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 the table on the right.
3.Estimate how many surge (starting) watts you will need. Surge wattage is the short burst of power needed to start electric
Example: |
|
|
|
| Running (Rated) |
| Additional Starting |
|
| ||
Tool or Appliance | Watts |
| (Surge) Watts |
Water Well Pump | 1200 |
| 2100 |
Refrigerator | 700 |
| 2200 |
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|
Furnace Fan | 800 |
| 2350 |
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|
Television | 500 |
| — |
Light (75 Watts) | 75 |
| — |
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|
|
| 3275 Total |
| 2350 Highest |
| Running Watts |
| Starting Watts |
Total Rated (Running) Watts | = 3275 | ||
Highest Additional Surge Watts | = 2350 | ||
Total Generator Output Required | = 5625 | ||
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 its 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.
Wattage Reference Guide
| Running* | Additional |
Tool or Appliance | (Rated) | Starting |
| Watts | (Surge) |
|
| Watts |
Essentials |
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Light Bulb - 75 watt | 75 | — |
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Furnace Fan Blower - 1/2 HP | 800 | 2350 |
Sump Pump - 1/3 HP | 800 | 1300 |
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Refrigerator/Freezer | 700 | 2200 |
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Water Well Pump - 1/2 HP | 1000 | 2100 |
Heating/Cooling |
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Window AC - 10,000 BTU | 1200 | 3600 |
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Humidifier - 13 Gal | 175 | — |
Central AC - 24,000 BTU | 3800 | 11400 |
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Kitchen |
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Microwave Oven - 1000 Watt | 1000 | — |
Coffee Maker | 1000 | — |
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Electric Stove - 8” Element | 2100 | — |
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Toaster | 850 | — |
Family Room |
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DVD/CD Player | 100 | — |
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VCR | 100 | — |
Stereo Receiver | 450 | — |
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Color Television - 27 in | 500 | — |
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Personal Computer w/17 in | 800 | — |
monitor |
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Other |
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Security System | 500 | — |
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AM/FM Clock Radio | 100 | — |
Garage Door Opener - 1/2 HP | 875 | 2350 |
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Electric Water Heater | 4700 | 11700 |
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DIY/Job Site |
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Quartz Halogen Work Light | 1000 | — |
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Airless Sprayer - 1/3 HP | 600 | 1200 |
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Reciprocating Saw | 960 | — |
Electric Drill - 1/2 HP, 5.4 Amps | 600 | 900 |
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Circular Saw - | 1400 | 2300 |
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Miter Saw - 10 in | 1800 | 1800 |
Table Planer - 6 in | 1800 | 1800 |
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Table Saw/Radial Arm Saw - 10 in | 2000 | 2000 |
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Air Compressor - 1 HP | 1600 | 4500 |
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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