Around a year ago, we tested the small Denqbar 1200 portable power generator with a continuous output of around 1000 VA. The result was good, the feedback from readers was divided. Admittedly, 1000 VA is very little for a mid-range boat with a fridge, electric hob, microwave and charger. For this reason, we now turned our attention to its bigger brother, the Denqbar DQ 2800, with around 2600 VA continuous power (2.8 kVA maximum power).
The details
Like its little brother, the DQ 2800 is also designed to be portable. You realise that this term is a stretch when you unpack it. Its almost 30 kg (ready for use) can certainly be carried by sporty people, but the question is how far?
As the manufacturer is aware of this, it has given the DQ 2800 small castors and a telescopic handle. This makes it easy to roll the generator over the distance from the car park to the boat or from the foredeck to the aft deck. However, the small plastic castors should not be used on excessively rough terrain.
We found the electric starter function with remote control particularly useful. In plain language: once the generator has reached its position on the foredeck, on the jetty or outside the winter storage shed, you can start and switch it off using a remote control without having to go to the appliance each time.
The 6.5 Ah starter battery required for this is permanently mounted in the generator and charges itself as soon as the engine is running. At the same time, there is of course also the classic manual rope starter, as known from small outboards.
You can read the full practical test in the September issue of BOOTE, which will be available from newsagents from 15/08/18 - for Subscribers sooner, of course. Or you can download the PDF for the test below.
Downloads:
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