Generator

nzLARPS
#1

Righto,

I have discovered a reasonably cheap and portable petrol generator on TradeMe. click here for details.

It would be useful to have a generator for night games, such as the up and coming Winterspite. The main constraint is the noise level, and at 57 dB, it’s about as quiet as we’ll be able to get.

It could also be used as a prop in modern games such as Stargate.

I would like to purchase this generator and try it out at Winterspite. If it works out, great. If not, then we can always sell it on TradeMe. The cost of transporting is about $30, so the total cost will be about $150.

Thoughts ?

#2

Don’t know much about generators.

Can you plug into it just like mains electricity? Suitable for standard plugs on things like lights, fog machines, stereos, etc?

The noise is a concern. Most times when you want power it’s for atmospheric effects that might be spoiled by a thrumming motor. Not sure how loud 57dB is, can you make a comparison?

I’ve found there have been lots of times I’ve wanted power in remote locations for Mordavia. So in principal I support the idea.

#3

This site has decibel some ratings. I think the scale is logarhythmic, meaning 60dB is twice as loud as 50dB (but I could be wrong).

The dB rating is at 7m distance. A guy advertising a 60dB one said it was about as loud as a lawnmower. So, if we can get a 20m lead then I suspect we can mitigate the sound factor.

We should be able to plug in any medium power item such as lights or a powertool etc.

#4

I support the idea from the point of view, that one of the aims of the society is to buy expensive things like a generator, which would be to expensive for one person.
My main concern is that the device is needed (and we have 1 GM who says it is) and it is good value for the price. Do we have anyone who know about such things?
What about Ange?

#5

Would we be able to plug two or three things into it? Like a small floodlight, a smoke machine, and a small stereo all running of it at once?

That’s quite a desirable scenario for an outdoors scene with special effects.

#6

[quote=“Ryan Paddy”]Would we be able to plug two or three things into it? Like a small floodlight, a smoke machine, and a small stereo all running of it at once?

That’s quite a desirable scenario for an outdoors scene with special effects.[/quote]
The maximum wattage is 720w, so you could do that if the total wattage is <720. Most portable stereos can be used with batteries and don’t take up too much power, so I suppose it comes down to how much power the smoke machine needs and whether a 250w spot will do the trick.

#7

So worst case it might be as loud as a sewing machine, but we try to get it at a distance from play? Seems reasonable. Especially if it could often be masked by sound effects.

The type of sounds that you can get out of something battery-generated generally aren’t worth having.

I’m in favour of the idea.

#8

Fog machines tend to be surprisingly high draw - I have a fairly little one and it’s 700W. They’re like electric jugs - they heat up smoke fluid and essentially make really thick special steam.

Mike’s right, 30db is twice as loud as 20db
57db is quite loud, but with a long extension it could be a background noise.

I reckon there are heaps of uses for one of these.
Think about it as a prop for players to use, not GMs. Having one would mean players can arrange outdoor electricity during games. That would be super-useful for Stargate, Nibelungen, a few military style games… would be amazing in a ‘Lost’ inspired larp like what Anna’s in the process of writing…

Importantly as well, a generator is a good store of value. This is an investment we could cash in at any time.

#9

I’ve only seen a few episodes of Stargate, but at least one I saw had a little tent settlements in the wild. Generator would be great as part of that feel.

Definitely a great foreground element in modern and futuristic larps, good background tool for organsiers for olden-day larps.

#10

seems reasonable, 60 db is about the noise of a sewing machine (don’t underestimate the noise of a sewing machine), and distance should reduce it a bit. 720 watts is a fairly decent amount of power too, should be suitable for your intended applications.

#11

You can purchase generators at Super Cheap Autos. You can plug stuff in just like a wall socket but some stuff needsa power smoothers (UPS etc).

#12

I’d say yes to this.

#13

OK, I’ve just won an auction for an identical generator to the one discussed in this thread (the original had been snapped up via a Buy Now.

It only cost $113 and pickup is in Auckland.

Once I’ve picked it up I’ll post a review of it.

#14

Apart from the fact there is no direct socket, a high end car battery would do the trick nicely, infact it is a set of those that powers telephone Exchanges when the mains power drops out, they run for ages and charging is easily enough done with a car battery charger.

Only down side would be having to keep it right side up to avoid an acid spill, now those ARE nasty.

#15

I’ve seen the geni’ now. It’s pretty quiet (for a generator) and impressively small. Great score.

#16

I just bought a good car battery for around $120. So the generator sounds less messy, more suited solution for the same cost.

Good to hear it’s small and quietish.

#17

Oh I didn’t say quietish - I said “pretty quiet (for a generator)” :stuck_out_tongue:

The major advantage of a battery is that it’s silent, however you need a battery or two (they run out unbelievably fast without a car to power them up), and an inverter (at least $100 - inverters vary in rated output and as you get more powerful they get much more expensive). I’ve got a fairly high end inverter and I think it’s 320W. Batteries/inverter are a generally better but much more pricey solution.

#18

Neither are overally excellent for a sudden change in weather, but I’d still take my chances with a Battery over a generator, that and it’s more enviromentally friendly :smiley: