New generator suggestions?

[Goweresque]

I get the impression that it would be wise to have a back up plan for electric this winter, so want to buy a generator. Something I could run my house with if needed, or basic workshop tools etc. Not looking for anything massive, don't plan to run a grain dryer off it, or anything like that. What sort of power should I be looking at, and any makes to look out for, honest dealers worth talking to? There's loads of different options online, don't really know whats good and whats not.

 

[solo]

There was quite a bit of info on here back when storms Arwen and Eunice hit and people were waiting to be reconnected.
search generator on here came up with suggestions too.

 

[kevindb880]

Know absolutely nothing about generators ect but how easy ( if it’s possible ) is it to connect up to your house when there is a power cut?

 

[upnortheast]

Know absolutely nothing about generators ect but how easy ( if it’s possible ) is it to connect up to your house when there is a power cut?

Get your sparkey to put in a change over switch - in the next few weeks. Then when you get a power cut you just plug in the Genny and change the switch from mains to Genny . Very important to use a proper change over switch. It removes any possibility of your power going back up the line and endangering anyone working on the lines.

 

[Bob c]

Know absolutely nothing about generators ect but how easy ( if it’s possible ) is it to connect up to your house when there is a power cut?

Easy, get your self a change over switch
bottom left blue plug, patch lead to genny

 

[Poncherello1976]

Know absolutely nothing about generators ect but how easy ( if it’s possible ) is it to connect up to your house when there is a power cut?

Without being a qualified electrician, relatively easy I think. Our village hall has a generator in case of a power cut and there is just a switch to turn it from mains supply to the genny supply. Took our electrician about a day to connect the genny up and put the switch in.

 

[upnortheast]

I get the impression that it would be wise to have a back up plan for electric this winter, so want to buy a generator. Something I could run my house with if needed, or basic workshop tools etc. Not looking for anything massive, don't plan to run a grain dryer off it, or anything like that. What sort of power should I be looking at, and any makes to look out for, honest dealers worth talking to? There's loads of different options online, don't really know whats good and whats not.

1st thing would be to get an idea of your normal load. Sparky with a clamp meter would do that in 10 minutes. I would suggest a genny with 50% capacity on top of that.

 

[Alias]

Anthony cowell is good to talk to

Cowells

cowells.co.uk

We got a 27kva tractor driven one to go on the three point linkage, so that we can take it down the field to do a job or whatever. It can run the house, milking machine and bulk tank. He came and fitted the changeover switch and sorted everything, works well.
Before that we tried hiring a 7kva machine, waste of time, couldn't even run a kettle and toaster at the same time.

 

[Turnip]

Have this one and really happy with it, runs the whole house.

Hyundai DHY8000SELR Diesel Generator Long Run - Generators Direct

*Please be advised that Hyundai Power Products now have an extended lead time and you may not receive them next day. The current delivery time is estimated at 2-4 working days.* The DHY8000SELR is the long running version of the DHY8000SE, with a large 25L fuel tank which boosts the maximum...

www.generators-direct.co.uk

Make sure you wire it in correctly, no shortcuts.

 

[Kidds]

Hampshire Generators were recommended to me on here when I was after a generator.
Mine was for running machinery, I told them the size of the machines I wanted to use and they sold me the closest that would do it, not the most expensive either.
It is a petrol 7kw and does the job, cost about £550 but they are £750 now. Or you could go up a step and have a diesel designed to run constantly so has a 1500rpm engine instead of a 3000rpm found on the cheaper ones. Lower revs gives longer life apparently but that step up takes you to the £5k mark and above.
I only have experience with the petrol generator mentioned above but have spent a lot of time looking into the diesel versions, I think if you just want it for emergency use for short term then a petrol generator or even a small diesel will do the job provided you are sensible with what you expect of it.

I would call Hampshire Generators and have a chat with them, they were very sensible folk when I used them and I think I will be upgrading soon with them.

 

[ewald]

Pto operated generator makes a lot of sense - assuming you have a suitable tractor.
Next best is a self contained unit, diesel powered (no worries about fuel) - not Chinese, go for a Yanmar diesel with a UK alternator.

I have had a 6kva unit for years - it won’t run everything, but you will have some lights, central heating pump and internet this winter.

 

[TripleSix]

Buy a diesel stephill generator

 

[Kiwi Pete]

Following this with interest, I'm considering getting a smallish PTO generator. Seems sensible to use an engine that I already have.

