Caravaners, which generator?

[(RIP) PLANK]

I'm buying a new generator this week and have narrowed it down to two. The Clarke IG2200 or the Kipor IG2000 what are your thoughts and experiences? Answers before Thursday please.

http://www.machinemart.co.uk/shop/product/details/clarke-ig2200-2-2kw-inverter-generator

http://www.towsure.com/product/Kipor_IG2000_Sinemaster_Generator_200KVA

[rustic]

Like all choices, it needs to be a compromise. I have no experience of either of these units.

The Clarke only has domestic 13 A sockets, the Towsure has Blue sockets, so it depends if it is likely to get a rain shower.

The Clarke has 7 hours running, the towsure is half this.
The Clarke can charge 12 volt batteries, the towsure can't.
Either way you will need to padlock it down.


I have a Briggs and Stratton powered generator, with the alternator bolted on the end.

Very simple, but with a 1500 watt output, doesn't power the power washer, but is happy with the Vax and all my power tools.

It is very noisy, but also has 110 volts output (never used).
It does hunt especially on low load, but in the event of a home power cut, it easily copes with the heating, TV, computers, but doesn't like the inductive load of the fridge or freezer.

So choice is down to application.
Certainly a sine wave generator is the best type of inverter, as normal inverters are actually square wave, and produce harmonics ( ie high frequency electrical noise), that can damage some sensitive electronic equipment.


You also need to decide where it will be stored while in transit and use.
Also you will need an earth rod and RCD device to help protect the system and people.
On my boat I link into shore power, as I already have an RCD and circuit trips in place. Also the option of using my 800 Watt inverter.

Hope this helps.
Best regards, Richard

[(RIP) PLANK]

Cheers Rustic, The caravan has RCD's so no problems there. I currently have a large Honda (3.2 kva) frame which had 110v 240v and 12v. and a small 650 watt suitcase, I am looking for something more practical than these than can run anything I need when out and about. I am leaning toward the Clarke as it is quieter, more economical and more powerful ( I can also get one at a very good discount). I agree about the blue sockets though, they are appealing on the Kipor and to be honest the 12v outputs on my other generators are unused and relatively pointless. The caravan has a built in charging system and you can always plug a battery charger in the generator which would be better for the battery.

choices, choices ... :confused:

[rustic]

Clarke products are aimed at serious DIY and small businesses, where as the towsure brands are aimed at occasional domestic use.:nenau

I think I know which one I will choose.. Clarke, :nenau

They are probably both made in China, so it depends on quality control.

When I am unsure, I often ring their support department and see how they handle it.
Eg ask them which spark plug does it use as you want to carry a spare etc....

[(RIP) PLANK]

Interesting that you say that!
As the Clarke will be supplied by my local farm suppliers who deal with Clarke products and cover the warranty and service work, they don't carry this model though they do stock the IG100 . They will get on for me and will also give me £100 off the list price :thumb2

Towsure don't even stock them they are to order only :nenau

So I think it will be a Clarke:thumb2

[CaptLimey]

Hi Plank
Re the Kipor I have one which I'm very happy with and can thoroughly recommend. I bought it because I previously has a Honda EU2000 which performed exceptionally, even running a small air conditioning unit. The Kipor is almost an exact copy of the Honda but considerably less expensive. It performs as well as the Honda did. I'm surprised that it's claimed to only runs for three hours on a full tank, whereas the Clarke claims to give seven hours - a major difference and serious consideration. If you can get a Clarke discounted and from a supplier you know and trust who will guarantee and service it, that sounds like the most favourable option. Incidentally my Kipor does have a 12 volt charging capability.
Rgds CL

[(RIP) PLANK]

cheers CL, is yours the ig2000 then?
I have noticed the spares for them seem widely available on ebay.
out of interest have you ever found the 12v output useful?

[Thomas-the-Terrano2]

lot of cc club members i know have kipor,

was looking at them myself, though didnt
know TS did them - I was looking at ebay
traders.

Clarke are good historically and perhaps even
supported by toolmart? shops.

was on a rally at weekend, had pleasure of
listening to others gens, thought might as
well have one too and enjoy its output....

mind still looking at a big solar panel to keep
battery topped up. and try to keep things 12v

[solarman216]

just a small point but to generate 240 then charge bats at 12 volt is very inefficient, much better to generate 12v to do the same, accepted that there may be no charge control but this will only really come into play over long charge periods, if you have deep discharge bats then high amps are good as long as bat temp is monitored, but will depend a lot on what sort of bat you have, Rick

[(RIP) PLANK]

just a small point but to generate 240 then charge bats at 12 volt is very inefficient, much better to generate 12v to do the same, accepted that there may be no charge control but this will only really come into play over long charge periods, if you have deep discharge bats then high amps are good as long as bat temp is monitored, but will depend a lot on what sort of bat you have, Rick

but! If you are running a 2kva generator and only using 1000 watts effieciency doesn't really matter :nenau

[CaptLimey]

cheers CL, is yours the ig2000 then?
I have noticed the spares for them seem widely available on ebay.
out of interest have you ever found the 12v output useful?

Hi Plank
Yes mine is the IG 2000 Sinemaster. I haven't needed to use the 12 volt charging capability, now that I'm a landlubber, I generally use 'shore power' for that stuff. I bought it as a stand by when in the Hobby, if we ever had the opportunity to do some 'wild camping'. Fortunately I haven't needed any spares yet! I have used it on the odd occasion that we've had power cuts here in the French outback and it has never failed.
Regards CL

[(RIP) PLANK]

had a bit of a rethink on this!

