The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Smallholding => Equipment => Topic started by: arobwk on October 04, 2020, 07:20:56 pm

Title: Inverter generators
Post by: arobwk on October 04, 2020, 07:20:56 pm
Thinking to replace my existing 2x standard petrol-powered generators (a 500W & a 2,000W) with a 2,000W (or higher) Inverter genny which I will double up eventually to run 2x Inverter generators in parallel. 
For now I'm simply interesting in powering up my newly acquired caravan off-grid with one very stable (Inverter) 240v generator power-supply up to 2KW as cost-effectively as possible.


Any recommends please for higher output (at least 2KW) Inverter generators at a "reasonable" price?
Title: Re: Inverter generators
Post by: twizzel on October 05, 2020, 10:38:24 am
I run a Honda EU22i generator to power a small event photography trailer (with laptops, printers, lights etc). It hasn't missed a beat since I bought it, when my Kipor generator let me down at an event one day. It's about twice the price of the Kipor but well worth spending the extra £££ in my opinion.
Title: Re: Inverter generators
Post by: chrismahon on October 05, 2020, 11:23:18 am
We bought two Honda EU20i's (1.8KW each max) with a Honda coupling kit which matches the frequency of the two units running together. We bought two because they are far lighter than a single unit and we still have one if one fails (unlikely). Very economical to run with an economy fixed load mode, but not cheap to buy though! The two coupled together give enough for a 3.5KW electric welder fed via a 16A DIN socket.


If you can save a little on your required load you may be able to work with that arrangement.
Title: Re: Inverter generators
Post by: arobwk on October 05, 2020, 05:09:07 pm
Thanks twizzel & chrismahon.


As much as I love the little 500W Honda gen' I have on long-term loan, I don't think my budget is ever going to stretch to 2KW (or higher) Honda inverter/s. 


I was hoping other slim-wallet folk like me might have a cheapie gem of a gen' they might be able to recommend. 


(Actually, have just come across an offering ont' web that I need to seriously consider:  not cheap, but cheaper than ... gonna have to see whether I can play some financial magic.)
Title: Re: Inverter generators
Post by: arobwk on October 08, 2020, 12:55:08 am
(Missed that one, which was a manufacturer "refurb'" option:  it was sold before I could complete my "conversation" with manufacturer/seller about ease of parallel running the particular model  :( )
Title: Re: Inverter generators
Post by: arobwk on October 11, 2020, 06:52:02 pm
(Seller has, however, eventually responded to say that that one could not be connected up to run in parallel.  I'm beginning to hate everything to do with generators.)