Generac Portable Products 5500 XL 9778-7, Owner'S Manual, Page: 10 / 20

Generac Portable Products 5500 XL Generator
10
DON’T OVERLOAD THE
GENERATOR
Overloading a generator in excess of its rated
wattage capacity can result in damage to the
generator and/or connected electrical devices.
Observe the following, to prevent overloading the
unit:
• Add up the total wattage of all electrical devices to
be connected at one time. This total should NOT
be greater than the generator’s wattage capacity.
• The rated wattage of lights can be taken from light
bulbs. The rated wattage of tools, appliances and
motors can usually be found on a data plate or
decal affixed to the device.
• If the appliance, tool or motor does not give
wattage, multiply 120 Volts times ampere rating to
determine watts (volts x amps = watts).
• Some electric motors, such as induction types,
require about three times more watts of power for
starting than for running. This surge of power lasts
for only a few seconds when starting such motors.
Be sure you allow for this high starting wattage
when selecting electrical devices to connect to your
generator. First figure the watts needed to start the
largest motor. Add to that figure the running watts
of all other connected loads.
• A wattage reference guide (Figure 10) is provided
to help you to determine how many items the
generator can operate at one time.
Device .............................................Running Watts
*Air Conditioner (12,000 Btu)..........................1700
*Air Conditioner (24,000 Btu)..........................3800
*Air Conditioner (40,000 Btu)..........................6000
Battery Charger (20 Amp) ................................500
Belt Sander (3") ..............................................1000
Chain Saw......................................................1200
Circular Saw (6–1/2")...........................800 to 1000
*Clothes Dryer (Electric) .................................5750
*Clothes Dryer (Gas) ........................................700
*Clothes Washer .............................................1150
Coffee Maker ..................................................1750
*Compressor (1 HP) .......................................2000
*Compressor (3/4 HP) ....................................1800
*Compressor (1/2 HP) ....................................1400
Curling Iron .......................................................700
*Freezer............................................................700
*Dehumidifier ....................................................650
Disc Sander (9") .............................................1200
Edge Trimmer...................................................500
Electric Blanket.................................................400
Electric Nail Gun.............................................1200
Electric Range (per element)..........................1500
Electric Skillet .................................................1250
*Furnace Fan (3/5 HP) .....................................875
*Garage Door Opener ...........................500 to 750
Hair Dryer .......................................................1200
Hand Drill .............................................250 to 1100
Device .............................................Running Watts
Hedge Trimmer.................................................450
Impact Wrench..................................................500
Iron .................................................................1200
*Jet Pump .........................................................800
Lawn Mower ...................................................1200
Light Bulb..........................................................100
Microwave Oven..................................700 to 1000
*Milk Cooler ....................................................1100
Oil Burner on Furnace ......................................300
Oil Fired Space Heater (140,000 Btu) ..............400
Oil Fired Space Heater (85,000 Btu) ................225
Oil Fired Space Heater (30,000 Btu) ................150
*Paint Sprayer, Airless (1/3 HP)........................600
Paint Sprayer, Airless (handheld) .....................150
Radio .......................................................50 to 200
*Refrigerator .....................................................700
Slow Cooker .....................................................200
*Submersible Pump (1–1/2 HP) .....................2800
*Submersible Pump (1 HP) ............................2000
*Submersible Pump (1/2 HP) .........................1500
*Sump Pump .......................................800 to 1050
*Table Saw (10")................................1750 to 2000
Television...............................................200 to 500
Toaster...............................................1000 to 1650
Weed Trimmer ..................................................500
* Allow 3 times the listed watts for starting these devices.
Figure 10 — Wattage Reference Guide