USING THE GENERATOR
After the engine has been running for several minutes, electrical devices may be connected to this generator.
AC Usage
Electrical devices running on AC current may be connected according to their wattage requirements. The rated (running) and surge wattage for this Model GEN2000LP 2000 Surge Watts / 1350 Running Watts Portable LP Generator is 1,350 and 2,000, respectively.
Model GEN2000 Rated (Running) Wattage | 1350 |
Model GEN2000 Surge Wattage | 2000 |
The rated (running) wattage corresponds to the maximum wattage a generator can output on a continuous basis.
The surge wattage corresponds to the maximum amount of power a generator can output for a short time. Many electrical devices, such as a refrigerator, require short bursts of extra power for starting and stopping fan motors, etc., in addition to their listed rated wattage. Motorized devices typically require more than their rated wattage for startup. The surge wattage ability of a generator allows for this extra power requirement.
The total running wattage requirement of the electrical devices connected to a generator should not exceed the rated wattage of the generator itself. To calculate the total wattage requirement of the electrical devices to be connected, look up the rated (running) wattage of each device and add these numbers together to find the total wattage that all of the devices together will draw from the generator. If the total wattage of the selected devices exceeds the rated wattage of the generator, DO NOT connect all of the devices. Select a combination of the electrical devices that will have a total wattage less than or equal to the rated wattage for the generator, i.e., no more than 2000 for this Model GEN2000 2000 Surge Watts / 1350 Running Watts Portable Generator.
This generator can run at its surge wattage capacity for only a short time. Connect electrical devices requiring a rated (running) wattage equal to or less than the rated wattage of this generator. Never connect devices requiring a rated wattage equal to the surge wattage of a generator.
A device's rated (running) wattage should be listed somewhere on the device itself and/or in its manual. If the wattage specification for a device is not available, the wattage can be calculated by multiplying the Voltage requirement (120 or 240) by the Amperage drawn.
Watts = Volts x Amperes
Or, the wattage required by a device can be estimated by using the following chart (see Figure 7). The chart provides only estimates and it is better to know the exact wattage of each electrical device to be powered by this generator.
Electrical Device | Rated (Running) Watts | Additional Surge Watts |
air compressor (1 HP) | 1500 | 3000 |
air compressor (1 - 1/2 HP) | 2500 | 2500 |
airless sprayer (1/3 HP) | 600 | 1200 |
box fan | 300 | 600 |
clock radio AM/FM | 300 | 0 |
coffee maker | 1500 | 0 |
computer w/17 inch monitor | 800 | 0 |
deep freezer | 500 | 500 |
electric drill (1/2 HP) | 1000 | 1000 |
DVD/CD player or VCR | 100 | 0 |
furnace fan blower (1/2 HP) | 800 | 1300 |
garage door opener (1/2 HP) | 480 | 520 |
hot plate | 2500 | 0 |
light bulb (75 watt) | 75 | 0 |
microwave oven (1000 watt) | 1000 | 0 |
quartz halogen work light | 1000 | 0 |
refrigerator/freezer (18 Cu. Ft.) | 800 | 1600 |
saw - circular (7 1/4 inch) | 1500 | 1500 |
saw - miter (10 inch) | 1800 | 1800 |
saw - reciprocating | 960 | 1040 |
security system | 180 | 0 |
electric stove - single element | 1500 | 0 |
sump pump | 800 | 1200 |
television (27 inch color) | 500 | 0 |
electric water heater (40 gallon) | 4000 | 0 |
window air conditioner (10000 BTU) | 1200 | 1800 |
window fan | 300 | 600 |
Figure 7 - Estimated wattage requirements for common electrical devices.
GEN2000LP 2000 Surge Watt / 1350 Running Watt Portable LP Generator Manual | 16 |
