Gentrax 3.5kW Remote Start Camping Inverter Questions & Answers

Hi Leigh,

In order to remote start the generator make sure that normal key start does work, this will check that the start battery is connected and charged. The manual makes no mention that the end user has to connect the battery.. The key must be on in order for remote start to work. Check battery in remote, two remote controls should have been supplied, Press start button on remote twice, on the second press you should here the generator crank and start. Please note that if the key is left on and the generator is not used or started for any length of time, the battery will go flat but for normal camping or short term intermittent use this is not a problem. This is one area where the design could be better. I have owned one of these generators for a few years now and i can say it so far has not let me down. I have found it pays to give it a run at least once a month if you think it is not going to be run for some time.

Laurie

Hi Tami,

Recharge of the battery is quite easy if you have or can borrow a automotive type battery charger. All you need to do is to open the battery compartment, disconnect the red positive lead from the battery and connect the battery charger to the battery terminals. The battery should take about 2 to 6 hours to fully charge. Reconnect the battery positive lead and it should be right to go. The generator does charge the battery automatically but it does require many hours of continuous operation to fully charge it.

Laurie

Thanyou so much

Hi Milt,
I have not looked into this myself but unless a proper conversion kit were available from the manufacturer, and I doubt if that would be the case with the Gentrax, it would not be cost effective to convert to LPG. There may be other issues as well if the engine is not designed to run with LPG. I can say that the generator has not missed a beat so far and has always done the job when needed.

Regards

Laurie

Thanks Laurie, yes all good advice, but see there’s a simple solution...unless when, if you don’t want your air cleaner assembly exploded by a backfire https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=4k6Nq63I_Y4 good to hear yours has been going good thanks

Hi Jo,

The remote control on these generators is not of the best design and as you have found out the key on the generator must be on to use the feature and yes, this will flatten the battery in a few days if left on. The choke is supposed to be auto set if starting from the remote. If you press the on button on the remote you should hear a distinct click from the generator. On the second press of the on button on the remote it should start, if the generator is cold you may may to repeat the process a few times. I think that if the first start of the day is done at the generator, all other starts on that day seem not to require the choke. I have found in practice I have not found much difficulty in starting it. One tip I can give you is to add a fuel conditioner as fuel will go off after about a month or so. Fuel in Australia is by world standards not of very good quality. Fuel conditioner is not expensive and can be bought at most places that sell lawn mowers chainsaws brush cutters and such. Make sure if you do not expect to use the unit for any period of time to turn the fuel valve off when the unit is still running and let it run down. This will empty the carby and stop the fuel from glugging up the carby, This is the most common cause of hard starting in small petrol engine appliances.

As I stated in my original review the generator has performed reliability when needed and in fact ran the lounge air conditioner and a few small appliances during a recent blackout in 47 degree heat, but does have a few quirks, but when you consider that the equivalent power generator in a Yamaha is about $4500 and the closest in a Honda is about $3700, I can put up with a few little quirks. It is still a lot of generator for what it costs. From my point of view I am pleased with it and it has not let me down.

Cheers for now
Laurie