What Size Generator

[Tec 0]

Hi All,

 

Need to hire a generator for the weekend, what size do a need if i'm running either 2 mackie 450 with dennon decks, or a Dynacord P5 with 2,500 Amp with pionner decks.

 

Thanks

[jeffwall 0]

not very big really

 

2 mackies ...... say 3 amps

 

electronic gear cd players etc...say 1 amp

 

amps....6amps (ish) starting current....(reducing down to half once started)

 

will get the lot off a 13amp supply easy

 

what about smoke/lights/etc...allow for this too if your using these items

 

for every 1000watts of gear your using.....you will need 4.2amps of power from the mains@240V

 

slightly more if long runs....ie....running at volt drop 230/220volts

 

ask for a 4 K.V.A genny, will give you 16amps

 

KVA is the term used for ordering a genny.....they like it when you quote KVA

 

All KVA is ....... the kilowatt required (in your case 3) divide by power factor (usually 0.85 say)

 

so................ 3kw divide by 0.85 = 3.52 kva genny required (four to round up)

Edited August 29, 2007 by jeffwall

[superstardeejay 0]

Yeah and generators dont like inrush currents, especially if you're flashing parcans! A load of 4000W will stall a 4KVA generator if they're all turned on at once!

[djweeble 0]

Another thing to ensure is that you get a VERY WELL REGULATED one.

 

There's lots of DJ's out there that have ended up paying big money to repair electronic equipment that was damaged by a cheap generator.

[Tec 0]

Many Thanks for that !!

[norty303 0]

Also, use diesel rather than petrol as they give a much steadier run, with less surging when under dynamic loads

[bigMCben 0]

If possible try and hire one of these

[ollygeorge 0]

Another thing to ensure is that you get a VERY WELL REGULATED one.

 

There's lots of DJ's out there that have ended up paying big money to repair electronic equipment that was damaged by a cheap generator.

 

That will be me then!!!

 

I now ask for a 2 Kva geny, that is suppling 6 lighting effects, 2 amps, and a load of other little items, works fine. I was running off one Friday and Saturday night from the last weekend.

[superstardeejay 0]

OK but that sounds a little close to the bone! 2kva is less than that permitted from ONE single 13A socket...do you normally run your entire disco off just one of these? You should derate your generator if you use any inductive load eg lighting or equipment with transformers. This is why kVA does not equal kW unless you have perfect power factor correction!!