Butcher using diesel generator saves 1/3 of leccy cost

[mart]

Butcher would have one anyway - our local one has one running all the time.
Otherwise one power outage and their business could be ruined.

Many businesses would be the same, all they are doing is switching them over from standby to primary supply.
I doubt maintenance costs would change much as they would have them services either way.

I assume they will keep the electric meter? So while they are using a genny full time they are also paying the standing charge which is not free cheap by any stretch of the imagination.

We have discussed in another thread the cost and implications of having the meter removed. Also the issues of having one put back etc.

 

[maroon]

He said his elec bill was £350k
Then said he used 2500L per week in the genny.

That amount of white would cost currently on trade card £209300 hardly a 1/3rd of his is elec bill.

BUT

The amount for elec that 2500l per week can make is just 7500kWh

That is 390k kWh. So his normal elec rate is nearly 90p per kWh.

To reduce his cost to 1/3rd he must be running on red which is ilegal.

he's not running his generator on the road.
perfectly legal on red as far as i'm aware.

 

[daleyd]

he's not running his generator on the road.
perfectly legal on red as far as i'm aware.

Only if used in non commercial properties by the looks of it (hospitals schools etc).

 

[GRW]

he's not running his generator on the road.
perfectly legal on red as far as i'm aware.

Red is now extremely restricted. No more Red for Construction Plant, or for non-commecial Water Craft (& other stuff besides). Gotta rake back some of that Brexit Send y'know!

Hire Generators can no longer use Red either - have to use White.

In hard times Red Diesel storage was a big target for thieves before - I reckon now anyone/anywhere with a Diesel Storage Tank has got to get properly paranoid about fuel theft and take precautions.
(As usual, the Parasites that masquerade as Politicians haven't fully thought it through ).

 

[MetalMonkey]

A standby genny when started a couple of times a year would last a lifetime on minimal maintenance though - running one 24-7 I imagine would soon wear things out and require replacement or at least a decent overhaul after maybe a few years or sooner? I don’t really know much about such things but I wouldn’t imagine anything with “standby” in the name is meant for prolonged running over weeks/months/years.

Proper standby generators are usually big industrial units which are extremely reliable. 30,000 hours+ wouldn't be unreasonable.
Usually they are run up quite regularly anyway, as most of the problems you get is when they are stood idle for a long period of time.

Obviously it will wear out quicker if it is in continuous use, but on the other hand if your business is reliant on them presumably you would factor in the cost of replacement.
Smaller units probably wouldn't cope well with continuous running, and those only lightly loaded would also be a problem.

I assume they will keep the electric meter? So while they are using a genny full time they are also paying the standing charge which is not free cheap by any stretch of the imagination.

We have discussed in another thread the cost and implications of having the meter removed. Also the issues of having one put back etc.

I'd imagine most of the benefit would come from the fact that, as a business, he falls outside the price cap - so his kWh price is likely several times that of a domestic customer.

 

[Ruffian]

Interesting one here , Butcher switched over to running his emergency generator full time to save money, Would be interested to see the calculations on this if there's maintenance wear and tear included.

It would be even more efficient if you can use the heat from its cooling system.

Just been putting a 24/48 milking parlour in near Bristol.
Farmer needed new transformer so change of contract.
Went from 19p/unit to 68p/unit overnight.

Now has bought a 225kva pramac generator with 6 cylinder turbo diesel volvo engine to run 24/7 to save on costs.

Just getting bonkers.

 

[GRW]

Farmer I spoke to who came in looking for a Generator, said his current deal was about to expire... and the best new tariff he could get, was at £0.93/Unit

 

[brightspark]

Farmer I spoke to who came in looking for a Generator, said his current deal was about to expire... and the best new tariff he could get, was at £0.93/Unit

trouble is they cant hike there prices up like most businesses can to cover it

 

[daleyd]

Proper standby generators are usually big industrial units which are extremely reliable. 30,000 hours+ wouldn't be unreasonable.
Usually they are run up quite regularly anyway, as most of the problems you get is when they are stood idle for a long period of time.

Obviously it will wear out quicker if it is in continuous use, but on the other hand if your business is reliant on them presumably you would factor in the cost of replacement.
Smaller units probably wouldn't cope well with continuous running, and those only lightly loaded would also be a problem.



