B&Q 780W performance generator.

ElRazur · 27 Jan 2007 at 09:46

Hi there guys. What will this be able to power, a couple of tvs and light bulb? Will this also be sufficient for an almost daily use at all? Thanks

PhilthyPhil · 27 Jan 2007 at 09:55

Just look the ratings of the devices you are planning to connect, add them up and make sure its less than 780W

ElRazur · 27 Jan 2007 at 09:58

PhilthyPhil said:
Just look the ratings of the devices you are planning to connect, add them up and make sure its less than 780W

That is the problem, it wont be used here - been sent home. I dont have a clue what the wattage are for those things back there.

EDIT
So if what you are saying is right, it should be able to power on a couple of tv, light bulbs and one or two fans then?

PhilthyPhil · 27 Jan 2007 at 10:26

Well a TV would be 100-200W depending on size, a fan maybe 100W if its a bigish one and a normal lightbuld is 60W. You should be able to run all that off a 780W generator, you might want something more substantial if you are planning 24/7 use though.

ElRazur · 27 Jan 2007 at 10:28

PhilthyPhil said:
Well a TV would be 100-200W depending on size, a fan maybe 100W if its a bigish one and a normal lightbuld is 60W. You should be able to run all that off a 780W generator, you might want something more substantial if you are planning 24/7 use though.

Oh thanks man. I had a look and the ones i can see are way expensive - this is just 40pounds. Any reason as to why it might not be ideal for an almost daily usage?

KaHn · 27 Jan 2007 at 10:30

Because its cheap, cheap things aren't built to last.

KaHn

i know nothing · 27 Jan 2007 at 10:59

If you're looking for a work-horse you need to be looking at diesel. Small ones like that are designed for site use or intermittent use, you can't run them that long.

Do you have any idea as to how many hours/day, days/week etc this genset would run? If you had the choice would you run more than just a couple of TV's etc?

I use gensets on a daily basis for power, I have a "baby" one which I run overnight for lights, fridges, tv's, water pumps etc, it will even manage 3 small a/c's. It's the one on the left in the picture:-

It's a 13Kva three phase genset, probably far bigger than what you need, but it costs about £2500, you could probably pick up what you need for under a £1000 no problem. Fuel efficiency with diesel is far superior, you should bear running costs in mind (and fuel storage) when considering a purchase.

Edit: you want something like this if you can afford it:- http://www.sdmo.com/sitev3/files/pdf/GB/T9KM.pdf

If noise is an issue and you can't erect a shack to house it, you may have to consider one with an acoustic canopy (runs a lot quieter).

ElRazur · 27 Jan 2007 at 11:06

i know nothing said:
....

Man is there anything you dont know :mad:

Thanks for the insight. The thing is i honestly dont know how it would be used but am assuming on a daily basis. It is something meant as a gift.... Perhaps i will go ahead and get the b&q one at tell the end-user that it is something to be used intermitently.

Also for the price it seems to be outputting plenty of wattage (780). I also need something small and compact to take on-board a flight when am going.

i know nothing · 27 Jan 2007 at 11:08

ElRazur said:
Also for the price it seems to be outputting plenty of wattage (780). I also need something small and compact to take on-board a flight when am going.

Ah ok, scrub what i just put in my edit above, there is no way that can be put in your luggage! Do think about fuel storage, those little ones will probably only run for a couple of hours anyway.

ElRazur · 27 Jan 2007 at 11:11

i know nothing said:
Ah ok, scrub what i just put in my edit above, there is no way that can be put in your luggage! Do think about fuel storage, those little ones will probably only run for a couple of hours anyway.

I plan to check it in not put it in my luggage lol. Also, as per the bigger work horse one, i will be having a chat to you in the near future if you dont mind.

i know nothing · 27 Jan 2007 at 11:17

No problem, I have a whole range of gensets!

(email in trust)

ElRazur · 27 Jan 2007 at 11:18

i know nothing said:
No problem, I have a whole range of gensets!

(email in trust)

Word.

big_white_dog84 · 27 Jan 2007 at 18:21

Out of interest, how does the 780W connect to your house supply?

When I'm out fixing faults on the electricity network it is a real pain that people might have their own generators cause it adds loads of work to the fault repair. This is because if you connect a generator in your own house it will energise the cable in the street, and ultimately transform back up to 11kV onto the high voltage network. This means we need to adjust out working techniques to keep ourselves safe.

i know nothing · 27 Jan 2007 at 18:40

I can't see how you could connect it, unless you use a changeover switch after the meter. I think you'll find that most people just run an extension lead from them to whatever they want to run.

Lashout_UK · 27 Jan 2007 at 18:54

if you connect a generator in your own house it will energise the cable in the street

OT - is there a way around this i.e. a breaker system that can toggle between mains and genset, separating you from the grid preventing you from resupplying the mains?

Something I'd never thought about

Bes · 27 Jan 2007 at 19:01

ElRazur said:
I plan to check it in not put it in my luggage lol. Also, as per the bigger work horse one, i will be having a chat to you in the near future if you dont mind.

Erm I don't think an airline will let you check that in.

Adam_151 · 27 Jan 2007 at 19:15

big_white_dog84 said:
Out of interest, how does the 780W connect to your house supply?

When I'm out fixing faults on the electricity network it is a real pain that people might have their own generators cause it adds loads of work to the fault repair. This is because if you connect a generator in your own house it will energise the cable in the street, and ultimately transform back up to 11kV onto the high voltage network. This means we need to adjust out working techniques to keep ourselves safe.

Anyone connecting a genset in this way would be in breach of both the wiring regulations and the supply regulations, an arrangement involving an interlocked changeover arrangement needs to be installed, along with a method of earthing sorted out (most of these small gensets are separated systems).

But unfortunatly I am lead to believe it happens usually involving a cable with two BS1363 plugs on it :eek:

Deadly Ferret · 28 Jan 2007 at 00:46

Never buy cheap tools!

ElRazur · 28 Jan 2007 at 01:16

I wnet and bought the generator this afternoon. It weighs about 17kilo max so i would think it would be allowed on plane. An extension cord will be primarily used i assume for the distribution and not plugged into the mains directly.
The gen is a two sroke engine so am assume it should be economical and quite? (pumps out 91db - dont know how loud that is)

It says on the instruction manual that the petrol has to be mixed at a certain ratio 50:1 to be precise....Anyone know what is this mix that i have to add to the petrol? Thanks.

DaveP3@ · 28 Jan 2007 at 01:23

ElRazur said:
It says on the instruction manual that the petrol has to be mixed at a certain ratio 50:1 to be precise....Anyone know what is this mix that i have to add to the petrol? Thanks.

I should imagine it would be 50 parts petrol to 1 part (2 stroke) oil.

HTH,

Dave.