Generator question for racing

[Robert Taylor]

Even a 2.5kva generator will often fail to start a typical mass supply 2hp air compressor, depending on the generator and depending on the compressor. Chinese plus Chinese ( realistically what most of us can afford, in fairness ) often equals bad result as they are very much built to a price.
With generators you shouldnt run them continuously at more than two thirds capacity.
Where you can, plug into track supply for the compressor and run your warmers off the generator, in which case go for a minimum of 2.5kva.
Wharfy mentioned ability to boil a jug ( good advice ) Even a jug sucks 1000 watts.

[cowpoos]

2 x tyre warmers = 2000watts But they use a bit more under load. (when first turned on especially)

So I would anticipate 2500W generator for those alone.

I don't know how many watts a compressor uses, but if 2000 then you might need a 5000W genie for everything.

And I could be completely wrong, but no doubt some clever cookie will be along soon ......

yeah....2500w peak is perfect...1000w per tyre warmer....and use the same gen for the compresser....just turn the tyre warmers off for the minute the compressor goes for...$450-600 is what you should be paying.

I have a Chinese firman from Repco...cost me 480...its quiet , very very economical....two meetings per tank fill [16litre tank]...starts second pop everytime...had it for over 5 years....had heaps of use on the farm aswell....

only thing that really stops them being reliable is old fuel in the carburetors....pays to turn the fuel tap off and let the generator die. rather than just switch it off at the end of the day.

[cowpoos]

Even a 2.5kva generator will often fail to start a typical mass supply 2hp air compressor, depending on the generator and depending on the compressor. Chinese plus Chinese ( realistically what most of us can afford, in fairness ) often equals bad result as they are very much built to a price.
With generators you shouldnt run them continuously at more than two thirds capacity.
Where you can, plug into track supply for the compressor and run your warmers off the generator, in which case go for a minimum of 2.5kva.
Wharfy mentioned ability to boil a jug ( good advice ) Even a jug sucks 1000 watts.

Nothing wronging with Chinese gens....even the honda ones, motors are made their these days.
the motors are reliable as anything on the market...and test out fine on a multimeter

I run 3 horsepower portable shearing plant on my 2.5kva gen and it runs sweat as a plug in the wall...theres something wrong with your air compressor if it can run it at 2 horsepower rating or 1.5kw

[Robert Taylor]

Nothing wronging with Chinese gens....even the honda ones, motors are made their these days.
the motors are reliable as anything on the market...and test out fine on a multimeter

I run 3 horsepower portable shearing plant on my 2.5kva gen and it runs sweat as a plug in the wall...theres something wrong with your air compressor if it can run it at 2 horsepower rating or 1.5kw

The reality is though Poos that there is a wide discrepancy in performance and current draw so its best to verge on as big a capacity gen as one can afford.

[cowpoos]

The reality is though Poos that there is a wide discrepancy in performance and current draw so its best to verge on as big a capacity gen as one can afford.

While I am a sceptic on most things like this!!...I walked between shops with my multi meter....tested everyone I was looking at [bar the ones and bunnings because they refused to start them]...all of then Chinese...all of them tested puuurfect on output, voltage, freqency [48-54 Hz]...infact two of the ones I didn't buy exceeded there ratings by a margin!!! I was Extremely surprised....but brouhgt my one as it was the quietest. and its done shitloads of hours, had it for over 5 years...I've never maintained it...and its more than payed for itself...

[dilz]

heaps of good tried and tested advice here,hope this will help any1 else looking at a gen for racing!
thanks again everyone.

[slowpoke]

Being Honda dealers we have been fortunate enough to run a Honda EU20i inverter generator.
We have had the same one for about 5 or 6 years now. No problems. The beauty of these is they are so quiet and a very good consistant power delivery. Always starts 1st pull.
That powers 2x tyre warmers (it can do 5 max) if we use the compressor we flick the tyre warmers off till the comp tank is full.

Also come duck shooting it runs all the lights in the maimai, the gas heater, chip fryer and kettle.

I am being completely biased here being a dealer but I also speak with alot of truth when I saw that Honda generators are very very good and keep on going. They are pricey but you truely do get what you pay for with generators.

Gotta agree with you mate, the Honda gennies are the schizz. Size for size they are tiny, and incredibly quiet. If I had my time again that's what I'd go for even if they are more expensive. I picked up a no name brand (pre loved but hardly used) off a mate, which shit itself after 6 months. I wasn't too worried after all it was s/h, so I just bought a new cheap one and after just 12 months the thing was a fire waiting to happen with a fuel line as hard as bakelite, and fuel leaking past the fuel level indicator. I don't trust it.

For what it's worth when working in Oz, most of my mates into serious camping/4 x 4's etc go for Honda when they are gonna be 100's of km's from anywhere. Same goes for us I reckon, one crash from cold tyres when your gennie has karked it and your chinese copy doesn't look so cheap. If I had my time again I'd spend more money, no one regerets buying quality.

[k14]

They are good sets and you can hire them from a hire centre too.
Try b4 u buy

Yeah they are awesome generators, even better when you can borrow the one from work cause no one but me uses it

[bloodnut]

Yo Dilz,

I've got the answer, get one of those exercise bikes and hook your tyre warmers up to that, then half an hour before your race get Stace on the bike, of course you will end up with a big crowd around your pit bay but should have multiple benefits!!!!!!!!!

[dilz]

Yo Dilz,

I've got the answer, get one of those exercise bikes and hook your tyre warmers up to that, then half an hour before your race get Stace on the bike, of course you will end up with a big crowd around your pit bay but should have multiple benefits!!!!!!!!!

ha ha,gold! yea it'l be a popular pit all right,spandex is a must of course,static electricity and all..
ill tel her about your idea
i know what shel say though..