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Redback RB4 has been discontinued. See all Redback Generators Generators.
Redback RB4
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- 2 reviews
Great in writing
We've had two of these generators.
The first one was was great until the 500-ish hour mark when it stopped dead and would not go at all. We couldn't pull-start it and when we tried using the starter motor, it puffed a cloud of blue smoke. It was cooked.
The 2nd one did much the same thing but with many less hours. There seems to be a major fault with this generator. It's great until it cooks itself.
We had a mechanic check the generator over and were told to throw it out.
Our next generator will be a name brand with a long warranty.
- 2 reviews
- 1 like
Always broken down
It was delivered promptly, ran fine for the first 2mths then just stopped could get a spark. They sent me a new module, after that ran for another 2mths. Then it broke down again a fuel issue with the injection. So many other issues I had to send it back for a warranty. They fixed it, but it always was hard to start. In the end remote didn't work, electric start stopped working. Only got 600hrs out of it before it died. My van is now modified to free camp so I only use a little generator.
Purchased at iTechworld for $1,499.
- Verified
Bad generator, worse service
I bought this generator after reading the full page ad about it in the Caravan Section of The West newspaper. I liked the idea of it being on wheels, and its quiet operation. On my first camping trip, I realized the wheels were useless and only good for wheeling the generator around on concrete (wheels are too small otherwise). The generator only started the first time with the electronic ignition, then I had to pull-start it. After 40 hours the display screen failed. Then the generator cut out and died when I would start my grinder. I took it ...
Read moreto iTech for a warranty repair. A couple of weeks later I got an email saying the dust in the generator caused it to fail, and the battery needed replacement. I paid the invoice of $218 at 1:34 in the afternoon and three minutes later I received an email from iTech saying the generator was repaired and ready to be picked up. I called next day and asked to speak to the technician that did the repair, I wanted to ask him if he did a load test on the generator to make sure it was putting out a charge. After of couple of minutes of discussing the generator and being told what had been done to rectify the problems, I was then informed that the service hadn't even been started yet! I wasn't happy, imagine if I had assumed the generator was repaired and ready for pick up as I had been told, and planned to pick it up on my way out of town to go camping, only to find the generator hadn't even been fixed! Anyway I now realize this generator is only suitable for workshops or home-garage supply, not to be used camping (where there's dust) unless you want to carry a sheet of plywood around with you. That's because the breather intake is on the bottom of the generator. When I asked the chap at iTech about this, he said 'All generators breathe from the bottom". Well my Honda doesn't ! That's probably why it starts first pull after 20 years of service. I reckon if you sell an inferior product, your service had better be great. I'm disappointed in both.Purchased in April 2018.
- Verified
very unreliable
After reading about redback generators I was quite excited to get one. Unfortunately over the past 2 and a bit years that excitement has turned to disappointment. Like a lot of people I am using the generator when away from the city so it is not easy to get it in to the place I purchased it when it is playing up. It started having problems within a year. I took it into an appliance servicing center in Denmark where it was discovered that the starter coil was faulty. While waiting for a new one to be sent down from itech world I had to hire a ge...
Read morenerator in Denmark and also pay for the labour of repairing the redback. In March 2020 - I had long service leave in Denmark. The redback generator was once again playing up - running somewhere between 10 minutes and 3 hours before conking out. After taking it back into the local appliance servicing center 3 times, I borrowed my brother in-law's generator which worked perfectly for the months I was there. When I got back from leave I took the redback to the place I purchased it - where I was told it needed a new fuel pump. Although the redback was only 2 years into its 5 year warranty the warranty was void because of not having log book entrees for servicing every 100 hours. I use the generator to run a freezer and charge a battery - running it for one tank full (about 7 or 8 hours) per day. That would mean taking it in for servicing about every 2 weeks of my long service leave. At the time when the fuel pump failed it had done 770 hours. It has now done 890 hours and already it is not starting again and I am back to borrowing my brother in-law's generator. I really don't want this generator any more as it has let me down too many times. I don't know if I just got a lemon or whether redback generators are just extremely unreliable. My advice (based on the experience I have had) would be to pay a couple of hundred extra and get a reliable brand like a Yamaha or Honda or get one of the cheaper brands for a quarter of the price. Even if you have to replace it every 2 years you are doing just as well as I have with the redback.Purchased at iTechworld for $1,899.
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- Verified
To good
Owned this power plant for a couple of years now it’s powered me through the centre and up the top very easy unit to maintain thumbs up if I could say one thing I wish I had this 10 years ago
Purchased in February 2018 at Itechworld for $1,899.
- Verified
Upgrade
My Honda EU22i was recalled due to a fire risk. I have stood by Honda for almost 3 decades and always considered my self a “Honda Man”. Not anymore! They offered me a replacement, I politely declined. I took the refund.
I have had my eyes on my neighbours RB4 for a while, I couldn’t believe the things he could power in his van all at once.
I phoned Itech talked to the boys and four days later the RB4 turned up at my front door in New South Wales. Incredible service from iTech.
The RB4 powers everything in my van at once, the old Honda had no chance of that. It was struggling to keep up with the AC.
I now consider myself a “Redback Man”.
Purchased for $1,699.
- Verified
Did what it said
Got the generator for my fifth wheeler ran my aircon did what I was told it would do. Thumbs up great little genny. Would recommend highly great that it’s black as well.
Purchased in February 2018 for $1,899.
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- Verified
Can not fault
Purchased this unit in 2017 have used the power plant to go around Australia multiple times . Ran the unit to run my aircon microwave and battery chargers has never let me down if there was a bad thing I could think of I honestly could not tell you has stood up well against the test of time
Purchased in November 2017 at itechworld for $1,499.
