chrisgee
Member
Clarke IG100. Good output not as quiet as the Honda but never had any complaints from nearby yachts and at under £300.00 it`s great value IMO.
Which portable generator is best and why?
- Thread starter bammylovechops
- Start date
Clarke IG100. Good output not as quiet as the Honda but never had any complaints from nearby yachts and at under £300.00 it`s great value IMO.
Scotty_Tradewind
Active member
I have the Honda 2kw.
Lovely piece of kit, quietest I've witnessed but expensive.
Any generator at an anchorage or on moorings is a pain in the neck to others though.
I've never upset others as never use it in proximity of other boats afloat, but I nearly chucked someone elses overboard as his secondary anchor once!
Lovely piece of kit, quietest I've witnessed but expensive.
Any generator at an anchorage or on moorings is a pain in the neck to others though.
I've never upset others as never use it in proximity of other boats afloat, but I nearly chucked someone elses overboard as his secondary anchor once!
rickym
Member
Kippor 1000W will power the travel iron, travel hairdrier (not at the same time) and charge everything in sight!
We looked at the Honda but given the price difference bought the Kippor. Not planning to use it very often but for the price.
We looked at the Honda but given the price difference bought the Kippor. Not planning to use it very often but for the price.
rigpigpaul
Member
Hi all, besides the cost of some of the generators, noise seems to be a big issue. Would it not be possible to install a generator into a sound proofed box, easily accessible from the cockpit for startingand re-fuelling, with an extract fan and ducting to the outside of the boat. I have never owned one so I don't know how noisy they are. It would even better with a remote start. Or am I talking rubbish! Just a thought.
rgds RPP
rgds RPP
dancrane
Well-known member
Good thoughts, RigpigPaul, my own thinking exactly. I'm guessing the info provided by generator sales teams, is for free-standing portable use, eg. at festivals/campsites. If a generator is placed in the yacht's well-ventilated engine room, there's surely no need for anyone to endure its noise. And all manner of additional sound-proofing/flexible mountings would help too.
Is Kipor/Kippor a plain & simple rip-off of Honda? If so, I think it sucks that people are unashamed in their use/pride in ownership/support of the name. Honda deserve credit for technical cleverness - which wouldn't be possible if it wasn't funded by sales revenue...
...and cheap copies only undermine the originator's ability to continue innovating.
gjgm
Active member
It seems to me that the Kipors are about 10 decibels louder than Honda, which I think equates to about twice as loud.
On the water, I would think that is a major problem;maybe not a a farm !
On the water, I would think that is a major problem;maybe not a a farm !
mattnj
Well-known member
i have had most of them and have ended up with a Hyundai 3000SEI
its 3kw so on tickover when charging and not too noisy when running the microwave at 2kw...
plus, its electric start on a remote, so you can start stop as you need from below
its 3kw so on tickover when charging and not too noisy when running the microwave at 2kw...
plus, its electric start on a remote, so you can start stop as you need from below
zikzik
Member
It would need to breath of course as it needs air in and exhaust out. But further soundproofing around one would probably help.
The main gist of this thread has centred around the cheaper China made gennys and the Honda (which might be made in China also - I don't know - but I think they do make some stuff in China - or have it made).
It seems pretty clear the quality difference is smaller than the price gap. So buyers will go one of two ways depending on what they can spend or justify or for perceived quality and lowest noise.
Plenty has been said about both, except I have not seen much complaint about the Honda. But I am sure I read some negative stuff about their reliability and parts costs somewhere in the recent past. Am I dreaming?
Loggo
Member
Following on from my earlier comment on larger Kipor gennys have you thought of something like this - http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/300680770183?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649 I'm afraid you'll have to clip and paste - I'm pants at this)
It could sit in the engine space. has electric starting so could be wired to start from the steering position and would produce ample power for less than £900. It seems like a lot of power for the money. Has anyone tried something similar ?
Being diesel it could run off the boat system and eliminate the safety issues of having petrol around.
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Black Pig
New member
Without doubt the Honda EU20i would be your best bet for a 2kW generator.
PROS
1. It will have been made in Japan, like its wee brother the EU10i. So top quality.
2. It's one of the quietest generators on the market. In terms of low-noise, only the equivalent Yamaha comes close.
3. It's pure-sine-wave. So nice clean power like you get from the mains. Ideal for running sensitive equipment like computers.
4. There are plenty of dealers. So you won't have bother getting spare parts or service at competitive prices.
5. Honda, along with Yamaha, are the two top names in small to medium-sized generators.
CONS
There's only one really. Compared to most non-Japanese-made gennies, like its siblings and the equivalent Yamaha, the Honda EU20i is pricey. But that's because it's a very high-quality product from a democratic country. Many other similar generators that come from non-democratic countries are, by and large, not up to the same scratch, for reasons that may be obvious.
