A portable generator is one of the most valuable machines in your home. Apart from powering your important appliances during a blackout, it is also useful for camping and outdoor trips. Your generator needs care and safety. While regular maintenance is important to keep it working in mint condition, safety is needed to ensure it is not stolen. Generator theft is getting more common day by day, and thousands of cases are reported daily to the authorities.
What’s the best way to keep your generator safe?
You cannot keep an eye on your generator all the time. Imagine that you are running your generator at night due to blackouts, and it suddenly stops working. You go out to check the fuel level and inspect what’s wrong with it, and you find out that your generator is missing. To avoid such catastrophic situations, you need to keep your generator safe. The best way to keep your generator safe while it is running is cable locks. This review will present you with the best cable locks and handle locks to keep your generator safe. Please keep in mind that handle locks are suitable for inverters and are model specific. Cable locks, on the other hand, can be used with all portable generators. We will also discuss a buying guide to help you make the best purchase decision.
Table of Contents
Best Cable Locks and Handle Locks
Image | Product | Features | Ratings | Check Price |
 | Lumintrail 12mm (1/2 inch) Heavy-Duty Security Cable |
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 | Master Lock 8418D Python Keyed Cable Lock |
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 | VULCAN Security Chain and Lock Kit |
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 | Trimax TDL1510 Trimaflex 15' X 10mm Cable |
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 | Theft Deterrent Security Bracket for Honda Generator |
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1. Lumintrail 12mm (1/2 inch) Heavy-Duty Security Cable, Vinyl Coated Braided Steel with Sealed Looped Ends (4′, 7′, 15′ or 30′)
This security cable is ideal for generators, lawnmowers, bicycles, sports equipment, fences, coolers, patio furniture, and many other outdoor items. It comes with braided steel construction, which is powerful to withstand a lot of force. The usual thieves will not be able to break it apart and take away your generator. The vinyl coating on the steel protects against rust and corrosion and enhances the life of the cable. It has loops on both sides and can accommodate padlocks, u-locks, and disc locks. You can use the simple key locks on this cable as well. The looped ends of the cable are securely held with the help of steel collars.
You can secure your generator by using one end of the generator and the other end with something fixed and strong like a steel pole, RV(for outdoor purposes), or anything else strongly fixed to the floor or a wall. It comes in 4 different sizes 4, 7, 15, and 30 feet. You can choose according to the distance of the generator from your home. Ideally, it would help if you used your generator at least 15 feet away from your home.
Our Opinion and Verdict:
The only issue with this cable is missing a lock mechanism. Overall, it is a very strong, durable, reliable, and long-lasting security cable.
2. Master Lock 8418D Python Keyed Cable Lock, 6 ft Long, Black
The next cable comes with a lock mechanism and 6 feet in length. It is ideal for RV use and for people who have a steel pole near their generators at home. You can easily lock down your generator with your RV with this cable and feel relaxed that your generator is secured and safe.
It has the same quality steel braided construction with a diameter of 8 millimeters. The vinyl coating ensures that the cable won’t rust for a long period. It is a versatile cable as the lock can be adjusted from a minimum length of 6 inches to 6 feet. You can use it for other purposes as well, such as locking your bicycle, tool kits, and patio furniture. The lock comes with two keys. You can give one key to your partner during camping, so if one of you loses the key, the other can come to the rescue.
Our Opinion and Verdict:
Its lock is secure, durable, and reliable. However, it has a short length, which can be a nuisance in some cases.
3. VULCAN Security Chain and Lock Kit – Premium Case-Hardened – 3/8 Inch x 9 Foot Chain Cannot Be Cut With Bolt Cutters or Hand Tools
Next up, we have a 9-feet long security chain to keep your generator safe from robbery. The chain has been hardened to 63 RC at 10% depth and 50RC in the core, making it one of the strongest and most durable security chains available for you to buy. The chain is impossible to cut with hand tools unless the thieves decide to use some heavy machinery or a tow truck to pull your generator apart; they won’t succeed in cutting this. It is so sturdy that the company claims that the only way to cut this chain is to use an acetylene torch and burn it.
The security lock is also very strong and comes with two keys. The chain has an electro-galvanized finish to resist rust and corrosion. The chain is covered in a durable pad to keep it safe from dust and water. One of the best things about this chain is that it comes with a lifetime warranty. If your chain is ever cut with a hand tool, Vulcan will replace it.
Our Opinion and Verdict:
It is very costly and almost ten times more costly than the regular cables used to secure the generators. Apart from the price hike, it is an excellent and fully reliable generator cable lock.
4. Trimax TDL1510 Trimaflex 15′ X 10mm Dual Loop Multi-Use Cable
The Trimax lock cable is also a perfect option to lock your generator with a cable. It comes in 3 different lengths of 8, 15, and 30 feet. A 30-length cable gives you the freedom to keep your generator as far as you want. It is a multipurpose cable and can be used with your RVs, ATVs, bicycles, coolers, patio furniture, or anything else you want to secure.
The cable is made with braided steel and covered with a fine-quality vinyl coating. Please keep in mind that you will have to buy the lock separately as it is just a cable. The loops are fixed with steel rings, which will hold the locks in their place. It will make stealing your generator impossible.
Our Opinion and Verdict:
It is a very reasonably priced cable lock for the best results.
5. Theft Deterrent Security Bracket for Honda Generator EU2200i, EU2000i, EU2000i Companion, EU2000i Camo Generator 63230-Z07-010AH
Inverter generators come in a plastic box. The carry handle is quite flimsy and cannot withstand a locking cable or a lock. If you own a Honda inverter generator, you will need a metallic bracket so you can use the cords safely. If you are planning to buy, please check the compatibility with your model.
This security bracket is made from powder-coated iron and tamper-proof bolts. After installing this security bracket, you can easily use any one of the above-mentioned security cables. The screws on this bracket come with a particular design and cannot be opened with any ordinary screwdriver. You will have to use the special wrench for unscrewing the bracket.
The bracket comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee and a 2-year lifetime warranty on breakage.
Our Opinion and Verdict:
It is a must-have accessory for all inverter owners. You can save your costly inverter by spending some extra on security brackets and cables. Make sure you check the model-compatibility before buying it.
Buying Guide
A buying guide helps you make the best possible purchase decision. Let’s look at the key factors.
Length of the Cord
Make sure you are buying a cord that will reach your generator easily from the lock point. By lock point, we mean the structure with which you are locking your generator. If it is located nearby, a small cable will do the trick. A lot of people install an iron loop in the ground or garage where they plan to run the generator and then use it to lock the generator.
Material
Do you want a steel chain or braided chain with a vinyl coating? Both are equally reliable and durable, but there is a price difference in them. It depends on your budget.
Locking Mechanism
Some people don’t rely on the chains’ lock mechanism; they use their own locks, which they consider to be more powerful. If you buy the locks separately, go for a without-the-lock cable. If you don’t want to bear the hassle of separate locks, with-locks cable options are also available.
Warranty
Look for a cable that comes with a warranty. It will get you a replacement when your cable breaks.
Budget
Do you really want to comprise your generator because of a few bucks? Well, the choice is yours. We suggest you buy a strong, reliable, and durable security cable for your generator.
Inverter Generator Brackets
If you have a generator, you would have to use metal brackets to attach security cables. A few of the inverter models have brackets available in the market. If your inverter is compatible with it, buy it without any fears. Otherwise, you may have to get a custom-built metal bracket from a blacksmith.
Final Word
We have listed all the cables that you can use for your generator cable. Ensure you buy the best one according to your needs so that your generator is safe from getting stolen.