[g.brookes]

Hi all, does anyone do this or just schedule the gutter cleans for when customer is in?
If so, what type of generator do you use? Don't want to end up with a generator that's stronger than needs to be

[sunshine windows]

I just ask them to hang an extension cable out of a window if they're not going to be home

[Smurf]

I just ask them to hang an extension cable out of a window if they're not going to be home

And make sure they switch the socket on or your fooked... I've also known some custy's extention cable reels trip out as they can't handle the load so now I never ask them to do that.

[Smurf]

Hi all, does anyone do this or just schedule the gutter cleans for when customer is in?
If so, what type of generator do you use? Don't want to end up with a generator that's stronger than needs to be

All depends what type of wet vac you are wanting to run as that will be the determing factor what size genny would be ok.
Also another factor that I nearly forgot to mention if it's 110 volt or 240 volt vac.

[g.brookes]

Well currently looking at the 2400 watt grippatank one. I like the idea about hanging a plug socket out. Just wondering what type of generator I would need, to see if it's cost effective or if it will even fit in the van

[Smudger]

Stephill generators are great - Honda powered starts first pull every time, never ever use customer power, haven't got that much time to faff around, however as smurf will tell you I only do the odd clear now and again, where as he does a few hundred a week 

6.5kva

Darran

[Nick Day]

Hello,

In answer to your question, divide the wattage of your vacuum by 3, multiply by four and you will be fine.
i.e  a 3000 watt machine will run on a  4.00 Kva but go a little bit more to be sure.
Wolf generators are a really good cheaper option.
The less you spend the sooner you are in profit!!

[Smurf]

Stephill generators are great - Honda powered starts first pull every time, never ever use customer power, haven't got that much time to faff around, however as smurf will tell you I only do the odd clear now and again, where as he does a few hundred a week 

6.5kva

Darran

Now come on... feels more like thousands 

[Smudger]

 

You certainly make it sound like that 

Darran

[Smurf]

I take it you leave that best of a genny in the van then smudger otherwise is a lot more faffing about than handing some an electric plug  surely?   

[g.brookes]

Interesting.  The grippatank tank guy said you need 3 times the wattage for a vac. I.e 6kva for a gutter vac.  Quite different from your 4kva advice. The 6kva ones seems like monsters to move around making a quick semi detached gutter vac seem like too much hassle

[Smurf]

Interesting.  The grippatank tank guy said you need 3 times the wattage for a vac. I.e 6kva for a gutter vac.  Quite different from your 4kva advice. The 6kva ones seems like monsters to move around making a quick semi detached gutter vac seem like too much hassle

6.5kva is what's needed if wanting to use a 4200 watt vac with all three motors running.
Basically the larger the kva is the less strain the genny is under. Get one too small and the genny will start playing up under constant load.

[Smudger]

Yes stays in the van, 50 meters of artic flex extension cable jobs a good un.

At 4200 watts I am happier to know my electricity supply is the best it can be, not reliant on the customers supply and 50p bargain bucket extension socket

Darran

[Plankton]

Today I took my cheap china crape generator apart!
Frame that engine/alternator is bolted to is out of shape resulting in the engine dropping down whilst in transit which pulls the fuel line off.  Engine starts, after 5 seconds cuts out. 230v outlet broken and internal cable retaining screws have disappeared.
Drained fuel, unbolted tank, removed panels here and there, drained oil, hammered the base into shape, checked a few things, filled oil, connected fuel line and put the rest back together.
Result is it starts and the 230v outlet is around 8 days for delivery.

Anyway, after buying new poles and a new vac the most expensive part now required is a genny. If I had as much gutter work as Smurf I would have all the best equipment on order.... As it stands I'm contemplating ordering a Honda 6.5kva on sale at £910.00 on a next day delivery! Or a Loncin 6500 for around £600 or Wolf 7500e at £470

Help!!!

[Smudger]

I'd choose door number 1 (Honda)


Smurf would choose the customers door

Darran

[Plankton]

Thing is I use a Loncin pw which can make more in a fortnight than gutters earns me in a year (currently)

I would have thought there would have been more suggestions for g.brookes post. There's Honda £910.00 v Wolf £470.00, so how many years will each last?

[Smurf]

I'd choose door number 1 (Honda)


Smurf would choose the customers door

Darran

I remember the days when I had to use 32 amp 110v extension cables for one of me vacs and I can tell you was a right pain in the arse as was thick/heavy fookers to cable manage when need to run a long decent length on large jobs.

So much easier now just using 16 amp extension reels and handing someone a plug than having to fook about with heavy cables and a genny.  On large residential jobs you will find it easy to plug in decent length 16 amp extension reels as every communal ground floor area has a least one plug socket. Not to mention quite a few domestic jobs have outside power sockets these days too. That's why I have never found the need to buy a genny myself  as I rarley get jobs I can't do and if so will add the cost of hiring one onto the job plus fuel etc which is once in a blue moon.
   

[rah]

Interesting.  The grippatank tank guy said you need 3 times the wattage for a vac. I.e 6kva for a gutter vac.  Quite different from your 4kva advice. The 6kva ones seems like monsters to move around making a quick semi detached gutter vac seem like too much hassle

I use the 6Kva and can leave it in the van on a semi and some detached house, I have a 15 / 20 mtr extension on mine.

[Dave Willis]

You could get a ladder and bucket for about £150 - buckets wear out though so you could be facing a 90p bill once a year.

[Smudger]

A few years back the father in law brought a wolf genny for powering stuff on his market stall ( wolf was seen as a reasonably good brand ) after a few weeks it always took ages to start after several months the thing fell to bits so that was a couple of hundred quid down the drain - it was all cheap Chinese bits with wolf stickers on it may have been a bad one, or they may now have improved quality but I wouldn't take the chance.

Honda genny - 6+ years old - still going strong ( serviced reasonably regularly ) even fell out of van once - starts first pull every time does 240 and 110

2 X Honda gx390 pressure washers 3 years old and 1 year old - all start on first pull, other than oil change never a days problem

Darran