The best gasoline generators for home

Kentavr KBG-112

Manufacturer: "LLC Agromashtrade", Ukraine

The Centaur trademark appeared on the market of construction and gardening equipment in Ukraine relatively recently. The main advantages of the brand were good product quality combined with affordable cost. One of the activities of LLC "Agormashtrade" (it is this Dnepropetrovsk company that owns the trademark) is the production of light-engine vehicles.

The electric generator TM "Centaur" KBG-112, with the following technical characteristics, participates in our review:

• power 1.1 kw (max 1.2 kw);
• the volume of the fuel tank is 5.5 liters;
• fuel consumption 0.9 L/hour;
• manual startup type;
• noise level 72 dB;
• net weight 23 kg.

The Centaur KBG-112 gasoline generator is one of the low-cost representatives, popular among tourists and summer residents. Small dimensions and a weight of 28 kg (with a full tank) allow even one person to freely carry a gasoline generator. The main advantage of KBG-112 is portability.

With a tank volume of 5.5 liters, it can work for 6 hours without refueling. However, such consumption is possible with a load of about 0.5-0.6 kW. When working with a maximum output of 1-1.2 kW, the consumption increases significantly and reaches 2.5 liters per hour. Such a significant difference in fuel consumption is due to the low engine power (only 2.5 hp). In an effort to reduce fuel consumption, the manufacturer has clearly sacrificed performance.

Judging by the reviews left on the network by the owners of the generator, the assembly is done fairly well and does not cause complaints. The cases of continuous operation of the generator for 30 hours, without overheating and emergency shutdowns are described.

But the details from which the electric generator is assembled leave an ambiguous impression with some consumers. For example, two 12V sockets are designed so that the cable inserted into them can dangle or even fall out from vibration when the device is operating. The protective plastic cover of the 230 V outlet is deformed in the sun. The voltmeter fogs up, and the arrow periodically jams in the zero position.

Despite the "childhood illnesses" characteristic of east european technology, the portable generator Centaur KBG-112 has generally proven itself well. If you are looking for an inexpensive, mobile source of electricity for a tourist camp or a small country house – this model may be a good solution.

Proton BG-2800

Manufacturer: "EDS Group", Ukraine

EDS Group Corporation specializes in the promotion of power tools under the Proton trademark. The brand has been present on the Ukrainian market for more than 10 years, but the development of the direction for the production of electric generators is one of the relatively new activities. Proton gasoline generators are positioned by the manufacturer as semi-professional equipment. In this article we will focus in detail on the Proton BG-2800 model:

• power 2.2 kW (max 2.5 kw);
• the volume of the fuel tank is 15 liters;
• fuel consumption 0.6 L/hour (at 50% load);
• manual start type (electronic ignition);
• noise level 74 dB;
• net weight 34 kg.

Providing electricity to a country house or powering a powerful power tool on a construction site is the field of activity of mobile generators with a capacity of 2 to 3 kW. You should not expect outstanding performance from the device. The manufacturer has made a product that meets a certain consumer demand, namely, to get a sufficiently powerful generator and spend a minimum of money on its purchase.

The build quality and details, according to users, are at the proper level. The control panel has two 230 V sockets and convenient, universal 12V terminals. The starting switch and voltmeter do not cause complaints or complaints from users.

The fuel tank is equipped with a clear gasoline level sensor. The presence of oil in the engine is controlled by a special sensor, an automatic shutdown function is provided when the oil level is insufficient. An information table with service data is pasted on the gas tank lid. You do not need to look at the operating instructions to understand when to change the oil. All the main service operations are displayed in the table with an indication of the time interval for their execution. But the manufacturer did not consider it necessary to equip the panel with a counter of the generator's operating hours. Without such a device, it is difficult to track the time of the necessary maintenance work.

Of the pleasant little things, it is worth noting the supply of two high-quality plugs for 230 V sockets and a key for replacing spark plugs, complete with an electric generator. Also, the detailed operating instructions deserved positive feedback.

Daewoo GDA 3300 Expert

Manufacturer: Daewoo International Corporation, South Korea

Many Daewoo portable generators can compete with Honda or Yamaha brands in terms of build quality, performance and design. The Daewoo GDA 3300 gasoline generator was included in this review, its technical characteristics are as follows:

• power 2.6 kW (max 3.0 kW);
• the volume of the fuel tank is 13 liters;
• fuel consumption 0.92 L/h (at 50% load);
• manual startup type;
• noise level 69.3 dB;
• net weight 39 kg.

The first thing that catches your eye is the original design of the frame. The beveled frame makes it easier to load the generator into the boot of the car, which is important for portable equipment. Another interesting solution was the removal of the starter handle to the front panel.

