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18
USING THE GENERATOR
After the engine has been running for several minutes, electrical devices may be connected to this generator.
AC Usage
Electrical devices running on AC current may be connected according to their wattage requirements. The rated (running) and su rge wattage:
Model
MM2000I/DFI
Rated (Running) Wattage
1600
Model
MM2000I/DFI
Surge Wattage
2000
Model MM3000ISE Rated (Running) Wattage
2800
Model MM3000ISE Surge Wattage
3000
The
rated (running) wattage corresponds to the maximum wattage a generator can output on a continuous basis.
The
surge wattage corresponds to the maximum amount of power a generator can output for a short time. Many electrical devices, such as a
refrigerator, require short bursts of extra power for starting and stopping fan motors, etc., in addition to their listed r ated wattage. Motorized devices
typically require more than their rated wattage for startup. The surge wattage ability of a generator allows for this extra p ower requirement.
The total running wattage requirement of the electrical devices connected to a generator should not exceed the rated wattage of the generator itself. To
calculate the total wattage requirement of the electrical devices to be connected, look up the rated (running) wattage of eac h device and add these
numbers together to find the total wattage that all of the devices together will draw from the generator. If the total wattage of the selected de vices
exceeds the rated wattage of the generator, DO NOT connect all of the devices. Select a combination of the electrical device s that will have a total
wattage less than or equal to the rated wattage for the generator.
SOME NOTES ABOUT POWER CORDS
Long or thin cords can require more wattage from a generator to power an electrical device. Figure 7 shows the recommended cords according to the
power requirement of the electrical device. When using cords that exceed these specifications, allow for the electrical devic e to have a slightly higher
rated wattage requirement.
Device Requirements
Max. Cord Length (ft) by Wire Gauge
Amps
Watts (120V)
Watts (240V)
#8 wire
#10 wire
#12 wire
#14 wire
#16 wire
2.5
300
600
NR
1000
600
375
250
5
600
1200
NR
500
300
200
125
7.5
900
1800
NR
350
200
125
100
10
1200
2400
NR
250
150
100
50
15
1800
3600
NR
150
100
65
NR
20
2400
4800
175
125
75
50
NR
25
3000
6000
150
100
60
NR
NR
30
3600
7200
125
65
NR
NR
NR
40
4800
9600
90
NR
NR
NR
NR
NR = Not Recommended.
Figure 7 - Maximum Extension Cord Lengths by Power Requirement
A device's rated (running) wattage should be listed somewhere on the device itself and/or in its manual. If the wattage specification for a de vice is not
available, the wattage can be calculated by multiplying the Voltage requirement (120 or 240) by the Amperage drawn.
Watts = Volts x Amperes
Or, the wattage required by a device can be estimated by using the following chart (see Figure 8). The chart provides only es timates and it is better to
know the exact wattage of each electrical device to be powered by this generator.
