A constant, reliable power supply is one of those things that we can tend to take for granted. But when left without mains power, we quickly realise how much we rely on it, not just for running our household appliances and keeping the beer cold, but in some cases, to pump water to the gas hot water system, and to charge devices like computers and mobile phones. Portable generators can help in times of need but can be costly to purchase. If you need a generator, in most cases, it is probably more suitable to look at a short-term hire rather than purchasing. Here we explore some of the reasons you might need a portable generator and help you to choose the right one for the job.
Caravanning & Camping
Whether you’re heading on a camping trip with the tent or hitting the road in a fully-equipped camper van, a generator can make life a lot easier. Having a generator gives you more flexibility and choice when it comes to picking a campsite, allowing you to stay in spots known as ‘free camps’. Taking a silent generator on the road with you will provide the convenience of being able to power fridges, lighting, charge batteries, radios and even TVs. It’s definitely going to take your trip from camping to glamping and make for a more enjoyable trip, overall.
What to hire: Cromtech Inverter Generator 2.4KW.
Benefits: The Cromtech Inverter Generator is a compact and lightweight unit that is about the size of a suitcase. This generator is specifically designed for home and outdoor use, in particular, camping and caravanning. It will easily power a fridge or freezer, a small caravan or small power tools in the case of an on-road emergency. Power options include 2 x 15amp single-phase outlets, two USB charge points for your phones and other devices, and 12V-8amp battery charging. You’ll get 5 to 20 hours running time out of this efficient unit, depending on what you’re powering. Being an inverter generator, it’s pretty quiet – but make sure you check with the management at the campsite or caravan park/s to ensure they allow the use of generators as not all will. This generator also comes with a dust cover which will protect it from the elements in the event of bad weather. To read more about the Cromtech Inverter Generator, click here
Concerts & Events
Concerts and Events usually call for a generous power supply, especially if you’re running stage lighting and a professional PA system. Hiring a series of portable generators is a solid solution to supplement any power supply you might have on-site or to use in cases where no power is available at all. If there is a mains power supply onsite, it’s important to remember not to overload the circuits, so in the case of really large events, it’s best to rely solely on generator power and leave the main grid alone.
What to hire: 25KVA Diesel Generator on trailer, Distribution Boards and Cable Trays.
Building sites
Due to their very nature, building sites will commonly require the use of generators to power site sheds, lunchrooms, toilet blocks, and water pumps. Depending on how many appliances are installed within site buildings, you may require more than one generator.
What to hire: 25KVA Diesel Generator on trailer, Distribution Boards and Cable Trays.
Benefits: Hiring a generator on a trailer means it is easily moveable and maneuverable. Special vibration isolators, sound insulation materials, and the steel outer casing help to minimise noise pollution and protect the inner workings of the generator from the elements. This unit is 3-phase which means high-power sound equipment and lighting systems can be run straight from the generator via the two 32amp outlets, and you also get an additional four 15amp outlets. Need more power? By hiring a distribution board you’ll also be able to add on additional 15amp power sources as well. Don’t forget that if you’re running a lot of cables across an event site, you might need to hire some cable trays to reduce the risk of your customers and staff tripping.
How much power do you need? If you’re unsure of how much power supply you need for your concert, event or building site, first check with your qualified team members as they’ll usually have a good idea of how much power they need to run the site If you’re still unsure, have a chat to our friendly team and we’ll be more than happy to sit down and calculate your requirements while taking into account the amount of load a generator can safely take.
To read more about our portable 25KVA generator, click here.
Food trucks & Market Stalls
If you want to run a food business, power is not just nice to have, it’s a necessity to keep your food hot or cold, and to of course keep the food safety inspector happy. Most food trucks will have built-in LED lighting, hand-washing facilities and a fridge at a minimum, not to mention heating equipment like bain maries and pie warmers, maybe even exhaust fans. So what’s the best kind of generator for a food business? Generally speaking, a small inverter generator is going to get the job done for you, unless you have a coffee machine, in which case, read this article for more info on the best generator for a coffee cart.
What to hire: Look into hiring an 8kVA inverter generator (like the Cromtech Outback Inverter mentioned above) or larger. Again, ask our team for help if you’re not sure of what capacity generator you’ll need. Remember to check with market or event organisers to find out what’s allowed and whether there are space, weight or noise restrictions placed on the event by local authorities or the venue owner, which will require a generator that has low noise emissions.
Benefits: If you’re running a food business, you need a generator that is easy to transport so you’ll want a generator that’s lightweight and doesn’t take up a lot of space. The range of Cromtech Inverter Generators will tick these boxes for you, while still pumping out enough power to keep your market stall firing for the duration of the event.
Need more help with choosing the right generator?
Coastal Hire & Sales has a large range of generator options available for all jobs big and small. Contact our experienced team for advice on what capacity generator to hire and a quote to suit your needs. You can read more about our generators and their specs here.
