my piaggio ape

drkava

hello members.
this is my first post, and hopefully - first of many more to come.
i own a small and growing coffee chain with 3 locations.
i decided to take a leap and go to the direction of a coffee van.
so i bought a piaggio ape.
i tried digging around in different websites to understand the whole issue of power generation, espresso machines, etc but only came up with the fact that most companies in the UK use the francino, dual fuel option. http://www.fracino.com/machines/espresso-on-the-go.html

i am provided with free espresso machines from my coffee provider(SAS) and am very happy with them.
please help me a bit in terms of direction - cant i keep using my machines, and connect a generator(silent one) for the energy?
from reading other posts here, i saw some generators but my limit is up to 1000$.

anyway, i'd love to hear ideas, tips, etc on this matter since its new for me.

anything would be helpful.

thanks a lot
DrKAva

drkava

hello. thank you for the reply. my location is in poland. my chain consists of coffee carts(which i built in a way, that all you need is to actually connect them to the wall in terms of electricity and they work fine) and also a cafe. the machines i use demand 3000kW. fridge - probably 500. grinder - probably same. with the cash register and anything else i come up with, im guessing i should aim for something that can produce around 6-6500kW, just to be on the safe side. im trying to avoid the need for a generator, its noisy and may become problematic when it comes to getting permissions for certain prime locations. this is why im trying to aim for the more quiet option. i just dont know what it is yet. any ideas?

Koffee_Kosmo

I see the reasoning to provide heat by gas for boiler operation and a small power requirement amount for the motor and electrics In remote locations to use anything else other than a  high output generator would leave you short of the power you require Solar is also out as this needs to be converted from AC to DC So a combination of gas and a small but quiet generator is probably the best KK

drkava

hey guys, thanks for the replies. this forum is awesome. the thing is this - i have the car, i have the espresso machine + grinder from my coffee provider, so why go now and purchase a whole new thing? i found a generator which is 60kg, gives 6500kW and costs around 700US$. its german(cant be that bad right?) weight is an issue of course, since this little piaggio ape is just so small! im trying to keep the final additions under 200kg to make sure the piaggio will actually be able to care itself around the city. im considering the generator since it would be the fastest and most easy to construct. but the question is - will the generator scare away only the pigeons or also the customers? i talked to 2 companies about 5hrs drive from me. they assured me the generators are very quiet... but its hard for me to believe... its like asking someone who works in an airport if a new boing is quite. yes it is, relatively to the previous one, but what would we other humans think about it? i think the best way is just to go and see obviously. does anyone have further recommendations? am i forgetting anything? thanks a lot. this is very helpful.

Koffee_Kosmo

Gday again Dr Solution 1 You can construct an isolation cover for the generator It can be made from fibreglass and lined with a sound deadening insulation Special insulation can be purchased for motor rooms Solution 2 Have a special muffler constructed for the generator All the noise from a generator is produced from an inadequate muffler Imagine that a V8 car engine can be made almost silent with a proper muffler  Now you have the best solutions I have had direct experience with Choose the one that best suits you Dont forget to call back in with your choice and results KK

drkava

can i kiss you? genius. that solves everything. BUT - i have one but. assuming i build a separate compartment for the generator, and build it in a way that its like a drawer, so the workers can pull it in and out, when they need to refill gas etc, question is this - will it not overheat? doesnt it need to have air to constantly be coming in? if i isolate it in an insulated little compartment, im afraid it will choke the poor thing. option 1 - build a small vent hole? but then again this might ruin and cancel the whole isolation thing? option 2 - maybe put it on the roof of the ape? so sound it somehow blocked by the flaps(windows of metal that open upwards) that will somehow block/divert sound waves? what say you? am i freaking out and overdoing it? thanks again. this is very helpful. i love a good brainstorming

Koffee_Kosmo

on 1309912278:

can i kiss you? genius. that solves everything. BUT - i have one but. assuming i build a separate compartment for the generator, and build it in a way that its like a drawer, so the workers can pull it in and out, when they need to refill gas etc, question is this - will it not overheat? doesnt it need to have air to constantly be coming in? if i isolate it in an insulated little compartment, im afraid it will choke the poor thing. option 1 - build a small vent hole? but then again this might ruin and cancel the whole isolation thing? option 2 - maybe put it on the roof of the ape? so sound it somehow blocked by the flaps(windows of metal that open upwards) that will somehow block/divert sound waves? what say you? am i freaking out and overdoing it? thanks again. this is very helpful. i love a good brainstorming

Since I am Greek I kiss you back You will need some ventilation but the special insulation will be doing all the work to suppress the motor noise Also nothing is stopping you from getting a better muffler and have it inside the cover The standard muffler is close to a lawn mower style & doesn't do much KK

drkava

so this is what we shall try. thank you greek man. efheristo. kalimera! is there anything else im forgetting?

Koffee_Kosmo

on 1309937006:

so this is what we shall try. thank you greek man. efheristo. kalimera! is there anything else im forgetting?

No its is the best solution And also the most cost affective Also I mentioned for the construction to be in fibre glass - this is so you have good weather protection from the elements + you have a nice surface to place your logo/brand on it  Keep us in the loop as to your progress KK