Kipor IG1000 digital suitcase generator, a cheap alternative to the Honda 10i
Update: Kipor generator has stopped generating electricity!
Update: Generator is now repaired!
Update: We have a shiny new red Honda EU20i generator!
We’ve had the Kipor generator for over three months now so here is a brief review. When we first got our campervan it came with a generator. The noise it made was deafening, we thought it wasn’t worth the extra payload so we let someone take it off our hands. After being away for a few months in winter conditions we realised we just couldn’t do without a generator. So it was a choice between a cheap Kipor IG1000 digital suitcase generator or an expensive Honda 10i.
The price of a Kipor IG1000 including delivery was around £260 as apposed to the Honda 10i costing around £600. The specification seemed pretty much identical so we scoured the internet for comments on the Honda and Kipor suitcase type generators.
It all seemed to boil down to the old saying ‘you get what you pay for’. If you pay the price and purchase a Honda you can rely on its build quality, warranty, customer service and easy access to replacement parts. If, however, you can think of something better to spend that extra £340 on, then get the Kipor generator; the build quality could be better and after-sales service seemed pretty much non-existent!
Before buying the Kipor we read the terms and conditions on the dealer’s website. It basically says there is no warranty and if you need replacement parts, they can provide them but, ‘time is not of the essence’! (Exactly as written in their terms). When we first received our generator and took it from its box we noticed the plastic choke lever was broken off. There was no way we could send the generator back in the post from the Alps so our only option was to call the Kipor dealer, tell him the problem and request a replacement choke lever. The replacement part was sent to friends of ours within 4 days!
The build quality could be better as some of the plastics used for the casing seem a little delicate. When unplugging the leisure plug from the generator you have to do so with care as it looks like that panel could come off.
The Kipor’s output of just under 1kw seems more than capable of charging our leisure battery, our two laptops, mobile phones and digital camera. The generator was also very useful the other day when we had a flat engine battery; after one hour of charge from the generator, using the battery-charge cables included and the engine started with no difficulty.
In summary we feel the Kipor IG1000 is an excellent purchase for those who cannot or choose not to pay double the price for a Honda 10i generator. Treat it with care, change its oil regularly and keep the air filter clean and I’m sure it will keep generating electricity for a long time.
Kipor suitcase generators on eBay
Honda suitcase generators on eBay
July 31st, 2008 at 11:57 am
Kipor should pay you for your good sales pitch its sounds a good recommndation to me.
August 9th, 2008 at 10:13 am
Two days after writing this review our Kipor generator seems to have packed up! It still runs but its not generating any power. We are in touch with the dealer…
September 15th, 2008 at 1:35 pm
I’ve had my KIPOR for 2 yrs and 3 months. It has now failed. The overload light flashes on and off (with no load plugged in). There is no 230V output but there is 20V DC.
Parts are advertised on the web but I need someone to diagnose the fault.
Any ideas?
December 10th, 2008 at 4:01 pm
It sounds like you have a problem with the board, easy to change and cost around £100 to £120
January 21st, 2009 at 11:07 pm
I’ve had my Honda genny for over 20yrs. Now I need a suitcase model to go in my new motorhome. Quess which make I’ll be going for?
As you said at the top of the blog “you pays yer money and takes yer pick”. Dear ol’ dad’s advice was always buy the best you can afford.
May 6th, 2009 at 9:33 pm
rubbish… rubbish… rubbish
we’ve had nothing but trouble with our KIPOR, do not buy!
May 25th, 2009 at 3:28 pm
I had have my kipor for 5 year and it still running extreamly good.
I don’t know how your guy are using it, but for those who had problem with it, i think it should be user problem. Maybe no monthly maintence service or overloading the machine.
I would strongly recomend this kipor to everybody.
July 13th, 2009 at 9:15 pm
Bought kipor IG1000 from KMS.
Buying China products one doesnt expect anything other than something that works.
This is crude beyond belief.
First off the choke lever was broken Off, Later found in the bottom of the casing.
Trouble fixing that.(new carb) Then Having filled it up to start, find petrol tank split and dripping fuel all over circuit board into sump. New tank.
12v volt supply unregulated actually open circuit voltage 20v. cooks 12v batteries if you are not very careful.
KMS not interested. Passed on to third party who says there one of the better ones to deal with.
My advice stay well clear.
July 13th, 2009 at 9:22 pm
If you are frightened of the facts dont ask for comments.
August 15th, 2009 at 7:25 pm
Thanks for your comments. As you can read in our later posts our Kipor proved to be pretty useless and the after-sales service non-existent so we never did get around to replacing the invertor. We now have an expensive, but totally reliable, Honda EU10i.
Regarding comments - I’m not sure what you mean, but comments on our blog are moderated to prevent spam and we haven’t checked them for a while. All feedback is most welcome!
August 17th, 2009 at 7:59 pm
I have a kipor ig1000 .The overload light is flasing with no load pluged .Some one can tell me what is the problem and from were I can buy the parts
September 27th, 2009 at 4:35 pm
Glad I came accross these comments ,I will not now purchase a Kipor, its a minefield trying to fine a decent gennie I am finding ,I reckon I am going for a SDMO INEO 1000, cheers, George.
December 20th, 2009 at 11:42 pm
just bought a nearly new honda eu20i for £600 on ebay… if you hunt hard there are bargains out there…!!
August 19th, 2010 at 9:22 pm
I was going to buy a Kipor but after the comments above i would rather spend the money on vaseline for halibuts with chapped lips. I bought a Wolf 1500 Generator because it was advertised as quiet and the dealer said again and again it was very quiet. Who ever thinks that generator is quiet has obviously spent his life in a bunker being targeted 24 hours a day by B52 Bombers. If there was any justice in this world I would be allowed to sellotape the Wolf Generator to the dealers head 24 hrs a day… Never mind hey live and learn. The Honda Generators appear to be the best for economy and relative quiet.
November 18th, 2010 at 1:04 pm
Thanks for the info, I thought a Honda 2000kw was out of my financial reach. From what I read it makes good sense to afford a Honda rather than waste money on lesser quality unreliable products.
May 30th, 2011 at 7:21 pm
[…] There’s a Review of Kipor Generator here: ? Kipor IG1000 digital suitcase generator, a cheap alternative to the Honda 10i Anyway’s, OT, I’m holding fire on further investment in motorhoming, "her in doors" […]
June 4th, 2011 at 12:55 pm
I have a kipor and use it on my boat , the damp dont helo , most of the time its in the hold , but fingers crossed its been working fine . As you say you get what you pay for and I would not expect it to be as reliable as a honda , but then I didnt pay a honda price
July 5th, 2011 at 9:17 am
I bought an unpacked and unused KIPOR Sinemaster KGE 1000 Ti generator.It was new in about 2007.The engine is fine but there is no output.The output indicator light is not on and the overload light is not on.Anyone got any ideas what the problem could be and where best to buy spares or know of anywhere in the Northampton area where I could get it repaired?