Powering my catering trailer

[Gertie’s]

Hi all
Im really hoping I can get some advice from people in the know.
I’m in the middle of setting up a little business consisting of me and my catering trailer.
My trailer isn’t big but my worries are!
I realise now that I rushed very quickly in to this, the plan had originally been to set up a small cafe but I put that on hold as would rather do it when I have more money and make a proper go of it.
The catering trailer seemed like a logical step to take instead.
I’m coming across lots of little niggles which I seem to manoeuvre my way around but the real headache at the moment is how to power the thing. I HATE RESEARCHING GENERATORS NOW!!
How is it such a difficult thing to find the right option!? Practically everyone I’ve spoken to has said use gas where possible, however, as I said I rushed straight into all this and started buying equipment up before doing proper research (I know. I’m beating myself up enough about this and don’t need everyone to pile on.) So I have basically all electrical appliances. I think my wattage for everything adds up to around 3000w. With a chance of another 1850w if I decide to go for a coffee machine (which has it’s own self heating water supply so no water boiler). Not all the equipment would be used every day so the total wattage would be lower, for instance, on the hotter days.
I’ve been looking at lpg generators but in everyone’s experience what size do I need and is it inadvisable to even consider second hand ones? I’m really looking for a way that doesn’t cost the earth but works.
Thank you very much for those who’ve made it this far and for any help and advice.

 

[bodgitt&scarperLTD]

I'd say the most important consideration (apart from size) is how well sound-proofed it is. Nobody wants to eat a burger with a great big generator thumping away behind the van.

On power- 3-4KVA is an awkward size. 2.5KVA and down are cheap. As you get bigger, they get a lot more expensive.

I would buy something new, with a multi year warranty (this only applies to domestic use, so tell them it's for powering a log cabin or a caravan). As it's going to be a lot more pricey than a 2.5KVA one, might as well go large enough to accommodate future capacity.

Best I can find with a quick search is this:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/HONDA-EC5000-5KW-5KVA-FRAMED-DUAL-FUEL-LPG-GENERATOR/263575969306?hash=item3d5e5a1e1a:g:Ob0AAOSwyytavQNn&LH_BIN=1

5KVA, Honda engine and 5 year warranty.
£1400 near enough, so that's £280 per year of warranty. Honda shouldn't give you any trouble- they are the most reliable petrol engine bar none in my experience. Chinese Honda copies are next, Briggs and Stratton are way down the list.

If you fancy a cheaper punt, there's some Chinese ones (like I say, they don't make bad engines at all these days): http://www.generatorsdepot.co.uk/sh...ampion-cpg-7500e2-df-6kw-lpgpetrol-generator/

Were I in your shoes, I'd be prepared to lie about the commercial use and have the security of a 5 year warranty- fix your costs and have the most reliable engine on the market, as you'll be using it most days and you're screwed without it. You might even be able to finance it- although extra cost it's a fixed cost which is important in business.

Generator residual values tend to be less than other types of engine powered kit, but the Honda should fare much better than the Chinese if you need out in a year or so.

 

[MOIC]

What sites/locations/venues will you be trading at?

This may have a bearing on the power you'll be allowed to use.

 

[Gertie’s]

bodgitt&scarperLTD Thank you very much, that’s really helpful and especially advice re the Chinese models as I hadn’t come across the one in the link you sent. It’s definitely more budget friendly and I wonder if it’s the best one to go for for the time being and maybe a year down the line when I’m more in the swing of things (and hopefully more financially comfortable!) I can revisit the more superior Honda models.
At present I don’t have any form of sound proofing.
Thank you again, your advice has been invaluable

 

[Gertie’s]

MY OFFICE IN CHINA I haven’t secured a pitch yet but I’ve read quite a few times that some sites won’t allow anything other than lpg generators or similar now due to potential ground contamination.
I’m looking more at covering lunchbreaks at trading/industrial estates but also meeting various camping and touring sites to see whether that’s an option.
Markets and festivals are definitely something I would like to do but I’d rather wait until I know how much I make on average in order to make bidding for pitches etc easier.
I live in Cornwall so there are lots of options, it’s just about finding the right one.

 

[WaveJumper]

Most event sites will not let you use petrol, so you would need to go diesel or a most do use LPG
there is already a very good thread covering this topic if you do a search at top of page

 

[The Byre]

kVA does not equal kW when dealing with alternating current! You can do the conversion here - https://www.dieselserviceandsupply.com/Power_Calculator.aspx

It is usually about a third to a half more. You also need a healthy reserve, so a good rule of thumb is to double your kW needs and call that the kVA requirement, so if you need 5kW, you should be looking at 10kVA generators.

The sensible (and quieter) answer is to use gas!

 

[Financial-Modeller]

Are you sure you only need 3kw?

I'm not an expert, but a domestic kettle and toaster will easily use more power than that, and you presumably will have a fridge/freezer, and griddle or other cooking aparatus.

Given the current headaches, have you considered selling on the trailer that you bought, and buying one more suited to the venues that you intend to operate at?

 

[bodgitt&scarperLTD]

Are you sure you only need 3kw?

I'm not an expert, but a domestic kettle and toaster will easily use more power than that, and you presumably will have a fridge/freezer, and griddle or other cooking aparatus.

Given the current headaches, have you considered selling on the trailer that you bought, and buying one more suited to the venues that you intend to operate at?

I'm assuming the kettle, fridge and griddle will be run on gas.

 

[Gordon - Commercial Finance]

You might even be able to finance it- although extra cost it's a fixed cost which is important in business.

Yes you can finance it, but then you wouldn't be able to lie about the commercial use really...

 

[Mitch3473]

In my experience of ' living off grid for quite a few years ' you're going to need a genny that gives you at least twice the power that you'll need. Remember it's not just the wattage in general but the amount you'll need getting everything running from cold all at once, that's one hell of a draw from your generator. Look at it as having a car with a large engine. You'll not need the power all the time but it's there when you want it and it will last longer.
Have you looked at leisure batteries ( very heavy...) with an inverter system, possibly with a solar system to help out ( not cheap)
If it's a generator only then look at a Honda ( not a chinese copy ), your living depends on it and they are very, very dependable and to keep the noise, running costs and emissions down they can be easily converted to run on propane at not a great expense.