SIP MEDUSA T950
Price £94.98
Tel 01509 500300
Web www.sip-group.com
Size 366 x 308 x 376mm
Weight 20kg
Tank Capacity 4 litres
ERT 6.5 hours
Continuous output 750W
Coming in at under £100, the T950 is the baby of the SIP family, so you won't be surprised to learn that it comes with a two-stroke engine. Having said that, we were again surprised by the excellent performance that modern two-strokes offer. The unit sprang swiftly into life, and it generated very little noise.
Two-stroke engines are never as smooth as four-stroke engines, but here the sound level became disturbing only under continued maximum loading. The maximum continuous supply is roughly equal to that of a 3A electric hook-up, but the unit can supply up to 950W for short bursts to handle start-up surge demand.
Perhaps the best use for this little generator is as a leisure battery charger. SIP must think so too, since it supplies battery-charging leads to fit into the 12V output socket. There's also a domestic three-pin socket on the front panel.
Verdict Decent output, a low weight and a reasonable price make this a very useful device for caravanners.
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HONDA EU10I
Price £599.99
Tel 0800 028 4438
Web www.worldofpower.co.uk
Size 450 x 240 x 380mm
Weight 13kg
Tank capacity 2.3 litres
ERT 2.8 hours
Continuous output 900W
On paper, almost £600 for 900W doesn't seem like such a great bargain. But having said that, this machine is two or three generations ahead of its competitors. Its main innovation is the use of inverter technology that brings two major benefits to the user. First, the unit is much lighter. Second, the output is so finely regulated that you wouldn't have any qualms about running sensitive electronic equipment directly from the unit.
Honda has forged itself a reputation for being the producer of the some of the world's finest small petrol engines. After starting up this model, it's easy to see why. While the 87-decibel rating doesn't appear to be overly impressive, the actual sound generated is rather like that of a large expensive motorbike purring quietly away at idle. On the front panel, you'll find a three-pin domestic socket, as well as a 12V socket. There are plenty of warning lights to indicate when both oil and fuel levels are low.
Verdict An exceptionally refined device that's packed with features, although some caravanners might be put off by its high price.
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*** EDITOR'S CHOICE ***

WOLF 1200
Price £139.96
Tel 0500 414141
Web wwww.screwfix.com
Size 450 x 350 x 370mm
Weight 29 kg
Tank capacity 6 litres
ERT 6 hours
Continuous output 1000W
For an open-frame generator, this one is reasonably compact and not especially heavy. The tank capacity is only six litres, but this gives six hours running time, which will be quite adequate for most caravanners' needs.
The 1000W output is equivalent to a 4.3A mains hook up, while a peak output of 1200W allows short bursts of extra power for start-up surge demand. It's also impressively quiet, with a maximum noise level of just 68 decibels. Even at full load, the tone was just a deep rumble.
From a usability point of view, this generator is excellent. It started easily, and immediately settled down to smooth running. The electricity generated can easily be used through either the three pin domestic main socket, or the 12V plug supplied. Battery charging leads are included, too.
Verdict Quiet, compact and easy to use, this is a great all-rounder.
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*** BUDGET CHOICE ***

WOLF 950
Price £79.99
Tel 0500 414141
Web wwww.screwfix.com
Size 370 x 310 x 360mm
Weight 22.5kg
Tank capacity 4.5 litres
ERT 5.8 hours
Continuous output 650W
As with most budget generators, this one has a two-stroke engine. We thought that this would result in lots of noise and blue smoke, but we couldn't have been more wrong. No more smoke was created than with the more expensive four-stroke machines, and while the running was less smooth, it wasn't any louder.
This is probably down to the suitcase-style casing, which acts as a noise shield.
But the main hassle with this unit, as with any two-stroke engine, is that you must mix in two-stroke oil with any new fuel you add. Fortunately, the 4.5-litre fuel tank allows the frugal little engine to run for up to 5.8 hours between refills, and the filler cap comes with a measuring jug to help you get the correct mix of oil and petrol.
There isn't a fuel gauge, which means that checking fuel levels entails removing the cap and peering into the tank. The front panel has a three-pin domestic mains socket, a 12V plug, and comes with battery charge leads.
Verdict Surprisingly refined given its two-stroke engine, but the lack of a fuel gauge is a nuisance.
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SIP MEDUSA T1000
Price £154.99
Tel 01509 500300
Web www.sip-group.com
Size 440 x 340 x 380mm
Weight 25.5kg
Tank capacity 5.5 litres
ERT 8 hours
Continuous output 900W
This hybrid generator is essentially a budget suitcase-case style unit that boasts a four-stroke engine. But despite this, we actually found the engine to be less smooth than the two-stroke T950 model in the category beneath it. Under full load, the unit was very noisy, and when idling it continuously revved from slow to fast and back again.
Many generators do this from cold, but after warming up most run smoothly: not so with the T1000. This problem also affected power output. Under maximum load, our test unit stalled several times As usual, there are three-pin domestic and 12V sockets on the front panel. Battery charging leads are included too.
Verdict The poor running spoils what is otherwise a useful little generator with a pleasingly low weight and a good tank capacity.
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CLARKE G900
Price £281.94
Tel 01992 565300
Web www.clarkeinternational.com
Size 270 x 265 x 345mm
Weight 22.5kg
Tank capacity 1.5 litres
ERT 3.4 hours
Continuous output 600W
Clarke has tried to emulate the appearance of premium brand generators with this handy little suitcase unit, which is the smallest of all the models on test. At just over 22kg, few machines are lighter, which makes it well-suited to caravanners.
What's unusual for such a small unit is that it's powered by a refined four-stroke engine. On the downside, the Clarke's compact size means the fuel tank has a low 1.5-litre capacity. And despite the suitcase-style exterior, noise levels were comparable with those of the open-frame units in our test.
The 600W output isn't surprising given the unit's size, but this should have been reflected in a much lower price. The two 240V sockets are Continental in style, which means you'll have to buy an adapter before you can use them. Meanwhile, the single 12V socket is routed through two screw terminals.
Verdict This is a smart, compact unit, but it's not the easiest device to use in terms of connection.
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