Electric Generators

[Brian]

Can anyone offer any assistance on this particular query?

We are moving our woodwork shop from its current (free) site in the next few weeks. We need some volts there, - what do you know about generators? Or do you know a man who does know?

We need about 2kva and it needs to be reasonably quiet (fussy neighbours). Also, it needs to run for 7-8 hours without re-fuelling. Budget, I guess is up to £500.

[willk]

2kva? That won't run a kettle! Do you mean 20?

Mine is 200kva - runs all kindsa stuff. What do you need to run over what operating period. How long does this thing have to last for?

[Brian]

Hi Willk,

I'm a complete dodo at this kind of stuff.
You may have gathered that I am enquiring on behalf of a friend (whom I hope is silently reading your erudite reply!).

I gave up "doing" anything usefull years ago!

[jimn]

200 KVA is pretty huge for domestic use, I guess they would cost upwards of 20 grand.

What sort of equipment will you be powering? An inductive load will require a higher KVA than a resistive load.

The run time will be dependent on the tank size, do you have a prefrence on fuel and do you need electric start?

Here is a 5.9KVA (about 4800 watts) Diesel with electric start and an internal 21 litre internal tank
It is between £2.2000 and £2.5000 depending on options

http://www.justgenerators.co.uk/pages/Pramac_P6000S.htm

[willk]

Originally Posted by Brian

I gave up "doing" anything usefull years ago!

Oh I don't know, you were quite useful when we met last year

The post did puzzle me. A 2kva (2000va) genny is the sort market traders use and much less than your budget.

A woodshop will probably require 20kva or more and possibly 3 Phase supply. A silent genny in this range is also in another price range entirely. If it is for long term use (as this would be) you should consider a 1500rpm "Continuous cycle" unit (less stress, less maintenance, longer life) 3000rpm "Standby" units tend to be cheaper but not designed for this application. Continuous units tend to have larger tanks or remote connections for a fuel line.

Something temporary to run tools during renovation and install might be what you want? If so, you'd probably get away with 4-5kva depending. Any decent brand should do but silencing needs a housing and extra cost.

My set is in a sound proof shed (useful for other things too ). She can supply a small village at 200kva (3 phase) which is 180Kw approx and run for 16 hours at full chat. Plant is a straight 6 turbocharged Volvo 120AG, auto start and changeover. If you want, I'd swap for your RIB and just buy a few candles instead

[Brian]

Received the following reply from my earlier e-mail to my pal who is enquiring:

" I'm planning to charge a small storage radiator to keep the workshop frost free, that's 900W. Then lights & radio etc, say 200W, and power tool, say another 200W. Add a bit for contingency and you have continuous probably 1500W. Sounds (from Tony) that we need 2000kva plus then. When we've got a cold night forecast, the storage rad will need about 7 hours to charge, so it could run for that time each day in winter. "

BTW I have absolutely no idea who Tony is.
Er, does this help?

[doggypaddle]

Power tool 200W? are you sure? my angle grinder is 2Kw, drill is 900w and smaller drill is 600w. The Honda 26i inverter generator will run the grinder OK, but the start up power is more like 4kva and makes it grunt a bit,
the old non inverter 3kva genny just shuts down on overload before the grinder gets up to speed..
I would say you really should be looking for something a bit bigger so its not flat out all the time too.

[Mollers]

A ran a small complex of workshops via a genny a few years ago. It was a huge PITA. A bit of EU money halved the epic mains install bill and the genny went.
I started off with a 15kva Lombardini set which did surprisingly well.
I reckon 10-15kva would do you. Forget anything other than diesel, get a 800ltr gas oil (red diesel) tank and make it very, very secure. Mine lives in a steel shipping container.

[willk]

Originally Posted by Brian

Er, does this help?

Ah, OK - that's a bit different then

If he really knows what the "power tool" uses and he keeps the lighting economical then something like this might suit.

It runs all day on a fill and is 70 decibels - similar to a quietish hoover. You can work wonders to reduce noise by careful siting and some sound absorbing materials. It's close to budget too (IOM VAT???). I have NO IDEA if the brand is any good but the engine is Honda.

I'd have serious concerns about the longevity under those running times, it's big hours but I guess there should be years in it, TBH. Keep the oils changed etc.

_____________________
EDIT: Mollers is right (but Brian's mate doesn't have the budget for it...)

[Mollers]

Originally Posted by willk

Ah, OK - that's a bit different then

If he really knows what the "power tool" uses and he keeps the lighting economical then something like this might suit.

With the rad pulling 900w and a light on, the start-up on a 800w planer would stall that baby.

We've worked off site with a 2.7kva Honda/Stephill set. You can't run much off of it, a kettle has it grunting.

Also, with continuous running, you can pour a good few quids worth of liquid gold through these things in a week.