Hi All,
Having recently got caught with flat batteries (I won't bore anyone with the details, but suffice to say I was embarrassed & I've learnt a lesson), I've decided to get an AC generator to provide a last resort emergency charging system.

From now on, I'll carry my jump starter, but if that fails, I can recharge batteries via my mains charger with the generator.

So, any recommendations for a 240 volt AC generator around 1 kilowatt?

regards,
allan

I got a 2kw one from aldi good to bang around on the boat plus not to expensive if you don't use it often.

The advantage with the Honda is, it's quiet, there's a fuel saver function and it's compact.
But you do have to pay for it. However, you only get what you pay for.

there are two problem if the boat batterie drops below 10 volts under a few watts load,
is ready to be disposed,
lead acid battery manual tells me : discharged condition causes sulfation and a recharge may not be possible.
I am not saying recharging is not possible ,
I am saying , the loss of capacity and sulfation degradation, doeas not justify to keep battery any more on boat.

second problem is why tha battery is flat.. forgot to switch them off, or
you need secondary equipment under power...and do not have install cheap under voltage
cut off switch similar in fridges .
taking care of lead acid batteries is critical, otherwise a very time you kill them ...buying new ones.

emergency petrol generator, if for back up, would not justify to spend $1k for Honda and any cheap
doeas the job.

HG02 said...
One of the contractors at work has just retired and I was going to buy a small Honda gen set off him its in good nick probably use around 4 times while camping
its not 1 kilowatt its the earlier one very light weight you can pick it up one handed I was going to buy it but Ive enough stuff in my boat now
I keep thinking its around 350watt maybe a bit more but it has a 12 volt charger on board he wanted around the $350 mark. Its like new but probably 8 years old

The only Honda generators to look at are the inverter type eu1 and eu2

Hi all,
Thanks for all your valuable input. This forum is such a great resource for advice and opinion.

I managed to pick up a Honda EU 10i on eBay for $799, so I think my battery management system is now satisfactory.

So, I now have;
(a) 250 watts of solar panels with an MMPT charger.
(b) 180 AH Start & 360 AH House batteries
(c) Honda EU 10i Inverter/Generator
(d) 240V AC Charles (US made) 30 Amp dual charger
(e) Jump starter I've had for years, and following suitability tests, will now always carry on board.

- of course, none of the above is of any use if I run out of fuel....

regards,
allan

samsturdy said..

The advantage with the Honda is, it's quiet, there's a fuel saver function and it's compact.
But you do have to pay for it. However, you only get what you pay for.

Hi Sam,

I know where your coming from but tend to disagree.

An example. Case 1. Twelve years ago we purchased a home in Townsville, Qld. Our very good brand name mower needed a few carbie parts but because it was the "wet season" the mower supply shops were only doing repairs, not selling parts. In frustration I bought a Tallon mower. Everybody I knew told me I would regret it but After nearly 13 years that Tallon mower is still doing a good job.

Case 2. Because the home we bought was in "cyclone" country we bought a cheap Chinese 5KVA inverter generator for under $400. After 3 Major cyclones ( Justin, Larry and Yasi where we lost power for a combined 15 days we still have the use of this generator.

Two years ago I bought another cheap ($140) online invertater generator for the boat as a backup in case I ever need to use a battery charger etc in event of a charging problem. I run this generator about once every month or so for about ten to fifteen minutes like I do with the other generator and so far have had no problems with it.

NOW, I am NOT criticising Honda or Yamaha generators. They are well worth what you pay for them. What I am saying is that you can also get some fairly cheap knock offs if you look around.

I once bought a cheap (Tallon again) chain saw that was a direct knock off of a good pommie chain saw. I used for many years after three cyclones, cleaning up our yard and neighbours yards. It died as a result of to much work. We now have a Stihl chain saw that I assume will last a lot longer but cost three times as much as the previous chain saw.

I guess you get what you pay for but if your expectations match your budget I don't think you would be disappointed.

Auscruisers said..

samsturdy said..

The advantage with the Honda is, it's quiet, there's a fuel saver function and it's compact.
But you do have to pay for it. However, you only get what you pay for.

Hi Sam,

I know where your coming from but tend to disagree.

An example. Case 1. Twelve years ago we purchased a home in Townsville, Qld. Our very good brand name mower needed a few carbie parts but because it was the "wet season" the mower supply shops were only doing repairs, not selling parts. In frustration I bought a Tallon mower. Everybody I knew told me I would regret it but After nearly 13 years that Tallon mower is still doing a good job.

Case 2. Because the home we bought was in "cyclone" country we bought a cheap Chinese 5KVA inverter generator for under $400. After 3 Major cyclones ( Justin, Larry and Yasi where we lost power for a combined 15 days we still have the use of this generator.

Two years ago I bought another cheap ($140) online invertater generator for the boat as a backup in case I ever need to use a battery charger etc in event of a charging problem. I run this generator about once every month or so for about ten to fifteen minutes like I do with the other generator and so far have had no problems with it.

NOW, I am NOT criticising Honda or Yamaha generators. They are well worth what you pay for them. What I am saying is that you can also get some fairly cheap knock offs if you look around.

I once bought a cheap (Tallon again) chain saw that was a direct knock off of a good pommie chain saw. I used for many years after three cyclones, cleaning up our yard and neighbours yards. It died as a result of to much work. We now have a Stihl chain saw that I assume will last a lot longer but cost three times as much as the previous chain saw.

I guess you get what you pay for but if your expectations match your budget I don't think you would be disappointed.

Point taken Aus. I guess I'm looking at things in a "boatie' way, absolute reliability and function. No use something not working
properly when you're out on your own.