Generator Recommendations

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Penniless

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With the electricity company having over the past year changed all our cables etc. down our road, we are guaranteed to lose power at least once a week, so knowing that we have a handful of foals due to arrive in January, I want to get a generator as a back-up for CCTV, alarms and lights, so does anyone have any recommendations? I intend to get at least 1800 watts which should cover most of the yards lights and alarms, but with it being basically to make sure I've got lights etc. for foalings, I want a fairly quiet one so if anyone has a make that is very quiet, can you let me know via the forum or by PM. I've just realised I probably should have put this in another forum heading, but hopefully someone will read this and get back to me with their recommendations. Thanks.
 
We have a Honda generator which the men take with them if they need electricity on sight - mainly to boil the kettle for tea I think!! Seriously, it has never let them down and doesn't seem noisy at all. I'll try to remember the model they have or if they would recommend a different type for what you want tomorrow.
 
Have just asked them and they are well pleased with theirs, it runs all their power drills/saws but obviously not all at once or for long (Honda EC 2200) but son says to run what you want, he'd recommend going to your local plant/tool hire depot and trying out the different sorts before you buy. He doesn't think their model would be beefy enough for you. You can also get silent (or as near as damn it) running ones too. Most depots are good with enquiries, they have to cope with a lot of novice DIYers!
 
pramac 4500 diesel
3.75 kva
from northerntool

very very reliable as it's my sole source of power as I'm off grid completely and being diesel you can use red diesel and not pay all the tax on road diesel or petrol
 
Something you will need to be aware of if you are planning to use this as a backup supply to your mains source is that you will need to have a changeover switch fitted to your supply as well. This will allow you, on the throw of a switch, to change from mains to backup supply (generator). I'm not sure exactly why you want the CCTV and alarms running off the generator though...surely if you are on generator you will be on-site !?

As for the genny itself...the Honda 'Silent Run' models are good quality and pretty quiet (59dBa I think
tongue.gif
). The cheaper models are generally just noisier. If it's just lights and lightweight gear like alarm/cctv then a 2Kva model should do
smile.gif
 
Thanks everyone for your replies. Honda seems to be the make everyone is recommending via this forum and outside friends. I will take all your comments on board and go to the local suppliers to "listen" to them all! As for CCTV etc. if on site - the idea of having the generator as the back-up, is because I stay in the house watching the CCTV and with the sound alarms on as well, and when I see waters breaking, I can then go out into the yard where if the generator is working, I can then of course switch the alarms and TV off and just make sure I have lights on out there to watch/assist the foalings. Many thanks to you all - just hoping foaling days aren't the days we lose mains power here.
 
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