To ensure you buy the best generator for your needs we've created this Generator Buying Guide to help you understand the strengths and weaknesses of different generators and what you should pay attention to whilst browsing our range.
Generator Buying Guide
To ensure that you buy the best generator for your needs we've created this brief Generator Buying Guide to help you understand the strengths and weaknesses of different generators and what you should pay attention to whilst browsing our range.
Generators are a great source of electricity for mobile businesses, camping holidays and rural homes but they can also save lives if the national grid in your area is down due to a power cut from bad weather or a fallen tree. This is why at TCO we stock an extensive variety of generators ranging from Portable Petrol Inverter Generators suitable for family holidays or busy construction sites to 3-phase Diesel Prime Generators which can power an industrial workshop or replace the electricity supply of a cold storage facility in a black-out.
Which is the best type of generator for me?
Before tackling the technical specifications we suggest that you decide which style of generator will suit your needs and intended applications. To help you with this we've compiled a brief description and some pro's & con's for the most common types of generator that we stock in our warehouse.
Petrol Site Generators:
Most people would think of these as the classic generator and are at home on the construction site.
- Pro's -
- Easy to move around or fit in a work van since they are usually small, light and will often come with wheels.
- Simple to use and maintain since they have basic but practical features.
- Cost effective remote electricity source suitable for small jobs and regular use.
- Con's -
- Quite loud since most have a simple but sturdy open frame surrounding the engine.
- Usually not suitable for sensitive electronics (TV's, microwaves etc.) that require a pure sine wave / clean AC energy source.
Petrol Inverter Generators:
Perfect for charging laptops or powering induction hobs during a power cut or whilst away on a family camping trip.
- Pro's -
- Ideal for sensitive electronics (TV's, microwaves etc.) that require a pure sine wave / clean AC energy source.
- Easy to travel with or store in a cupboard since they are usually small, light and will often come with wheels or a carry handle.
- Very quiet since most have a closed case around the engine which will help contain and muffle the engines noise.
- Con's -
- Cost more than traditional generators due to additional features, higher build quality and a more efficient engine.
- Can be harder to mend if a part breaks since they tend to have a more sophisticated design.
RV Generators:
Designed specifically to power both the necessities and your favourite luxurious whilst living life on the road.
- Pro's -
- Suitable for sensitive electronics (TV's, microwaves etc.) that require a pure sine wave / clean AC energy source.
- Most are supplied with a universal mounting brackets which helps to create a clean end product.
- Con's
- Usually requires a professional or a very knowledgable amateur to install the generator safely.
Diesel Prime Generators:
Most frequently used as a main source of electricity for demanding professional environments such as workshops or factories but could also be used to power remote homes which don't have a dependable connection to the national grid.
- Pro's -
- Supply a very large amount of electricity with great efficiency and reliability.
- Less expensive to run everyday than petrol alternatives since most can be fuelled with red diesel.
- Can be bought with a wide array of single phase or three phase outlets.
- Con's
- Usually requires a professional electrician and a very large space to install the generator safely.
- Not suitable for most people since they are designed to fulfil a very specific niche.
Diesel Standby Generators:
The perfect safety net for businesses which can't afford to be without electricity such as a cold storage facility or server host since they can provide a large amount of power in very short notice.
- Pro's
- Usually can be installed with a Automatic Transfer Switch which will turn the generator on as soon as a power cut occurs.
- Can occasional be used to boost an electricity supply for more demanding tasks.
- Less expensive to run since most can be fuelled with red diesel which also won't go stale after long periods of non-use.
- Con's
- Not suitable for regular use but this does mean that they are often less expensive than Diesel Prime Generators.
- Usually requires a professional electrician and a very large space to install the generator safely.
What's the difference between a generators rated output and maximum output?
Now that you have selected the type of generator that you would like to buy you may be wondering how much electricity each generator can produce. This is commonly referred to as the generators 'Output' which as the name implies is the generators electrical power output and is measured in Watts which is shortened to W. In our generator listings you will notice that there are two output figures - 'Rated Output' and 'Maximum Output'. The 'Rated Output' is the highest wattage level you should operate the generator at most of the time but in emergencies the generator can handle a brief stint at the 'Maximum Output' without damaging the engine or circuits. This is because much like running a marathon, if you want to make it to the end it's not a good idea to sprint the entire time but when you can see the finish line or someone old enough to be your Gran's about to beat you it's time to feel the burn!
How many watts do I need my generator to produce?
Calculating how powerful a generator you need depends entirely on your intended applications for the generator and whether you might need a larger amount of power in the future. As a general rule of thumb however you should formulate a list of all the appliances you wish to power with your generator and find out each devices required wattage from the manual or suppliers website then check that all of these are less than the generators 'Rated Output'. If you would like to power multiple devices at the same time you should add the required wattage of these and check that combined figure is less than the generators 'Rated Output'. Remember if you have sensitive electronics (i.e. TV's, microwaves, computers etc.) which you would like to run on the generator you will require a pure sine wave / clean AC output to avoid damaging your devices.
Should I buy a petrol generator or diesel generator?
Again, this will depend on your intended applications for the generator but for most small scale uses a petrol generator will suffice since they can provide plenty of power and are generally cheaper upfront than diesel alternatives. However, for large scale applications a diesel generator may make more sense since they can often run on red diesel which is significantly cheaper than petrol and will offset the upfront cost in the long-run.
How can make sure I use my generator safely?