Basically to connect one in, you'll need a plug outside (to patch into) as well as an isolator (to disconnect your supply from the grid).
Most of the setups I've seen have had a double isolator on the switchboard, so you disconnect from the mains and connect to the generator -or vice versa - simply and easily

In theory at least, it should be possible to connect a lower output generator to any high-current plug as long as you've turned off the main breaker. I'd want to do better than that myself

 

[goldeneagle]

This is what mate bought was £480 last year…

Makita EG5550A 4-Stroke Petrol Generator 5500W

We are the UK's fastest growing Power Tool distributor. Supplying Power Tools, Hand Tools, Tool Accessories and Safety Equipment across the UK & Europe.

www.toolden.co.uk

It seems if you ask an electrician they seem to tally up all the loads in your house and you end up with a massive generator with a huge spinning reserve in case you switch the oven and kettle etc on at same time.

I would imagine that brown outs will be the exception rather than rule so having a massive generator running at low loads is not efficient and expensive to do.

A bit of thought in how you do things and essentials like lighting, refrigeration and heating can be catered for without having a mini power station. Internet and modern TVs don’t use much power nowadays so can have most modern comforts.
Ovens and kettles pull massive loads which makes a camping stove look suprisingly good value over a bigger generator.

If you have any sensitive electronics in house may need to get recommendations/generator tested by an electrician as some generators produce ‘dirty’ power that can cause damage. The more expensive inverter gen sets have much more stable power production but you pay for that.

Other thing to consider is where you are siting generator and noise. Quite a difference in noise levels between generators.

Also important to keep generator warm and dry when storing and give it a run up every couple of months putting a bit of load on it.

My experience with this is based on 9 days without mains power after Storm Arwen using 3.5kw generator.
My central heating boiler is 750 w fridge freezer is 350w, assumed 100w for led lights, used microwave (900w)or ninja multi cooker (1.7kw) to cook with. Turned heating off while cooking or boiling kettle so as not to overload genny ( would prob have been ok but would have been skirting near max load potentially).
You need to work out what is essential for you to run and there rated loads then tally up and see what generator fits your home. You will get away with a smaller generator if you sequence things so not drawing current all at same time and will use less fuel.

 

[upnortheast]

Following this with interest, I'm considering getting a smallish PTO generator. Seems sensible to use an engine that I already have.

Basically to connect one in, you'll need a plug outside (to patch into) as well as an isolator (to disconnect your supply from the grid).
Most of the setups I've seen have had a double isolator on the switchboard, so you disconnect from the mains and connect to the generator -or vice versa - simply and easily

UK regs specify a change over switch, see pic above.
Makes it impossible to send power back up the mains network.
Is manually changing isolators "idiot proof" ?

 

[Kiwi Pete]

UK regs specify a change over switch, see pic above.
Makes it impossible to send power back up the mains network.
Is manually changing isolators "idiot proof" ?

It certainly can be made that way, basically by linking two breakers mechanically... turning them into a changeover switch!

 

[ewald]

UK regs specify a change over switch, see pic above.
Makes it impossible to send power back up the mains network.
Is manually changing isolators "idiot proof" ?

It isn't, is it?
2 iissues - you are powering all of your neighbours appliances (that have been left on during the power cut) and you are putting electrical supply staff at risk.
Proper changeover switches are not expensive

 

[chickens and wheat]

I have an auto change over switch for sale, can be used manual if your not wanting auto

 

[Oliveau]

Some years ago we renovated a cottage in a village known for frequent power cuts. I'd also installed an oilfired Rayburn to do heating and cooking. I got the sparky to put in a changeover switch in the meter box and run a cable to the garage where I had a small petrol genny. The house wiring was set up so that the genny would power a couple of strategic lights and the Rayburn, so we could see to get round and we could cook and be warm. Not a lot of power needed for that.

 

[stroller]

Have this one and really happy with it, runs the whole house.

Hyundai DHY8000SELR Diesel Generator Long Run - Generators Direct

*Please be advised that Hyundai Power Products now have an extended lead time and you may not receive them next day. The current delivery time is estimated at 2-4 working days.* The DHY8000SELR is the long running version of the DHY8000SE, with a large 25L fuel tank which boosts the maximum...

www.generators-direct.co.uk

Make sure you wire it in correctly, no shortcuts.

I've got one of these, powers the house including oven, central heating, and lights (all led), only downside is the battery is a bit too small and struggles to start, if I've not used it for a while it needs jump starting.