Straight answers about generators

Start by adding up what you want to run at the same time. A fridge, lights, TV, Wi-Fi and security usually need 3.5 – 5 kVA. Adding a geyser, borehole pump or air-conditioner pushes you toward 8 – 12 kVA. Remember that electric motors start with a surge of 2 – 3 times their running load. Send us your appliances and we will do a free load calculation, or book a site assessment in KwaZulu-Natal or Gauteng.

Most South African homes use single-phase 230 V power. Three-phase 400 V is used by commercial and industrial sites with three-phase motors, larger refrigeration or heavy machinery. Our three-phase generator sets deliver 400 V and can be balanced to supply smaller single-phase circuits through a distribution board. If you are not sure, check your mains breaker and meter, or send us a photo of your distribution board.

Yes, provided it has enough capacity and the correct starting surge. As a guide, allow 1.5 kW per air-conditioner plus a 2 – 3× start surge, and 3 – 4 kW for a standard 150 L geyser element. A 8 kVA diesel set generally runs a geyser or a single air-conditioner plus household basics; for both at the same time, step up to 12 kVA or use load prioritisation.

Two-phase systems are very rare in South Africa and are not a standard product category. We supply single-phase (230 V) and three-phase (400 V) sets, and can configure a three-phase generator for split-phase or two-phase legacy installations on request. Contact our technical team with your site details and we will confirm the correct configuration.

A standby rating assumes the generator runs occasionally during outages, typically up to 200 hours a year. A prime rating is for continuous use at variable load, such as an off-grid farm or construction site. Always tell us if the generator will be your primary power source so that we quote a prime-rated machine.

Yes. We offer free remote assessments anywhere in South Africa and paid on-site assessments in KwaZulu-Natal and the Gauteng metros. On-site we check load, cable sizing, earthing, ventilation, fuel storage and access. The assessment fee is credited against your order when you buy a generator from us.

In-stock items are dispatched within one business day of cleared payment and arrive in 2 – 5 business days nationwide, or 1 – 3 business days in the KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng metros. Commercial sets marked low stock take up to 3 business days to prepare; pre-order commercial units take 10 – 15 business days and industrial or containerised units 20 – 35 business days.

Standard delivery is free on orders over R25,000. Below that, nationwide delivery is R950 and metro delivery is R450. Outlying farms, mines and sites requiring a crane, lowbed or abnormal transport are quoted separately and confirmed with you before we dispatch.

We regularly export to Namibia, Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho and Zambia. Export orders are quoted individually with duties, clearing and freight shown separately. Contact sales@maxtgenerators.co.za with your delivery town and model of interest.

Installation is included on selected bundles (look for the 'Installation included' badge). For all other generators, installation is quoted after a site assessment. Installation includes mounting, changeover or ATS wiring, earthing, commissioning, load test and a Certificate of Compliance issued by a registered electrician.

You may position and operate a portable generator yourself, but any fixed connection to your distribution board is regulated electrical work and must be done by a registered electrician who issues a Certificate of Compliance. An uncertified installation is unsafe, may void your warranty, and can invalidate your insurance.

Visa and Mastercard credit or debit cards with 3D Secure, Instant EFT, standard bank transfer (EFT) and Mobicred. All prices are in South African Rand and include VAT at 15%. We do not accept cash on delivery, cheques or cryptocurrency.

We work with third-party finance partners who can quote rental or rent-to-own options for commercial and industrial customers, subject to their approval. MAXT Generators is not a registered credit provider, so we do not charge interest or perform credit assessments ourselves.

Yes. Every sale is invoiced in your business's name and carries our enterprise number 2025693694. Business customers can order with a purchase order, and approved accounts can pay on 30-day terms after a credit check. Add your company details at checkout or email accounts@maxtgenerators.co.za.

All website prices include VAT. Pricing shown is our standard retail price. For multi-unit orders, fleet or industrial projects, request a written quotation — volume pricing and service plans may be available.

Generator sets carry a 24-month warranty from delivery, and selected turnkey bundles carry 36 months. Accessories and switchgear carry 12 months, and consumables like filters and belts are covered only against manufacturing defects. Keep to the service schedule to keep cover valid.

The first service is due at 50 running hours or 3 months, then every 250 running hours or annually, whichever comes first. Services include oil and filter changes, air and fuel filter checks, battery testing, load testing and a cooling system inspection. We offer annual service plans with a 48-hour priority response.

Yes. Our Kingsburg workshop services most common makes, and our field teams cover KwaZulu-Natal, Gauteng and surrounds. Send the make, model and a photo of the serial plate for a service quotation.

We stock filters, belts, ATS panels, controllers, batteries and common sensors for the brands we sell, and can order parts for most Cummins, Perkins and Deutz-based engines. Genuine parts ordered before 12:00 are usually dispatched the same business day.

Online orders may be returned unused in their original packaging within 7 calendar days of delivery. Defective or incorrectly supplied goods may be returned within 30 days for inspection, repair, replacement or refund. Custom-built, containerised and special-order units, and products that have been fuelled or installed, cannot be returned. See our Return Policy for the full process.

Once returned goods pass inspection and a refund is approved, card and Instant EFT refunds take 5 – 10 business days and EFT refunds 3 – 5 business days. We refund to the original payment method or the verified payer's bank account only.

Note the damage on the courier's waybill where possible, photograph the packaging before opening, and contact support@maxtgenerators.co.za within 48 hours with your order number. We arrange collection, assessment and a repair or replacement, including the transport cost when the damage happened in transit.