The electric generator Daewoo GDA 3300 is distinguished from most analogues by the presence of an electronic display on the control panel. In addition to voltage and amperage, the display shows the total operating time of the generator. The engine hours sensor will allow you to perform service operations on time, so that you can check the engine resource claimed by the manufacturer – more than 2000 hours of operation.

Another useful thing is the oil level sensor. It is much more convenient to occasionally look at the light bulb than to climb into the engine and check the level with a special probe. Two 230 V sockets and 12V terminals, a mains switch and a fuse are also present on the panel.

The model boasts an impressive indicator of continuous operation without refueling. With a tank volume equal to 13 liters, the continuous operation of the generator at a load of 1.5 kW reaches 15 hours.

Despite the modern engine and small tank, the generator weighs approximately 48 kg gross. Theoretically, such a weight can be mastered by an adult man, but in fact it is necessary to carry the power plant together.

Daewoo has paid due attention to the little things on which the convenience and durability of operation depend. For example, the efficiency of an air filter is of great importance when using a generator on a construction site. A simple clip-lock provides easy access to the filter. And the two-layer filter itself is easy to clean and, with proper care, does not require frequent replacement.

Vitals ERS 5.0b

Manufacturer: "LLC Agromashtrade", Ukraine (Latvia)

The production of equipment under the Vitals brand began in 1995. Initially, all products of TM "Vitals" were produced in Latvia, at the Riga plant of the company. To enter the Eastern European market, the company moved part of its production facilities to Ukraine and China. In the east european market, TM "Vitals" is represented by LLC "Agromashtrade", which also owns the low-cost TM "Centaur".

Main technical characteristics of the Vitals ERS 5.08B gasoline generator:

• power 5.0 kw (max 5.5 kW);
• the volume of the fuel tank is 25 liters;
• fuel consumption 2.5 L/hour;
• manual startup type;
• noise level 72 dB;
• net weight 83 kg.

The model belongs to the "Vitals MASTER" series, which the Latvian company characterizes as semi-professional. As users on the network note, the equipment works perfectly in the harsh conditions of construction sites. The generator can handle the power of a half-cube cement mixer, several powerful demolition hammers and a small welding machine.

Under heavy and long-term loads, the station is very hot, and fuel consumption can increase up to 6 liters per hour. But in operation mode 45/15 (work/ rest), the parameters stated by the manufacturer are observed. Users confirm that the claimed motor resource of 2000 hours is not empty words. There are reviews from the owners of an electric generator that has worked for more than 3,500 hours without overhauling the engine. Unfortunately, the owner of the station will not be able to confirm this information with the readings of the hour metre. There is no such device on the generator panel, even for semi–professional equipment, this is an annoying drawback.

Another disadvantage is the length of the native wire with "crocodiles", which comes with a generator, for charging a 12V battery. It is impossible to charge a car battery without removing it from under the hood with such a wire - it is too short. But users have no complaints about the key for changing spark plugs and two electric forks, also included with the power plant.

Matari M8000E

Manufacturer: Matari Motors Corp Ltd, Japan

Matari is a well–known Japanese company among specialists engaged in the development and production of household and professional power plants. The Matari M8000E gasoline power plant is popular in the Ukrainian market. Here are its main technical characteristics:

• power 5.5 kw (max 6.0 kW);
• the volume of the fuel tank is 25 liters;
• fuel consumption 1.8 L/hour;
• start type electric starter;
• noise level 78 dB;
• net weight 90 kg.

High power with low fuel consumption makes it possible to effectively use the electric generator as a stationary power supply source. You can power a large hunting house in the forest or a serious construction site away from stationary power lines.

A feature of the device was an excellent silencer. With an output power of 5.5 kW, the noise level does not exceed 80 dB. The problem of high vibration, characteristic of most powerful gasoline generators, is also well solved. Four main dampers on the frame under the engine with a generator and two additional ones in the form of legs significantly reduce the degree of vibration impact on the entire unit.

The frame design provides additional handles and chassis for moving the generator. Thanks to the wheels, the station weighing more than 100 kg (with a full tank) can be moved by one person. Upsetting in this model is the fact that the additional handles are made unsuccessfully. You can push the station in front of you only on a good road, which is very rare on a construction site. When a person tries to drag the station behind him, the length of the handles is not enough, and the legs beat against the generator housing.

An omission on the part of the manufacturer can be considered the absence of an hour metre. Even professional equipment, the ability to accurately control the timeliness of maintenance is simply necessary. The long-term operation directly depends on this.