Not
for
Reproduction
Not for
Reproduction
Building a Cold Weather Shelter
1. Using non combustible material with a fire rating of at least one hour,
build a shelter that will enclose three sides and the top of the generator.
Make sure muffler side of generator is exposed.
NOTICE
Contact your local building material supplier for non combustible
materials with a fire rating of at least one hour.
NOTICE
Be sure shelter can easily be repositioned for change in wind direction.
2. DO NOT enclose generator any more than shown. Shelter should hold
enough heat created by the generator to prevent icing problem.
NOTICE
If a wheel kit is installed on the generator, enlarge shelter
accordingly.
3. Follow steps 3 through 8 as described previously in
Creating a
Temporary Cold Weather Shelter.
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
Wattage Reference Guide.
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
Rated (Running)
Watts
Additional Surge
(Starting) Watts
Window AC - 10,000 BTU
1200
1800
Deep Freezer
500
500
Television
500
—
Security System
180
—
Light (100 Watts)
100
—
2480 Total Running
Watts
1800 Highest Surge
Watts
Total Rated (Running) Watts
= 2480
Highest Additional Surge Watts
= 1800
Total Generator Output Required
= 4280
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.
NEVER add more loads than the generator capacity. Take special care to
consider surge loads in generator capacity, as described above.
Wattage Reference Guide
Tool or Appliance
Rated*
(Running)
Watts
Additional
Surge (Starting)
Watts
Essentials
Light Bulb - 100 watt
100
—
Deep Freezer
500
500
Sump Pump
800
1200
Refrigerator/Freezer - 18 cf
800
1600
Water Well Pump - 1/3 hp
1000
2000
Heating/Cooling
Window AC - 10,000 BTU
1200
1800
Window Fan
300
600
Furnace Fan Blower - 1/2 hp
800
1300
Kitchen
Microwave Oven - 1000 Watt
1000
—
Coffee Maker
1500
—
Electric Stove - Single Element
1500
—
Family Room
DVD/CD Player
100
—
VCR
100
—
Stereo Receiver
450
—
Color Television - 27 in
500
—
Personal Computer w/17 in monitor
800
—
Other
Security System
180
—
AM/FM Clock Radio
300
—
Garage Door Opener - 1/2 hp
480
520
DIY
Quartz Halogen Work Light
1000
—
Airless Sprayer - 1/3 hp
600
1200
Reciprocating Saw
960
960
Electric Drill - 1/2 hp
1000
1000
Circular Saw - 7-1/4 in
1500
1500
* Wattages listed are approximate only. Check tool or appliance for actual wattage.
14 BRIGGSandSTRATTON.COM
