Mobile Detailing & Generators

H

HappyWax

New member
Is it a necessity to have a generator if I plan to go mobile? -Specifically I plan to go to individual homes (so no plans on corporate/parking lots etc)



Has anyone had problems with clients refusing power access or shortages ??



Otherwise I need an alternative to gas powered generators...



I know mytee makes a battery powered pressure washer but I need to be able to plug in my steamer and carpet extractor.



Any suggestions would help!!



Please forgive me if this is a dumb rookie question.
 
I'm mobile, and I've never lost a job due to not having a generator (in fact I have one, but it stays in the garage). There's always power nearby, and if a client ever refused access to it, I would politely decline the job. Even at office complexes and the like, there's almost always a power outlet that you can access.
 
I also have a generator, but it sits in my garage. I have never had a problem with a client not wanting me to use their power or water, in fact, they usually expect that I will need both.
 
I would get a 50 for normal use, and then another 50 or even 100 just in case. There have been several times when 50 wasn't enough for me. Do you do ONR washes? If you do, you won't even need water (or at least a hose).
 
Bostonsfavson said:
I would get a 50 for normal use, and then another 50 or even 100 just in case. There have been several times when 50 wasn't enough for me. Do you do ONR washes? If you do, you won't even need water (or at least a hose).
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I just bought my first gallon of ONR - looking forward to being a minimalist ! -I just bought a steamer too



I'm marketing locally as (the only) Eco-Friendly Detailer
 
I'm in the Finger Lakes Region-



Really nice area - minus the Antarctic like weather this year

Just moved from Pittsburgh.
 
HappyWax said:
I'm in the Finger Lakes Region-



Really nice area - minus the Antarctic like weather this year

Just moved from Pittsburgh.
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Ah, good stuff. I just moved from Buffalo to Las Vegas prior to this winter. Based on what I've heard from people back home, I picked a good time to do so. I guess it was a pretty brutal winter this year.
 
Hello from the Burgh:woot: I'd consider the generator as a future purchase if you get corporate clients and have to work in a parking lot.
 
wannafbody said:
Hello from the Burgh:woot: I'd consider the generator as a future purchase if you get corporate clients and have to work in a parking lot.
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Right! If you are in a big parking lot you will need a generator. I have a spare also. I can't imagine going out to detail and not having it. I'm fully outfitted with everything from water,heated extractor,wet dry vac/ blower,tent,3 buffers,

(Flex,Rotory,PC) Ozone Generator. I have detailed in places where there is no electric. This is one reason I can keep my prices where they are. I never use anything of the customers.
 
Anybody who is paying you to detail a car isn't going to mind you plugging into an outlet and using 50 cents worth of electricity!
 
You don't need a generator, but once you have one you'll never want to work without it.



Customers' outlets often trip circuit breakers, then you need to find them to reset the breaker, then it trips again, etc.



And set up / break down goes much faster w/ a generator.
 
AppliedColors said:
You don't need a generator, but once you have one you'll never want to work without it.



Customers' outlets often trip circuit breakers, then you need to find them to reset the breaker, then it trips again, etc.



And set up / break down goes much faster w/ a generator.
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You must be using some heavy duty equipment! In three years of mobile detailing, I've not once tripped a circuit breaker.
 
HappyWax said:
I'm in the Finger Lakes Region-



Really nice area - minus the Antarctic like weather this year

Just moved from Pittsburgh.
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Eco Friendly Detailing, my guess would be your somewhere near Ithaca.



LOL



DG
 
wannafbody said:
Hello from the Burgh:woot: I'd consider the generator as a future purchase if you get corporate clients and have to work in a parking lot.
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I gotta tell ya, I wish I stuck around the burgh -Upstate NY is pretty pathetic these days...
 
Danspeed1 said:
Eco Friendly Detailing, my guess would be your somewhere near Ithaca.



LOL



DG
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Haha - Close... I just looked at a car in Ithica (to buy not detail) -Cornell law student wouldn't budge on price. wench.
 
HappyWax said:
So 50ft of extension cord should suffice?! great!
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I've got 150' since I do have a few customers who live in apartments and the extra length comes in handy.



I've been doing this full time 15 years as of next month and never had an issue with using the customer's power.
 
Scottwax said:
I've got 150' since I do have a few customers who live in apartments and the extra length comes in handy.



I've been doing this full time 15 years as of next month and never had an issue with using the customer's power.
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Do you use a steamer? I read in the manual not to use an extension cord exceeding 50ft? -Maybe I can get away a longer length using heavy gauge.
 
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