The figures given above are for an average load such as a blower or fan. If the electric motor is connected to a hard starting load such as an air compressor, it will require more starting current. If it is connected to a light load or no load such as a power saw, it will require less starting current. The exact requirement will also vary with the brand or design of the motor.
Generators respond to severe overloading differently than the power line. When overloaded, the engine is not able to supply enough power to bring the electric motor up to operating speed. The generator responds to the high initial starting current, but the engine speed drops sharply. The overload may stall the engine. If allowed to operate at very low speeds, the electric motor starting winding will burn out in a short time. The generator head winding might also be damaged.
Running the generator under these conditions may result in damage to the generator stator as well as the electric motor windings. Because the heavy surge of current is required for only an instant, the generator will not be damaged if it can bring the motor up to speed in a few seconds. If difficulties in starting a motor are experienced, turn off all other electrical loads and if possible reduce the load on the electric motor.
EXTENSION CORDS
When electric power is to be provided to various loads at some distance from the generator, extension cords can be used. These cords should be sized to allow for distance in length and amperage so that the voltage drop between the set and point of use is held to a minimum.
| Current/Pow er | Maximum Extension Cord Length |
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| Amps |
| Load | #10 |
| #12 |
| #14 |
| #16 |
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| at |
| (watts) | Ga. |
| Ga. |
| Ga. |
| Ga. |
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| 240V |
|
| Cord |
| Cord |
| Cord |
| Cord |
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|
| 10 |
| 2400 | 250’ |
| 150’ |
| 100’ |
| 75’ |
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|
| 20 |
| 4800 | 125’ |
| 75’ |
| 50’ |
| 25’ |
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|
| 30 |
| 7200 | 60’ |
| 35’ |
| 25’ |
| 10’ |
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|
|
| 40 |
| 9600 | 30’ |
| 15’ |
| 10’ |
| * |
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|
|
| 50 |
| 12000 | 15’ |
| * |
| * |
| * |
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| CAUTION: Equipment damage can result from the |
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| low voltage caused by using an extension cord with a |
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| small wire size. |
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| Use this chart to estimate the total load on | your |
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| generator. |
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| For Determining Generator Load Requirements |
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| Device |
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| Running Watts |
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| Air Conditioner (12,000 Btu) |
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| 1700 (a) |
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| Battery Charger (20 Amp) |
| 500 |
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| Belt Sander (3”) |
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| 1000 |
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| Chain Saw |
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| 1200 |
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| Circular Saw |
| 900 |
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| Coffee Maker |
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| 1000 |
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| Compressor (1 HP) |
|
| 2000 (a) |
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| Compressor (3/4 HP) |
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| 1800 (a) |
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| *Not recommended | 7 | |||||
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| Compressor (1/2 HP) |
| 1400 (a) |
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| Curling Iron |
| 700 |
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| Dishwasher |
| 1200 |
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| Edge Trimmer |
| 500 |
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| Electric Nail Gun |
| 1200 |
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| Electric Range (one element) |
| 1500 |
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| Electric Skillet |
| 1250 |
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| Freezer |
| 800 (b) |
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| Furnace Fan (1/3 HP) |
| 1200 (a) |
|
| Hair Dryer |
| 1200 |
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| Hand Drill (1”) |
| 1100 |
|
| Hand Drill (1/2”) |
| 875 |
|
| Hand Drill (3/8”) |
| 500 |
|
| Hand Drill (1/4”) |
| 250 |
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| Hedge Trimmer |
| 450 |
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| Home Computer |
| 150 |
|
| Impact Wrench |
| 500 |
|
| Jet Pump |
| 800 (a) |
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| Lawn Mower |
| 1200 |
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| Light Bulb |
| 100 |
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| Microwave Oven |
| 700 |
|
| Milk Cooler |
| 1100 (a) |
|
| Oil Burner on Furnace |
| 300 |
|
| Oil Fired Space Htr (140,000 Btu) |
| 400 |
|
| Oil Fired Space Htr (85,000 Btu) |
| 225 |
|
| Oil Fired Space Htr (30,000 Btu) |
| 150 |
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| Oven |
| 4500 |
|
| Paint Sprayer, Airless (1/3 HP) |
| 600 (a) |
|
| Paint Sprayer, Airless (handheld) |
| 150 |
|
| Radio |
| 200 |
|
| Refrigerator |
| 600 (b) |
|
| Slow Cooker |
| 200 |
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|
|
|
| Submersible Pump |
| 2800 (a) |
|
| Submersible Pump (1 HP) |
| 2000 (a) |
|
| Submersible Pump (1/2 HP) |
| 1500 (a) |
|
| Sump Pump |
| 600 (a) |
|
| Table Saw (10”) |
| 2000 (a) |
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| Television |
| 500 |
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| Toaster |
| 1000 |
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| Vacuum cleaner |
| 250 |
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| VCR |
| 70 |
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| Water Heater |
| 3000 |
|
| Weed Trimmer |
| 500 |
|
(a)
(b)These loads may require up to 15 minutes to restart due to its normal build up of compressor head pressure.
NOTE: For extremely hard to start loads such as air conditioners and air compressors, consult the equipment dealer to determine the maximum wattage.
PRE-START UP PREPARATIONS
Your generator has been thoroughly tested prior to shipment from the factory. However, damage can occur during shipping, so be sure to check for damaged parts, loose or missing nuts and bolts. If the aforementioned problems occur, call customer service at
