b&q generator

R

rowey2006

Well-Known Member
Joined
1 Jan 2006
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144
www.birdcareuk.com
hi all

just treated myself to a generator from b&q only £32.98
780watts max 2 stroke
only drawback i thought very loud db figours 91 but i have not started it yet. but it is only there if everything else fails.

my question is can i plug a car battery charger into it and charge my batteries up with it? (i have no shore power) and dont want to start boat engine. i know i wount be able to plug lap top into it, but if i plug a surge protector into genny and then plug car battey charger into surge protector do you think this would be ok, your comments and suggestions please.

regards
marc.
 
Re: b&q generator

Joining in here, the test in March MBM (p. 92) said it kept cutting out, so that might be one reason. Noise? I don't know, I'm just reporting what I read. Re the surge protector/battery charger route, I don't think I'd try that, but then again I don't have a lap-top, so my opinion probably isn't worth much! I would say, though, don't keep anything irreplaceable on the laptop, just in case. Best of luck.
 
You could keep it in your tender and run it half a mile down tide fron you, alternatively you stow it on your transom and use it as a kedge anchor.
 
Re: b&q generator

the instructions say i need a earth spike not supplied however it says get a bit of copper tube and some wire, a bit mikey mouse i think. how do i stick it in the earth when iam at sea?

do you need this spike will any problems happen if i dont use the spike?

regards marc
 
Re: b&q generator

You serious?

just connect a lead to an anode or engine block or something surely? Some one is probably going to bring up galvanic isolators now.
 
Would not like to comment on suply for laptop but I bought same generator, not very noisey and did not cut out at all with 500w sunflood plugged in. Ideal for my requirements.
 
Re: B & Q generator

A generator needs an earth spike to protect you from any electrical fault, use an RCD socket instead of a standard socket. Assuming you can identify the neutral connect the earth to that? With the Electricity Generating Board the PMR system connects to earth ultimately via the neutral. They no longer run an earth terminal in the mains system before it gets to your house. Your protection from "live" kettles/taps etc is that everything is in an "equipotential enclosure". What this means is that the kettle casing can be live, but so long as it's bonded via earth to the tap the tap is also live so as the two lives cancel each other out you're ok. However, for simplicity, use an RCD and you should be ok without having to worry about anodes etc and bonding all round the boat. Why make life complicated?
 
Re: B & Q generator

Suspect this is the generic chinese 800W "ish" cheapo generator that has been doing the rounds for ages under various labels /guises.Bought mine a few years ago and it has had to suffer various sorts of abuse including loads over and above its design capabilties for short periods.It once ran a 1KW fire for a couple of hours and although it coughed and spluttered and smoked somewhat it survived to fight another day.I have used it mainly to provide a power source to run a long rope light(30M) at our local ruver festival.Talking of noise,when placed on my bathing platorm it can just be heard inside the cabin with the patio doors closed and the telly on.It is silent compared to those noisy olde things with the ancient american two strokes with the open frame.If you want posh buy a Honda,if you just need some cheap power for short periods...........
 
The current perceived knowledge (?) I say that advisedly - is that you should not run a laptop on these cheap gennies, the instructions may also say that.

But as others have said for light loads they are OK.

The problems with these units are threefold:-

1). The power output figures are fudged, 780W is not only before any power factor or generation loss correction; but more importantly the value is at US 60Hz models where the engine runs faster and generates more power. UK output is nearer 600w

2). Due to poor design (skimping on materials or quality thereof) the waveform is poor and so is the regulation. This causes wide fluctuations in the voltage output, bot these factors are problems for modern switch mode power converters used in laptops and lightweight battery chargers.

3). IMHO the basic generator block is well constructed being I'm told a copy of the excellent Honda unit, but the ancillaries frame, fuel tank etc, etc are poorly made, that's what fall to pieces. In our throwaway society folk can't be bothered to fix broken bits or even tighten things up.

I've charged batteries up with mine - a bit slower than when used with a shore supply, and small power tools were fine.
 
Re: b&q generator

[ QUOTE ]
You serious?

just connect a lead to an anode or engine block or something surely? Some one is probably going to bring up galvanic isolators now.

[/ QUOTE ]

Is this a good time to bring up the issue of galvanic isolators- been worrying me for some time now. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
 
Re: b&q generator

There was a thread a short while ago about 'earthing' portable generators.

It's a tad of a challenge on a boat; as what do you bond to.

Concensus was to leave well alone, as often the generator live & neutral are totally isolated from earth with these portable generators. So any (single)fault that arises ain't a problem as there is no complete circuit generated between the circuit and ground.

Note that RCD's will not work normally on non-earthed generators, as they require a 'return path' for the detected leakage current.

But the thread did raise many thoughts and opinions, and it would be great to have a definitive answer from a manufacturer. But they'll probably say that you musn't use it near water or sommit.
 
Be interested to know the noise.. best are about 50-60db,described as private office/conversation. 90db is described as a heavy truck-which must be pretty loud on the water?
 
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