I have a 4Kwatt generator that does everything I need, except be quiet! It
is very noisy when running, and probably can't be made quiet very easily,
but I'm going to try a small car muffler and see what happens. A few
things to keep in mind - you need 3 times the rated power to start a
compressor type motor. So a real 1 hp Compressor motor needs about a 3
Kwatt generator to start. My 4 Kw unit won't start my 1.5 real hp
compressor. the good news is that compressor manufacturers lie like rugs
about the power of their compressors, so look for the actual current draw
on the motor plate. I got my generator more for emergency home use, where
you need to be able to start refrigerators, pump motors, furnaces, etc., so
I needed headroom so that I could start a motor if there was some other
load on as well. I think 4 kwatts is the bottom end if you ever need to
run you house on it. I think a 1800 - 2000 watt unit might be enough for a
race track choice for me
Phil Lamont had a real nice Honda generator at Mosport - looked like a 4 or
5 kw unit, but you couldn't hear it running during the day with normal
background noise. I'm pretty impressed by those hondas.
Brian
At 02:25 PM 7/11/01 -0400, you wrote:
>Determine what you want, then check out Ebay. I bought a heavy, but
>"carriable" Coleman 1850W in like new condition for $200.
>Richard Ruff
>MHKitchen@aol.com wrote:
> >
> > Thom:
> >
> > Here are my thoughts on the subject, having had one for a while:
> >
> > 1. What do you plan to run? I was mainly interested in running
> flourescent
> > lights in the trailer, a small air compressor, an electric impact
> wrench, and
> > misc. small tools and TV.
> > 2. Is weight an issue for you?
> > 3. Is sound level an issue for you?
> >
> > I ended up with a Honda 675 Watt model, their smallest, lightest, and
> > quietest unit.
> >
> > It would run the lights and tools just fine. I found it wouldn't provide
> > enough start current for most small air compressors. So, I found a VERY
> > small compressor (like the type used to power airbrushes) that it would
> run.
> > It pumps up my portable tank in about 15 minutes, which is fine. Its also
> > very small and light which is a plus.
> >
> > The small size is a plus, and the low weight means less towed weight. By
> > keeping it portable, I could move it further away from the pit for less
> > noise. It was so quiet, no one ever complained about it, where other
> larger
> > generators were totally obnoxious with their noise (keeping your neighbors
> > happy is important too!).
> >
> > I installed a shop cord reel near the floor of the trailer and ran the wire
> > out underneath. Then, I could just reach under the trailer and pull
> out the
> > cable to a suitable length and put the generator there (had to change the
> > plugs on both ends of the cord reel for this).
> >
> > By keeping it small and portable, you can also use it for other needs when
> > you're not racing. Small also means less gas, so you don't have to carry a
> > big fuel supply for the generator too.
> >
> > I see Honda has a newer model now, that's smaller and more powerful
> than the
> > one I had...I'd check that one out.
> >
> > But, I sold that generator wiht my old trailer. I'm now just using an
> > inverter that I hook to the trailer or tow vehicle battery. I have a 300W
> > model that runs everything I mentioned above. Sometimes, inverters do have
> > trouble with flourescent lights, though. And you have to remember not to
> > completely run down the battery you're powering from. It does run my
> impact,
> > air compressor, and tools. I have a solar panel to add to the trailer to
> > help charge the battery. Does this mean I'm an environmentalist-racer???
> >
> > Regards,
> > Myles H. Kitchen
> > 1965 Lotus Cortina Mk1 #128
Brian Evans
Director, Canada
MCI Wholesale Internet Services
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