Community Forums

RipVanWinkle · 05-31-2005, 04:10 PM

Got my mail today, and the Aldi ad fell to my feet as I was going to throw it in the circular file. To my amazement, there staring at me was an ad for a 2200W gas generator, for the ridiculously low price of $199. Been thinking of a generator for a while now, for use in the 5er because sometimes I'd like to boodock for a while and it would keep the batteries charged and let me run the micro. It's got an 8.3 amp capacity, so it wouldn't run the A/C (or would it, with nothing else running??)

Anyway, I thought I'd turn to the experts and get your opinions. It goes on sale June 2 and if it's a good deal they'll be gone in the first 5 min, so I want to know if I should be thinking about camping out in the parking lot.

Whadda y'all think? Of the generator, not my camping in the parking lot of an Aldi. I already KNOW that's crazy.

Thanks,

Rip

RipVanWinkle · 05-31-2005, 04:10 PM

Got my mail today, and the Aldi ad fell to my feet as I was going to throw it in the circular file. To my amazement, there staring at me was an ad for a 2200W gas generator, for the ridiculously low price of $199. Been thinking of a generator for a while now, for use in the 5er because sometimes I'd like to boodock for a while and it would keep the batteries charged and let me run the micro. It's got an 8.3 amp capacity, so it wouldn't run the A/C (or would it, with nothing else running??)

Anyway, I thought I'd turn to the experts and get your opinions. It goes on sale June 2 and if it's a good deal they'll be gone in the first 5 min, so I want to know if I should be thinking about camping out in the parking lot.

Whadda y'all think? Of the generator, not my camping in the parking lot of an Aldi. I already KNOW that's crazy.

Thanks,

Rip

Steve & Bunny · 05-31-2005, 05:11 PM

Rip,

I didn't know what Aldi was, so I went on their website. It may be a cheapie, but if you can return defective merchandise to them, give it a try.
The 8.3 amp capacity is for DC charging, the AC rating on it is 18 amps. Even if it only lasts a season or two it's worth it.
Keep in mind that it will probably be fairly noisy.

L8r,
Steve

Soyboy · 05-31-2005, 06:06 PM

I'll bet that joker is just like the Colemans, very noisy. OK to use on a construction site or maybe as backup power at home, but not in a campsite with neighbors close by.

For a fairly inexpensive and quieter generator you might want to look at one the Chinese generators that are knock-offs of the Hondas. Kipor is a popular brand. I have not tried one, but a lot of folks seem pleased with them.

Denman

RipVanWinkle · 05-31-2005, 06:06 PM

Aldi's well-publicized policy is 100% no questions asked returns for unsatisfactory merchandise. Generally, Aldi stuff is pretty darn good quality, and always at a very low price. That's what got me thinking.

Would it run an AC? When we plug the AC into our home 15amp socket it trips the breaker if anything else is running. Sounds like with 18 amps this thing might run it.

Noise is a problem--it's something I hate about generators, but if it's only used sparingly, then I can live with it.

Thanks,

Rip

05-31-2005, 08:24 PM

...remember YOU pay the return costs before they return your money....and they deduct shipping handling and insurance and any breakage....."buyer-be aware".....geofkaye

RipVanWinkle · 06-01-2005, 03:59 AM

Points well taken. I'll look at it carefully before I buy.

The Aldi store is only a mile from my house, so there would be no shipping or insurance, etc.

From my perspective, it's a no-risk deal to give it a try. I just don't want to throw $200 at something that I wouldn't be happy with. The noise issue may be what kills it for me.

Thanks!

Rip

FatDog · 06-01-2005, 07:31 AM

Interesting price from an interesting company.

For a lousy couple hundred bucks I would probably buy one if i needed another shop gen. How could you go wrong?
My gut feeling tells me though, that whoever is machining parts for a $200 motor, probably doesn't use the same tolerances or quality materials that the big name brands do.

Still,... I have as many sets of Snap-On and Craftsman wrenches as I do $19.99 'overseas' sets.

In 4 months if you follow up on this thread saying how much you love your workhorse of a quiet $200 never-break gen, I'm going to kick myself on my backside. In the mean time though, i'll be wondering how much their rebuild kits are?

Good luck

Ray,IN · 06-01-2005, 07:46 PM

As it turns out, you really do get what you pay for! You might want to determine how clean the AC is coming from this genset. Some microwave's require higher standards than others, and low voltage to a RV AC unit will cause premature failure. I bought a Coleman 4KW unit a few years back and installed the quiet muffler option. The unit was just slightly quieter, as most of the noise comes from the engine itself it seems. The first time I used it while camping the first few hours were tolorable, but then reminded me of camping in the truck lot at a truck stop... I never hauled it camping again.

RipVanWinkle · 06-02-2005, 07:13 PM

Ray: You convinced me. I don't need it for anything but my camper, and if it's as noisy as I think it will be I'd quickly decide not to take it camping, so what's the point.

I decided to take the $200 and spend it on diesel fuel hauling my camper to a nice quiet spot in northern Wisconsin this summer.

--Rip

FatDog · 06-02-2005, 08:15 PM

post pictures of that spot, sounds cool

Frankie · 06-03-2005, 12:01 PM

I would have probably bought one and regretted it later,I got a real impulsive streak when it comes to to good to be true deals.I bought a powermate by coleman at home depot during a sale and was all gung ho until it ran a couple hours,very loud and little output for what I want.Now I start it to keep things lubed,but havent really had a need for it since that first weekend I bought it.I am going to get a built in one on the new toyhauler I want to get