Briggs & Stratton 40248 Don’t Overload Generator, Capacity, Example, Power Management

Don’t Overload Generator

Capacity

You must make sure your generator can supply enough rated (running) and surge (starting) watts for the items you will power at the same time. Follow these simple steps:

1.Select the items you will power at the same time.

2.Total the rated (running) watts of these items. This is the amount of power your generator must produce to keep your items running. See Figure 13.

3.Estimate how many surge (starting) watts you will need. Surge wattage is the short burst of power needed to start electric motor-driven tools or appliances such as a circular saw or refrigerator. Because not all motors start at the same time, total surge watts can be estimated by adding only the item(s) with the highest additional surge watts to the total rated watts from step 2.

Example:
Total Rated (Running) Watts	= 3075
Highest Additional Surge Watts	= 1800

Total Generator Output Required = 4875

Power Management

To prolong the life of your generator and attached devices, it is important to take care when adding electrical loads to your generator. There should be nothing connected to the generator outlets before starting it's engine. The correct and safe way to manage generator power is to sequentially add loads as follows:

1.With nothing connected to the generator, start the engine as described in this manual.

2.Plug in and turn on the first load, preferably the largest load you have.

3.Permit the generator output to stabilize (engine runs smoothly and attached device operates properly).

4.Plug in and turn on the next load.

5.Again, permit the generator to stabilize.

6.Repeat steps 4 and 5 for each additional load.

	Rated*	Additional
		Surge
Tool or Appliance	(Running)
		(Starting)
	Watts
		Watts
Essentials
Light Bulb - 75 watt	75	-
Deep Freezer	500	500
Sump Pump	800	1200
Refrigerator/Freezer - 18 Cu. Ft.	800	1600
Water Well Pump - 1/3 HP	1000	2000
Heating/Cooling
Window AC - 10,000 BTU	1200	1800
Window Fan	300	600
Furnace Fan Blower - 1/2 HP	800	1300
Kitchen
Microwave Oven - 1000 Watt	1000	-
Coffee Maker	1500	-
Electric Stove - Single Element	1500	-
Hot Plate	2500	-
Family Room
DVD/CD Player	100	-
VCR	100	-
Stereo Receiver	450	-
Color Television - 27”	500	-
Personal Computer w/17” monitor	800	-
Other
Security System	180	-
AM/FM Clock Radio	300	-
Garage Door Opener - 1/2 HP	480	520
Electric Water Heater - 40 Gallon	4000	-
DIY/Job Site
Quartz Halogen Work Light	1000	-
Airless Sprayer - 1/3 HP	600	1200
Reciprocating Saw	960	960
Electric Drill - 1/2 HP	1000	1000
Circular Saw - 7 1/4”	1500	1500
Miter Saw - 10”	1800	1800
Table Planer - 6”	1800	1800
Table Saw/Radial Arm Saw - 10”	2000	2000
Air Compressor - 1-1/2 HP	2500	2500

Figure 13 — Wattage Reference Guide

Never add more loads than the generator capacity. Take special care to consider surge loads in generator capacity, as described above.

*Wattages listed are approximate only. Check tool or appliance for actual wattage.

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