Generator selection

We have a little bit of solar (like a camping set up) but not enough, especially if it’s cloudy. I just want something for an occasional top up or appliance. I have manual backups for almost all appliances but it would be convenient to be able to use one for 5-10 min a day, so not much.

We also have very little room. We’re in a temporary rental between houses so not ideal.

just one thing on the diesel vs petrol genny

honestly if you need a small unit for light to general use buy a petrol unit unless you spend big dollars on a small diesel unit i say that because ive witnessed 1st hand many a time the small cheap diesel units fail they quite often shake themselves to bits , over heat , and just crap out way to soon not to mention quite often are problematic to get started

That's why I bought it. Couldn't get a decent one for under $1k from anywhere else. The only bad review of it that I could find was by someone who was clearly trying to run far too high a load from it (dam pumps etc) then complaining that it wouldn't work.
Remember folks, electric motors will draw around 3x normal power for a few seconds when they start up. This is enough to trip off a generator.

I fired it up a few times recently. It had no trouble running the place, fridge includes. The only thing is I told my partner not to turn on the air con. The starting current on that motor would definitely trip the generator.

It works just fine. Starting involved a lot of swearing, so I'll be starting it every couple of months to make sure it's ok.

There are a couple of 'made in china' crap parts, such as the recess where the starting handle sits being made of crappy plastic. I let go of the handle and when it retracted, it punched straight through the plastic. Didn't affect the operation, just annoying. 

I like the fact that it's got both 240V and USB ports on it.

We have been using a Yamaha EF3000iSe ( global.yamaha-motor.com/business/pp/generator/lineup/220v-60hz/1-3/ef3000ise/ ) for about a year now, and have been impressed so far. It's inverter type so no worries about dirty power damaging appliances, though it is only 3kW. This does mean it is single person portable (67kg) and very quiet in operation. Good for low profile "bugging in" on a smaller acreage with neighbours in sight.

We also went electric start since my elderly parents are on site, it needed to be something either of them can start if I am out of action.

The following has been the test load:
- 501 litre fridge only (Westinghouse WRB5004SA)
- 700 litre chest freezer (Westinghouse WCM7000WD)

With a wattmeter constantly inline, the largest usage spike I have seen is 850 watts, though I predict a momentary load on start up that could double or triple that. I was quite surprised at the low draw given the size of the units involved, but they are only a couple of years old and the fridge unit is "fridge only" with no freezer compartment. This means it is feasible to run the fridge and freezer and have capacity spare for running laptops and device charging once the load settles down.

The one potential issue we have spotted is that although the electric start battery is 12v, and the inverter has 12v output, it doesn't self charge this battery. It needs to be manually charged and maintained. Of course it has regular pull start also, but this could be a "gotcha" for anyone who just skims the instructions and doesn't go looking to download the full documentation/spec sheets.

I can't fault it in use though, it is quiet enough (51db according to specs) to run 24/7 in suburbia without annoying neighbours, but they will know it is running. In a small acreage setting is where it really shines though, a neighbour 100 meters away would hear nothing.

Pricewise... well, it's an inverter so how many kidneys do you need? If you can find this model in stock it will be around $4000.

(We have a usage preference for inverter that is not discussed in this post)