Buying a Generator in South Africa

Need backup power in South Africa? Here’s a practical guide on voltages, the top generator brands, best models, and where to buy—plus smart add-ons like an inverter generator or a safe transfer switch kit.

Single-Phase Voltage: 230 V / Three-Phase Voltage: 400 V / Frequency (Hertz): 50 Hz / # of Wires: 3 / Plug Type(s): Type M, Type N

What are you looking for?

• Generator Brands/Models in South Africa
• Where to Buy Generators in South Africa
• South Africa Generator Guide & FAQs

Generator Brands for Sale in South Africa

South Africa’s load-shedding makes generators a household necessity. You’ll find everything from portable inverters to large diesel sets across trusted global and local brands.

• Honda: Portable inverter units known for quiet operation and clean power. Price range: ZAR 15,000–45,000. Browse Honda inverter generators.
• Yamaha: Lightweight and efficient inverters; ideal for electronics and smaller households. Price range: ZAR 12,000–35,000. See Yamaha EF series.
• Ryobi: Popular for affordable portable petrol units, often found in South African hardware chains. Price range: ZAR 5,000–25,000.
• Cummins: Commercial and standby diesel gensets, robust for large homes and businesses. Quote-based pricing.
• Kohler: Premium standby systems with ATS integration. Quote-based pricing.
• Kipor: Budget-friendly portable inverters, generally smaller kVA sizes. Price range: ZAR 6,000–20,000.
• Pramac / FG Wilson: Heavy-duty diesel generators for SMEs and facilities. Quote-based pricing.

Best Generator Models in South Africa

The “best” depends on your needs—quiet portability, fuel efficiency, or long runtime. Pair any with quality accessories like a surge protector and a heavy-duty extension cord.

• Honda EU22i / EU30is: Silent inverter sets, ideal for small homes and electronics; ~2–3 kW. Price: ZAR 20,000–40,000.
• Yamaha EF2200iS: Portable inverter, ~2.2 kW; known for reliability. Price: ~ZAR 18,000–30,000.
• Ryobi RG-6900K: 5.5–6.9 kVA petrol open-frame; great for households on a budget. Price: ZAR 10,000–15,000.
• Kipor IG2600: Affordable inverter generator, ~2.6 kW. Price: ZAR 8,000–12,000.
• Cummins C30–C60: Diesel standby sets for larger properties; 30–60 kVA. Quote-based pricing.
• Kohler 20–45 kVA Standby: Enclosed diesel standby units with ATS integration. Quote-based pricing.

Where to Buy Generators in South Africa

Choose authorised suppliers and hardware outlets for proper warranty support and installation. Accessories like ATS kits, covers, and CO alarms are easy online buys.

Builders Warehouse

• Nationwide locations (e.g., Johannesburg, Cape Town, Durban)
• Contact: 0860 284 533
• Hours: Mon–Sun, 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM

Leroy Merlin South Africa

• Fourways, Johannesburg; Boksburg, Greenstone
• Contact: +27 87 803 9900
• Hours: Mon–Sun, 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM

Makro

• Branches nationwide
• Contact: +27 86 002 2726
• Hours: Mon–Sun, 8:30 AM – 6:00 PM

Adendorff Machinery Mart

• Locations in Johannesburg, Pretoria, Cape Town, Durban
• Contact: +27 11 434 7000 · sales@adendorff.co.za
• Hours: Mon–Fri 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM; Sat 8:00 AM – 1:00 PM

Hup Hong Machinery (RSA)

• Johannesburg Office: 12 Forge Road, Spartan, Kempton Park
• Contact: +27 11 970 5800
• Hours: Mon–Fri 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Diesel Electric Services

• Durban Branch: 21 Electron Rd, Springfield Park, Durban
• Contact: +27 31 579 7500
• Hours: Mon–Fri 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Cummins South Africa

• Head Office: 2 Brewery Lane, Isando, Johannesburg
• Contact: +27 11 321 8700
• Hours: Mon–Fri 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Generator King

• Midrand, Johannesburg
• Contact: +27 10 040 3137 · sales@generatorking.co.za
• Hours: Mon–Fri 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM

South Africa Generator Buying Guide and Tips

• Size your generator correctly: Calculate essential loads (fridge, lights, Wi-Fi, pumps). Small homes: 2–5 kW inverters; bigger homes/businesses: 7–20+ kVA diesel.
• Noise considerations: Inverter gens run at ~50–60 dB, while open-frame petrol models exceed 70 dB. Enclosed diesels are ~65–75 dB.
• Fuel choice: Petrol is common for portable units. Diesel is more efficient and reliable for extended runtimes. Dual-fuel options offer flexibility.
• Electrical safety: Always use a certified electrician to install changeover switches or ATS kits. Never backfeed Eskom supply.
• Power quality: Protect sensitive electronics with pure sine inverter generators or AVR-equipped models.
• Maintenance: First oil change early (5–20 hours), then every 50–100 hours. Keep oil, filters, and spark plugs handy.
• Weather & storage: Store generators in dry, ventilated spaces. For rainy conditions, consider a running cover.
• Accessories: Wheel kits, jerry cans, rated cords, and small UPS devices for routers.

Buying Generator in South Africa FAQs

How much does generator installation usually cost in South Africa?
Portable unit installations with manual changeover can cost ZAR 3,000–8,000. Larger standby diesel systems with ATS and wiring may cost ZAR 20,000–80,000+, excluding the generator itself.

How noisy can a generator be in South Africa?
Inverters: 50–60 dB at 7 m. Open-frame petrol: 70–85 dB. Enclosed diesels: 65–75 dB. Always check municipal or estate noise rules.

Which generator type and fuel are best for South Africa’s climate?
For occasional outages: petrol inverter units. For frequent load-shedding and long blackouts: diesel standby sets with ATS—fuel-efficient and durable in South Africa’s climate.

What are the typical warranties for generators in South Africa?
Portable petrol models: 1–2 years limited warranty. Diesel standby gensets: usually 12–24 months (hour-based) when purchased and commissioned via an authorised dealer.