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Finding an electrician to advice on/install generator

  • 21-09-2022 3:51pm
    #1
    MichaelR
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 807 ✭✭✭


    Hello,

    I am thinking of getting a generator. However, the electrician whose services I normally relied on said he knows nothing about them.

    Advice about an electrician in the general Limerick area who knows about generators would be much appreciated.



Comments

  • #2
    knipex
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,018 ✭✭✭knipex


    You want a change over switch installed, your electrician, any electrician, can do that.


    You just need someone who knows about generators. What exactly do you need to know ??



  • #3
    MichaelR
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 807 ✭✭✭MichaelR


    I need to select a generator! Now might even be a great time if I order one from Amazon, because the pound has crashed and prices might not yet be updated. But ordering from Amazon might come with warranty issues.

    I see two possible approaches:

    (1) A minimalistic portable install. In that case I want a lower-power generator but ideally one I can carry or put into the boot and one that does not fear rain all that much. The minimum power I need, however, is pretty high at 2500 W, as that is the rating of the washing machine - the single biggest load I can need (the kettle is somewhat lower and also much less critical, I have a portable gas stove for cooking). Apart from the washing machine, my In this install I'd forgo the changover switch and just use extension cables. Other loads I might need include the fridge (rated 200 W or something like that), laptop charging and the router (very low power ratings), the tumble dryer (rated 1 kW or something - it's a heat pump model). What generator should I seek for that?

    (2) An actual proper install with the changeover switch and a permanent generator installation in the shed. But I wonder how high I should realistically go. All the way to 9 kW for the shower? But how much will this even cost and how do I select a generator at that high level? And if I do not go for the shower, what will the changeover switch even accomplish?

    Maybe there is also a (0) where I forgo the washing machine and just go for a minimal spend with a 1200 W invertor portable? There is one in Screwfix for slightly under 400 Euro https://www.screwfix.ie/p/impax-imdy1500lbi-1200w-inverter-generator-230v/15761 . What I wonder about this option is whether these generators have graceful shutdown if I overload it accidentally.



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