how do mobile detailers run a PC or buffer?

I

imported_thecarguy

New member
If you run a mobile operation and want to recondition paint, how do you run the PC or buffer? Do you have to have a generator or is there some alternative?
 
Some people use a generator..Some people say that all they need to run their operation is an outlet nearby and just bring some extension cords. Im interested in getting a generator..except its hard to find an affordable one that is also quiet
 
Joshua312 said:
Some people use a generator..Some people say that all they need to run their operation is an outlet nearby and just bring some extension cords. Im interested in getting a generator..except its hard to find an affordable one that is also quiet
Click to expand...



You can purchase a affordable generator and install a high quality muffler. I haven’t seen it work for myself but some pretty creditable people told me so???



-D
 
Although it's not as practical as a generator, you can also use a power inverter attached to your own vehicle's battery. To run a PC, I've read recommendations of at least a 750 watt inverter.



The drawback is this draws power from your vehicle battery, so you need to run your vehicle to keep the battery charged.
 
doged said:
You can purchase a affordable generator and install a high quality muffler. I haven’t seen it work for myself but some pretty creditable people told me so???



-D
Click to expand...



Thanks, I might have to look into this!
 
Honda generators are very well built and very quiet... you almost don't know they're even running. I'm sure you could find hundreds of generators on craigslist.... everyone went nuts over the y2k thing and thought the end of the world was coming so they all bought generators and never used them. you can find them dirt cheap too.
 
Pep Boys has some generators ..ranging from 249.00 for a 3150 watt..to 329.00 for a 3500 watt....I got the 3500 watt for power back up during the winter....but it is RV certified..meaning very quiet...muffler is bigger than a coffee can...plus the motor is like a Honda design...it works great....very quite also...



I researched them a bit before buying and seen a lot of RV forums praising them...so I bought one...it was on sale also it was 279.00 with a 20.00 rebate...



cheaper than a 7500-1000 watt inverter and 2 marine batteries and charger....



hope this helps



Al
 
I agree about the Honda generators. I've worked with a couple and you almost had to put your ear up to the cover to hear anything. Just a low hum.
 
Pep Boys has a 1250 watt generator on sale for $129. More than enough for a PC or rotary but probably not enough for more than a small 1.5hp wet vac.



If you do mostly privately owned vehicles at the customer's house, you might be best off using their outlet. Most people probably would rather you use their outlet than run a generator for 2-3 hours. If you work at offices, you'd be better off investing in a generator.
 
I also bought the Pep Boys 3500 watt generator. It has worked great especially being so quiet. That helps a great deal when doing jobs at a business park.
 
Scottwax has it right. Most of the time when working at a residense you will use their outlett and hose, but when you work at office locations you will almost always need to supply your own power...in which case a generator is the only way to go. However, I do hate having to run a generator - I have a new Honda 3500 and when under load I wouldn't exactly call it quite.
 
i hope you all are joking about buying a generator from pep boys... that's a joke. you can virtually buy a barely used honda generator for almost the same price. the cheap no name generators are junk...
 
What makes you say they are junk...Have you used one first hand....My friend has one and uses it on a construction site and has not failed him yet...also on most of the RV forums they come highly recommended...I have one also and use it for running power out to the barn and never had a problem yet...



Al
 
hood rich said:
i hope you all are joking about buying a generator from pep boys... that's a joke. you can virtually buy a barely used honda generator for almost the same price. the cheap no name generators are junk...
Click to expand...



What do you base this on?
 
Last year I did a ton of research on brands of generators, user opinions of each, warrantee, and price per load. I too was looking for something on the quiet side, RELIABLE, replacement parts readily available and fit my consumption needs. Above all else, I needed to be able to power the Auto-Discharge Vacuum unit for my Water Rec System which peaks at around 5000W at startup .



I searched a few hours on some RV and Professional Photographer message boards as these people were often concerned with like features. Many of my friends ride bikes so I inquired about the long term "beat-ablility" of the small motors the rode on. In the end I had narrowed everything down to the Honda Commercial or Yamaha Premium Y-Series . When comparing the price and the many opinions I had gathered, the Yamaha was an easy choice. I saved close to a grand and feel like I might have gotten more without the Honda sticker.



In regards to the "cheapies" or generics at Pepboys or the like, I would rather spend $1500 every five hundred hours than $500 every 200 for convenience sake.



Summary; if you want a commercial grade generator which will last with proper care and has features to better suit your needs, look at Yamaha as a very strong alternative to the hefty Honda price tag. IMHOOC. . .
 
I use a Honda generator attached to my trailer most of the time. However, if I am performing a multiple step polish detail on a vehicle chances it will be a residential job, the car will be garaged and I will use the client's outlet.
 
Scottwax said:
What do you base this on?
Click to expand...





my parents have a house and shop on 3 acres on a lake in central oregon (it's very remote)... we didn't have solar power set up for a few years so we had to run generators. the cheap no name brand generators we were hauling home every single weekend to fix because something was constantly breaking. we had two honda generators that never ever came home with us... the only thing we had to do was change the oil. when you're building a house and shop.... and there is no power available for miles and miles.... you rely a lot on your generators. there's just no excuse to not buy a quality generator when you can find one used for the same price as the no name junk.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top