Grounding A Portable Generator In A Field

[PikeyHorseshoe]

I bought a clark FG3005 generator and reading the manual it says to always connect to an earth point.

Now, this might sound like a dumb question but if I'm in the middle of a field away from any buildings how to I do this? stick a tent peg in the soil and attach to the earth terminal on the generator? Can I attach to a vehicle maybe?

The generator did not come with any earth cable, so do I just use some copper wire?

thanks

 

[Doc Hudson]

Welcome to the forum.  From here http://www.machinemart.co.uk/documents/FG3005.pdf and then the top of page 8

IMPORTANT: Generators should ALWAYS be earthed. Attach a suitable earth lead to a good earth - water pipe, ground spike etc., whenever you use this generator.

The manual suggests connecting the earth terminal (shown in picture on bottom of page 8) to a suitable earth OR a ground spike. Ground spikes can be something such as this http://www.criticalpowersupplies.co.uk/SDMO-Earth-Cable-Spike However if the whole frame of the generator is metal and forms part of the earthing and you say it will be standing in a field something as extravagant as a £50 bespoke earth spike + lead may be a bit overkill. What is your intended use of the generator. Temporary outdoor power tool use, longer term back up power for part of a property? The use would have some reflection on how you approach your earthing arrangement. 

Doc H.

 

[Andy™]

 Can I attach to a vehicle maybe?

only if your a scouser and had your wheels nicked. rubber doesnt conduct very well...

depends what your using it for. chances are its wired as IT and not a problm using 1 appliance. if its more than 1 appliance or sed for temp power etc then it may need an earth rod correctly installed & tested

 

[PikeyHorseshoe]

Welcome to the forum.  From here and then the top of page 8

The manual suggests connecting the earth terminal (shown in picture on bottom of page 8) to a suitable earth OR a ground spike. Ground spikes can be something such as this However if the whole frame of the generator is metal and forms part of the earthing and you say it will be standing in a field something as extravagant as a £50 bespoke earth spike + lead may be a bit overkill. What is your intended use of the generator. Temporary outdoor power tool use, longer term back up power for part of a property? The use would have some reflection on how you approach your earthing arrangement. 

Doc H.

Hi Doc H, thanks for the reply. (i had to remove the links in the quote btw)

I want to use the generator to power an electric air compressor, the compressor is rated at 1.8kw.

more info - want to use the generator to power an electric air compressor, the compressor is rated at 1.8kw. We go to events across the country and need to have the air compressor to inflate bicycle tyres (no a hand pump is not enough) . One week this could be in the middle of a field, next could be a forest, next could be hard standing car park.

 

[Andy™]

personally, i wouldnt bother with an earth rod just for that

 

[SPECIAL LOCATION]

I'd use one of these instead of a generator...

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/topeak/joe-blow-sport-ii-ec018394

:coat

 

[PikeyHorseshoe]

I'd use one of these instead of a generator...

yeyh, like I said, a hand pump is not good enough. Its for seating tubeless tyres and if you have any experience of these then you know that the only sure way is to use a compressor, unless its a brand new tyre and rim.,

 

[Andy™]

or use a cheetah

 

[PikeyHorseshoe]

or use a cheetah

is that a joke or an actual thing? if its a joke then 1) I dont get it, and 2) its not helpful

 

[apprentice87]

It is an actual thing.... Not sure if it would work on bike tyres though..

john...

 

[Andy™]

is that a joke or an actual thing? if its a joke then 1) I dont get it, and 2) its not helpful

usually used on bigger tyres though, but it could work

 

[PikeyHorseshoe]

usually used on bigger tyres though, but it could work

No that wont work on carbon bike rims, and still needs a compressor to charge it

 

[apprentice87]

Ok, so it will not work, but it will be lots of fun!! by adding a length of steel tube, you will be able to use it as a makeshift cannon, shoot potatos for miles!!!!

john...

 

[IzzyS]

Have you actually tried running the compressor powered by the generator?  It may not work very well or at all.  There's a a note in the generator instructions regarding inductive loads. You may be better off with a petrol driven compressor.

 

[Sidewinder]

As per the post by IzzyS, unless you need the genny for something else, an engine driven compressor would be a much more efficient practical & safe solution.

Even if you "need" a genny, then a small suitcase genny for power tools and an engine driven compressor would be better.

This is why the mobile tyre vans use engine driven compressors, & Cheeta's.

 

[Blue Duck]

How about This?

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductMobileDisplay?catalogId=10151&storeId=10001&productId=974117&categoryId=255241&langId=-1

Would need a car or car battery though...

 

[steptoe]

what kW is that genny you have?

if its not >5kw THEN YOU WILL KILL IT by running a 1.8kW genny off it.!!!!   FACT

just checked the spec ,

yes,

you will kill that genny by running that compressor off it,  :|    sorry to say.

 

[binky]

daft question, but how many tyres are you expecting to inflate. High pressure racing tyres have little air in them, ergo the cheetah (charged up at home) with a back battery solution may well be a better option?

 

[Blue Duck]

Think the OP is long gone now

 

[binky]

he did seem to have thrown his teddy bears out....thought exercise was suppossed to be good for the karma :slap