9
ELECTRICAL
GENERATOR CAPACITY
Make sure the generator can supply enough continuous
(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 continuous (running) watts of these items.
This is the amount of power the generator must
produce to keep the items running. See the wattage
reference chart at right.
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:
Tool or
Appliance
Continuous
(Running)
Watts
Surge
(Starting) Watts
CD Player 100 0
Space Heater 1800 0
Drill 500 0
Light (75 Watts) 75 75
2475 Total
Running Watts
75 Highest Surge
Watts
Total Continuous (Running) Watts 2475
Plus Highest Additional Surge Watts + 75
Equals Total Generator Output Required 2550
POWER MANAGEMENT
To prolong the life of the generator and attached devices,
it is important to take care when adding electrical loads to
the 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 later in this manual.
2. Plug in and turn on the first load, preferably the largest
load (highest wattage) you have.
3. Permit the generator output to stabilise (engine runs
smoothly and attached device operates properly).
4. Plug in and turn on the next load.
5. Again, permit the generator to stabilise.
6. Repeat steps 4 and 5 for each additional load.
Never add more loads than the generator capacity. Take
special care to consider surge loads in generator capacity
as previously described.
CAUTION:
Do not overload the generator’s capacity. Exceeding the
generator’s wattage/amperage capacity can damage the
generator and/or electrical devices connected to it.
Tool or Appliance
Typical
Continuous*
(Running)
Watts
Typical
Surge
(Starting)
Watts
Essentials
Light Bulb − 75 Watt 75 75
Refrigerator/Freezer 700 2200
Sump Pump − 1/2 HP 1050 2200
Water Well Pump − 1/3 HP 1000 1500
Electric Water Heater 4000 4000
Heating/Cooling
Furnace Fan − 1/2 HP 800 2350
Window AC − 10,000 BTU 1200 1800
Space Heater 1800 1800
Kitchen
Microwave Oven − 1000 Watt 1000 1000
Coffee Maker 1000 1000
Electric Stove − Single Element 2100 2100
Toaster Oven 1200 1200
Family Room
VCR 100 100
CD/DVD Player 100 100
Stereo Receiver 450 450
Colour Television − 27 in. 500 500
Other
Security System 500 500
Curling Iron 1500 1500
Garage Door Opener − 1/2 HP 875 2350
Hair Dryer 1250 1250
DIY/Job Site
Quartz Halogen Work Light 1000 1000
Airless Sprayer − 1/3 HP 600 1200
Reciprocating Saw 960 1400
Electric Drill − 1/2 HP 600 900
Circular Saw − 7-1/4 in. 1400 2300
Mitre Saw − 10 in. 1800 2900
Planer/Jointer − 6 in. 1800 1800
Table Saw/Radial Arm Saw − 10 in. 2000 3000
Air Compressor − 1 HP 1600 4500
*Wattages listed are approximate. Check tool or appliance for actual wattage.
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