On a typical construction site, work grinds to a halt if there’s no generator available. Having a generator, or in most cases multiple generators, is no longer a luxury, but rather a necessity. At Maxwell Supply in Tulsa, we carry Generac generators to supply power to your construction site, campsite, tailgate, or anywhere else you may need it. Here are few things to consider before you buy, however.
What are you powering?
Each individual job site will be unique in terms of how many tools will be in use at the same time and requiring power. While you likely won’t be able to put together a definitive list of what every future job will require, you can determine the likely maximum requirements for generators and work from there. You’ll need to determine how much power each of your tools requires. That means you need to know how much it takes to start them, and how much to keep them running, which is often a different number. From that list, determine the worst case scenario of how many tools you may need running at once on a single site. Add up the required wattage needed in that scenario and that will tell you what type of generator, and how many generators, you likely need.
How quiet and how clean?
Depending on where you’re planning to use your generator, how quiet it is while running could be extremely important. Today’s generators are quieter than ever before thanks to better quality components. If you’re looking for the quietest generator available, look for large mufflers, automatic idle control, and air cleaners specifically designed for noise reduction. The term clean as it relates to power from a generator, refers to the generators ability to supply a stable amount of power, rather than fluctuating. This can be extremely important depending on what type of electronics the generator is powering. Conventional and inverted generators produce the lowest amount of fluctuation, while capacitor generators would be regarded as the least clean. However, capacitor models would still be your best bet for a job site where the generator is only expected to power tools.
What’s the overall quality?
Regardless of where you’ll be using your generator, it’s bound to take some abuse from time to time. You’ll want to start by taking a close look at the engine. A good warranty program is helpful, but you can do some research to find manufacturers with good reputations for producing quality engines. It’s also a good idea to look for the fuel efficiency of the engine to cut your gas costs down. You can also check the quality of other components, like the thickness of the steel body construction, and the durability of the fuel tank. Look over the starter component and make sure there are no parts that would seem to wear out quickly or break. Finally, count the number of outlets and make sure the generator gives you enough space to plug in all of your tools and electronics.
If you need help finding the right generator for the job, call us at Maxwell Supply in Tulsa.