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What size generator will I need for my catering trailer?
I have to run 2 domestic fridges, 1 domestic freezer (all under counter size) 2 striplights, a tea urn, counter top chip fryer and possibly a portable tv.
I am confused between H.P and KVA, I was told I need a "3-4" but now not sure if thats HP or KVA
thanks
THANKS for the replies, can't figure out how to reply to my own question lol
That's probably KVA, a 3.5KVA (kW) generator should run that lot. The fryer is probably the biggest consumer of power. As a basic rule of thumb you should look at the stickers on all the machines, note the power consumption (kW, sometimes written as kVA) and add them all together. Then get a generator that has a rating of about 1.5x the total power needed.
To make things easier and to avoid having to pull all the appliances out, you can assume that the tv, fridges, freezer and lights all added together won't draw more than 1kW. That leaves your tea urn and your fryer. Look on them, add them to your total. Think of anything extra that you might install later and allow for that. As I said, then get a generator that's bigger than the total amount but not massive, otherwise you'll be buying a lot of petrol and dragging a big lump of metal about at the start and end of each day. Buy a chain too, the bloke who ran a catering van near where I lived had his nicked in the middle of him serving customers. Someone just unplugged it, threw it in their car and drove off.
You need the generator to have a bit of spare capacity because motorised items like the fridges draw more when starting up. TVs do as well. Just switch things on one at a time, not all simultaneously.
Edit: Diesel generators are much cheaper to run because they're more economical and you can use red diesel. However, they're heavy, expensive and they can be a nighmare to get started in the winter if the piston rings aren't in perfect condition.