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Generators for Sale in South Africa

A free quote from generator dealers and suppliers across South Africa. One job card, no obligation.

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A new canopied standby generator on a concrete plinth beside a South African suburban house with a boundary wall
BH-01
Rated output
2 to 60 kVA
Fuel
Petrol, diesel, LPG or dual fuel
Output
Single phase 230 V or three phase 400 V
Service
First service at 20 to 50 run hours, then every 100 to 250
Turnaround
Same day off the shelf to 2 weeks for larger sets

Generators for sale in South Africa range from a 2 kVA petrol unit that keeps the lights and Wi-Fi on to a 60 kVA silent diesel set that carries a whole business. GeneratorRepair.co.za helps you get a free quote: you describe what you want to power on one form, and independent generator dealers and suppliers who cover your area quote you directly. Tell them the appliances, the fuel you prefer and whether it must start on its own, and you can compare a generator with price, warranty and backup side by side.

Sizing a generator for a house

Size a generator from the load, not the price tag. Add up the running watts of everything you want on at the same time, then allow for the start surge of motors: a fridge or freezer can draw three to five times its running power for a second, and a borehole or pool pump even more. Generators are rated in kVA; at a 0.8 power factor, 10 kVA gives about 8 kW of real power.

  • 2 to 3 kVA: lights, TV, router, fridge and phone charging
  • 5 to 8 kVA: most of a house without the geyser, oven or aircon
  • 10 to 20 kVA: a whole house including a pump, geyser and stove

On the Highveld, naturally aspirated engines lose roughly 10 to 15% of their rated output at altitude, so size up a step in Gauteng.

Open-frame, canopied or inverter

Open-frame petrol units are the cheapest and loudest, fine for a short outage in a yard with space. Canopied (silent) sets add a sound-insulated steel enclosure and suit homes and estates. Inverter generators give clean power for electronics and are the quietest of the small units. For long or daily outages, diesel generators cost more upfront but burn less fuel per kWh and last far longer between overhauls. Some petrol units also run on LPG as dual fuel.

Features to compare on generators for sale

  • Electric start and battery: needed for remote or automatic starting
  • ATS readiness: an auto-start controller lets an automatic transfer switch start it when the grid fails
  • Fuel use and tank size: ask for litres per hour at 50% and 75% load to work out run time
  • Noise: compare dB(A) at 7 m, not at 1 m
  • Warranty and parts: a local service agent and stocked filters matter more than a low price

Installation and safety

A generator plugged into appliances with extension leads needs no installer, but anything wired into the house needs a changeover switch or ATS fitted by a registered electrician, who issues a Certificate of Compliance under SANS 10142-1. Never run a generator in a garage, carport or indoors: the exhaust carries carbon monoxide. See generator installation for what a fixed install involves.

What to include in your request

  • List the appliances you want on at once
  • Say your preferred fuel or ask for advice
  • Note if it must start automatically
  • Mention estate noise rules or neighbours
  • Say whether you need installation and a CoC

Generators for Sale for different sites

  • Homes: a 5 to 10 kVA unit running lights, fridges, Wi-Fi and the gate motor
  • Estates and complexes: a quiet canopied or inverter unit that meets body corporate noise rules
  • Farms and smallholdings: a diesel set big enough for the farmhouse, borehole pump and cold room
  • Shops, offices and restaurants: a silent diesel standby set with an ATS for tills, lights and servers
  • Factories, mines and sites: a three phase diesel set sized for motors, compressors and site offices
  • Lodges, venues and events: a silent set for a guesthouse or lodge so guests barely notice outages
  • Clinics, schools and towers: an auto-start standby set for a clinic, school or church hall

Frequently asked questions

Does GeneratorRepair.co.za sell generators?
No. We are a free quote service, not a shop. Your request goes to independent generator dealers and suppliers, who quote you directly with their own prices. There is no fee and no obligation to buy.
How much is a generator in South Africa?
As a rough guide, a 2 to 3 kVA open-frame petrol unit costs R3,000 to R7,000, a 5 to 8 kVA petrol unit R6,000 to R18,000, a 2 kVA inverter R7,000 to R18,000, and a 10 kVA silent diesel R45,000 to R90,000. Prices vary with brand, features and installation.
Is there a small generator for sale that runs a fridge?
Yes. A 2 to 3 kVA petrol or inverter generator runs a fridge, lights, TV and router comfortably, as long as the fridge's start surge fits within the peak rating. Leave the kettle and geyser off.
Can I find a generator for sale near me with installation?
Yes. Say on your request that you need supply and installation, and dealers who work with electricians in your area can quote the unit, changeover or transfer switch, cabling and Certificate of Compliance together.

Generators for Sale by province and city

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Installation & switchingGenerator installation, automatic transfer switches and changeover switches

Buy & hireNew, diesel, inverter, silent, three phase and used generators, and generator hire

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Generator details

RefMake, model or descriptionkVAFuelRemove
G1
G2
Up to 12. Don't know the size? Leave kVA empty.
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