how big a generator would I need?


  #1  
Old 11-21-13, 03:32 PM
D
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2012
Posts: 14
Upvotes: 0
Received 0 Upvotes on 0 Posts
how big a generator would I need?

I am looking into a generator - or several - to power about 40 small electric heaters for a tent city of homeless. These would be very small heaters that would run continually - no thermostat, they would never fully heat up a tent in the winter weather, just improve matters somewhat. (I would get the ones with a safety tipover switch, though.) How big a (portable) generator would be required? Would I need more than one? Any advice would be welcome. Thanks!
 
  #2  
Old 11-21-13, 03:47 PM
S
Group Moderator
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: WI/MN
Posts: 19,125
Received 1,263 Upvotes on 1,204 Posts
What's the draw on the heaters?
 
  #3  
Old 11-21-13, 04:46 PM
lawrosa's Avatar
Super Moderator
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Galivants Ferry SC USA
Posts: 15,993
Received 84 Upvotes on 76 Posts
Hi.... IMO your better off going the propane route for what you intend... We have a tent city here also and they use the portables...
 
  #4  
Old 11-21-13, 05:30 PM
P
Group Moderator
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: NC, USA
Posts: 27,657
Received 2,153 Upvotes on 1,928 Posts
Well, if you figure 1'200 watt heaters 40 x 1200 equals 48kw. Since I hate to run machinery at 100% I'd shoot for a generator that can output that at 50-75% load. So, you'd be shopping for a 60 or 75kw generator. Not cheap. Then add in the heavy cabling required to distribute that much power and don't forget ground fault protection since you'd be providing electricity in a wet environment and the price continues to grow.

Do you have any idea of the fuel consumption for a generator of that size? It will not be cheap to feed.
 
 

Thread Tools
Search this Thread
 
Ask a Question
Question Title:
Description: