Generator purchase - how much wattage?
Discussion
Hi,
I've been looking into a generator for this year's LM as we're trying to do it in a little more comfort this year (read: cold beers).
I've been reading around the internet for advice on what size to get but it is rather confusing. For instance, Amazon's power guide states a Freezer will require 600W and 2200W on startup, whereas other websites state 120W/500W and a range of different figures. Given the number of people I see using them each year I thought it would be wise to just get some first hand experience.
We're ideally looking to run-
- Freezer (under-counter style)
- Mid-size flatscreen
- Games console
- Small stereo
has anyone done a similar set-up on a 1KW generator, or would 2KW (or even more) be better suited? Aside from the extra cost the smaller gennies seem to be quieter, which would be preferable (although I suppose the larger unit running at less capacity might be quieter still).
thanks!
I've been looking into a generator for this year's LM as we're trying to do it in a little more comfort this year (read: cold beers).
I've been reading around the internet for advice on what size to get but it is rather confusing. For instance, Amazon's power guide states a Freezer will require 600W and 2200W on startup, whereas other websites state 120W/500W and a range of different figures. Given the number of people I see using them each year I thought it would be wise to just get some first hand experience.
We're ideally looking to run-
- Freezer (under-counter style)
- Mid-size flatscreen
- Games console
- Small stereo
has anyone done a similar set-up on a 1KW generator, or would 2KW (or even more) be better suited? Aside from the extra cost the smaller gennies seem to be quieter, which would be preferable (although I suppose the larger unit running at less capacity might be quieter still).
thanks!
Bringing a gennie to LM will transform your camp. We started out 12 years ago with tents, 1 gazebo and disposable bbq's - we now have a marquee, Sky TV and Fridges, lights, sound system etc.
We have a 1 & 2KW Gennie, The 1KW Gennie (1050w peak) will happily run our food under counter fridge, table top beer fridge, 38" flat screen, sky box, lights,sound system and phone chargers simultaneously.
When the fridge chiller kicks in the revs do drop for a few seconds before picking back up, had it a few years now, only gets used at LM and is run maybe 8 hours a day - never misses a beat.
We have never thought to take a freezer, the fridge does a great job but you do need a good cellerman to rotate the bottle stock, 1 year a table top ice cube maker was brought along and that did trip out on start up - never missed it.
We have a 1 & 2KW Gennie, The 1KW Gennie (1050w peak) will happily run our food under counter fridge, table top beer fridge, 38" flat screen, sky box, lights,sound system and phone chargers simultaneously.
When the fridge chiller kicks in the revs do drop for a few seconds before picking back up, had it a few years now, only gets used at LM and is run maybe 8 hours a day - never misses a beat.
We have never thought to take a freezer, the fridge does a great job but you do need a good cellerman to rotate the bottle stock, 1 year a table top ice cube maker was brought along and that did trip out on start up - never missed it.
Hi,
We run a 5KV pramac running 3x fridges, lights, sky box,TV and last year a motorhome. Having gone through several cheap ones which fall apart every other year. Also bear in mind fuel tank size and the need to keep topping up. We get through about 70ltrs from wednesday to sunday.Hope this helps.
We run a 5KV pramac running 3x fridges, lights, sky box,TV and last year a motorhome. Having gone through several cheap ones which fall apart every other year. Also bear in mind fuel tank size and the need to keep topping up. We get through about 70ltrs from wednesday to sunday.Hope this helps.
Yes, all of that runs concurrently on the 1Kw Gennie. The make is a Wolf Power PC1050, I think the gennie is generic and has the same kit under many names. Its 4/5 years old now and I can't seem to find a stockist via a google search.
If I were buying a new one i've just found this (looks pretty identical to mine, but in red) - 1200w (1500w peak) for £140 that is an utter utter bargain: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Rhyas-Petrol-Generator-150...
We take 2 gennies for N+1 power ;-) but we also like to swap gennies after it has chewed threw a tankful (8 hours continuous!) everyone needs to pop in to the pits during the race :-)
If I were buying a new one i've just found this (looks pretty identical to mine, but in red) - 1200w (1500w peak) for £140 that is an utter utter bargain: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Rhyas-Petrol-Generator-150...
We take 2 gennies for N+1 power ;-) but we also like to swap gennies after it has chewed threw a tankful (8 hours continuous!) everyone needs to pop in to the pits during the race :-)
We used to use an old, ex builders, Honda 1kw unit. Thing is, although it was excellent, it was noisy.
Over the last few years we've taken to using an old, ex RAC Transit van as our storage/kitchen vehicle along with everything else and have now fitted a 1kw inverter to the van (it has the benefit of extra electrics and two batteries). The dull hum of a transit ticking over is preferable to the genny. Oddly, more efficient too. Worth considering.
