Am i dreaming?

[ditchcrawler]

or get a wood burning coffee roaster. With the added bonus that you can now charge more for your coffee cos 'wood roasted coffee' sounds fancy.

That sounds a good idea

[nb Innisfree]

Little bit of woodsmoke in the grind could prove popular.

[Paul G2]

Where to start... First of all, when determining what you are going to need as far as any electrical gear is concerned, you want to remember that you don't want to exceed 80% of rated capacity for any of your electrical parts and/or appliances - everything from plugs and receptacles to wire to inverters and generators. If you design your system so that your maximum load never exceeds 80% of rated capacity, you will much more trouble-free system, and all of your electrical stuff will last much longer and operate more trouble-free. With this in mind, a 4kW generator is too small, you need to step up to a 5kW. And, yeah, 4kW is real close at 3200 Watts, but you want to use the generator for six hours per day and that's a lot of use. Realistically, in your circumstances a 5kW unit would last a lot longer and give you more trouble-free operation.

 

You are asking a lot out of generators that are designed for running lights and charging cell phones. If you want to put a continuous load of six hours on a generator, day in and day out, you need a diesel workhorse, not a light-duty petrol battery charger.

 

If you are going to be looking at Chinese generators, you might as well buy direct from China and save about half. Alibaba is probably the easiest and safest way to buy stuff direct from China.

 

On the other hand, if you are looking for a "real" generator, take a look at these Listers on ebay(UK). Most of those are way bigger than what you need, but you can get an idea of the cost. There's one 10kW unit on that page for £1,500, but it's really not a very not a pretty specimen, although it gives you an idea of price. With something like this unit, you would have enough power to run your boat and your roaster for only £2,250. You'd probably have to go diesel/electric or hydraulic on the boat propulsion, but you'd have plenty of power to run battery chargers along with propulsion and roaster(s). You could add a few solar panels to your roasting boat and advertise yourself as the coffee company that cares about the environment. (Nothing wrong with good/free PR). You should also consider that, from what you have said about an 18 minute roasting cycle, you will be roasting about 15 - 20 kg per day. That's not a whole lot of coffee and, if you are successful, you will need to get more roasters, won't you? When deciding on your electrical system, you should consider what your future needs will be too.

 

Decisions, decisions.....

 

Whatever you decide to do, good luck with your project! I hope all works out well and that you are successful!

[gazza]

Where to start... First of all, when determining what you are going to need as far as any electrical gear is concerned, you want to remember that you don't want to exceed 80% of rated capacity for any of your electrical parts and/or appliances - everything from plugs and receptacles to wire to inverters and generators. If you design your system so that your maximum load never exceeds 80% of rated capacity, you will much more trouble-free system, and all of your electrical stuff will last much longer and operate more trouble-free. With this in mind, a 4kW generator is too small, you need to step up to a 5kW. And, yeah, 4kW is real close at 3200 Watts, but you want to use the generator for six hours per day and that's a lot of use. Realistically, in your circumstances a 5kW unit would last a lot longer and give you more trouble-free operation.

 

You are asking a lot out of generators that are designed for running lights and charging cell phones. If you want to put a continuous load of six hours on a generator, day in and day out, you need a diesel workhorse, not a light-duty petrol battery charger.

 

If you are going to be looking at Chinese generators, you might as well buy direct from China and save about half. Alibaba is probably the easiest and safest way to buy stuff direct from China.

 

On the other hand, if you are looking for a "real" generator, take a look at these Listers on ebay(UK). Most of those are way bigger than what you need, but you can get an idea of the cost. There's one 10kW unit on that page for £1,500, but it's really not a very not a pretty specimen, although it gives you an idea of price. With something like this unit, you would have enough power to run your boat and your roaster for only £2,250. You'd probably have to go diesel/electric or hydraulic on the boat propulsion, but you'd have plenty of power to run battery chargers along with propulsion and roaster(s). You could add a few solar panels to your roasting boat and advertise yourself as the coffee company that cares about the environment. (Nothing wrong with good/free PR). You should also consider that, from what you have said about an 18 minute roasting cycle, you will be roasting about 15 - 20 kg per day. That's not a whole lot of coffee and, if you are successful, you will need to get more roasters, won't you? When deciding on your electrical system, you should consider what your future needs will be too.

 

Decisions, decisions.....

 

Whatever you decide to do, good luck with your project! I hope all works out well and that you are successful!

Agreed.

 

Diesel electric in your case would be a viable option.

 

You need a good bit of power generation for your electrical needs, add a bit more juice and you have your propulsion sorted too.

