New Generator - can it handle the following items?

 

I have just purchased a generator from Briggs & Stratton, as follows:

ProMax 6000
4.6Kw, 5.7Kva, 230V (what i need), 20A.

Now, with that in mind, I'm trying to run an office with the following
items:

8 Desktop Computers, with 6 LCD monitors and 2 CRT monitors (15-17")

6 laptops @ 60W.

2 laser printers, 2 deskjet printers.

1 Photocopier (1200W i believe...)

a few fans, phone chargers, and lights. Flexible - don't need to run.


The photocopier is my main concern with overloading the generator. I've
been told that the laser printers run at 260W when printing, and sit
still at 7W.  I've also learned that my generator doesn't have an 'auto
shutdown' mechanism.   I'm kinda new to all this, but what do you guys
think?  Is my generator enough?  Am I safe running the office?

Thanks much.

 


bmdavis wrote:

Just take the maximum wattage for each item and add them up. It should
be less than the wattage of your generator to allow for startup surges.


--
Malc

 


I would purchase a meter such as a kill-a-watt, and measure your
devices power use. Give your generator a considerable allowance for
being overrated (it is unlikely to be able to put out nearly as much
as the nameplate says). I would derate its stated capacity by at least
30% to arrive at the safe amount of power you can take out of it.

I think that you are, at best, "pushing it" if you start actively
printing and copying.

As for overloading, it would pay to buy some contactor with overloads
matching your generator's abilities. and wire it properly.

i

 

Most of it depends on the quality of power it produces. Many electronic
devices refuse to run on power produced by poor generators. This is the part
that makes the electricity not the engine that powers it. Noisy power with
poor wave forms and varying frequency and voltage contribute to problems
when running electronics. I do not know the type of alternator on your
equipment and what its reputation is.

 


bmdavis wrote:

When one first buys a generator, it seems like such a simple,
straight-forward situation. It's not until afterwards that you realize
that you might have bought yourself a big headache and a lot of work
and it might not solve the problem anyway.

I'm not an expert by any means, but here's some concerns that come to
mind:

1. LOAD BALANCE.
Which loads are on one branch of your breaker box and which loads are
on the other? Are there any loads on both branches, i.e., 230 Volts?
How much power does each individual load take? What is the value of the
circuit breaker in the generator on each branch of the output? You
really need to figure all of this out and it involves quite a bit of
work and some expertise.

2. SURGE CURRENT.
What is the surge current of each load? What is the surge-current
capacity of the generator? Is it possible that your computers and
printers, etc., can be damaged as the voltage fluxuates due to surge
problems? Will your computers crash when you turn on a printer or
copier?

3. CONNECTION TO YOUR ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.
How are you going to connect the generator to the building? Are you
going to use illegal suicide cords? Or, are you going to use a transfer
switch installed by an electrician?

4. NOISE LEVEL.
Generators of this type are very loud. Can you put up with the noise?
Are you zoned for this much noise?

5. GASOLINE STORAGE.
How much gas are you going to store? How much does the generator use?
Can you store the gas safely? Do you know what the shelf life of
gasoline is? Are you going to put stabilizer in the gas to make it last
longer? What are you going to do with the old gas after it has
deteriorated?

6. GENERATOR STORAGE
Preparing a generator for storage can be quite a bit of work. Are you
going to prepare the generator for long-term storage or are you going
to run it for awhile every month or so? Mice have been known to eat the
insulation of off generator windings. Are you going to protect the
generator from mice or just take your chances?

7. POWER QUALITY
Will this type of generator work with "sensitive electronic devices"?
I've never been able to get an answer to this question. Are computers,
printers and copiers really that sensitive? I personally don't think
they are, but I don't know.

I'm really not trying to exaggerate the problems for you. I'm just
speaking as one who has "been there--done that". Incidentally, on a
purely intuitive basis, I don't believe the generator is large enough
for your needs.