Over the last few years we've taken to using an old, ex RAC Transit van as our storage/kitchen vehicle along with everything else and have now fitted a 1kw inverter to the van (it has the benefit of extra electrics and two batteries). The dull hum of a transit ticking over is preferable to the genny. Oddly, more efficient too. Worth considering.
struttob said:
For the sake of others around you - try and get a quiet one - not everybody likes the continuous sound of a generator next to their tent !!
Bob
Totally agree- don't have the money for a honda unfortunately but looking at the Kipor digital range which seem to be pretty quiet.Bob
phil633 said:
Hi,
We run a 5KV pramac running 3x fridges, lights, sky box,TV and last year a motorhome. Having gone through several cheap ones which fall apart every other year. Also bear in mind fuel tank size and the need to keep topping up. We get through about 70ltrs from wednesday to sunday.Hope this helps.
Probably the most obvious "mine's bigger than yours" I've seen lately. We run a 5KV pramac running 3x fridges, lights, sky box,TV and last year a motorhome. Having gone through several cheap ones which fall apart every other year. Also bear in mind fuel tank size and the need to keep topping up. We get through about 70ltrs from wednesday to sunday.Hope this helps.
Please tell us where we can view this wonderful Pramac device.
We usually hire a 5kva unit just to be sure. If you aren't using 5kw then it will run on tick over. Go the other way round though and you'll pop the fuses in some of the connected devices - or even damage them....
Ours runs a chest freezer - keeping a supply of 22 guys plus guests in cold beer is hard work and needed rapid chilling facilites! We've also got a fridge freezer for food, 1Kw sound system & lighting, a Tea earn and sky tv, and a couple of ceiling lights. I think of that the tea earn is the big killer. As in when it kicked in last year I heard my phone beep - and the charger got fried. So I think it's back to pans of water this year on the gas hob. I might cut the cable to stop people plugging it in again.
Regarding noise - we don't need to worry - the sound system drowns out the genny. But you don't want to be camping next to us. We do turn it off sometime around 2am. being serious - if you stick the genny between a couple of rows of cars and chain it to the wheels to stop the pikies pinching it- it cuts the sound to a back ground noise. Last year we got through about 3 and a bit cans of unleaded. So about 70 litres.
I have looked into LPG systems - as in buy an old 70 litre car tank, fill it up at a garage, and you've got gas for cooking and the genny. But you can't take it on Eurostar. As LPG is nearly half the cost of unleaded it depends on how often you plan to use it whether its worth it. Lots of motorhomes have converted to LPG.
Ours runs a chest freezer - keeping a supply of 22 guys plus guests in cold beer is hard work and needed rapid chilling facilites! We've also got a fridge freezer for food, 1Kw sound system & lighting, a Tea earn and sky tv, and a couple of ceiling lights. I think of that the tea earn is the big killer. As in when it kicked in last year I heard my phone beep - and the charger got fried. So I think it's back to pans of water this year on the gas hob. I might cut the cable to stop people plugging it in again.
Regarding noise - we don't need to worry - the sound system drowns out the genny. But you don't want to be camping next to us. We do turn it off sometime around 2am. being serious - if you stick the genny between a couple of rows of cars and chain it to the wheels to stop the pikies pinching it- it cuts the sound to a back ground noise. Last year we got through about 3 and a bit cans of unleaded. So about 70 litres.
I have looked into LPG systems - as in buy an old 70 litre car tank, fill it up at a garage, and you've got gas for cooking and the genny. But you can't take it on Eurostar. As LPG is nearly half the cost of unleaded it depends on how often you plan to use it whether its worth it. Lots of motorhomes have converted to LPG.
Output Flange said:
I've got this Clarke generator which does the job fine, but is a bit noisy:
Any suggestions on how to quieten it down a bit?
We used to build a cardboard wall around ours, had to leave the top off and a bit of one of the sides to make sure that it was getting enough air. I think one year they even dug a hole.Any suggestions on how to quieten it down a bit?
Then we replaced it with one of those lpg generators. It runs on either petrol or for quieter use it can run on a gas tank.
VEA said:
Output Flange said:
I've got this Clarke generator which does the job fine, but is a bit noisy:
Any suggestions on how to quieten it down a bit?
We used to build a cardboard wall around ours, had to leave the top off and a bit of one of the sides to make sure that it was getting enough air. I think one year they even dug a hole.Any suggestions on how to quieten it down a bit?
<snip>
Output Flange said:
I've got this Clarke generator which does the job fine, but is a bit noisy:
Any suggestions on how to quieten it down a bit?
On a carnivl float one year I stuck the generator in a wooden box, however the box caught fire from the exhaust, so would be careful with that approach!Any suggestions on how to quieten it down a bit?
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