc, KGE2000ti, KGE2000tsi, KGE3000tc, KGE3000ti and KGE3000thi continue to enter the UK.
Primarily manufactured in China and sold in the United Kingdom under the name of the manufacturer or distributor, these unlawfully imported- generators utilise Honda's patented technology without permission and therefore infringe Honda's UK patent.
Geoff Matthews, General Manager of Honda (UK) Power Equipment comments:
'As a leading global provider of generators and other power products, it is vital that we protect our patents in order to allow our R&D teams to continue to innovate for the benefit of our customers. Our products are widely regarded as among the best in the world, and we'll continue to take a strong line with any company which breaches the law in this way.'
EugeneR
Well-known member
To avoid confusion, this dates back to 2008 and the models involved are old compared to Kipor's modern more modern offerings over the last 3 years+ e.g. inverter suitcases, etc.
Tongue in the cheek, but Kipor parts are a lot cheaper and available all over the place. Not sure why anyone would want to fit Honda parts to it - you still won't get the good Honda support. Would be like fitting Porche parts to a VW ;-)
gjgm
Active member
I think the newer Kipors have different model numbers too...
rotrax
Well-known member
Just pulled our Kipor 2600 out of the shed, drained the carb and started it up. About six pulls from draining the carb- not too bad. It was last started in December. I use some Motorex fuel conditioner when I store it for any length of time. Our one came from the EBAY supplier near Thame in Oxfordshire-he keeps some fast moving spares and was very helpfull when we questioned him as to the most suitable model for our requirements. The Kipor was the right choice for us.