Generator

[mikefranks]

Hi All,


Hope we are all keeping well, just wanted to know about getting a generator, any suggestions on getting one and type?

Thanks

Mike

[poppypiesdad]

The vast majority here will say honda , honda , honda , but ive always liked briggs and stratton, the industrial ones with the vanguard engine , simple, straight forward , ive got the 7.5kva one, 2x 16a 240v command sockets and 1x16 and 1x32 110v outputs , its got electric key start for the wife and a pull start if battery flat , long range 17hrs petrol tank and a wheel kit as its 110kgs, weve had it for 7 year's, serviced yearly in the summer , powers the house easily. This year im getting a lpg conversion as we now have a bulk lpg tank .

The other one we have is a wee kuboto 700w single 16a output , very handy for powering a drill or flood light weighs 6kg and pertol again .

Personal preference and cost will make your decision for you the beast was £1500 the kuboto £250

J

[unsure]

i have brute of a thing , a 6.5kva petrol .believed to be off brand honda but can`t say for sure . it does what i need it to do and thats give me power when i have non

[mikefranks]

what kind of prices should I look at from a middle point of view, to be honest, never really had one before

[unsure]

prices tend to vary with size and age of the machine .
f i i was to sell mine i`d be looking at getting an old school diesel unit to replace it .

[preparedsurrey]

Hi Mike, Firstly what do you need it to power (equipment will often have a significantly higher startup load than running load so allow for that) and how long are you planning on running it for? Do you need to do anything else with it? Welding for example?
Does it need to be portable or can it be fixed? Is noise a consideration?

[mikefranks]

Mainly lights and if need be some household appliances, kettle/microwave/phone chargers

Noise is a point, however if it does the job then noise is not too much of a problem


Thanks

[poppypiesdad]

Look at the data /model plates on the appliences that you want to power

Kettle 2000 w
Microwave 1000w
Phone charges 10w

So you might think 3kw would suit if you are running all at same time , but generators should only be run at 80% capacity so your 3kw would give you 2.5kw but your can juggle what and when you have on

For example your kettle isn't going to be going on all day. Micro the same , so could you get a lower wattage kettle
and microwave and get a 1.5 kw suitcase genny?

Are you going to power the gas boiler ?
Do you want to have it connected so it starts automatically in a power cut ?

Or could you go with a fire to warm food and water and a solar panel /battery set up to charge phones etc .......

J
J

[jansman]

What poppypies dad says! Brand-wise, well that is up to you. Personally I have a Honda. There is a reason Honda is popular. They are reliable.
I used to worry about not having a generator, but I am changing my mind. Sure, I have an animal ex-site job, and it is there for powering the freezers in a powercut. That is it really, as we have emergency lighting, cooking and the wood stoves. Long term, from the noise and fuel point of view, I personally don't think a generator is a good idea.
However, as others have said, what do you want to power with it?

[Briggs 2.0]

I bought a Screwfix Kiam portable generator and it's not bad at all. 1.5kw and is fairly quiet but I'm a bit wary of running it as the noise travels for some distance. It says 60db on the side - I can hear it 150m away. I can't help thinking that post SHTF I may as well be ringing a huge dinner bell for all to hear.