Renting or buying a generator: what to prepare

Before you request a generator rental in Kinshasa or a purchase quote, prepare four pieces of information. State the power you need in kVA (our finder can work it out), how long you need it, the installation site and the start date. Also say what it is for (event, construction site, backup) and whether you need installation. MK Energies & Services checks availability and sends you a proposal.

Should you rent or buy a generator?

Renting suits short or temporary needs. Buying suits regular needs that last for months.

Renting makes sense for:

• an event: a wedding, a conference, a concert;
• a construction site with no grid connection;
• temporary backup while work is done on your electrical system;
• standing in for your own generator while it is being repaired.

Buying makes sense for:

• daily load-shedding over months;
• permanent backup for a shop, an office or a clinic;
• a remote site where the generator runs long hours.

Would you rather buy? See our generators.

What size should you ask for?

State your need in kVA. With a 0.8 power factor, a 20 kVA set delivers 16 kW of usable power. Starting motors (air conditioners, pumps, freezers) needs extra margin.

Our finder works this out from a few questions. Use it to work out your generator size. For a home, our guide to generator size for a house gives two worked examples.

Have these ready for your request:

1. the list of appliances and their power, read from the rating plate;
2. the largest motor to start and how it starts;
3. how many appliances run at the same time.

How do you estimate runtime and fuel?

Runtime depends on the generator's fuel consumption and the size of its tank. According to our data sheets, a 100 kVA set uses 22.6 L/h at full load. The 205 L tank of its soundproof version therefore lasts about 9 hours at full load.

Rental sizes depend on current availability: contact us to check.

The 75% figures are a simplified estimate used by our finder. Actual consumption depends on the engine, the load and the maintenance.

For daily consumption, multiply the hourly figure by the running hours. A 100 kVA set at 75% load for 10 hours uses about 184 L. Plan who refuels the set and how often. The full table is in our guide to generator fuel consumption.

How do you prepare the site?

A well-prepared site avoids delays on delivery day. Check these points before you send your request:

• truck access and a way to unload;
• flat, stable ground that stays dry;
• the distance from the generator to the loads, and the cable route;
• earthing;
• an exhaust position away from windows and air intakes;
• noise near people: a soundproof set is the better choice near homes or a crowd.

Location and connection rules are covered in our guide to installing a generator safely.

What does the quote cover?

The quote sets the terms on which the generator is made available. It states transport, installation, fuel and duration. Read these four points before you accept it.

What about outside Kinshasa?

State the place of use in your request: we will tell you what is possible. For purchases, MK Energies & Services also delivers to the other provinces of the DRC. See our guide to delivering a generator to the provinces.

Send your request

Is your information ready? Fill in the rental request form. We check availability and send you a proposal.

Sources: manufacturers' data sheets (Perkins engines), MK Energies finder calculation method.