Anyone Know About Generators?

[artois7 21]

Not sure if it's the right forum...

 

I have to keep my 205 in a standalone garage about 15 miles from my house, with no electricity or water etc. This isn't a problem for the most part as I run LEDs from a few 12v van batterys I have and generally get away with battery power, but I've just started trying to tackle all the surface rust on the boot floor. At the moment I'm doing it with a combination of wire brushes and battery drills with attachments.

 

As you can guess, it's taking ages!

 

An angle grinder and a generator may be a quicker option, but I really don't know much about this. Is this feasible, if so, where should I start looking for a decent entry-level generator, and what power should I be looking for?

[rallyeash 155]

Lithium battery powered angle grinder?

[Juttie205 123 2 Cars]

I work on generators all day long but a lot bigger ones but I would say that this would do but may take a bit of a grunt when grinder starts but should be ok.

 

https://www.machinemart.co.uk/shop/product/details/clarke-fg3005-2-8kva-portable-petrol-powered-g

 

I would say about a 3 to 4 kvashould be enough but best to see what your grinder and drill rating is.

[dobboy 231 2 Cars]

You best steer clear of cheap new ones on ebay. They are usually poor copies of honda engines, and the two i've had have had to be set up by a local motorbike shop a week later, and never lasted long before bits started falling off.

 

I'd try buy a second hand Honda if i were you, or hire one if you think you can blitz the work.

 

 

They are usually rated about 4kVA or 3.5kW, which should be more than adequate for a hand held grinder (and lighting if required).

 

Make sure it has a 240V output facility if your tools work from 240V.

[Juttie205 123 2 Cars]

Honda ones are the best but also demand the higher prices

[rallyeash 155]

Wouldn't it just be cheaper to pay somewhere to do the job than buy a generator anyhow?

[artois7 21]

Haven't got the grinder currently - would be looking to buy the lot. A battery powered angle grinder seems like an obvious solution that I didn't think of Ash. Something to think about I guess.

 

I certainly wouldn't buy new - happy to go second hand and spend a bit of time stripping it and making sure it works correctly. Wasn't aware that you had to specifically look for ones with 240v outputs though; Assumed all/most of them would have it. Wouldn't hire one as it's a learning curve for me and I don't want to try and rush the job.

 

Ash - you of all people know that's not why we have our 205s! she's parked up in my garage over the winter as a project. I could easily put the rear beam back on and drive her over to my father in laws who would do it all with his angle grinder and have the whole thing undersealed and sorted in an hour, but it's a project and something I want to do myself.

 

Also, once I've bought a generator I'll then have it for future projects, or even just running extra lights in the garage etc.

Edited January 4, 2015 by artois7

[dobboy 231 2 Cars]

Honda ones are the best but also demand the higher prices

Yeah, thats why i suggested a 2nd hand one, and he could always shift it on when his works completed, and not loose much if any.

[rallyeash 155]

I spotted lithium ryobi grinders in b n q the other day for £69.

 

I'd like one as it'll be handy but I'd like to use one first! Cause the hassle of extension leads and stuff might be nicer than a gutless grinder.

[dobboy 231 2 Cars]

If it has a blue plug it's 240V, if yellow it's 110V. A lot have the option of both outputs, but only one voltage at a time, if that makes sense.

 

So if you intend to run Fluorescent lighting you prob best go all out 240V, unless someone can acquire you 110V Flu's from a site.

 

But if you intend to run at 240V you'd probably have to make your own spider/junction boxes etc to run lighting plus power tool at the same time.

[Tom Fenton 1,541]

The battery grinders are great for being able to cut through a nut and bolt at a scrapyard as an example, but they're just not up to the hours of use needed with the wire brush attachment to do the underfloor of a 205, as you still have to push fairly hard and make the grinder work. I reckon 10 to 15 min per battery is your lot, and from experience there is HOURS of work to do the entire underfloor. I also ended up using an arsenal of different tools to do mine, including a black and decker power file. I think the genny is all round the better choice to be honest.

[gizzmo 3 1 Cars]

4kva is roughly equivalent to 4000w my grinder is rated at 710w so no probs their most portable generators are rated to give a 13amp output ie 3000w some have a blue euro plug and 110v tap yellow plug booth these rated at 16amps or a 4000w out put gen

[chipstick 382 1 Cars]

I spotted lithium ryobi grinders in b n q the other day for £69.

 

 

Is that just the body for those with existing Ryobi tools to take a battery from, or the kit with a battery and charger? I looked on their website and could only see the bare body unit @ £64.

[gizzmo 3 1 Cars]

wouldn.t bother with a battery one any way, ok as a quick fix,work ok with cutting disc but just not much cop with a flapping disc and wouldn,t really consider buying one unless you get around 3ah battery or better, around a couple of hundred min,go and rent a geni from tool hire firm the way id go

[blandy 29]

I have a makita battery grinder and it's pretty good tbh depends how much you need it I guess

[artois7 21]

Probably got about 5 hours so far spent just in the driver's side boot floor corner trying to remove surface rust with a drill and a few wire wheels. Getting nowhere with it. It's all solid metal underneath, just with some pretty hefty surface rust. Trying not to get disheartened but it's an incredibly boring job. Drive 15 miles to my garage to get about an hour max drill time out of the 2 batteries I've got...

[dobboy 231 2 Cars]

Maybe one of those blades you get for a grinder, that is made up of lots of small flaps of sand paper would be better, but you may need to try a few grit levels as some can be a bit harsh, and perhaps just finish off with wire brush.

 

Not sure what they are called though. Abrasive flap disc or something.

[artois7 21]

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51Qbh384P6L._SY300_.jpg

 

These? I have an 80 grit one that I'm using to remove the underseal, eats through the paint just doesn't get too far with the rust.

[gizzmo 3 1 Cars]

would take an age plus you could end up removeing paint and metal would be so uneven plus you would end up buying a load they are realy just for deburring, google grinder flaping disc.115mm rent the equipment it wont be that expensive for a weekend hire,,trust me if theirs been any short cutts iv tried it,

[dobboy 231 2 Cars]

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51Qbh384P6L._SY300_.jpg

 

These? I have an 80 grit one that I'm using to remove the underseal, eats through the paint just doesn't get too far with the rust.

No, it's a type that goes on a grinder.

 

Like this (top left pic)

 

http://www.orbitalfasteners.co.uk/en/products/22mm-bore-x-115-diameter-x-60-grit-zirconia-flap-disc-convex?utm_medium=google_shopping&utm_source=google&utm_campaign=google_shopping&gclid=CMyEwKbl_cICFRMatAodQ2wA6Q

[dobboy 231 2 Cars]

Btw, make sure you don't set you car or garage on fire!

 

Keep a Fire extinguisher and a couple of buckets of water handy, and check inside it regularly, even lay damp rags inside above the area you're working on underneath.