[Pristine Clean]

Hi guys,

I was just wondering what size generator I would need to purchase to run a portie. I have a 500psi Rhino.

Yes I know not the best portie but I am getting superb results. Custies are happy.

I would purchase either from a tool auction or Machine mart.

I am unsure what size generator would be strong enough to handle the power output required.


Cheers


Dave

[Fintan_Coll]

Dave, unless working somewhere with no access to a power supply, why bother with a generator in the first place.

[Ian Rochester]

From my engineering days, you need to know what current your machine is pulling, it is then a simple equation to work out what Wattage machine you need.  Generators are sometimes rated as KW's or KVA, it's the same

Watts = Amps x Voltage

eg:  Machine pulls 10 amps on 240v supply = 2.4KW

There is also the issue of start up, normal equipment will normally pull 1.6 x normal running current on start up so your 2.4KW becomes 3.84KW

We have a big 6.5KVA Honda GX390 13HP Generator which we use, I wouldn't go for much less that that.

[clinton]

I would go with the size ian has mentioned.

I too looked at running the 3 vac with a genie and guess it would be this size to handle the am drawings..

I would go for a new one if you can afford it ..

[Ian Rochester]

Fintan,

There are lots of occasions when fixed supplies are not available or insufficient to run a carpet cleaning machine, the main one we have is on caravan sites where the supplies are often running of 5 Amp breakers, this is enough to run one pump and one vac, but not enough for modern powerful machines with 2 or more vacs, heaters and 500 psi pumps.

[Pristine Clean]

Dave, unless working somewhere with no access to a power supply, why bother with a generator in the first place.

That is the exact reason why we want a generator. If there is no power how do you turn it on? Its a portie not a TM.

Dave

[Pristine Clean]

From my engineering days, you need to know what current your machine is pulling, it is then a simple equation to work out what Wattage machine you need.  Generators are sometimes rated as KW's or KVA, it's the same

Watts = Amps x Voltage

eg:  Machine pulls 10 amps on 240v supply = 2.4KW

There is also the issue of start up, normal equipment will normally pull 1.6 x normal running current on start up so your 2.4KW becomes 3.84KW

We have a big 6.5KVA Honda GX390 13HP Generator which we use, I wouldn't go for much less that that.

Ian,

Thanks mate. Gives me something to look for.

And yes we have Caravan sites that cannot run our portie.

Cheers

Dave

[Ian Rochester]

You're welcome, we hardly use ours now as we have a Prowler TM for doing the caravans, however I'd not be without it as there are always occasions where it comes in useful.

Loads for sale on ebay, nice one listed below

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Honda-Generator-7KVA_W0QQitemZ120518783701QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_BOI_Industrial_Tools_Generators_ET?hash=item1c0f7ab2d5

[Len Gribble]

Dave

Sub it http://www.hydro-dynamix.net/     

Len 

[Pristine Clean]

Hi Len,

Absolutely NO Subbing! We want the money Len.

We did sub carpet cleaning at one time. But what we found out is the the sub contractor got given even more work and never gave us our cut.

He only got the extra work as he was already on site/ sites. This has happened to us on many occasions and we now keep a close eye. We have found by doing so our work load has almost doubled.

He had a TM.

Dave

[Len Gribble]

Dave

Money has a vulgar term to it Oh it wasn’t me was it as I only speculate to acuminate, wife will no longer take me shopping 

What you need is a RoRo TM machine wont fit in the Jag nether will a trolled generator but may fit if estate.

Len 

[Pristine Clean]

Dave

Money has a vulgar term to it Oh it wasn’t me was it as I only speculate to acuminate, wife will no longer take me shopping 

What you need is a RoRo TM machine wont fit in the Jag nether will a trolled generator but may fit if estate.

Len 

Hi Len,

I have upgraded to a Vauxhal Vivaro 2900 for work.

But yes still have the Jaguar, infact I have just purchased a V12 5.3litre XJ-S so I now own 2 Jaguars.

Dave

[Shaun_Ashmore]

I'm sure that someone on another forum said a 6kva generator would be strong enough.

Shaun

[Neil Williams]

Any ideas what size generator would be needed for the Scorpian?
I see there a 5.5 kva on flea bay brand new for £280

[Len Gribble]

Sounds like hard work  I do a lot of lm


Dave

Way too go! The van an all rounder will fit and not bad mate had one nice, jags are a bit dated  unless you’re a classic buff like me on a Sunday


Len 

[Fintan_Coll]

Yes I know there are times when lack of electricity can be a problem, however these occasions are very rare, especially if you stick mainly to domestic work as I do. However I have had one or two jobs that I had to postpone until proper mains supply was installed. I work in a number of caravan parks, last job was two weeks ago, used Scorpion with 3 vacs, and in line heater.
All good caravan parks have upgraded their electricity supplies.
If you only need a generator once or twice a year would it not be better to hire one for a day rather than have hundreds of pounds tied up in something not being used.

[Jim_77]

13hp petrol engine.... carpet cleaning machine.... I'm sure that sounds like a custome made machine you can already buy

Why waste energy and get mediocre results running a genny to power a portable

[richie]

Jim,
ive gotta be honest, i was thinking of saying the same thing.

mark d`alcorn will know what im on about with this post.  I remember a few years ago DJing at a outdoor event in Sutton Park (Birmingham) for Sport Relief.  They gave us a generator to power our decks, amps n all the rest of it.  Was fine till we turned the volume up. As soon as the bass kicked in the generator was getting the life sucked out of it. They ended up having to get another one in VERY QUICKLY  .  We were running 4 x peavey hysis 118 sub bass bins, 2 x 115 peavey hysis sub bass bins, 2 x peavey hysis 4s & 6 x hysis 2 xt cabs. To power this we took with us 6 x Peavey PV 2600 power amps, 2 Carlsbro Powerline 2000 power amps & a Studiomaster 1200 power amp.  We didnt have to use all the amps but we took extra just incase any went down. Once all connected & the volume set at a level that could be heard without distortion we had the event all in hand.  Luckily a mate let us use his long wheel base Transit because we couldnt fit it all in our short wheel base Transit.

The moto of the above story is......make sure you get a generator that will cope with more than your equipment will cope with.  Go for one that will cope with AT LEAST 50% more power than you will normally use.

Richie