which portable generator

jimbouy · 2 Nov 2004

I need to buy a generator for when Blue Moonlight is on her berth in Ryde. Just to run the odd power tool and for emergency battery charging.

Does anyone have any recomendations, with out going miles off the beaten track.

Screwfix do a wolf at £99

What about costco? I'm a member and can get to the watford branch.

Ebay?

Your thoughts?

<hr width=100% size=1> <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.bluemoonlight.co.uk>http://www.bluemoonlight.co.uk</A>

Evadne · 2 Nov 2004

I've often thought of this but I bring here ashore in the winter, within reach of a mains plug so I suspect it would sit unused. One thing does spring to mind, don't buy a 400W genny for a 350W drill, you should try and have extra power in hand to run things.

Re. cheap ones, the big hardware chains sometimes do special offers so a trip to B&Q might be worthwhile.

<hr width=100% size=1>

Andy_Hampton · 2 Nov 2004

I've just borrowed a 1000w 4 stroke Honda from my father to work on the boat over the winter and I'm amazed at how quietly and smoothly it runs. I think they're a lot pricier than the cheapo 2 strokes but maybe you could find one secondhand.

Andy

<hr width=100% size=1>

philmayfield · 2 Nov 2004

I've had a Honda 650 watt for 17 trouble free years. Used on boats, in the garden when I'm too far from the mains and during lengthy power cuts where it runs a few lights and keeps the central heating going. Almost silent in operation and no starting problems. Not the cheapest but one of the best.

<hr width=100% size=1>

cliff · 2 Nov 2004

Assuming you are still afloat and have an inboard, have you considered fitting a 1kw/1.5kw invertor to run your power tool(s) off the leisure batteries and using the inboard to recharge with the aid of a "smart regulator"? - The invertor might be of more use to you later on board.

As for the cheap generators, there have been many threads on the subject and the concensus of opinion was they were dangerous as the cheap ones had a floating earth.

Personally I would go for a more upmarket 4 stroke of 1.5 to 2.5 kw capacity.

On the rare occasions I need on I use a 4KVA diesel driven genset complete with RCDs etc. oodles of power and very cheap to run (red diesel)

<hr width=100% size=1>

capt_courageous · 2 Nov 2004

They certainly have then in Cosco Reading so most likely in your local branch.

<hr width=100% size=1>

steve6367 · 2 Nov 2004

I have a Wolf, great for what it is and prob. ideal for what you want. Not very good for longterm use when sailing though, too noisy etc. If you need that get a Honda.

<hr width=100% size=1>

pcatterall · 2 Nov 2004

B&Q have a 2 stroke. 950 watts (claimed) with 40AH charger (claimed)
Heard one running (hot dog stall!!) very quiet. £99

<hr width=100% size=1>

sailorman · 2 Nov 2004

if mail order ect check-out del charges.
it may be cheaper to buy locally.
seamark nunn have reasonably priced gennys but there again the country is flooded with them. look on ebay> hundreds gennys cheap but del adds a lot

<hr width=100% size=1>

sailorman · 2 Nov 2004

i have just taken delivery of one of these
check-out for sale forum

Have three 1500W modified sine wave inverters for sale, one is brand new for which I want £190 and the others are used but in good condition for £100 each.
These inverters new from Machine Mart cost over £300.
For more info call Mark on 07734 232855.

<hr width=100% size=1>

jimbouy · 2 Nov 2004

I hadn't thought of b&q , there's a warehouse up the road from work. I'll take a look.

<hr width=100% size=1> <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.bluemoonlight.co.uk>http://www.bluemoonlight.co.uk</A>

jimbouy · 2 Nov 2004

Ryde harbour, where we'll be is tidal so running the inboard is not really an option, I would otherwise consider this option.

<hr width=100% size=1> <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.bluemoonlight.co.uk>http://www.bluemoonlight.co.uk</A>

jimbouy · 2 Nov 2004

I'll have to make the effort to call in there.... always very busy after 5.00pm.

Have you noticed how often Costco has things in stock that you didn't know you needed. More so when SWMBO is with you!

<hr width=100% size=1> <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.bluemoonlight.co.uk>http://www.bluemoonlight.co.uk</A>

jimbouy · 2 Nov 2004

Sounds like what I'm looking for. I need to clarify the comment else where about floating earth.

<hr width=100% size=1> <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.bluemoonlight.co.uk>http://www.bluemoonlight.co.uk</A>

jimbouy · 2 Nov 2004

Can you clarify what you mean by floating earth. Sorry if it's been covered before....but of late I find that any search of the forum going back more than 6 months just bums out. Ginig the result as . followed by a blank page.

<hr width=100% size=1> <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.bluemoonlight.co.uk>http://www.bluemoonlight.co.uk</A>

William_H · 3 Nov 2004

Perhaps you will think me a pratt going on about Oz however in the local hardware store they are selling a GMC (Chinese) 900 watt 2 stroke for 98 dollars including 10% GST(VAT to you). Thats fine except that conversion would bring it to UK 40 pounds. I wonder why the price difference. (Especially when I go to UK for a holiday). Anyway they are so cheap I can't imagine them being a bad buy.GMC have recently flooded the market with drills grinders various saws garden vaccuums etc. They seem to be incredibly cheap and OK. perchance you see the brand. Maybe Wolf is a rebranded chinese you wouldn't put it past them. I wouldn't worry about floating earth. IMHO regards will

<hr width=100% size=1>

Evadne · 3 Nov 2004

Most of our cheap stuff is Chinese in origin, including half my power tools. It tends to be solidly made if not technically brilliant. I expect it costs less to ship them to Oz than to the EU, on top of our import duties.

<hr width=100% size=1>

robind · 3 Nov 2004

£50 in Makro at moment I think, Buy it and chuck it when kaput.
Rob

<hr width=100% size=1>

branko · 3 Nov 2004

I just install 3 kW Diesel ( VOLPI Techno Energia - Italy) generator and wish to share info to all, as this toy is very , very expencive. My logic to buy this Generator was: I shell buy Generator but not Webasto as I can with generator use cheap calorifer for heating. ...And is true! I have now enough power for everything.I spent almost double than for Webasto but I can run away from Marinas in summer crowd and be independent of shore power.
Everythuing is perfect except NOISE . They declare 53 decibels on 7 m distance but it is much noisy as I expect ( diesel is diesel!). Price all together with work 4800 €.

<hr width=100% size=1>skipp

MIKE_MCKIE · 3 Nov 2004

Absolutely nothing to do with generators, but could you please change your website background colour, I just cannot see the text at all! Somewhat reduces the value of the site.
cheers
Blind Pugh

<hr width=100% size=1>

which portable generator

Active member

Active member

New member

New member

Active member

New member

Member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Active member

Active member

Active member

Active member

Active member

Well-known member

Active member

New member

New member

New member

Share this page