Diesel Generator Hire in Reading, Berkshire
Diesel generator hire in Reading suits jobs running for days or weeks rather than an afternoon, from business park builds to long-running site power. Coppard supplies single and three-phase diesel generators.
A diesel generator earns its place on a job that keeps running day after day. Before booking, check whether your equipment needs a single-phase or a three-phase supply.
Confirm Single or Three-Phase Before You Book
Small tools, lighting and most site cabins run on single-phase power, the same supply found in an ordinary house. Larger kit, including some welders and bigger pumps, needs three-phase instead, and the two do not simply swap between each other on the same socket. Check the plug and the handbook on each piece of equipment before booking, not after the generator has already arrived and work is due to start.
If your site mixes both types of equipment, tell the depot. A three-phase generator can often still supply single-phase items alongside the larger kit, without needing a second unit standing by on site. Getting this detail right from the start saves a second call later, once the generator is already running and the mix of kit is clear.
Check Output Figures on Our Collection Page
See our other Air Compressor Supplier services on the Reading Air Compressor Supplier page, and compare diesel generator output figures on the Generators collection. Output is given in kVA. Your job’s total load, added up item by item across the site, needs to sit well below the generator’s rated figure, not right up against it.
Phone 0118 979 2828 if you are not sure how to add up your load. The Reading team will work through it with you against the models at the depot, rather than leaving you to work it out alone from a handbook that may not cover every item on your list. This matters most on a site with a mix of older and newer equipment.
Silenced Units Suit Reading's Business Park Sites
Many Reading sites sit close to occupied offices, meeting rooms or housing nearby. A diesel generator running for hours at a time needs careful thought about noise in that kind of setting. A silenced unit runs much quieter than a standard one, and the depot can point you towards the right model for a site in a built-up business park area.
Where you put it also matters alongside the model itself. Keeping the generator away from windows and air intakes cuts noise and stops fumes drifting into occupied spaces, even with a standard unit running nearby through a longer shift. A short chat with the depot about your exact setting usually settles which approach suits your job best.
Confirm Your Load Before Delivery to Avoid Under-Sizing
List everything that will draw power from the generator at the same time. Add the figures together honestly, rather than rounding down to save a size you cannot afford to get wrong. A generator booked too small will trip out partway through the job. That costs far more time than booking correctly from the start, often at the worst moment on a busy day.
Remember to include anything that briefly draws extra power the instant it switches on at the start of a shift. Phone 0118 979 2828 with your full list. The team will check it against the generator before it leaves the depot, confirming there is enough spare capacity built in.
Delivery Across Reading and the Business Parks Around It
Coppard delivers diesel generators across Reading, Wokingham and Bracknell. This includes the business parks along the M4 corridor on the edge of town, where many of our regular bookings come from. Every unit is checked, fuelled and run-tested before it leaves the depot.
Call 0118 979 2828 to book a delivery slot. Mention any site access limits, such as timed loading bays or security checks. Larger generators need more room and more notice to get safely into position than a small portable unit would. Getting this detail right first avoids a wasted journey for the driver and a delay to your own schedule. This small bit of planning on the phone saves real time once the generator is due to arrive on a tight schedule.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if my equipment needs single or three-phase power?
Check the plug fitted to each piece of equipment, and look at its handbook if that alone does not make it clear. Lighting and most hand tools run on single-phase, the same supply as an ordinary house. Certain welders and larger pumps are built for three-phase only and will not fit a single-phase socket. If you are unsure, call 0118 979 2828 and describe your equipment, and the team will confirm the supply it needs.
How long can a diesel generator run without stopping?
This depends mainly on the tank size and how hard the generator is working across the shift. A standard tank often covers many hours of running. For a job stretching over several days without a break, a larger external tank can be arranged instead. Ask the depot for a realistic running time on the exact model you are booking, based on your likely load. A quick call to the depot with your full list is the simplest way to check this before committing to a size.
Can I hire a silenced generator for a business park site?
Yes, and it is worth asking for one whenever the site sits close to occupied offices or housing nearby. A silenced unit runs much quieter than a standard generator. This matters most once work stretches into the evening hours, when neighbours are more likely to notice. Mention your site’s setting when you book, and the depot will point you towards a silenced model sized to match the power you need.
What happens if I book a generator that's too small?
It will struggle or trip out as the load creeps close to its limit. This can stop the whole job partway through at an awkward moment on site. Always add up your full load honestly before booking, including anything that briefly draws extra power as it switches on. Leave some spare capacity above your total, rather than booking right to the stated limit. This single check before booking is far quicker than dealing with a generator that trips out partway through a busy day.
What UK guidance applies to diesel generator exhaust?
The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 cover the harmful gases these engines give off during running. These must never build up anywhere enclosed. Run the unit outside in the open air at all times, with the exhaust pointed well clear of anyone working nearby. Treat the standard carbon monoxide warnings as applying here too. Full detail sits on legislation.gov.uk. The same rules apply whether the generator runs for a single afternoon or across several weeks on one site.
Looking for Diesel Generator Hire near me?
Call Coppard at 0118 979 2828 to discuss your load and to arrange delivery from the Reading depot.