I'd imagine most of the benefit would come from the fact that, as a business, he falls outside the price cap - so his kWh price is likely several times that of a domestic customer.

30,000 hours of 24/7 running is only a few years - I suppose with the sums involved he talks about saving even that would pay for a new unit every few years if needed - crazy really that it’s got this way

 

[mtt.tr]

Seems hard to believe, 6+ years ago my friend only switched on his 3phase Genny when he had become desperate for a quick brew

 

[Shox Dr]

Woodyard used a BIG genset, engine out of a truck. Needed a service every week. Thats a lot of Oil and filters. There was a fair pile of blown engines on the scrap pile, as they learnt it required lots of regular servicing to life past 6months. Lass that ran the greasey spoon butty van didnt service hers, used go through loads. But thats another story.

 

[eLuSiVeMiTe]

Gotta rake back some of that Brexit Send y'know!

Wanna try taking it from where it all ended up.

Hands up if you have any of your COVID grant/furlough money left?


Only something like 600 billion given out. Where did all the money go?


What are we doing to get it back. Nothing.

 

[Bornfree]

The smallest unit we run 24/7 is a 25kva 1500rpm Perkins. It runs 6 months a year on a turkey farm. It's now hitting 22,000 hours and has been remarkably trouble free. The problem is for livestock you need a backup so a standby until is sitting next to it.

 

[James1979]

The smallest unit we run 24/7 is a 25kva 1500rpm Perkins. It runs 6 months a year on a turkey farm. It's now hitting 22,000 hours and has been remarkably trouble free. The problem is for livestock you need a backup so a standby until is sitting next to it.

Do you alternate them at all?

It’s common on ships to run one for so many hours then switch in the other so the first gets a service and is then the standby for the next period

 

[DAPPH]

A standby genny when started a couple of times a year would last a lifetime on minimal maintenance though - running one 24-7 I imagine would soon wear things out and require replacement or at least a decent overhaul after maybe a few years or sooner? I don’t really know much about such things, but I wouldn’t imagine anything with “standby” in the name is meant for prolonged running over weeks/months/years.

My little pure sinewave genny is able to constantly put out 2.2 kw/hr , servicing amongst other checks is an oil change every 25 hrs run time.
As there is no hour counter on it I keep a detailed logbook for it, recording everything down, including where the fuel came from and that it was treated the same day with "Fuel saver ".

IIRC Some of the big 30 KVA & bigger stuff that power the big tower cranes sets can run for 100 hrs or more depending on the type of lubrication & sump system between servicing's.

One big Italian one (450 KVA ???) I used to play with took 45 gallons of oil at servicing time as it had a large dry sump set up add on specially made for it.

A lot of military stuff used as standby's is able to run 24/7 for months so long as the oil changes and filters are cleaned when specified & the Genny man doing daily checks to see everything is Ok when they fill the thing up, often f hooked up 45-gallon barrels or bigger tanks

 

[Bornfree]

And oil sampling can save a fortune on long running diesel engines. We run this unit on 1000hr intervals double the manufacturer's 500hr intervals.

 

[Justme]

he's not running his generator on the road.
perfectly legal on red as far as i'm aware.

You are aware wrong. Only domestic elec can be made from red. Plus stuff like hospitals.

 

[Hood]

...Where did all the money go?
...

Lady Mone of the bra fame.

 

[Bornfree]

Do you alternate them at all?

It’s common on ships to run one for so many hours then switch in the other so the first gets a service and is then the standby for the next period

No the standby isn't a silenced model. It tends to upset the neighbours even though they are a good 1/4 mile away.

 

[Stupoty]

I doubt this is true. More likely the title should be
Butcher cant do maths on actual costs.

He should be using white diesel but I bet he is using red.
Even red is over £1 per L

Each kWh will use 300g of fuel if its a really efficient genny.
Smaller ones more like 5-600g

So on red its about 30p per kWh & on white nearer 55p

I have no idea what the current cost is per kWh on the grid as we are off grid.

thats like 25% less than a palls workshop lecky price. (unit price no standing cost included)

Stu