cheapy gen set

[busshawg]

I aksed in the body of an dearlier post but thought I minght get a better repsonce in a new post. I want to buy a cheap generator. I only need to run one roof air and was considering a Honda 3000 as they run so very quiet when I came across this Honda clone called a KIPOR  for 1/2 teh price. Money is always better if one can keep it in our own pockets. Anyone heard of these. They seem to be very close to the honda 3000

Grant

[PP]

Grant, A fellow camper last month had one and he couldn't keep oil in it. Everytime he used it he was tearing it apart and resealing everything. It was quiet, no doubt about that, but I couldn't imagine having to go through what he did almost every few days of use. Hope this helps, Will

[cody]

Lots of Kipors up here sitting waiting for parts, they were a hot seller for a little while cause they were cheap it's hard to find a dealer with anything good to say about them now, I looked at them before I got my honda 3000, I'm glad I got the honda, I tryed one 3000 Kipor for a weekend and I couldn't get it to run right and it was the dealers own demo model.  Up here parts availability is the problem with Kipors.

[Garymci5]

I had a Honda 2500 that powered a medium sized roof AC, but just barely.  I would start it running on the fan then switch to AC otherwise the startup load was too high which prevented operation.

Mainly the genset was for lights, the Micro and coffee maker and battery charger.

I now have a cheap Chinese 3500watt unit from Joe's (GI Joe). Haven't tried it with the AC's (two), but again mainly for the inverter (1000 watt Heart) and 50 amp battery charger. Most importantly to run the espresso maker!

It was $250, seems well made, runs nicely, OHV engine type, big tank with a gauge, dual 110 outlets and a 12V 10amp charge output.  Once the engine was broken in, changed to synthetic oil, and keep fuel stabilizer in it. Works great.

My old Honda 2500 was about 5x more.....in the late 90's.

Best yet, the unit was actually purchased for an outdoor wedding but never used AND it fits perfectly on the right side next to the engine, batteries and electrical hookups.  Planning to build a slideout for it sometime, too.

Overall, I'd say the import quality is much, much, better than in the past-- you never know, however.   Maybe not the emissions output (mine is NOT CARB cert.), but that's another topic!

[Stormcloud]

Grant

I have a Kipor 3000 inverter type electric start gennie. It doesnt get a lot of use,  but it starts easy & runs quiet (not as quiet as a Honda). Only complaint is that its only 3kW. Next one will be 5kw or larger.

Mark

[busshawg]

Hey Cody , how does your Honda 3000 handle your roof top?

Mark, Len's in Brandon has a couple left but he is selling a few a day so if I want one I have to let him know pretty quick. I can get a Honda for $2199 and the Kipor for $1295.00 which one would you go for after actually having a KIPOR

Grant

[Jeremy]

I have a Kipor 3500 generator...I've not put a huge number of hours on it yet, but so far it's been rock solid - very reliable, smooth and quiet. I chose it because it was good value for money, and the UK distributor happens to be located about 10 miles from where I live. Last month I had a major electrical problem with my house which resulted in me being without power for a week and the road being dug up to lay a new cable just for me. My Kipor basically ran my whole house for that week with no issues at all.

Jeremy

(Having said those nice things it'll probably throw a rod next time I start it now)

[Iceni John]

I also have a cheapo generator, in my case a Champion C46540 that I got from Kragens for only $199 !   Champion, unlike most (all?) other Chinese-made generators, has their own factory in the Socialist Workers' Paradise, complete with their own on-site QC, so their products are pretty good.   Some of the other more generic Chinese Honda-clone engines (Chondas) are OK, some not so good.   Champion also has a decent service and spare parts organization, and they do stand behind their products.

