Generator Repair - FAIL (GENSAFE Inverter Generator Model GHS2000i)

My GENSAFE GHS 2000i Inverter Generator has died after only 30 hours use. I track down the problem to a faulty inverter control module.
These generators are Chinese made and sold in Australia by SYDNEY TOOLS. They are still sold with a 5 year warranty but the quality of the electronics is questionable. There are no options to buy spare parts or to access a parts diagram of the unit.

[@thedahlins]

Thanks, good to know the spinning drill trick only works on non-inverter generators. It turns out that I let the generator run for a while and it began working normally. Apparently, it needed to get up to speed for a little bit in order to generate power. I like your calm tone of confronting a problem. I'm a general contractor and can do a variety of things, but often I come upon something new. In those moments your calm and thoughtful approach is exactly what's needed.

[@thedahlins]

Thanks for posting this video. I'm currently trying to get an 35 year old Makita G3501R generator working again. After cleaning the carburetor, it fired right up but did not produce any voltage. I appreciate your efforts in trying to track down the problem on your generator. Even though you have not succeeded so far, I'm encouraged by your attempt. I'll try the drill technique and see if that helps.

[@TreeChangeFarmer]

Thanks for watching Paul. I have found out since posting this video that the spinning drill manoeuvre only works on a non inverter generator. Cheers Dave

[@chris48144]

I think senci is the manufacture of the genset and Pramac P2000i is very similar. Sydney tools use to have parts for them. I had one for about 4 years and got about 500hrs on it

[@simonilett998]

It's a shame, this seems to be a very common failure mode for inverter generators, and the replacement inverter boards are often not available or prohibitively expensive.
Using a power drill to 're-flash the field' is only possible with some non-inverter generators.
A replacement board from the US likely will not be suitable as it will probably output 110 volts or 120 volts which is obviously half the voltage of what we need here.
I'm in a similar position with a large Yamaha 6300ise paperweight that's been taking up space in my shed for nearly 2 yrs.
It has 2 inverter boards which are dead, a burnt out stator, and possibly a dead speed control/interface board.
The engine still runs great but total cost for parts to repair it comes in at over $3000 ex-Yamaha, with no aftermarket alternatives.
I've been contemplating trying to rewind the stator, and attempt to repair the inverter boards by dissolving the epoxy resin with acetone or hot water etc but it might not be successful or worth the time, and there is a risk of damage to components and/or end up removing any useful markings off the components in the process, so overall it seems these inverter machines are generally a lost cause🤷‍♂️🇦🇺

[@jimmybrad156]

Never even overloaded it? That's a worry.
Edit: interesting to learn that running it dry can stress the inverter. THank you for that tip.

[@JoshKilen]

best of luck finding a replacement part or generator.

[@martynfrost3662]

It's disappointing when something that is really designed for emergency use and never have a lot of hours on them, lets you down. Even if it is 5 years old. What would the dollar per use be on a $1200 machine?

[@jimmybrad156]

How many hours does your typical outage last might you say?
Having a battery+inverter (pre-made as a 'power station' eg Bluetti (make sure it has a lifepo4 battery for safety's sake)) handy to cover say 12 hour outages is handy.
If you want to make your own you'll prob save ~$500-1000. Eg. $800 for a 100ah 24v lifepo4 battery, $450 for a 3500va inverter and say $200-300 for wire, fuse, isolator, lugs, heatshrink, tools, etc.
In my experience, watching gumtree generator ads daily, you can find a modern inverter generator ~2kva for $200 (in WA) if you wait a month or three, or ~$300 if you want one sooner.
I got a barely used 2kva kings for $200 ($~500 new as of today) compact generator (not the cubic open-frame type). It's a bit noisy but works fine.
Edit: just watched your second video showing the 3kva ~$400 kings opted for.

[@TreeChangeFarmer]

There is a housing estate being built on the land next to us. Maybe twice a month for the last year the power goes off at 8am and comes on again at 5pm. If I am working in the sign shop the printer need about 2500 watts to run so would struggle with a back up battery system. The Kings generator does the job well so far. Still looking for a similar generator to the broken 'Gensafe' on marketplace so I can repair the original one. Cheers Dave.

[@jimmybrad156]

@@TreeChangeFarmer curious to know: do you hear many other gennies running during outages?

[@TreeChangeFarmer]

@@jimmybrad156 The neighbour behind my place runs his. Most of the new places in the state are not lived in yet.