[Neil Smith]

I would not run a petrol Genny in an enclosed space like a 20 foot butty, go for a silent diesel every time of at least 5 or 6kw and a water cooled one would be even better.

 

Neil

[Dave Payne]

Just to mention, i would be towing the butty behind Vidar.

 

Will have a look at those.

 

Thanks

[OldGoat]

Yes, you're dreaming - yet again - but then why not.

Towing Dungeness power station behind you is completely nuts.

Self generated electricity to power a heat source is desperately inefficient and overly complicated.

So, thinking aside -

How's about doing the roasting on a gas stove or even a gas powered roaster (if any are available; mebe a diesel powered stove?

 

Quite apart from all that have you even considered whether it would be a profitable venture - indeed would it even, ever break even??

[Graham.m]

Yes, you're dreaming - yet again - but then why not.

Towing Dungeness power station behind you is completely nuts.

Self generated electricity to power a heat source is desperately inefficient and overly complicated.

So, thinking aside -

How's about doing the roasting on a gas stove or even a gas powered roaster (if any are available; mebe a diesel powered stove?

 

Quite apart from all that have you even considered whether it would be a profitable venture - indeed would it even, ever break even??

 

I seem to remember watching a TV programme on roasting coffee and the roaster was LPG heated so could be a good compromise gas heat and electric motor at 300W say = 30A at 12V for 15 minutes say 7.5Ahs

 

Different kettle of fish

[ditchcrawler]

 

I seem to remember watching a TV programme on roasting coffee and the roaster was LPG heated so could be a good compromise gas heat and electric motor at 300W say = 30A at 12V for 15 minutes say 7.5Ahs

 

Different kettle of fish

https://millcityroasters.com/shop/coffee-roasters/1kg-gas-coffee-roaster/

[Dave Payne]

Yes gas roasters are commonly available, but i already have an electric roaster, maybe i could sell it and purchase a gas one, who knows.

 

In terms of monies, i would not be relying on trade from the towpath or markets, that would be a small part of the business, the main part is selling online and building a solid customer base from coffee shops, restaurants and home users.

[Alan de Enfield]

I have often wondered how effective / efficient / viable an online business can be when you are selling product (rather than a service) and operating from a 'continuously moving' base.

 

Moving as in moving from point A to B to C etc etc - not just moving as in floating / rocking.

 

How easy is it to find a Post Office close to where you happen to moor for the night, how far are you going to have to carry (hopefully) many kilograms of product ?

 

Will the likes of Herpes Hermes or other parcel carriers meet you for collection somewhere at a convenient bridge ?

 

Just sat wondering on a cold (-3^oC) foggy morning.

[Dave Payne]

I would have to plan my route and time roasting days with drop off points, to be honest the post office is not always the cheapest option anymore, parcel carriers like DPD now offer drop off points at lots of different places.

[ditchcrawler]

I keep getting offers of freshly roasted coffee at £1 a time, but I guess that is just a taster

[Dave Payne]

Would that be from Pact coffee?

[ditchcrawler]

Would that be from Pact coffee?

May have been, tear out vouchers that look like a credit card, I lit the fire with them.

[Dave Payne]

Best place for them, buy my coffee

[Dave Payne]

Looks good?

 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/7-2-kVA-Hyundai-Long-Run-Diesel-Generator/191697934271?_trksid=p2047675.c100010.m2109&_trkparms=aid%3D555012%26algo%3DPW.MBE%26ao%3D2%26asc%3D20140221143405%26meid%3D1056f6c5a4504fe5a9dd5d71f1541a12%26pid%3D100010%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D24%26mehot%3Dpp%26sd%3D231811716555

[bottle]

Engine RPM: 3000 RPM

Sound Level: 70 dB

 

It's a screamer rpm wise and the dB is absolutely not worth the paper it is written on, no distance given.

[Dave Payne]

Yeah googled it, it states on another site 70db at 7m, 96 at 1m !!

 

Ill keep looking.

[cuthound]

Useful link which compares db with things we are used to hearing.

 

http://www.industrialnoisecontrol.com/comparative-noise-examples.htm

[Dave Payne]

Thanks!

 

 

Although it doesn't mention what db a nagging wife is at?

[cuthound]

Thanks!

 

 

Although it doesn't mention what db a nagging wife is at?

 

That's because you would have to specify how angry she is. Anything between 70 and 103db at one metre

 

Edited to make the smiley work.

Edited January 21, 2016 by cuthound

[Paul G2]

Thanks!

 

 

Although it doesn't mention what db a nagging wife is at?

 

+1db above the level at which you can ignore her.