what size generator for cement mixer

[pokerkid]

I need a small generator to power my cementmixer which has a 3hp 2.2KW engine. What would be the smallest generator i can use ?

I also will use it for drills etc, but not at the same time with the mixer

thanks

[casualbiker]

As a guess to include start up load a 3 kW would be sufficient but maybe 4kw would be better.

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[eyecatcher]

The two most common sizes of genny for domestic building sites would be a 2.6kva and 3.4kva.

Dependent on the fuel storage you are talking 3.5hr's to 6 hr continual use.

My advice....find one that can be switched to the equivalent of 110v and again make sure your tools are rated to adjust to 110v.

Safety reason no less, you can survive an electric shock via faulty tools at 110 you cannot at 200,210,220,240 that we are accustomed to out of our power sockets

The 2.6kva should be ample for a small electric mixer with no available power,

[pokerkid]

i read on the internet that these electric engines have a start up usage of 2 -3 times their wattage. which would be about 5-6kw for this mixer. Anyone has any experience running cement mixers of a generator ?

[Crossy]

No direct experience using a genset on a concrete mixer, but a few observations.

You are correct that electric motors draw significantly more than their rated power on startup, often 3 times rated current. That said, mixers will invariably be started empty, so very little load.

I'd be looking at a genset of about 5kVA something like this http://www.kwaithong.com/product_detail.php?ref=do:read/id:2 which should do the job, 25-30k Baht.

Is there no possibility of getting a construction power supply to your site? If you're going to need power once whatever is built that's the cheapest alternative in the long run.

Do note that these little gensets are anything but quiet, if noise is an issue you are looking at significantly more outlay for a 'silent' diesel genset.

[IMHO]

As noted by everyone else, the motor will draw 2-3x normal load for the first couple of seconds when started.

The question is, what else are you going to be running off the generator though? Assuming you have a cement mixer on site in order to build a house, you'll probably also want to be running power tools (drills and saw) when prepping forms, grinders when fitting electric wiring and plumbing, and later when it comes time to do the roof you'll be needing to run a welder as well.

If that's the case, you may want to look at buying a combined generator/inverter welder, so you can be absolutely sure it's going to work when it comes time to do the roof too - e.g. something like this: https://www.ktw.co.th/873/30/%E0%B9%80%E0%B8%84%E0%B8%A3%E0%B8%B7%E0%B9%88%E0%B8%AD%E0%B8%87%E0%B9%80%E0%B8%8A%E0%B8%B7%E0%B9%88%E0%B8%AD%E0%B8%A1_%E0%B9%80%E0%B8%84%E0%B8%A3%E0%B8%B7%E0%B9%88%E0%B8%AD%E0%B8%87%E0%B8%9B%E0%B8%B1%E0%B9%88%E0%B8%99%E0%B9%84%E0%B8%9F%E0%B8%9F%E0%B9%89%E0%B8%B2

[vanessav27]

The motor's nameplate will typically will show starting watts, which is usually around 2-3x the running watts, but in some cases it can be as high as 9x the running watts... so better to check than guess and end up with a generator you can't use.

Once you determine the starting watts, you can look for generators that can handle slightly more than your starting watt needs (better to have a little buffer)

Here is a comparison chart of different generators - it is a good resource for comparing different generator specs (starting & running watts, cost, size, noise, reviews, etc.) in order to determine what best meets your needs

[Canada]

Probably a 5kw would do it if starting the mixer empty. I've got a 5kw KwaiTong. It works well for most things. I also use it for small welding work (a dc inverter welder), which it is not recommended for. You could step it up a bit as IMHO says and get a Kwai Tong that has a welder built in. The 5kw on it's own was 18,600 baht a year and a half ago. The one with the welder as well was close to 30,000 if I remember correctly.

I also have a 5kw generator that runs off of a 10 hp Kubota. It will not support the welder at all. The Kubota will run my 2 hp submersible, but the Kwai Tong will not.... go figure..... Well it will , but not well.