Mains power for remote shed

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Sheppy1972

7 posts

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#300656 26-Sep-2022 00:25

Hi All,

I have a shed on my property which is too remote to be permanently connected to the mains supply of my house. I'd like it to have a couple of sockets available for power tools just for occasional use, plus a couple of lights. So I was thinking that I could maybe use a portable generator to power it as needed. Is it permissible to use something like a motor home power inlet to provide a connection? They seem to be 16 amps in general, but I'd probably want maybe a 32 amp capacity for my application if they're available. No doubt I'll need to engage an electrician to do the work, but I just wanted to know if the concept is viable.

Thanks for any advice.

Jase2985

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#2972880 26-Sep-2022 07:58

gonna need a big generator if you want 32amps

https://www.hondapowerequipment.co.nz/generators/portable-generators/eu70is-32amp-plug

that one comes with a 32amp plug

johno1234

2806 posts

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#2972885 26-Sep-2022 08:14

Yeah. A couple of tools and lights won’t be more than 10 amps assuming only one tool can be used at a time. LED lights use next to no power and could run off solar and small battery.

Mehrts

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#2972950 26-Sep-2022 09:35

What kind of power tools specifically?

These will be the main factor to determine what kind of setup you'll need.

pipe60

127 posts

Master Geek

#2972951 26-Sep-2022 09:37

Yes easy to do,size the generator to your load then get the sparkie to wire shed up to suit. Used to wire up remote shearing sheds like that.

Sheppy1972

7 posts

Wannabe Geek

#2972962 26-Sep-2022 10:34

Thanks everyone for the responses. Maybe 32 amps is more than I'd need, but 16 amps may not be quite enough. I'm thinking that in winter I might want to work in there and run a fan heater. I think they usually draw about 10 amps on their own. The most power hungry tools I'd be using are a table saw and vacuum at the same time I guess. Otherwise just low power stuff like battery chargers etc.

I guess I can do without the heater if it would significantly increase costs, but it would be nice to be comfortable while working.

nickb800

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#2972966 26-Sep-2022 10:42

Possibly cheaper to buy a cheap diesel workshop heater and smaller generator than a big generator

Scott3

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#2973301 27-Sep-2022 01:13

On the initial question, yes you can have the shed wired up to a generator inlet.

Your NZ standard caravan plug is 16A. But you can get the bigger 32A version of that plug format:

This style of industrial plug does seem more common in NZ though: And it would match the style of plug on the 32A output Honda

As a side note, this generator appears to have the top style of plug (CEE):

https://www.trademe.co.nz/a/marketplace/business-farming-industry/industrial/generators/petrol/listing/3781392350

Where the Honda seems to have the bottom style:

https://generatorshop.co.nz/shop/honda-eu70is-7kva-32a-inverter-generator/

Of course it doesn't really matter as you can have a custom cord made with mis-matched ends to suit.

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Running a fan heater off portable generator, is only something you would want to do for relatively short period's, and if you had capacity to do so without up sizing the system.

In short, a portable petrol generator is likely under 20% efficient, and assuming this isn't commercial, you will be paying road tax on the fuel, so not cheap to run. 1L of petrol contains 8.9kWh of energy. If you work this through at $2.50/L and 20 $ efficiency, to run a 2.3kW fan heater for an hour will burn 1.3L of petrol at a cost of $3.36. (vs 39c on grid power in my house).

As a prior comment mentioned, it would be worth considering a dedicated fuel heater.

Both LPG & diesel models are readily available targeted at the like of motorhomes and off grid cabins.

Here is an example of a nice diesel one:

https://heatport.co.nz/products/configure-my-new-diesel-heater?version=1&model=HEATPORT%20Tower%20H4

You can also get Chinese knock off's fairly cheap.

Capital cost is obviously higher (but this could be offset by not needing such a big generator), but running costs would be much lower (and you can get units around the 5kW mark without difficulty).

If the space is well ventilated, you could also consider one of those old style cabinet LPG heater's. Dirt cheap from used websites, and don't need any power.

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As a general note, brand name generators in the 6,000W continuous class are fairly expensive. Cira $8500 for the honda, cira $5k for the Atlas Copco. Also they are in the 120 - 130kg range dry, so portability beyond wheeling across a hard surface depends on you having a bunch of strong people or some equipment to move it (a family member has a cira 4kW generator mounted on a pellet so it he can eaisly move it with his tractor on his own).

General value proposition is probiably going to depend on if you have other uses for the generator. If you often feel it would be handy to have a generator for other stuff, or are going to have a generator inlet and changeover switch installed at the house as well (so you can bust out the generator if you have a power cut), that would boost the value.

Note that generators as with other small petrol engines have maintenance requirements.

If you are looking at a high end generator like the Honda, your likely project budget will be north of $10k. That money can buy a bunch of alternative options.

Possible alternatives you could consider:
- Going entirely with battery stuff from your power tool eco system of choice. As an example a dewalt flexvolt tablesaw (Bare) is $1500, and a 5000Lm worklight (bare) is $384 from amazon aust, a dlexvolt dust extracter kit (with 6Ah flexvolt battery) is $1319. Plus a few more batteries, charger etc... Plus some kind of powerbank for device charging. Would free you of needing to deal with cord's, get you some new tools and mean you don't have to bring the generator if you want to do work in other locations without power.

- Battery power tools, combined with a fairly basic solar setup. Example kit below has a 12v, 260Ah battery, 330W solar panel, and 500W pure sine inverter for $2500. You could set up 12v lighting where ever you wanted in the shed (easy DIY install because of extra low voltage, and use the invert if you need AC power for any lower loads (dermal, hot glue gun, chargers). Possibly you cold ditch the inverter. and just do everything on 12v. Obviously convenient to be able to flick a switch and have light without setting anything up, or starting a generator.

https://aasolar.co.nz/product/small-kitset-one-panel/

- Battery power tools combined with a battery power station. Largely the same as the above, 12v fixed lighting etc, but you charge the battery power station at home and bring each time.

https://goalzero.co.nz/collections/portable-power-stations/products/yeti-500x-portable-power-station

- Going cheap with the generator. Get a no name brand, and through a couple of extenton cords in through a window to power whatever you want. (For safety you could drive an earth rod, and earth the genset)

Note that vehicle to load functionality is quietly being added to many EV's. Kia Niro and EV6 as examples are are able to supply 16A 230v (but are fitted with 10A plugs).

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tchart

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#2973306 27-Sep-2022 06:58

Goal Zero fan boy here, however if you’re heading that route look at Ecoflow Delta rather. Much better bang for Buck. I have one I use for running power tools from my Ute around the property. They have a much higher tolerance for high draw devices.

Sheppy1972

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#2973320 27-Sep-2022 08:48

Thanks again everyone and particularly Scott3 for the awesome info. I really appreciate the time you took to provide such a detailed answer. I will look into the options you have mentioned. I think you (and others) are right to recommend using a different form of heating.

MikeAqua

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#2973332 27-Sep-2022 09:21

If you are using a fuel powered heater, consider a carbon monoxide detector.

Mike