Electrical question - Generators

[Meeja]

If I wanted to run an electrical appliance (I'm trying to find out what it's power consumption is) on a generator for say, 10 hours, how do I work out what size generator I need?

Sorry if this is vague, and without the consumption of the unit, I realise that is not possible to say.... but the appliance is fitted with a 5A fuse in the plug (If that helps!)

I've seen the generators generally have their output in KVA - what will I need?!

[Chassis 33]

Do you know what power factor the appliance has?
Regards
Iain

[Meeja]

Chassis 33 said:

Do you know what power factor the appliance has?
Regards
Iain

Sadly no - that's the problem. I have requested it from the supplier, but so far, no go. Unfortunately, I have just been told that we are planning to give costs to our client tomorrow!

[mik.ross]

What type of appliance is it? Does it have a motor (fridge freezer etc)

5 Amp fuse would suggest 1.1 KW Max (almost the same as KVA but not quite)

[Deva Link]

The fuse only protects the cable and (assuming it's the correct one, of course) is likely to be way over-rated.

As others have asked, what is the appliance?

[crofty1984]

It'll be 240v x 5A
So, 1200W or 1.2KVA
You need a 1.2KW / KVA generator.
In reality, probably less than 1 KW as the fuse would probably be over-rated.
10 hours time is neither here nor there as far as power output goes, just keep putting enough fuel in.

[Chassis 33]

crofty1984 said:

It'll be 240v x 5A
So, 1200W or 1.2KVA
You need a 1.2KW / KVA generator.
In reality, probably less than 1 KW as the fuse would probably be over-rated.
10 hours time is neither here nor there as far as power output goes, just keep putting enough fuel in.

...assuming unitary power factor. If you drop to say .8pf, you'll need 1.5kVA.
How critical is the supply, we might be over complicating things if you're powering a kettle, simplifying if its for a Rapier installation.
Regards
Iain

[crofty1984]

Chassis 33 said:

crofty1984 said:

It'll be 240v x 5A
So, 1200W or 1.2KVA
You need a 1.2KW / KVA generator.
In reality, probably less than 1 KW as the fuse would probably be over-rated.
10 hours time is neither here nor there as far as power output goes, just keep putting enough fuel in.

...assuming unitary power factor. If you drop to say .8pf, you'll need 1.5kVA.
How critical is the supply, we might be over complicating things if you're powering a kettle, simplifying if its for a Rapier installation.
Regards
Iain

Glances over, spits on ground, takes drag on spitty roll your own, "yeah, bout one n 'arf mate"

[Chassis 33]

Job done

Regards
Iain

[Meeja]

Sorry chaps - been away from the PC for a bit.

It is effectively a mobile webcam - A stand-alone pc that does video capture so that people can record themselves on it (think a bit like a mobile big brother diary room?)

Because the idea will be to set up, leave a staff member to "mind the shop" and then come back and de-rig at the end of the day, refuelling isn't a preferred option.

Hopefully I can get the supplier to cough the appropriate data (power consumption etc) tomorrow morning, and I can get the PH elite to tell me how big a generator I need!

Edited by Meeja on Thursday 26th March 20:40

[Simpo Two]

Meeja said:

Hopefully I can get the supplier to cough the appropriate data (power consumption etc) tomorrow morning, and I can get the PH elite to tell me how big a generator I need!

I can hardly think that a mobile webcam is going to draw megawatts - is there no label at all on the device that mentions 'W', 'A' or 'mA'?

[Meeja]

Simpo Two said:

Meeja said:

Hopefully I can get the supplier to cough the appropriate data (power consumption etc) tomorrow morning, and I can get the PH elite to tell me how big a generator I need!

I can hardly think that a mobile webcam is going to draw megawatts - is there no label at all on the device that mentions 'W', 'A' or 'mA'?

We haven't bought it yet - purely at the quoting stage!

[cqueen]

Use a leisure battery (caravan battery) with an inverter. Can get ones good for 100 amp hours i.e. draw 5A for 20 hrs.

[Deva Link]

cqueen said:

Use a leisure battery (caravan battery) with an inverter. Can get ones good for 100 amp hours i.e. draw 5A for 20 hrs.

I was thinking that too - although of course the inverter won't be 100% efficient.

[cqueen]

True, but it's good enough for what you need.

[Meeja]

Deva Link said:

cqueen said:

Use a leisure battery (caravan battery) with an inverter. Can get ones good for 100 amp hours i.e. draw 5A for 20 hrs.

I was thinking that too - although of course the inverter won't be 100% efficient.

Meaning if I pulled 5A I wouldn't get 20 hours out of a 100aH one..... would I possbily get 10/12 hours pulling a constant 5A?

As has been mentioned, the fuse is possibly over-rated, and the kit could be pulling far less than 5A.

Like the idea of a leisure battery though - far quieter than even the quietest generator.

[eldar]

Meeja said:

Sorry chaps - been away from the PC for a bit.

It is effectively a mobile webcam - A stand-alone pc that does video capture so that people can record themselves on it (think a bit like a mobile big brother diary room?)

Because the idea will be to set up, leave a staff member to "mind the shop" and then come back and de-rig at the end of the day, refuelling isn't a preferred option.

Hopefully I can get the supplier to cough the appropriate data (power consumption etc) tomorrow morning, and I can get the PH elite to tell me how big a generator I need!

Edited by Meeja on Thursday 26th March 20:40

My laptop (inc webcam is about) 100w peak, around .5A

Caravan battery or 2 and an inverter should do the job.

[Dogwatch]

Running a webcam off a gennie does seem to be a bit OTT unless you are miles from civilisation. May well have provision for a DC supply anyway.

[Deva Link]

Meeja said:

Deva Link said:

cqueen said:

Use a leisure battery (caravan battery) with an inverter. Can get ones good for 100 amp hours i.e. draw 5A for 20 hrs.

I was thinking that too - although of course the inverter won't be 100% efficient.

Meaning if I pulled 5A I wouldn't get 20 hours out of a 100aH one..... would I possbily get 10/12 hours pulling a constant 5A?

As has been mentioned, the fuse is possibly over-rated, and the kit could be pulling far less than 5A.

Like the idea of a leisure battery though - far quieter than even the quietest generator.

They're not too bad but you'd need a chunky inverter - probably something like this:
http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?ModuleNo=22428...

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