Not for
Reproduction
15
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:
Total Rated (Running) Watts
= 1555
Highest Additional Surge Watts
= 600
Total Generator Output Required = 2155
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.
* Wattages listed are approximate only. Check tool or
appliance for actual wattage.
Tool or
Appliance
Rated
(Running)
Watts
Additional Surge
(Starting) Watts
Window Fan
300
600
Deep Freezer
500
500
Television
500
—
Security System
180
—
Light (75 Watts)
75
—
1555 Total
Running Watts
600 Highest Surge
Watts
Wattage Reference Guide
Tool or Appliance
Rated*
(Running)
Watts
Additional
Surge
(Starting)
Watts
Essentials
Light Bulb - 75 watt
75
—
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
—
Hot Plate
2500
—
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
Electric Water Heater - 40
gallon
4000
—
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
Miter Saw - 10 in
1800
1800
Table Planer - 6 in
1800
1800
Table Saw/Radial Arm Saw
- 10 in
2000
2000
Air Compressor - 1-1/2 hp
2500
2500
