how to choose the right genertor for your project.
Choosing the right generator comes down to three things: your load in kilowatts, your run time, and your site conditions. Calculate your total power draw, add a 20–25% safety buffer, then match that to the nearest generator size. For most construction and civil projects in regional Victoria, a diesel generator between 20KVA and 200KVA covers the full range from small site offices to large commercial operations.
why getting the right size matters
A generator that’s too small will trip under load, shutting down your site at the worst possible moment. One that’s too large burns excess fuel, costs more to hire, and runs inefficiently. In regional Victoria, where sites in Bendigo, Mildura, and the surrounding areas can be hours from the nearest service centre, an avoidable breakdown is an expensive one.
At Yellow Hire, we’ve delivered generators to remote farming operations near Mildura, civil projects around Bendigo, and everything in between. The questions we ask every customer are the same and they’re the same ones you should be asking yourself.
Step 1: calculate your total load
List every piece of electrical equipment that will run simultaneously- tools, lighting, site office, compressors, and any electrical pumps. Find the wattage (W) or kilowatt (kW) rating on each item’s nameplate and add them up. This is your base load. Convert to KVA by dividing by 0.8 (the standard power factor for diesel generators). That gives you your minimum generator size.
Example: 10kW of equipment / 0.8 power = 12.5 KVA minimum. Round up to the next available size in case, a 20KVA unit gives you headroom.
Step 2: add a 20-25% safety buffer
Electric motors, common on compressors, pumps, and heavy tools draw 3–6x their running current on startup. This ‘inrush’ load lasts only a second, but it can trip a generator sized too tightly. Always add 20–25% to your calculated load to absorb startup spikes. It’s the single most common mistake we see on site.
Step 3: match to the right generator size
Yellow Hire stocks a range of Atlas Copco diesel generators and a Denyo gernerator available for hire from our Bendigo and Mildura yards.
- 20KVA — site offices, small lighting rigs, portable tools
- 30KVA — small construction sites, agricultural sheds, events
- 60KVA — medium sites, water pumps, compressors
- 100KVA — civil projects, large commercial sites
- 150KVA — major infrastructure, mining support, large events
- 200KVA — full site power, industrial operations, remote projects
Atlas Copco generators are built for Australian conditions, reliable, fuel-efficient, and simple to operate. Their QAS series generators are tier-compliant and quieter than many alternatives, which matters on sites near residential areas.
Need something with a lot more punch for a larger project? Get in touch and we’ll make it happen. Our team works with contractors and project managers across regional Victoria on major civil, mining, and infrastructure jobs where standard hire solutions don’t cut it. If your power requirements go beyond our listed range or your project has specific demands, call us on 1800 784 453 and we’ll work through the options with you directl
A generator running 24 hours a day on a remote site burns significant diesel. The Atlas Copco units we hire come with large fuel tanks and low specific fuel consumption, but for extended remote operations, pairing your generator with one of our fuel tanks takes the logistics pressure off your team.
We stock 1,500L, 2,000L, 3,000L, and 10,000L fuel tanks for hire alongside our generators — useful for projects in remote parts of regional Victoria where refuelling runs add up fast.
Step 5: think about the site access and delivery
Our smaller generators (20KVA, 30KVA, 60KVA) are trailer-mounted for easy towing and positioning on tight sites. The larger units (100KVA–200KVA) are skid-mounted and delivered by our team. If your site has restricted access, something common on agricultural properties around Mildura and on inner-Bendigo construction jobs, let us know upfront and we’ll make sure the right equipment gets to the right place.
general hire in bendigo and mildura
Yellow Hire operates from two yards in regional Victoria – 28 Powell St, East Bendigo and 526 Benetook Ave, Mildura and can organise same-day or next-day delivery across the region, including Swan Hill, Echuca, Shepparton, Horsham, and rural areas in between.
If you’re a Bendigo-based contractor, our central location means faster turnaround and lower transport costs. For Mildura operations, particularly the horticultural, agricultural, and irrigation sectors that rely on temporary power, our Mildura yard stocks everything you need without the freight lag from Melbourne suppliers.
Call us on 1800 784 453 or request a quote online and our team will confirm availability, recommend the right size, and arrange delivery.
📧 enquiries@yellowhire.com.au
FAQS
What size generator do I need on a construction site?
For a typical small-to-medium construction site running power tools, lighting, and a site office, a 60KVA to 100KVA diesel generator is usually appropriate. Larger sites with welders, compressors, o0r multiple trades working simultaneously
will need 150KVA or above. Always calculate your total load, add 25%, and round up to the next size.
Can I hire a generator in Bendigo or Mildura?
Yes. Yellow Hire stocks Atlas Copco diesel generators for hire from both our Bendigo and Mildura yards. Sizes range from 20KVA to 200KVA, with delivery across regional Victoria available. Call 1800 784 453 to check availability.
How do I calculate what size generator I need?
Add up the wattage of all equipment running simultaneously. Divide by 1,000 to convert to kilowatts (kW). Divide by 0.8 (power factor) to get KVA. Add 20–25% for motor startup loads. The result is your minimum generator size. Round up to the next available size in our fleet.