Help me to buy myself a generator!

[Helmut79]

What specs should I be looking at when I want to find a generator that would be able to run 4x 1000W HPS?

I have heard that a generator should be able to put out 2x the power needed to run the lights. Why?

I'm looking at one generator at the moment which says: Power: 6 kW/400V/3phase, 2,3 kW/230V/1phase

What does it mean?

 

[Helmut79]

I can understand when it says "Output 7kW 1 phase". Well I don't really know what phase is, but to me it simply means that it has 7kW of output, but what if it's written as in my previous post? What does it mean?

.. and would output power of 7kW be enough for 4kW of HPS lights to run them?

 

[SnapsProvolone]

Your single phase residential @230v 50Hz

So its not gonna do the job.

If you run a generator there is a rating called "prime power". This is the rated max load for continuous operation. Other ratings are peak and only apply to momentary load increases.

You going auto transfer?

 

[NorthofEngland]

I suspect you may be in for a disappointment on this issue.
Recently I looked into a Solar Panels, Inverters, Battery Banks and GENERATOR system.

I was amazed to find that, to run 1 x 1000w constantly and 2 x 600w for 18 hours per day
- which I worked out at 24kWh, 10.8kWh and 10.8kWh (45.6kWh per day)
or 1.9kW per hour
I thought that a [£6000] 4kW system would easily run 1.9kW......
4 - 1.9 = 2.1kW (left for fans and heaters, humidifiers and dehumidifiers....)

Not so!

The SolarGenUK company told me I would need a £30,000 system!
(and I still didn't understand how many kW's I needed!).

 

[Helmut79]

Your single phase residential @230v 50Hz

So its not gonna do the job.

If you run a generator there is a rating called "prime power". This is the rated max load for continuous operation. Other ratings are peak and only apply to momentary load increases.

You going auto transfer?

I live in Europe and we're used to 230v, but I'm not really getting what are you saying. I'm not an electric.

Sorry, what do you mean by auto transfer? What's that?

 

[smokecat]

there's an app for that. Multiquip makes a generator selector app...

They suggest 2X because of the starting load (the initial surge of power when something kicks on). I am not sure if it is totally important in this situation. Remember that your ballast draws additional wattage and factor in fans/pumps etc. I think the unit you are talking about supplies 2300 watts w/ 220/230/240 wiring but I'm no electrical expert. Check out Lowes or Home Depots websites they give a lot of info and they rate them mostly on 120V I think.

 

[Helmut79]

I suspect you may be in for a disappointment on this issue.
Recently I looked into a Solar Panels, Inverters, Battery Banks and GENERATOR system.

I was amazed to find that, to run 1 x 1000w constantly and 2 x 600w for 18 hours per day
- which I worked out at 24kWh, 10.8kWh and 10.8kWh (45.6kWh per day)
or 1.9kW per hour
I thought that a [£6000] 4kW system would easily run 1.9kW......
4 - 1.9 = 2.1kW (left for fans and heaters, humidifiers and dehumidifiers....)

Not so!

The SolarGenUK company told me I would need a £30,000 system!
(and I still didn't understand how many kW's I needed!).

That is a disappointment indeed. Are you serious??

 

[Helmut79]

there's an app for that. Multiquip makes a generator selector app...

They suggest 2X because of the starting load (the initial surge of power when something kicks on). I am not sure if it is totally important in this situation. Remember that your ballast draws additional wattage and factor in fans/pumps etc. I think the unit you are talking about supplies 2300 watts w/ 220/230/240 wiring but I'm no electrical expert. Check out Lowes or Home Depots websites they give a lot of info and they rate them mostly on 120V I think.

Yes, we have 220V wiring here in Europe as far as I'm concerned, and I know you americans have 120V, but why does it say 400V on the generator information then? - "6kW/400V/3phase"

 

[SnapsProvolone]

Volts x Amps = Watts

A kilowatt hour is the energy used to run a 1000 watt load for a duration of one hour.

The difference between solar and generator backup power sources is energy storage method. Generator uses fuel where solar uses expensive battery banks.

 

[Helmut79]

I was amazed to find that, to run 1 x 1000w constantly and 2 x 600w for 18 hours per day

Don't you think there could be a massive difference if you're going to run it constantly or if you're letting it rest for 6-12 hours a day?

 

[SnapsProvolone]

Yes, we have 220V wiring here in Europe as far as I'm concerned, and I know you americans have 120V, but why does it say 400V on the generator information then? - "6kW/400V/3phase"

Three phase is commercial use.

 

[SnapsProvolone]

Don't you think there could be a massive difference if you're going to run it constantly or if you're letting it rest for 6 hours a day?

I would want to have the generator running for 12 hours a day anyway, because I only need it for flowering.

Couldn't this make a huge difference?

12 hours a day needs to be rated at prime. If you take some cheap portable and expect it to live your in for a surprise.

Diesel models last longer than gasoline. If you have NG or LP supply then your options are even better.

 

[Helmut79]

NG or LP? Is this gas?

Anyway, I find it difficult to believe that I would need to invest tens of thousands of dollars for a descent generator in order to be able to run my 4kW of lightning. It can't be. It just can't.

I'm trying to see where can I find that "prime output"...

 

[SnapsProvolone]

Some smaller generators call it continuous rating instead of prime.

Transfer switch starts generator and transfers load to backup source if your utility power goes out.

 

[Helmut79]

Thank you, SP.

It seems they don't have this information available on their website. I guess I will need to send them a question about that.

I found one that costs €3000 and has an output of: 11kW 3phase and 3,7kw 1 phase.

I'm really interested to know what prime or continuous rating could it have.

 

[Helmut79]

Would be interesting to hear from people that have experience with power generators and growing. How much should one expect the machinery to cost and what might be the cost of fuel per month.

 

[SnapsProvolone]

Running a 25kW natural gas generac costs about twice what utility power costs. Worse in winter when they inflate gas rates.

Diesel gensets usually have a similar cost analysis.

Gasoline sets will come in dead last.

 

[oracle3301]

Minimum generator size for 4k lights and 2k general power(pumps, fans, heater/a/c) would be a 12kw take or give a little.

General sells a 12kw centurion that would work but I would recommend a bigger unit so that the generator will not be required to work so hard and you can expand in the future.

 

[Helmut79]

So you're saying that a generator has to have a maximum output wattage of at least 2x the wattage of the lights in order to be able to run them without a problem.

 

[kinddiesel]

im very sorry to tell you any gas generator will murder the gas . it will cost you so much to run any generator costing under 15000 yes 15 grand a good diesel generator will cost about the same as a normal utility bill to run. but even if you drop 5k on a diesel generator on a good HONDA you will still be paying insane fuel costs 3 times the utility cost. trust me I have looked into this in the past.