Generators

[MrClayton]

I'm thinking of buying a generator - as per the discussions last night I will probably get a good sized solar panel fitted to the tintent too but there are various situations where it might be useful to have a reasonable sized generator (for example - some of the outdoor events that I work on sometimes but also an a backup at home for the winter).

I've been looking for something around 2kW and there seems to be a vast gulf of price between the cheapest and the most expensive. Granted, the cheapest probably are a pile of so I'm happy to eliminate those from the selection. I would like an inverter generator because I'll be plugging computers into it sometimes but in the mid-range of things there seem to be a large array of manufacturers selling comparable machines. Clarke, Draper, Hyundai and a lot of brands I've not heard of. Then at the top end there seems to be Honda but are their machines worth double (or more) than a similar machine from another manufacturer?

Does anyone here have experience of this stuff and advice they can share?

[Non Stick Nick]

Can vouch for Honda. More expensive than other but quality & supremely reliable.
NSN

[benp]

Honda .

[Kingmav66]

I've got a Honda one, very good, nice and quiet
You definately get what you pay for

[Stu]

Get an ethanol plant. Same size as a generator, no noise and will run for about 4 weeks without needing to be topped up. Don't ask me how they work though. It's all voodoo.

[Kingmav66]

Loooooots of penny's though

[countrywide]

And small power output

[Navigator]

Get from somewhere you can take it back to and complain when it does not work.

[Non Stick Nick]

mmm
an ethanol plant....

is that like a dandy lion or buttercup then?

NSN

[benp]

just try finding somewhere that sells ethanol