Electricity Generator(s): advice & help selecting

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defsoul

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Hi,

We are planning on buying a generator that would run +- 60 PC's, I would like to what capacity of a generator that would handle that much PC's,We are not going to run anything else like lights or air cons but the pc's and maybe 4 dsl routers.How can I calculate how much power 1 pc will need?

Thanks in advance
 
To reduce the load on the generator I hope that all the workstations have a LCD screen, which uses less power than the old CRT screens. Your AC capacity requirement will also be less.
 
The average office PC have a 350-450 watt power supply. The demand will not be max all the time, but will peak at startup and you should cater for that, so lets say 400W average x 60 PCs gives you 24Kw. For that much power you would need a relatively big fixed installation generator. This will cost big bucks and you will have to spec it right first time. To calculate the exact specs is not a quick scribble on a pad and couple of calculator key strokes. Companies dealing in this will be best suited to spec your need exactly.
 
I remember seeing figures before to run around 100 PC's, can't remember them offhand but its going to cost you as fortune, both for the generator and the fuel. Best talk to a specialist.
 
consider some solar panels and a few wind turbines around the office.

If you are spending that much money, you might as well use the power 24/7 rather than occasionally.

and maybe try running some of those computers on virtual terminals like through VMware solutions. You will reduce your power needs from that 400watt # to far less for the PC box (not including screens, iPods, printers, etc.).
 
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There's also an argument to be made for using laptops - I'd think you'd get away with a considerably smaller generator.
 
Syndyre said:
You're going to need a lot of solar panels!
Click to expand...

Will need a few yes, but how much is that genie going to cost also for what... minimal use during loadshedding? If they are investing they might as well get the benefits all the time. Put an equal amount on the roof as the genie would cost and have them charge the battery bank all the days that Eskom provides the power the otherwise would use. Just thinking of solutions, no specific proof of feasibility here with this.

bwana said:
There's also an argument to be made for using laptops - I'd think you'd get away with a considerably smaller generator.
Click to expand...

You will save a good deal, but if they already have +/- 60 LCDs around, why not invest in a server or two with VMware for all those who are just running minimal apps all day? rather than buying 60 laptops.
 
Power generator - earth/grounding

Ok i'm not an electricity guru - need some friendly input.

With all the eskom load shedding - i'm only using the generator (5kVA , petrol , outside with leads going inside) for making coffee/tea - and lights/tv (ups)

must i ground this thing - for if any of the appliances that have a grounding wire has/have a problem that it can ground outside via generator's ground wire?

not to be used to inject into home power circuit.
 
Well I have a few 5kva generators for my business on electrically appliances, and the electrical technician never mentioned anything of a ground wire.

Been using it just as is for over a year without a problem.
 
[OUPA]MrNutz;1440299 said:
Ok i'm not an electricity guru - need some friendly input.

With all the eskom load shedding - i'm only using the generator (5kVA , petrol , outside with leads going inside) for making coffee/tea - and lights/tv (ups)

must i ground this thing - for if any of the appliances that have a grounding wire has/have a problem that it can ground outside via generator's ground wire?

not to be used to inject into home power circuit.
Click to expand...

PM Voicy.
 
Generator Help

Hi All.

I Guess like most of you i am think of getting a generator, but need a few questions answered. So could those of you already self empowered post your "rig".

A few specific questions :

To calculate the power of the gennie needed do i just add up the wattage of the appliances i want to keep running, and use that figure as the KVA rating needed? Do i need to add any "overhead"?

What is the process to get a gennie wired into the DB? I guess it has to be done by an electrician - any idea what that would cost?

I have seen a Ryobi 2.5KVA 4 stoke for R2899. Is that an acceptable price and does anyone have this gennie. In general how reliable are these little motors?
 
My concern is the the noise. The last generator I heard was heck loud and gave me a headache quickly.

I am looking at something like this http://www.powerboxes.co.za/default.asp, one of these larger units plugged into the db for the lights of the house. Should provide lots of lighting for many hours. Maybe one or two pcs with router on such a powerbox (UPS). Heating water (and such cooking) can be done on some small gas appliance.
 
just had a power outage in the CTN - MPlain area... lasted 3 hrs. sure could use some reasonable replies to this thread :D
 
vespax said:
Will need a few yes, but how much is that genie going to cost also for what... minimal use during loadshedding? If they are investing they might as well get the benefits all the time. Put an equal amount on the roof as the genie would cost and have them charge the battery bank all the days that Eskom provides the power the otherwise would use. Just thinking of solutions, no specific proof of feasibility here with this.



You will save a good deal, but if they already have +/- 60 LCDs around, why not invest in a server or two with VMware for all those who are just running minimal apps all day? rather than buying 60 laptops.
Click to expand...

remember me if you need 60 laptops
 
defsoul said:
Hi,

We are planning on buying a generator that would run +- 60 PC's, I would like to what capacity of a generator that would handle that much PC's,We are not going to run anything else like lights or air cons but the pc's and maybe 4 dsl routers.How can I calculate how much power 1 pc will need?

Thanks in advance
Click to expand...

Actually, you will probably spend more on the UPS(s) required. Even with an AMF panel, there will be at least a 5-10 second delay before the genset can provide power. A 50KvA fixed genset with 'silencer cover' and auto switchover will set you back anything from R80k for a 'no-name brand' to R160k for a 'well-known brand'. Figure in roughly R100k for the UPS, another R5 - 10k for installation, and you have a pretty good idea.

Also, you will need a concrete base to set the genset on...

Have a look at http://www.poweron.co.za for a genset requirement calculator.
 
Woohoo! Escom can load shed all they want; I don't need them!

I work from home and Escom's load shedding was REALLY getting me down. Problem is, generators cost a lot of money (or so I thought). Just out of curiosity I went to a shop yesterday to see what they had. I ended up buying a little 750 Watt generator. This thing is very small - about 30cm cubed. It cost me a whopping R700. (I bought in from Wikkies Pompe in Pretoria).

I took it home, fired it up and plugged in my desktop PC (Pentium D 805, 1.5 TB HDDs, Radeon X1950 Pro, 19 inch LCD). It worked like a charm. I then tried to see what else I could drive off it. I plugged in my dual 1 meter tube fluerescent desktop lights. No problem. Next came my ADSL router and cell phone charger. All worked fine. I let it run like that for a couple of hours just to make sure that all was well. I even fired up Stalker to see if 100% CPU load would overload the generator. Not so. My problems are solved.

All I need to do next time Escom stuffs up is to roll out the lead, fire up the little gen and plug in my power strip. My PC has got a UPS (about 5 minutes) so I don't even have to reboot.
 
Nice!! Maybe should get UPS and generator to keep the office running!!!
 
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