Ever wondered if those large, fun-filled bounce houses can be powered by something other than a regular electrical outlet? Surprisingly, their energy needs aren't as immense as one might assume, and portable generators can efficiently meet these requirements.
So, how do you select the appropriate generator size for a bounce house? Let's delve into the details!
Generator Duration for Bounce Houses
Commonly, bounce house fans operate on standard electrical outlets. However, if you're considering using a generator for inflating a bounce house, keep in mind that generators have limited fuel capacities. A general guideline is that a standard generator can power a bounce house for approximately 90 minutes. If you opt for a more potent generator and use smaller fans, the runtime can extend to around six to seven hours.
Remember, it's unsafe to refuel a generator while it's operating, even if it's powering a bounce house.
Power Consumption of Bounce House Fans
The power consumption of bounce house fans, measured in watts, varies based on the fan size:
- Small Bounce Houses: Typically, a 1HP, 7A fan, pushing about 1100 CFM, consumes around 800 watts per hour.
- Medium Bounce Houses: A 1.5HP, 9A fan, with approximately 1300 CFM, will use about 1,000 watts (1 kilowatt) per hour.
- Large Bounce Houses: For a 2HP, 14A fan, pushing over 1400 CFM, the usage exceeds 1.6 kilowatts per hour.
For exceptionally large bounce houses, you may need to employ two 1.5HP blowers.
Regarding generator size, a minimum of 2,000 watts is advisable for a single fan. If you need to operate two fans, consider upgrading to a 4,000-watt generator, which also allows for additional electrical needs like lighting or charging devices.
Cost of Operating a Bounce House
Consider a scenario using a 2,000-watt generator with a 1-gallon fuel tank and a medium-sized bounce house with a 1-kilowatt fan. An average generator of this capacity consumes about three-quarters of a gallon per hour, providing roughly 80 minutes of runtime. With the current average fuel price of $4.70 per gallon, the cost for this duration is approximately $4.70. However, these figures may vary based on different generator and fan sizes.
Selecting Generators for Bounce Houses
When choosing generators for bounce houses, noise level is a significant factor. Here are some options:
- Honda EU2200i: A 2,000-watt, lightweight, and ultra-quiet generator with a carbon monoxide detector. Priced at around $1,179.
- A-iPower SUA2000iV: Another 2,000-watt option, more affordable offering seven hours of runtime at half load.
- Champion Power Equipment Digital Hybrid Inverter: For higher power needs, this 4,000-watt generator can run up to 17 hours on Economy Mode.
- Ego Nexus Power Station: An environmentally friendly, 3,000-watt electric generator with a runtime of two to five hours and swappable batteries for different power needs.