You could also consider the Yamaha EF2000is. Also made in Japan, some say that this one is a bit quieter than the equivalent Honda. The only thing is, Yamaha generator dealers are by no means as thick on the ground as Honda generator dealers. So you may have problems finding genuine parts and service near where you live. This is perhaps the main reason that most people will advise you to get a Honda and not mention Yamaha at all. In the UK, Yamaha's are quite hard to find.
As for running your power washer... a 2kW generator will probably not be powerful enough to do that. The reason is that, although your washer motor may be rated at under 2kW, the current required to start it will be a lot more and, when you press the trigger, it's unlikely that a 2kW genny would be able to supply the initial oomph needed. Leastwise, you should always take expert advice before buying a generator to run motorised appliances. And do ensure that any generator you buy is always grounded when in use.
Volt Magazine
New member
Although this thread is a little older, I thought I would update some of the special considerations 2013 has for quiet generators. I'm the editor of Volt Magazine, which focuses on generators and power requirements.
The biggest change since when this thread was created is the growth in invertor generators which are much quieter than standard gas plants. Invertor generators work by creating DC power and then convert it for use as AC power when required. This provides much cleaner electricity and is ideal for sensitive electronics like televisions or computers.
The reason these are quieter is because the engine doesn't have to work as hard. Every traditional gas generator has to run at 3600 rpm to produce electricity where a inverter generator runs only when needed and can run at a lot lower rpm rate.
Another important consideration is the new environmental concerns in California regarding generators which are often called CARB which stands for California Air Resources Board - but many states are also adopting similar rules for proper emissions standards. The goverment website it http://www.arb.ca.gov/homepage.htm
One last thing - generators are rated on the A sound scale - and you will see on most models a rating in DBA which is the sound decibels the generator runs at. A human conversation takes place at between 60 and 65 dba - a quality quiet generator runs below 58 dba. The best generators such as from Honda run in the low 50's.
You can read a lot more on which models run quiet etc and what to look for on our website at quietgeneratorguide.com.
My pick for the best value of generators is Champion which are available at Costco or online via several websites.
The biggest change since when this thread was created is the growth in invertor generators which are much quieter than standard gas plants. Invertor generators work by creating DC power and then convert it for use as AC power when required. This provides much cleaner electricity and is ideal for sensitive electronics like televisions or computers.
The reason these are quieter is because the engine doesn't have to work as hard. Every traditional gas generator has to run at 3600 rpm to produce electricity where a inverter generator runs only when needed and can run at a lot lower rpm rate.
Another important consideration is the new environmental concerns in California regarding generators which are often called CARB which stands for California Air Resources Board - but many states are also adopting similar rules for proper emissions standards. The goverment website it http://www.arb.ca.gov/homepage.htm
One last thing - generators are rated on the A sound scale - and you will see on most models a rating in DBA which is the sound decibels the generator runs at. A human conversation takes place at between 60 and 65 dba - a quality quiet generator runs below 58 dba. The best generators such as from Honda run in the low 50's.
You can read a lot more on which models run quiet etc and what to look for on our website at quietgeneratorguide.com.
My pick for the best value of generators is Champion which are available at Costco or online via several websites.
tommydortez
New member
anyone got one of these http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Evopower-...trial_Tools_Generators_ET&hash=item2ecfe67f36, or had any experience? wondering whether to go ahead with one for the yacht? seems reasonably priced?
Rigger Mortice
N/A
...............and another old thread is resurrected.
tommydortez
New member
CreakyDecks
New member
By coincidence I was looking a generators on Ebay this morning, I don't fancy running 200 yards of extension leads from our clubhouse to my project boat, so I'm glad it has been resurrected
tommydortez
New member
By coincidence I was looking a generators on Ebay this morning, I don't fancy running 200 yards of extension leads from our clubhouse to my project boat, so I'm glad it has been resurrected
which ones have you been looking at? i'm stuck between a suitcase generator and a hard place...
CreakyDecks
New member
Same here but since I only want it for power tools while I restore the boat I also have the option of buying a better quality second hand one and then re-selling it when I'm done. Might be a better option, if I can get one that fits in the car!
tommydortez
New member
Same here but since I only want it for power tools while I restore the boat I also have the option of buying a better quality second hand one and then re-selling it when I'm done. Might be a better option, if I can get one that fits in the car![/QUOT
ah i see what you mean, you'd prob be better off with something diesel if your running for a long time. i'm only powering the mac
CreakyDecks
New member
Must be some mac if you need a 2.2kW generator
tommydortez
New member
Must be some mac if you need a 2.2kW generator
Haha i thought a 1kw was a little pointless, in-case i ever needed to power anything else. I just bought that Evo one off http://thepowersite.co.uk/ was cheap enough not to complain, saves remortgaging for those Hondas