Böhmer-AG i-2500W Inverter Generator

I love this genny. It's an inverter generator, so has a pure sine wave for when I need it for electronic equipment. The generator is 2000w continous rated despite the name of the unit. "2500w" is a model number as far as I can see, not 2500 Watts output power. 🤣 I have a mighty atom gutter vac and this generator powers it up. Took a bit for me to figure out how to do it. The generator has an overload current protection device that kicks in if the load current applied to the onboard sockets are to high for the generator. When starting my mighty atom vac, 1600w continous and 2400w on startup generally, the generator trips out if the generator is running, vac is plugged in and then turned on at the vac switch. It doesn't like turning the vacuum on and off on the vacuum on/off switch due to to much starting current. It does start perfectly however if the vac is plugged in and turned on, AND then the generator is started. The generator overload device, on generator startup specifically, is slightly more forgiving and accepting of an increased starting current. Your mileage may vary. Oh and watch the oil when filling the engine initially. I put exactly the specified correct measure of oil in and it overflowed. Just fill until the lower cap threads are getting covered in oil. Have fun. 🙂

Arrived quickly, well packaged and no damage. Filling with oil made easy by the thoughtfully supplied angled funnel. It runs power tools easily but my wet-vac rated at 1250W start and 1150 running makes it work at near capacity. Starts easily from cold but if the overload protection cut-out activated the only reset is to stop and attempt restart. The rather vague handbook says choke not needed when warm (as you'd expect) but it will not restart without using a combination of full or part choke. Opening the carb throttle butterfly also helps. I tried to check the spark plug but some Chinese robot had whammed it in so tight all efforts only bent the provided plug spanner. The best thing about this generator is it's light weight and it's only noisy when working hard. If you don't need more than 1500W this is the machine for you!

Left over the winter, item would not start. Referred to the manual and cleared the fuel system. Replace the fuel still unable to start. Supplier will not answer my requests for advise. Still under manufacturer's warranty. Will need to take it for repair it my cost. At moment it's like having a chocolate ash tray on motorbike. LOL. After many hours all that was left to do was replace the fuel pipes. Replace the cheap fuel pipes with quality clear fuel pipes at last hope and after all this it started, months of worry and no help at all. Hope this helps people that have the same Problem with very little cost.

First of all, a thing to note is that it tries to look like a German engineered product, it's not it's Chinese. However as so many things these days are badge engineered products in a sense it does not matter. (Badge engineering is where a company makes a product that other companies attach labels and market as their own, the original manufacturer name is hidden) It's not the lightest of equipment especially when the tank is full (10 Litres), so although it's portable don't consider carrying it by hand for long distances. It feels robust, the frame into which everything is mounted feels tough and not skimped on. The power output is smooth and it handles power tools well. In Eco mode, when little power is drawn the engine runs at low revs and winds up the speed when something plugged in need power saving on fuel (and noise). The Inverter output gives a voltage and frequency that any power sensitive device will be happy with. The 2 output sockets are handy, many generators of this size have only one. Starting is easy, the engine starts well in cold conditions and the manual choke lever is easy to access and it takes very little time for after startup before you can push the choke lever back to normal, so you are not hanging about over the engine waiting for it to warm up before being able to leave it to get on with its job. Running noise. It's rather noisy so it's not really suitable for holiday camping or running with other people close by. Suitcase generators are quieter but more expensive if you need a generator for camping/caravan use. Use as a building site generator will be fine or if for example you want it as s standby power source for your home in power blackouts and live in a rural setting not too close to others. Overall I am very happy with the product, it's too early to say how well it will operate when it's got a few hundred hours of runtime, only time will tell, but signs are it should be good. Last point, read the manual about service intervals, its first interval is after only 5hrs which is less than the total run time from a full tank. I serviced mine at 5 hrs and the oil was black and a bit gritty as you would expect as the engine runs in. The second service at 20hrs there was no grit so to get the best engine life do the service as suggested in the manual not after its run out of fuel on the first fill up!

Given the present uncertainties and past power outages we've suffered I wanted something as a back up for the freezer, fridge and computer. This seems to fit the bill. At 2kw its pretty light and can be moved easily. Starting was ok once I've figured out the choke (the instruction manual doesn't seem to show this). The description as 'stealth' might be an overstatement - although relative to the generators I've used on our steam railway I can see why they've called it this. Its a similar amount of noise to a small petrol driven lawn mower - not the usual deafening racket you get from open framed generators ! I've housed mine in a metal shed with very good ventilation and both doors wide open. I tested the amount of CO and it was under 60ppm which is ok to nip in and out to switch it off. As far as I can tell its well built, and once warmed up you can switch in the economy mode which reduces the engine revs and decreases petrol consumption when not under full load. Haven't tested it yet with a pc or laptop but as its a pure output it should be fine. You're not going to power the whole house with this - but its powerful enough to keep the essentials going, which is all you need in an emergency. Oh and I managed to boil a kettle too which should keep spirits up if the worst happens !

Well the generator is nice and quiet

All in all a nice generator for the price £220 for a 2.5KW Generator which weighs around 20Kg It's not as quiet as a suitcase generator and isn't as light. There is a design problem with the choke, it snags on a pipe (presumably fuel line) so you can't close it completely. This isn't a build problem it is a clear design issue. I suspect it is this problem that is making the generator motor surge slightly when under low load - the tickover rate never quite stabilises. But it doesn't stall and I can live with the minor inefficiency, given the generator's excellent price per KW. Starting is variable..... first time I started it it started on the 2nd pull. A few days later, the second time I started it I almost gave up - it took at least 20 pulls to start (if this continues I will come back and downgrade my review - because it was almost unusable the second time out.

Firstly, the delivery was very quick through DPD. Generator set up was easy and quick, as per the manual. Added quality oil and then fuel and started great. I bought the 2500i which I use for my chop saws and table saw etc for woodworking with no problem, and is pretty quiet too. For me it has to be mobile, and with a weight of around 22kg it’s certainly manageable. I put around 5 litres of unleaded in to start (just over £6), which filled to half a tank, which was ideal for two afternoons off site. Still have a 1/4 left, so very economical. The Eco switch really helps and regulates the choke.