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. Seethe table on the right.
3. Estimate how many surge (starting) watts you will need.
Surge wattage is the short burst of power neededto
start electric motor-driven tools or appliances such as a
circular saw or refrigerator. Becausenot 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:
Tool or Appliance
Water WeiJ Pump
Refrigerator
Furnace Fan
Television
Light (75 Watts)
Running (Rated)
Watts
1200
700
8OO
5OO
75
3275 Total
Running Watts
Additional Starting
(Surge) Watts
2100
2200
2350
m
2350 Highest
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 managegenerator 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* AdditionaJ
Tool or Appliance
(Rated)
Starting
Watts
(Surge)
Watts
Essentials
Light Bulb =75 watt
75
=
Furnace Fan Blower = 1/2 HP
800
2350
Sump Pump = 1/3 HP
800
1300
Refrigerator/Freezer
700
2200
Water Well Pump - 1/2 HP
1000
2100
Heating/Cooling
Window AC - 10,000 BTU
1200
3600
Humidifier =13 Gal
175
--
Central AC =24,000 BTU
3800
11400
Kitchen
Microwave Oven= 1000 Watt
1000
--
Coffee Maker
1000
--
Electric Stove = 8" Element
2100
--
Toaster
850
--
Family Room
DVD/CDPlayer
100
--
VCR
100
--
Stereo Receiver
450
--
Color Television - 27 in
500
--
Personal Computer w/17 in
800
--
monitor
Other
Security System
500
--
AM/FM Clock Radio
100
--
Garage Door Opener - 1/2 HP
875
2350
Electric Water Heater
4700
11700
Dif/Job Site
Quartz HalogenWork Light
1000
--
Airless Sprayer =1/3 HP
600
1200
Reciprocating Saw
960
--
Electric DrilJ= 1/2 HP, 5.4 Amps
600
900
Circular Saw - 7-1/4 in
1400
2300
Miter Saw =10 in
1800
1800
Table Planer - 6 in
1800
1800
Table Saw/RadialArm Saw - 10 in
2000
2000
Air Compressor =1 HP
1600
4500
NEVERadd 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
appliancefor actual wattage.
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