Choosing the right generator for hire is essential to keeping your event properly powered. Understanding when you might need to hire a generator, how to determine your power needs and how to operate the generator in the correct way are key.
This guide will help you master all these aspects of hiring a generator, and more.
When Do You Need a Generator?
The first question is "do you need a generator at all?" - and the answer is probably yes. Generators are used in a wide number of both indoor and outdoor events, because they offer reliable, portable power.Common events that might have generator hire as a part of the planning process includes sporting events, county shows, farm shows, concerts, outdoor wedding receptions, concerts, festivals, and corporate events. This is by no means an exhaustive list, however, as generators are used in so many different fields.
The Dual Importance Of a Generator
A generator is useful for the obvious purpose of powering equipment when the location of the event is in a relatively remote location where hooking up to the grid isn't feasible. But there is another benefit of hiring a generator you should consider even if you already have access to on-site power - backup.It's never wise to run an event with only one power source. If there's a power cut, a power surge, or the equipment fails it could cause the whole event to come to a standstill. This can happen when you put too much load on the equipment, when it's not maintained properly, or even just through a freak accident.
A generator is essential to have on-site as a backup, so in the event of something going wrong you can just switch seamlessly to the generator's power.
Determining Your Power Requirements
All events have different power needs, and there are a number of different generators available depending on what you need to power. For example, powering a large outdoor music concert will require much larger generators than a small outdoor wedding reception.Determine your requirements by making as detailed a list as possible of the equipment you intend to power with the generator you want to hire. Make a note of the power consumption of each piece of equipment, and tally them together to get the combined power rating you're going to need.
With that, you can begin browsing the generators available that are capable of satisfying those requirements. It's always important, however, to have a qualified electrician help you to establish your power needs, or at the very least double-check your equipment list when it's finished.
It's also worth remembering that it's a wise move to invest in a generator that is capable of providing reasonably more power than you think you need. Don't be tempted to get a small generator that only just meets your requirements to save money, as your power needs can rise unexpectedly.
Safely Using The Generator
Your generator supplier should give you an overview of the key things you need to know for the safe operation of your generator. Pay close attention, and write them down if possible - all generators have different quirks in terms of the way they operate, and the supplier will know them best.A good rule of thumb, however, is to always keep a close eye on the oil level - keep the generator filled to the appropriate level, and change the oil if the generator has been operating constantly for more than 20 hours. If you have a diesel generator, your generator supplier may supply fuel. If they don't, always make sure to use the best quality diesel you can, to help with reliability.
Most importantly, if you have any questions or you're unsure about anything, ask your generator supplier.
