Portable generator opinions

[strongmanmike (Michael)]

Might have to move soon and build another observatory

Will need to get myself a portable generator to run scope, CCD cameras, laptop and lights this time though, any recommendations?

Was thinking a pure Sine wave version would be advisable?

I thought this one sounds perfect for the job?..anyone know much about this model/brand?

http://outbaxcamping.com.au/inverter...or-silent.html

or this one:

http://www.mytopia.com.au/p/3.4kva-2...15C=1921417653

Cheers for any feedback

Mike

[Octane (Humayun)]

They're both reasonably-priced. I thought those things were at least 3 times as much. Good to know!

Watching this thread with interest.

H

[White Rabbit]

Yeah me too, those are very reasonably priced.

[strongmanmike (Michael)]

Originally Posted by Octane

They're both reasonably-priced. I thought those things were at least 3 times as much. Good to know!

Watching this thread with interest.

H

Yes me too H...was wondering if it may be a scam site so I rang them and they appear to be a legitimate camping store with a shop front, the units are Chinese made and imported hence the price ala GSO Netws and RC's I guess...? China comes to the rescue again

Mike

[Octane (Humayun)]

Oh, well. They're not too huge of an outlay. If it breaks, just get another.

H

[strongmanmike (Michael)]

Although lighter output specs, I like the fact that the Fujimicro has a normal cigarette lighter and a USB socket plus an LCD showing running time...I'd like to know I won't get rudely interrupted in the middle of an exposure before a full night is up. I get the impression that if I am largely just running the scope, cameras and laptop both units should last a full night on one tank load of fuel..?

Mike

[Barrykgerdes]

We have a 2.2KVA Chinese generator that we have run at Wiruna for two years now. It is the second one we bought the first only lasted 6 months before the engine gave out. The one we have now is electric start and has a remote control. However don't forget to turn the remote control switch off if you are storing it else the battery will go flat.

Most of the generators now are about that price, even Bunnings have got them.

Look for one that is no more than 58db and CHANGE THE OIL every 24 hours running. We change ours before every session at Wiruna.

This is the way to keep them serviceable for years. Another minor trouble I had was with the speed regulator. The engine would not drop to a good idle speed because of the wear in the control shaft gave it too much backlash.

Don't let it run out of petrol while connected to equipment. The dying cough and splutter can send spikes to your gear. It runs for 6hours on a tank of petrol.

Barry

[strongmanmike (Michael)]

Cool Barry, can you fill them while they are running?

Mike

[Barrykgerdes]

Originally Posted by strongmanmike

Cool Barry, can you fill them while they are running?

Mike

It is not advisable but only because of the risk in spilling petrol. Technically there is no problem.

Barry

[lazjen (Chris)]

A complete tangent on approach, but how feasible would it be to whack in one or more batteries for your power needs and then solar charge them instead of running a generator?

[glend (Glen)]

Add up the wattage of all the devices you will be running and get a generator that can output double that continuous - the reason being you will want it to run in economy model to extend fuel supply. So if you have 500 watts of load get a 1kw continuous generator with load sensing economy model. Consider the noise impact on your neighbors, ikn many areas you cannot run them after 11pm.

[Exfso (Peter)]

I bought a jackhammer from Mytopia a month ago, it was supposed to be a German design, it worked ok, but leaked grease like a seive. Made in PRC, the manual was unreadable and all in all it was one shoddy piece of equipment. It has since been returned to them at their own cost. I am not saying that all the gear from them is shoddy, just my experience. I have yet to receive a reply as to what they are doing, they have had it for 10 days now.

[mozzie (Peter)]

i had a chinese 2kva generator kipor brand..never again it was only used at work to power a grinder or recipo saw as electricity was not available all the time doing strata work..may only use it once or twice a month and well looked after but for the love af me it would always break down,some other part would break on the inside of it!!!!!! over the last 6-9 months spent some $600 odd dollars on repairs.the final straw it needed a new fuel pump in it goes again 2 weeks later in goes the fuel pump oh they can't start it looked like some electrical prob know..
i ended up spending a bit more then i wanted and bought a new yamaha 2.4kva...
honda and yamaha brands seem to be the best after reading all the reviews!!!!!
mike i don't know if honda and yamaha do a generator with the features your after but you should be careful with the lesser know brands they can bit you in the bum trying to keep them going.as well as cost a small fortune to keep going...

[Barrykgerdes]

Originally Posted by lazjen

A complete tangent on approach, but how feasible would it be to whack in one or more batteries for your power needs and then solar charge them instead of running a generator?

This is the way to go but the initial capital cost will be quite a bit higher than a bare generator and it is the way I would go for what Mike wants to do.

Unless everything you want to run is 12 volt compatible you will need a 1Kv inverter and at least a 200 amp battery as well as the solar panel and a standby generator in case there is no sun.

This is the system we run at Wiruna. The storage is 1100 amp hours and supplies a 1.5Kva inverter. This is not enough to run everything all night for three days at a star party. That is where the generator is used as a backup. Generator noise does worry some people even though the generator noise is reduced by about 10db in a sound deadening enclosure. So we normally run the generator up til 10 or 11 O'clock then change over to the battery for the rest of the night.

Barry

[AstroJunk (Jonathan)]

I forked out the big bucks for a Yamaha 1KVa unit a few years ago to power the observatory and shed whilst the house was built. I have to admit, it was faultless!

It sits around most of the time now, but every now and then when I need a power tool at the far end of the block, I'll crank it up and it starts with no bother.

You get what you pay for...

[Peter Ward]

Originally Posted by AstroJunk

I forked out the big bucks for a Yamaha 1KVa unit a few years ago....

You get what you pay for...

I did Ditto with a similar Honda generator. Over a decade of trouble free operation.

Thinking of which, many years ago when I also rode a Honda motorcycle, and needed to buy a helmet, I picked up a generic "hat" ( it was not expensive) and was admonished by the sales guy who had been riding bikes way longer than myself. He explained how, albeit , a decidedly more expensive Shoei was going to protect my head better. In short: how much is you head worth? I bought the Shoei.

Perhaps you might also ask: how much is frying my CCD, Focuser, Mount, etc. going to cost.....

[gregbradley]

I run generators at my dark site. I originally used a Honda 20iu. Small, light very reliable. After about 2 years it started to burn oil. Bummer.

It still works though and its a spare. Run time was about 8 hours I think and I would naughtily refuel while it ran to prevent shutdowns - not a safe practice though. Never any issue with cleanliness of the power and astro gear. Used it for several years.

I replaced it with a Chinese 3.3KVA unit. It was poorly made. It sounded good at first. The pull cord would routinely break and it went back several times. I opened it up once and the reason the pull cord broke was the metal fitting it went through was super rough on the inside - all jagged and sharp.

It had a wire mesh on the exhaust. After about 40 hours this jammed up with exhaust and prevented smooth running of the generator. If off the unit backfired a bit.

I also noticed interference sometimes on the TV when it revved when the fridge kicked in.

I have since gotten a Yamaha 3.8KVA with electric start and pull cord back up start. Faultless. Run time is more like 20 hours easy to maintain and does its job.

I think regular changing of the oil as mentioned in an earlier post is veyr important. Especially after the problem with the first one starting to burn oil. I was a bit slow in changing the oil (dirty job).

Like anything Chinese the standards are rising but you are taking a chance. It will sound great but probably not deliver. Then again it may be better than what I think. 6 hours isn't long enough to run an astro setup. You need more like 8-10.

I am very used to the cheery hum of a Japanese generator going in the background at my dark site observatory. Like an old friend. Their motors have a cheery tone to them and the Chinese one sounded more like life was hard work!

Greg.

[acropolite (Phil)]

+1 for Honda or Yamaha, regarding oil changes, 90 days or 30 hours is a good target to aim for, there's a good reason why they change oils in aircraft engines so frequently, acid buildup and dilution causes most damage, frequent oil changes prevent these problems.

[doppler (Rick)]

Originally Posted by strongmanmike

Was thinking a pure Sine wave version would be advisable?


Mike

I have heard that a pure sine wave is recomended for powering sensitive electronic devices, computers televisions etc because the power output can fluctuate on basic generators.

[Barrykgerdes]

Hi Mke I think you have got the opinions
1. A generator is a good idea
2. Maintenance is important
3. Don't get the cheap Chinese ones. The good brands like Honda and Yamaha are worth the extra money.

Barry