BUYING THE RIGHT GENERATOR

​Not all generator installations and applications are the same, although they follow the same principals.

 

They can differ in so many ways and good advice would be to contact a generator dealer to discuss your requirements.

 

We can arrange for an on-site visit by a technical adviser to discuss a suitable location, sizes as well as expected costs.

If the enquiry is about portable power generator solutions, an over the phone advice service is offered to ascertain which type of generator would be suited to the customer needs and requirements, free of charge and without a site visit needed.

​

As UK demands increase, due the electric vehicle popularity, it is an ongoing worry that the UK power station infrastructure is not capable of supporting the constant charging of motor vehicles as well as industry and house typical use at the same time.

Power cuts are expected and quite frequently as well, so the advice would be to have something in place, either small or sized up to your mains incomer.

Something is always better than nothing, even if it is only enough to light up your premises or even better, provide warmth and security.

​

A detailed quotation will be sent by email, stating all proposals and options for supply only, part, or full installation. 

​

We offer a back-up service throughout the UK, and it is always advised to have your new generator serviced and maintained by a recognised generator dealer during the warranty period as well as after the warranty period has finished. 

​

SERVICE, REPAIR & MAINTENANCE PLANS

​As well as an installation service, we can offer competitively priced service/maintenance plans, suitable to all types of budgets and making sure that your generator is looked after properly and stays reliable and working for many years.

It is important and much more cost effective to get things right from the very beginning, so feel free to contact us.

​

GENERATOR OPTIONS

​We offer new generators primarily but have access to many used generator options to suit all budgets and applications. 

If you can justify the cost of a new generator, it will always be encouraged to purchase a new generator set, so that you can build your own history on it.

Used generators are not an issue if you have some idea as to where it has come from and the environment it has worked in, how much service and maintenance it has had and how many hours it has on the clock. 

 

LOAD BANKING

​Load banking services are offered and encouraged often, especially if the generator is used daily and mostly run on light loads.

A load bank will make sure everything on the generator is operating properly and efficiently and will also highlight any potential or existing problems that can be corrected.

​

WHY IS LOAD BANKING RECOMMENDED?

​Wherever electrical power is generated there is a need for a load bank.

Load Banks are used with engine generators, battery systems, UPS systems, inverters, ground power units, and auxiliary power units.

Technicians use Load Banks to apply a load that mimics the load of the facility the generator is protecting.     

A Load Bank applies a discrete, selectable electrical load to the generator and measures the response stability and endurance of all products at various mechanical loads.

Any problems with the generator can then be identified and rectified in a non-critical environment.

​

UNLEADED, DIESEL AND GAS OPTIONS TO CONSIDER

​There are three types of engines. Unleaded, gas and diesel.

Unleaded or gas engines are the most common engine in the portable power generator range and commonly only up to approximately 8kva with the odd exceptions.

Diesel, air cooled engines tend to be the common choice from 6kva up to 12/15kva and water-cooled engines commonly tend to start from 8kva upwards to 2mw and beyond.

​

Gas fuelled engines have fast become a front runner in recent times due to the continuous rise in diesel costs and the fact that red diesel will be harder to come by after April 2022, gas will be the preferred choice of engine to power most machinery and especially generators. 

​

Gas engines tend to be more expensive to purchase, but far less to operate compared to diesel and unleaded. 

Service and maintenance costs are remarkably similar to diesel. 

​

WHY TALK TO A MEMBER OF STAFF AT DENRO POWER SERVICES?

​We are experienced in all areas of generator power solutions and will advise you about which generator is best for each installation and application, from portable power, prime power use, right through to standby power options. 

​

GENERATOR HIRE

​We offer high spec quiet run generator hire solutions across the UK at competitive rates from 10kva to 2.5mw.

Cable hire as well as fuel cubes are options too, so feel free to contact us to discuss your requirements.

Lighting towers are also offered, so feel free to contact a member of staff to discuss your requirements.