I made a slide-out mount for my gen using heavy-duty drawer pulls from an IBM rack-mount server.   The gen compartment is between the right front wheel and door, and is open to the ground so any leaks or fumes are not a catastrophe;  whenever the gen is running I have it pulled at least halfway out;  overheating is never an issue.   I connected a short piece of Tracpipe flexible stainless corrugated tubing between its muffler and a telescoping exhaust pipe that runs through to the far side.   At some time I will lag the sides and top of the gen compartment with noise-muffling material to slightly reduce the sound  -  perhaps a sandwich of sheetrock and dense rubber or lead should work well.   I also mounted the gen on extra neoprene squishy mounts to prevent vibration reaching the bus.

Ultimately I will use PV panels on the roof as my primary source of electricity to charge house batteries;  the gen will only be for emergency backup and for powering my on-board 120V air compressor that I've tied into the bus's accessories air tank (for running air tools and inflating tires, without needing to start the engine).   So far so good with my cheapo.

John

[bigjohnkub]

I haved two honda 3000's that I run in paralle, runs all electric on bus. Including electrice house style water heater. One will not run both a/c units and water heater. Love them. Very miserly on fuel.
  Big John

[busshawg]

Thanks guys, all input is really apprieciated. I did buy the Kipor but have not picked it up yet, the dealer said if I changed my mind by tomorrow morning he will refund my money, so keep the feed back coming.

Grant

[cody]

My honda will run one of my rooftop units but not both, my rooftops units are 15K BTU carrier heat pumps, right now I've got the honda out at the skanee house powering it when I'm out there, it does a good job but I have to keep in mind that it is limited and I have to practice power management.

[Sean]

I now have a cheap Chinese 3500watt unit from Joe's (GI Joe). ...  Planning to build a slideout for it sometime, too.

and

I also have a cheapo generator, in my case a Champion C46540 that I got from Kragens ...

I made a slide-out mount for my gen using heavy-duty drawer pulls from an IBM rack-mount server.   The gen compartment is between the right front wheel and door, and is open to the ground so any leaks or fumes are not a catastrophe;  ....   I connected a short piece of Tracpipe flexible stainless corrugated tubing between its muffler and a telescoping exhaust pipe that runs through to the far side.   At some time I will lag the sides and top of the gen compartment with noise-muffling material to slightly reduce the sound  ...

Uh, guys, it is illegal and incredibly dangerous to install or mount in any way a stand-alone "contractor" or skid-mount type of generator in an RV.  These things are designed and built to be run outdoors, away from living quarters, on a temporary basis.

I have no problem with people wanting to use these to save a few bucks (so long as they don't park anywhere near me  ).  But you need to carry them safely, in a well-ventilated compartment sealed off from the rest of the coach, and then you need to drag them outside to use them.  Preferably no closer than 15' away.

We don't want to be reading about your untimely demise in the paper.

-Sean
http://OurOdyssey.BlogSpot.com

[Stormcloud]

For my money, the Kipor is the way to go.....I just cant park beside Sean  .

As $$ permit, I sure would like to go to a permanent liquid-cooled diesel gennie with remote start. And I may have the opportunity to do that before next winter.

I had a 6500w 'contractor' generator in my former workshop for emergency power...cause we are rural and you know how lazy those hydro guys are...   The new gennie for the new shop may very well end up in Papabus and the Kipor can stay home....

Regards.

Mark

[Garymci5]

Sean,

What do you have for a genset on that beast of yours?

Granted, it's potentially UNSAFE to run a contractor type genset in an enclosed area.  Guilty as charged, but i'm careful and take into consideration all aspects to maintain safety.  My Eagle had a 15KW Kubota 4cyl and was $12k new....I paid less than that for the coach, however.

Didn't know it was ILLEGAL. Is this true for all states? Where is there add'l info on this topic?

Can't tell you how much time I've spent over the years looking at your incredible coach!   Anyone that hasn't probably shouldn't-- it can lead to massive bus-envy 

[cody]

Illegal?  I'd have to see that one.  Sean, your accuracy rate has been slipping somewhat lately but still close to 60%, I realize that you do claim to have the complete information on any subject, but as you know I do check your sources from time to time and find confusion now and then, you have been wrong now and then lol, show me the carfax lol.