- Verified
Best generator
Got this generator for a back up I’m in Kalgoorlie and we get more blackouts then anyone I believe in Australia have no issues running my fridge and deep chest freezer my son borrowed it for his caravan and he bought one and is more then happy. Quiet compact and POWERFUL .
Purchased in October 2018 at Itechworld for $1,899.
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- Verified
Could not believe this ran everything in the van
I bought this generator after seeing one in Broome. I currently own a Spinifex epex which has an ibis 3 aircon I recently had a Honda 2 but it packed up I got this after seeing claims it will run everything in the van.... I could not believe it this not only ran the aircon but I could also run my battery charger and microwave all at once I can not describe how happy I am with the unit.
Purchased in February 2020 at Itechworld .
- Verified
Best generator
I am very pleased with my 5kva Redback generator.
Excellent starter.
Capable of running air con and microwave at the same time in my Jaco Heritage caravan.Unknowingly I also had the electric hot water running at the same times the generator was working fairly hard and showing an output of4 kw.When I turned the hot water it handled the other two easily.
I believe the Redback to be a very good generator at a very reasonable price.
Purchased in February 2019 for $1,899.
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- 3 reviews
- 4 likes
- Verified
Run away
Generator warranty has a lot of fine print re onerous service schedules having to be adhered to, being used on hard surfaces only ( not easy to find when camping ) and 5kva really 3.6. Our remote died straight away and machine now dead probably because of no hard surfaces to put machine on. Poorly designed if it can't cope with what would normally be expected of any other generator. Stretching the truth with size also not a great look. Cheap price about right for quality. Just don't expect anything more.
Purchased in September 2019 at Itech world for $1,499.
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- Verified
Warning
Beware that this generator draws cooling air from underneath. If it ever stands on Kimberley dust, as mine did once, it will suck dust in and ruin it within minutes.
Purchased in April 2018 at I Tech World Riversale WA.
Paid $1,500 with a 5 year guarantee. I returned the generator to the shop after 17 hours operation because the key start failed. Had to start it with the recoil but would not switch off with the key. ...
Read morePaid $75 for a service. After service the recoil would not work. Itechworld refuse to fix it blaming dust and superficial corrosion. It worked OK before the service.Hi Corrin,
There is sand present inside your generators casing approx. 1 inch deep. There is corrosion on components of your generator. There are rust marks and water damage throughout the insides of your generator....
Read more It is stated clearly on page 5 of your manual Do not use in a dusty or sandy environment. Doing so can cause sand and dust to be sucked into the Redback generator and store the generator in a dry area. It is stated clearly on page 6 of your manual Operate the generator in a clean, dry, well ventilated area. This is not a manufacturer fault. Any fault that has happened or will happen is due to the conditions and misuse the generator has been subjected to.- Verified
Reliability problems
Received the generator promptly after 5 days it began blowing fuses and remote would only work from about 7 meters
Sent it back to Itechworld received it back all items fixed we then had a 37 degree day and the generator stopped and refused to start until the next morning have been in contact both by email and phone but not getting any support from Itechworld the generator is just under 2 months old
Purchased in August 2019 for $1,599.
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- Verified
4 Days delivery time - Extremely Quiet
I got my Redback 4 days after I ordered it. From Perth to Cairns I think that’s extremely impressive!
We are very impressed with this genny, it runs extremely quiet, powers the air con and also powers the coffee machine.
She really is a great piece of kit, I have taken it on several trips now and everyone at the caravan parks I’ve been too have commented on how quiet it runs. I think I may have even sold a few by singing it’s praises so much......I wonder if I can get commission lol.
Best thing about it is the 5 year warranty, peace of mind.
Questions & Answers
Hi Guys, had my redback 5kva for a couple of years now. never been an easy start from day 1 but i do get it going. recently it has stated to run run rough & is always HUNTING for fuel i think.good fuel, oil good, new filter. need to run half choke to get it to run anywhere near smooth. been a disappointment from day 1. what say the experts ?
Hi Rick, I feel Ya! My genny ran OK on concrete but when I took it camping, it stated to fail. Then I had a big bill to get it serviced, "due to the dust". Bottom line - use a big piece of rubber/carp...
Read moreet to run it on, in the bush. I think the air intake is on the bottom, from memory? Not the best place huh? I was happiest when I sold it! Cheers ....Hi ya , mine has always been on a large piece of ply when camping so not the problem i think . thanks for your input.
Have bought iteck 25AH 300W Portable power station and have found it does the job beautifly. Am about to buy a genorator to run the air con on my small van , was told a 2.2 kv would do the job, I have a good outcome with honda products , motor cars & bikes but at half the price and with a limited budget (on the pension) am truly tempted.
Don't do it .go with Honda or something that can be serviced locally to wherever you'll be .2 many problems to say
Thanks for your consideration Graeme, the RB2 will be more than capable of doing the job you require!
Hi. I’ve just started using my Redback to run my aircon in my van. It starts off ok and runs for about 20 mins no problem and the geni does not sound overloaded in any way. After about 20mins I lose power in the van but the geni is still running. There are no circuit breaker trips in the van and I am only using the aircon so the hot water system is switched off and running no other devises. If I turn the geni off and wait 30 seconds and turn it on again everything works again for about 20 mins. I’m using a 15amp power lead that works totally fine when plugged into caravan park power.
Any ideas???
Please call 08 9472 7200 for technical assistance.
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Thank you for your review. We are sorry its not a positive one.
It is stated clearly several times in your instruction manual to use The Redback RB4 on a hard surface away from dust and sand.