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If there is one thing I have learnt about living in SA, unless you have a few million just sitting doing nothing in an account, chances are at some point, to keep the lights on you gonna need a generator.
Deciding which generator to buy is more of a challenge than you think.
First you have to decide if you have the extra cash for a diesel or you gonna be stuck with a gas guzzling petrol.
Then you have to decide if the petrol will handle the load without dipping and dropping the voltage, or spend a little more on the diesel for a more stable experience, reducing the risk of damaging equipment.
What is it going to be used for?
A couple of extension cords run around the house,
A suicide cord connected plug top to plug top between the generator and a socket outlet in the house.
Connected to a changeover panel mounted next to the meter box, maybe not such a good idea if have a bidirectional solar/inverter/battery systems (check the CT location)
A better option might be to fit a plug top below the inverter and connect the AUX/GEN port. Make sure you understand how the inverter operates, charging batteries and running the load, could cause a few challenges if you dont understand the inverter.
The next question would be, do I buy the cheapest unit on the market, or do I buy a branded unit like Honda or Yamaha (free standing units) or the bigger brand machines.
I have been through this cycle of load shedding many time, what I have learnt from it:
They buy the wrong generator for the application, like VOV units to connect to the house or contractors generators which dont have any form of AVR and a small fuel tank. Pull start, yip nothing worse than trying to pull start a generator which hasn't run for 6 months, then you rush off to your local generator service department, which has 100 other units form people who have the same problem.
People dont switch off the petrol and run the carb empty when they switch off, the generator stands for a period of time and it has to go for a service.
People dont disconnect the battery and keep it charged, when the load the shedding takes a break for a couple of months.
People dont run the generator for months which results in many challenges.
Deciding which generator to buy is more of a challenge than you think.
First you have to decide if you have the extra cash for a diesel or you gonna be stuck with a gas guzzling petrol.
Then you have to decide if the petrol will handle the load without dipping and dropping the voltage, or spend a little more on the diesel for a more stable experience, reducing the risk of damaging equipment.
What is it going to be used for?
A couple of extension cords run around the house,
A suicide cord connected plug top to plug top between the generator and a socket outlet in the house.
Connected to a changeover panel mounted next to the meter box, maybe not such a good idea if have a bidirectional solar/inverter/battery systems (check the CT location)
A better option might be to fit a plug top below the inverter and connect the AUX/GEN port. Make sure you understand how the inverter operates, charging batteries and running the load, could cause a few challenges if you dont understand the inverter.
The next question would be, do I buy the cheapest unit on the market, or do I buy a branded unit like Honda or Yamaha (free standing units) or the bigger brand machines.
I have been through this cycle of load shedding many time, what I have learnt from it:
They buy the wrong generator for the application, like VOV units to connect to the house or contractors generators which dont have any form of AVR and a small fuel tank. Pull start, yip nothing worse than trying to pull start a generator which hasn't run for 6 months, then you rush off to your local generator service department, which has 100 other units form people who have the same problem.
People dont switch off the petrol and run the carb empty when they switch off, the generator stands for a period of time and it has to go for a service.
People dont disconnect the battery and keep it charged, when the load the shedding takes a break for a couple of months.
People dont run the generator for months which results in many challenges.