Buying a generator

[Landlord]

Hello,

After (during!) the first of what will undoubtedly be many power-cuts in my pub (out in the sticks) I have decided it's time to get an emergency power generator.

Now - I've yet to determine exactly what would be required to run from the generator but in the mean time I wondered whether I could garner opinion/advice on what to look for in purchasing one. Brands to avoid, common mistakes made etc.

Anyone able to help?

Cheers,
Phil.

[SplatSpeed]

macros do them reasonably

you need to run lights tills and gas heating controls

theese are the circuits that need to be able to be switched

have you considered a UPS??

[mel]

There's no point running the tills if he can't run the pumps, chillers, & fridges which all of a sudden becomes quite a substantial amount of electrickery.

[Davi]

mel said:

There's no point running the tills if he can't run the pumps, chillers, & fridges which all of a sudden becomes quite a substantial amount of electrickery.

Generator at a pub we frequent is bloomin enormous.

Basic method is to check what your meter reading increases by over an hour when the pub is in full flow, will give you a good starting point.

[elster]

I have a 500kVA one available.

Where would you like it delivering.

[stackmonkey]

As you're commercial, your electricity supplier should be able to provide you with your peak, and typical useage in terms of kilowatts. From this it's easy to work out the required current rating for a generator.

[Dogwatch]

mel said:

There's no point running the tills if he can't run the pumps, chillers, & fridges which all of a sudden becomes quite a substantial amount of electrickery.

Have to be real ale then!

Until you decide what to run off the gennie and consequently how much power you need you are just going to flounder around. Here is a link which will give you some idea of what is out there at the lighter (ok,ok) end of the market.

[miniman]

Dogwatch said:

Here is a link which will give you some idea of what is out there at the lighter (ok,ok) end of the market.

Meh. Call that a generator?



THAT's a generator.

[elster]

Wouldn't recommend a Cat. generator. Not the best.

Guess you want something that will last a few hours.

I don't know what size your place is.

But this is reasonable.

http://www.abtechpower.co.uk/html/product-details....

[mechsympathy]

mel said:

There's no point running the tills if he can't run the pumps, chillers, & fridges which all of a sudden becomes quite a substantial amount of electrickery.

Although a country pub will get away with candles and hand pumped beer for a lot longer than Yates and it's ilk would

[miniman]

elster said:

Wouldn't recommend a Cat. generator. Not the best.

Well, CAT don't make them, of course.

[GTIR]

Its the startup power that is most important, fridges, central heating pump typicaly need 25% more power initially when starting.

Anything under 2.3kva is pointless.

[Glosphil]

A 27KVA generator with the necessary control box to automatically switch to the generator if the mains failed cost the company that I was then working at £4500 (+ VAT, I think). Had a 1100cc 3000rpm 3-cylinder diesel engine and the complete unit was in a weather-proof and noise-reduction casing. The price included an enlarged fuel tank to enable running for up to 60 hours as the office was in a isolated rural location that would be difficult to reach if there was snow. Would also keep the servers running from Friday evening to Monday morning. All servers & PCs were fed via UPSs. The longest power cut in 3 years was 28 hours.

[buzzsaw]

miniman said:

elster said:

Wouldn't recommend a Cat. generator. Not the best.

Well, CAT don't make them, of course.

Err, CAT DO make generators!

Elster, why wouldn't you recommend? What brand would you recommend?

[miniman]

buzzsaw said:

miniman said:

elster said:

Wouldn't recommend a Cat. generator. Not the best.

Well, CAT don't make them, of course.

Err, CAT DO make generators!

They are made in Belfast by F G Wilson.

[elster]

miniman said:

buzzsaw said:

miniman said:

elster said:

Wouldn't recommend a Cat. generator. Not the best.

Well, CAT don't make them, of course.

Err, CAT DO make generators!

They are made in Belfast by F G Wilson.

How come CAT are so st then? FG Wilson have always been fine for smaller stuuf, never used their larger stuff.

[Deva Link]

Why not go the whole hog and get a CHP system?

You can be completely independant then and you get heating and hot water as a byproduct.

http://www.segen.co.uk/chp/

[buzzsaw]

elster said:

miniman said:

buzzsaw said:

miniman said:

elster said:

Wouldn't recommend a Cat. generator. Not the best.

Well, CAT don't make them, of course.

Err, CAT DO make generators!

They are made in Belfast by F G Wilson.

How come CAT are so st then? FG Wilson have always been fine for smaller stuuf, never used their larger stuff.

Assembled in Larne actually. The CAT product tends to be the larger KVA stuff with FG Wilson brand generally serving the smaller power requirements. Interesting that you notice a difference in quality between the two. What are your main gripes?

[Howitzer]

I could install a 20 Cylinder 8.5 MW Twin Turbo Gas engine if you have more chillers than the norm?

CAT, Perkins engined generators will give you years of great service aslong as you maintain them properly (Which is very easy indeed) but as far as the electrics goes then i'm not sure who is the current number 1.

For what you need, it should be incredibly reliable and easy to run.

Dave!

[miniman]

buzzsaw said:

Assembled in Larne actually.

In the old GEC works. And what a beautiful place it is, too. Not.