Jaki generator prądu wybrać na czas budowy domu?
Construction work involves the need to power many devices. Particularly in the initial stages of house construction, access to a power source can be significantly limited. In addition, various failures and interruptions in its supply, can translate into delays in the tight construction schedule. And this is what every contractor and investor wants to avoid. That's why a generator for home construction is a good idea. What is the best generator to choose? Let's check it out.
Home construction - what generator power do I need?
For construction work, you need to provide power for a lot of equipment. Some of them are characterized by considerable power. For example, concrete mixers, depending on the model, have power from 400 watts to as much as 1,500 watts. Large impact hammers, circular saws, drilling machines, angle grinders, drills - these devices also add up to need a lot of electricity. And, after all, you still need to charge the many batteries for the cordless hand tools that are so common these days. If we add such "details" as work site lighting and add up the entire, instantaneous electricity needs of our construction site, we find that we need a generator set of about 9,000 watts to 12,000 watts.
Generators of such power are relatively compact devices. They are portable, making them easy to transport from one location to another, or even to change their location within a construction site. This makes them successful in serving as an emergency power source, or even supplying the entire construction site with electricity if there is no access to the electric grid at all.
However, if the work on a construction site has a different nature, for example, there are few people working on the site, and therefore the use of power tools is small, or several brigades operate on site, and each of them has its own generator, then it may turn out that smaller devices will be sufficient. Generators of 6000W can successfully cope with most tasks. Especially if they are modern devices with sophisticated technical solutions. Let's see what should be characterized by a generator for home construction.
Diesel or gasoline?
This question is asked not only by people facing the need to buy a car. There are many models on the market with a gasoline-powered engine. But is this the most effective solution for construction? Certainly not. It is the diesel units that are very economical. They use on average 3.5 times less fuel than analogous gensets of the same power, but with a gasoline-powered engine. When we translate this into hundreds of hours of operation, the scale of savings becomes significant. And yet, low operating costs are especially important for projects with tight budgets, such as construction sites. Therefore, every opportunity to make savings is worth taking advantage of and choosing economical diesel gensets.
Let's see some calculations using a concrete example. An efficient diesel genset with a power of 6.0 kW, consumes only 1 liter of fuel per hour. A gasoline genset of the same power will consume about 3.5 liters of gasoline per hour of operation. This means that at an average fuel price of PLN 7.00 per liter, the daily (8 hours) cost of operating a diesel generator is only about PLN 56. In contrast, the work of a generator with a gasoline engine, in the same period, will cost us almost 200 zlotys. Using diesel generators gives measurable daily savings, which translate into huge monthly savings of up to several thousand zlotys.
Labor cost is not the only factor in favor of choosing such a solution. Low consumption, combined with a large diesel tank, saves the time needed to refill the fuel. The oil that powers these devices lasts a long time - up to 4 years. This is another plus on the side of diesel generators. What other special features to consider when buying a generator for home construction? Let's see.
The ideal generator for construction sites
Although there is no shortage of large and heavy machinery and equipment on construction sites, we rely on compact and mobile solutions wherever possible. For this reason, a generator for house construction should also be as small as possible, easy to move, and at the same time efficient. What are the parameters of the genset worth paying attention to? Let's list some important parameters.
- Modern solutions - they translate into convenience of use. And it is very important, because nowadays we expect tools and equipment to perform a given job as effectively and efficiently as possible. For example, Proton units are equipped with Dual™ technology, which allows you to get as much as 80% of the power on single-phase sockets (230 V) and, of course, full power on a three-phase socket. This is great - considering that a standard three-phase genset allows you to get only 33% of the power on single-phase outlets. The Dual™ function allows you to power more powerful single-phase appliances, or more single-phase appliances, all without investing in a larger genset. Another practical solution is remote controls that allow you to remotely control a genset set at a safe distance from the work site. This saves a lot of time. Thanks to such features, the work of the generator, and therefore our work, is as efficient and optimized as possible.
- Safety of operation - sensors and sensors that monitor the parameters of the device in real time guarantee the correctness of operation, that is, our safety during use. Also important is the safety of valuable power tools and machines connected to the unit. Good quality of current parameters is ensured by a voltage regulator, which makes it possible for the generator to work with even the most sensitive equipment.
- Mobility - on construction sites, especially in its initial stages, mud and muddy, uneven ground are ubiquitous. To change the location of the generator, which can weigh between 130 and 180 kg, large wheels are essential. These can cope with any terrain. Larger models of portable power generators are equipped with rollers that allow the unit to be moved. This is sufficient when we can set the generator on the floor of the house, for example, for finishing work. Comfortable and sturdy handles are an element that also increases the mobility of generators.
- Convenience of ongoing maintenance - the genset, like any other device with an internal combustion engine, requires several typical maintenance tasks. These include topping up oil or the need to change filters. Thanks to a well-thought-out design, Proton generators guarantee free access to all key components. This makes it possible to quickly perform maintenance or periodic inspection.
- Durability of construction - construction site is a place where there is no shortage of opportunities for mechanical damage to the genset. Therefore, the unit for the construction site should have a strong and rigid protective frame made of steel profiles. It will protect the components of the device from damage that could occur as a result of an impact or dropping something heavy. The durability of the device is also influenced by the use of top-quality components, such as bearings from reputable suppliers, for example.
Frequently asked questions about generators for construction sites
Questions about generators for home construction regularly appear on the Internet. Below we have collected the most popular ones along with our answers.
Where to get electricity for home construction?
Since construction sites require a continuous supply of energy, a good solution is to use the so-called "construction current". This is nothing more than an electrical connection brought to our plot, connected to a construction switchboard. When we do not have access to such a connection, or there is an interruption in transmission due to a breakdown, generators are an effective solution. They will successfully provide electricity for the duration of house construction.
Where to place a portable power generator?
Always placea portable power generator at least 5 meters away from the work site. This will protect it from the risk of damage or unnecessary dirt. In addition, the air that the engine draws will not be contaminated, such as dust from cutting paving stones or masonry components. This will extend the life of the air filter. Of course, the aggregate should be placed on a stable and level surface, so that it does not interfere with others at work and there is no risk of being run over by a car or other construction vehicle.
Single-phase or three-phase genset?
A lot of construction equipment is single-phase (230 V). Larger equipment, such as large concrete mixers or plastering units, need three-phase (400 V) power. For this reason, a three-phase unit will be a much more versatile choice. It is also worth noting that the vast majority of three-phase generators have the ability to power single-phase equipment.
Generator for house construction - summary
A good diesel generator will even provide power for the entire construction site. It will allow simultaneous use of multiple appliances and power tools thanks to multiple outlets and sufficient power. This is an excellent way to complete the project even in the face of breakdowns or power shortages from the grid. In this article, we discussed the characteristics of the ideal generator for home construction. However, if you are still unsure about choosing the best portable power generator, feel free to contact us. Our team of specialists will be happy to help you choose the device for you and professionally answer any questions you may have.
If a generator set, then only with AVR
As a manufacturer and distributor of generators, we offer devices equipped
only with high-end voltage regulators. We know how important for you is
the safety of consumers powered by the generator. AVR guarantees stable
operation of electronic devices and their protection from damage. Failure
of a heat pump, computer or other equipment is not only a considerable
cost, but also a risk of data loss. That's why every Proton generator has
a suitable AVR voltage regulator.
If you want to learn more about the safety of powering your home, farm or
business with a generator, contact our advisor. We are on call for you 24
hours a day, every working day.