I have found a small frame generator that does the job I need and is quieter and lighter more economical and no bigger than either of the above.

and it is less than half the price of the cheapest! has to be worth a go :thumb2

http://www.rhyas.com/D/D53371.pdf

[CaptLimey]

had a bit of a rethink on this!

I have found a small frame generator that does the job I need and is quieter and lighter more economical and no bigger than either of the above.

and it is less than half the price of the cheapest! has to be worth a go :thumb2

http://www.rhyas.com/D/D53371.pdf

Hi PLANK
Nice looking piece of kit. Probably a lot cheaper because it hasn't the pretty 'suitcase' surround and is not as powerful or as sophisticated as the other two you are comparing it with - BUT - if it'll do the job for you go for it.
Rgds CL

[(RIP) PLANK]

when you compare the actual output, opposed to the output the name implies, there isn't a lot in it. 1.83 kva versus 2kva? something like that. The most powerful single item I need to run from this is 1350 watts so it should do that. I'll let you know how it goes there should be one in the post tomorrow.

[(RIP) PLANK]

It arrived today, looks good, feels good enough quality, runs the equipment no problem, just on issue - 60db at 7 meters my ar*e!

More like 90 at 30 meters!

I have called the company (in Leominster) and complained I am now waiting for them to call back, the generator is deafening me.

[rayf3262]

Inverter type generators will run the engine at variable speed, so at low to moderate loading the noise levels and fuel consumption are much lower.
50HZ is produced electronically.

Non inverter generators need to the engine to run at a fixed speed (3000 RPM) to produce 50HZ, regardless of the load applied and will be noisier.

[(RIP) PLANK]

I run a few generators, none of the invertor type, so I am used to the realative noise of each. This one has been TUV tested and given a 60db at 7 meter rating - quieter that the inverter generators I was comparing it to! - and they are all tested by the same method and under the same load. Anyway, their customer services bod phoned me back, he asked to listen to it over the phone, his response, "crikey that doesn't sound right, i've never heard on like that before!" Conclusion: sending a new one out by courrier on monday morning :thumb2

so here goes for round two :doh

[Thomas-the-Terrano2]

how much?

[(RIP) PLANK]

how much?

PM sent :thumbs

[(RIP) PLANK]

After much experimenting with different makes and models I got one of these yesterday:

http://www.machinemart.co.uk/shop/product/details/clarke-ig2200-2-2kw-inverter-generator

If anyone is interested I will let you know how it goes :thumb2

[spinna]

:thumb2Thats what i would love to buy as ive heard good reports of them, ill just have to wait till funds allow. Ill will be very interested to hear how you get on with it.

[zippy656]

here is were I work

http://www.tilshead-caravans.com/

we have rows and rows of gennies for hire, Ill look monday see what make we have

[solarman216]

Inverter gennies are good for computers, TVs and such stuff as the inverter sorts the cycles out to 50 no problem, irrespective of engine revs but be careful of other types of load, drills, motors, anything that can generate a feedback, they can blow the inverter side easy, Rick

[(RIP) PLANK]

The company that Supplied mine have a tool hire section and they use these for hire and have very few problems with them. They also do the service and warranty work and will supply a loan genny while servicing or repairing, and £100 of Clarke list price so all in all a pretty good deal.
So far Pretty pleased with it, it does what it claims to do and isn't to loud so what more can you ask?

[(RIP) PLANK]

the clarke ig200 generator was a huge mistake! do not buy one! :doh

[rayf3262]

the clarke ig200 generator was a huge mistake! do not buy one! :doh
What was the major downfall of the IG2000 then?

[Lazy-Ferret]

I wasn't a member when they thread first started, but it made intersting reading.

We have had the older Kipor KGE 3000 TI generator, which I love, for about 6 years now... We just do an Oil change at the start of every year, and off it goes.

It's a bit heavy to move around much, but that does help to stop it getting nicked so easily.

It has the Smart Throttle, so when under smaller loads, drops the revs, which give the appearance that it is quieter than the stated figures of being on full load, and of course saves on petrol, meaning it can run for up to about 10 hours when just running the caravan fridge, hot water and charging the battery.

It runs the Caravan Aircon no problem, and with the air con on, we get about 5 to 6 hours out of a tank of fuel (around 4 or 5l).

I am just changing it over to also be able to run on LPG, as that will give us longer running times, but since starting to do the conversion, and having a whole load of issues with the conversion kit I was sold, I wish I had looked into the way the American just add an external fuel tank in advance, as that would have been a lot easier/cheaper. The problem with LPG, is unless you go onto the big 19 or 47Kg cylinders, it is actually more expensive than running on petrol, which I did not realise. You are just under breaking even on the 13Kg ones.

[rayf3262]

I wasn't a member when they thread first started, but it made intersting reading.

The problem with LPG, is unless you go onto the big 19 or 47Kg cylinders, it is actually more expensive than running on petrol, which I did not realise. You are just under breaking even on the 13Kg ones.

Sounds as though you would do better with a refillable LPG cylinder?
Auto-gas prices are a lot less..

[(RIP) PLANK]

auto gas is much more expensive as it has road fuel duty!


And the IG2000, what was wrong? it was just shite! :nenau

got a full refund now so all is well :thumb2