evil_elmo Posted September 6, 2010 Report Share Posted September 6, 2010 i'm wanting to buy a 4-stroke petrol generator, is there certain things i should look for? i went to bunnings and thinking to get the 2kw or 2.5kw ones...but they seem to only stock one brand which i'm not sure if they are any good what do you guys recommend? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ryanjury Posted September 6, 2010 Report Share Posted September 6, 2010 I guess it depends what you want and what you have to spend If it was for the odd emergency (like what you guys have just had) where it will only be running a few things for a day or 2 then I would buy a cheapy as they will be fine, but if it was to run alot then I would buy a more expensive one. Also add up the loads you plan to run off it and work out how big you need it to be.. ie a 2kw one would be able to power 10 200W heaters (obviously if they all happened to turn on at the same time which is unlikely happen). Mind you in an emergency you would probably use a gas heater or small electric heater off the gen to heat the room and then use the gen to keep filtration going. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
livingart Posted September 6, 2010 Report Share Posted September 6, 2010 i blew 2 smaller gens trying to run my marine tank ended up hiring a 6kw, not cheap though those heaters can kick in at the same time heating is the big drain on the power Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
evil_elmo Posted September 6, 2010 Author Report Share Posted September 6, 2010 yes it will only be used for emergency, i worked out a 2kw will be enough to run my essential tanks....higher kw would be nice but the price will go up what other places should i check out? bunnings was $600 for a 2kw and $800 for a 2.5kw Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ryanjury Posted September 6, 2010 Report Share Posted September 6, 2010 Yeah you would have to be smart in a power cut, hopefully all the tanks are in the same place and you can run gas or a 1kw heater to keep things warm then you would have another 1kw to run filters etc.. Marine tanks would be a huge drain on them and unfortunately bigger generators cost a bomb! Trademe is another place to check out.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ira Posted September 6, 2010 Report Share Posted September 6, 2010 Yeah you would have to be smart in a power cut, hopefully all the tanks are in the same place and you can run gas or a 1kw heater to keep things warm then you would have another 1kw to run filters etc.. Marine tanks would be a huge drain on them and unfortunately bigger generators cost a bomb! Trademe is another place to check out.. I don't think marine tanks would be that bad if you're smart about it. Keep the lights off or only minimal lighting, everything should be fine for a couple days. You could probably cut back on the pumps a bit too, though most powerheads would use minimal amounts of power. With the cheapies for an emergency you'd need to remember to start them occasionally. Run it for 5 minutes every month or so. Otherwise it probably won't start when you need it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kiwiplymouth Posted September 6, 2010 Report Share Posted September 6, 2010 I am looking at something like this to run the fishroom heaters and filters as well as our fridge and freezer. I still probably wouldn't to be able to run everything at once. http://www.trademe.co.nz/Business-farmi ... 796394.htm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Insect Direct Posted September 6, 2010 Report Share Posted September 6, 2010 With the cheapies for an emergency you'd need to remember to start them occasionally. Run it for 5 minutes every month or so. Otherwise it probably won't start when you need it. Good advice...i use to start mine every month or so with ease...been slack this year and sure enough had 3 power cuts in 3 nights (only for an hour)recently. I couldnt start it for the life of me. Which reminds me i must service it, think its just a blocked carb. When they work theyre an absolute blessing. You get what you pay for, but also just keeping them serviced and as Ira mentions start em up often. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
livingart Posted September 6, 2010 Report Share Posted September 6, 2010 I am looking at something like this to run the fishroom heaters and filters as well as our fridge and freezer. I still probably wouldn't to be able to run everything at once. http://www.trademe.co.nz/Business-farmi ... 796394.htm that is similar to the one i hired ran the fishroom and the fridge freezer Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
evil_elmo Posted September 7, 2010 Author Report Share Posted September 7, 2010 thanks for all the advise guys trademe doesnt seem to have much, seems like bunnings is the only place in chch Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
livingart Posted September 7, 2010 Report Share Posted September 7, 2010 they are also available here from super cheap autos and mega 10 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
evil_elmo Posted September 7, 2010 Author Report Share Posted September 7, 2010 they are also available here from super cheap autos and mega 10 good thinking...thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fishplants Posted September 14, 2010 Report Share Posted September 14, 2010 i'm wanting to buy a 4-stroke petrol generator, is there certain things i should look for? i went to bunnings and thinking to get the 2kw or 2.5kw ones...but they seem to only stock one brand which i'm not sure if they are any good what do you guys recommend? Hi there, yes, Mitre 10 Mega, in Hornby, has a good range. Just be aware that your basic generators are no good for running computers /cell phone chargers, as the current is too variable. Filters and aquarium heaters are maybe not so sensitive? And the cheap ones are very noisy. The digital inverter ones, like Kipor, are the bees knees (although a lot more expensive), they are smaller, lighter, quieter, safer and cheaper to run. Cost me $60 per day to hire one after the 'quake. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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