​

We Provide the Following Services:

​

• Generator Hire

• Generator Sales

• Generator Service

• Generator Installations

• Generator Spares

• Generator Upgrades

• Lighting Tower Hire

• Cable & Distribution Board Hire

• National Hire & Maintenance Contracts

• Fuel Tank Hire

• Load Banking

• Synchronising 

• Control Panel Repairs & Upgrades

​

Frequently Asked Questions

​

WHAT CHECKS CAN BE DONE ON MY GENERATOR SO IT'S MORE DEPENDABLE?

​It is vital to regularly check your generator to prevent breakdown.

Below are some simple observations that can help keep your generator running smoothly (please note any further works should only be conducted by an experienced generator engineer):

​

• You should always check fuel levels. Running out of fuel will not only cause a breakdown but it can cause the engine to suck in unwanted dirt from the bottom of the fuel tank and resulting in a filter blockage.

• Ensure coolant and oil are at the correct levels and top up if necessary.

• Visually check the engine for any cracking/perished hoses or loose hose clips and check for fuel/coolant leaks.

• Check the battery/batteries are in good condition. Winter conditions and regular starting can cause batteries to deteriorate.

• It is encouraged to test your battery/batteries charge to ensure they are still ok. Battery chargers should be connected when a generator is not running for an extended period.

• If your generator is used as a standby application, then a weekly run will help identify if there are any potential problems.

​

We can undertake a 75-point service inspection on your generator to ensure yours is ready to run.

​

WHY SHOULD I OPT FOR A DIESEL GENERATOR INSTEAD OF GAS OR PETROL (UNLEADED)

​A common misconception is that diesel generators are dirty, environmentally unfriendly, and even expensive to run.

Thanks to the invention of red diesel and advancing technologies, diesel generators can now run extremely efficiently and be a very cost-effective option.

​

At present, a diesel generator is the most reliable backup power source currently available for extended running periods.

Generators can start up in seconds providing a steady stream of power continuously.

​

Gas generators are an alternative option to diesel generators and have steady growth in the standby power market, but compared to diesel, gas sets are almost three times to purchase price in some cases, although are much more efficient to run for long periods, when compared ever increasing to diesel fuel costs.​

​

WHAT IS KVA?

​Generators are rated by kVA; this indicates how much power the generator can produce.

Mechanical engines are rated in KW’s or Horsepower.

kVA = Kilo Volt Ampere.

1 kVA= 1000 Volt Amperes (VA). A VA is the voltage times the current feeding an electrical load.

1 kVA = 08 KW’s (electrical)

​

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THREE PHASE AND SINGLE PHASE?

​Single phase consists of three cables, -live, neutral and earth.

Typically, the voltage is between 220-240 Volts in the UK.

Domestic houses have single phase supplies mostly.

Current will flow through only the live wire and there will be one return path (neutral) to complete the circuit.

​

Three phase consists of five cables, three live ( L1, L2 & L3), a neutral and an earth.

Typical voltages are between 400-415 Volts (e.g. L1-L2) and 200 -240 Volts between the live and neutral. hence a three-phase system is often given the voltage as 415/240V.

​

Both single phase and three phase power systems refer to units using (AC) alternating current electric power.

​

WHAT IS AN ATS?

​An ATS is an Automatic Transfer System.

It is used alongside standby generators allowing generators to be started automatically.

When the mains are healthy it provides power to a building.

When the mains fail an ATS senses the failure and sends a signal to the generator to start and transfer power to the building when it is safe to do so.

​

WHY DO GENERATORS REQUIRE AN EARTH ROD WHEN THERE IS AN EARTH CABLE?

​All generators have an earth cable connected, which goes back to the main building earth rod.

However, in the event of a 'building earth failure', there is still a possibility that the acoustic enclosure or base frame could become live during a generator fault.

​

It is the job of an earth rod to ensure that this faulty current goes immediately to earth, to avoid injury or a fatality.

If there is anything you are unsure about with regards to your installation, contact us on: 

01743 440033 and we will be able to advise as best possible.

​

WHAT IS LOAD BANK TESTING?

​A load bank is a portable device that is used to mimic the load on a generator.

A load bank tests the generators operational performance at every stage i.e. 20%, 50%, and up to 100% load.

This ensures the generator can do what it is required to do when the need arises.

​

It is a crucial test for standby generators, especially as faults can be identified and rectified before the time arises when you need your generator.

