10 Briggsandstratton.coM
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
—
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/Job site
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
Not
for
Reproduction