We offer a full load bank test alongside our service contracts, we can however on request attend site as a one-off and undertake a full load bank test too. Please give our friendly office a call who will be able to help arrange a visit.

​​

Additionally, all our used generators undergo a full load bank test, which gives you peace of mind the generator can produce its rated power.

​

HOW OFTEN SHOULD GENERATORS BE SERVICED AND WHO IS SUPPOSED TO DO IT?

​Most engine manufacturers recommend service intervals between 200 and 400 hours when the fuel filter(s), oil filter(s) and the air filters should be replaced.

​

For a new engine, some engine manufacturers have an initial 50 hour run period before the first service, because 'running in' oil is used to enable new moving engine parts to bed themselves in properly. 

​

For Standby generators, it is recommended that two services per year are carried out to sit alongside the weekly checks.

These are classed as a major and minor service plan.

​

The minor is a visual inspection of the generator, whilst stationary and running, topping up any levels as required.

The major covers all the points of a minor but will also include engine oil, all filters replaced and coolant changes.​

​

ARE DIESEL GENERATORS BETTER THAN PETROL ONES?

​When considering a generator purchase or even a hire, we will need as much information as possible, so that the best option is always offered. 

 

Petrol (unleaded) generators are usually a better option for a small infrequent power requirement such as powering a caravan, market stall or a mobile jet washer.

​

Petrol (unleaded) generators are offered in smaller kVA ratings to suit these purposes.

For an everyday user, petrol (unleaded) is a cheaper fuel than white diesel for example and petrol (unleaded) generators are much more compact and mobile to suit their users’ requirements.

​

Diesel Generators are usually found to be higher than 10 kVA.

Diesel generators run on red diesel which is cheaper than petrol (unleaded). 

​

Diesel engines do not have to work as hard as petrol engines to get the same power output which means like for like a diesel generator will usually last longer, cost less to run and will take longer to depreciate in value than its petrol rival.

​​

​

WHAT IS SYNCHRONISING?

​Synchronising in generators is when multiple generators or generators and the grid work together.

Synchronising refers to the voltage, frequency, power factor all being the same i.e. in sync with one another.

​

HOW NOISY IS A DIESEL GENERATOR?

​This is a commonly asked question.

Depending upon your requirements, noise can be an especially crucial factor when looking to buy a generator.

There are two common terms when talking about generators that you will hear mentioned: ‘silent’ and/or ‘open skid/frame.’ 

The word silent is used for generators that have an acoustic canopy, however this does not mean that the generator makes no noise at all and the word ‘silent’ may be a little misleading.

​

There are diverse types of canopies produced which can reduce the noise of a generator engine.

Regards to noise control, the type of generator offered is known as a super silent generator or a whisper generator and an extremely high specification, but a much higher price compared to standard canopy generators.

​

The super silent type generators are often used on TV and film sets, festivals/concerts, where noise is a particularly key factor.

‘Open Skid/frame’ sets are just that, open, without a canopy and sat/mounted on the skid/frame.

No sound attenuation present and they will be significantly louder than a silent generator.

​

If noise is not a worry, then open skid sets can be a great option/alternative.

​

Noise is measured in dBA (A-weighted decibels) and generator manufactures will give generators a dBA rating at a set distance for example seventy-seven dBA @ one meter.

​

WHAT IS A BASE LOAD?

​Base Load is the portion of load of a generator or building which is constant. Alternatively referring to a constant generator output when in parallel with the grid.

​

WHAT IS A PTO GENERATOR?

​Power Take Off (PTO) generators are mobile units that produce electricity by means of a vehicle's engine.

Commonly used in agriculture and by emergency providers, PTO generators provide power to workers in areas where electricity is not accessible.

Tractor packs are power-take-off (PTO) driven alternators that couple to most brands of tractors.

They are fitted with a splined shaft for an input speed of approximately 500 rpm.

​

Typically, a 4500 to 5500 watt portable generator would be a minimum size to run a standard farm house/home, but much depends on what you're trying to power in the modern home, taking in to account a lot would have changed over the last decade or so, with us being dependant on electrical appliances more than ever before and all appliances need charging or powering constantly.

​

​