9
English
ELECTRICAL
GENERATOR CAPACITY
Make sure the generator can supply enough continuous
(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 continuous (running) watts of these items.
This is the amount of power the generator must
produce to keep the items running. See the wattage
reference chart at right.
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
Continuous
(Running)
Watts
Surge
(Starting) Watts
CD Player
100
0
Space Heater
1800
0
Drill
500
0
Light (75 Watts)
75
75
2475 Total
Running Watts
75 Highest Surge
Watts
Total Continuous (Running) Watts
2475
Plus Highest Additional Surge Watts
+ 75
Equals Total Generator Output Required
2550
POWER MANAGEMENT
To prolong the life of the generator and attached devices,
it is important to take care when adding electrical loads to
the 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 later in this manual.
2. Plug in and turn on the first load, preferably the largest
load (highest wattage) you have.
3. Permit the generator output to stabilise (engine runs
smoothly and attached device operates properly).
4. Plug in and turn on the next load.
5. Again, permit the generator to stabilise.
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 previously described.
CAUTION:
Do not overload the generator’s capacity. Exceeding the
generator’s wattage/amperage capacity can damage the
generator and/or electrical devices connected to it.
Tool or Appliance
Typical
Continuous*
(Running)
Watts
Typical
Surge
(Starting)
Watts
Essentials
Light Bulb − 75 Watt
75
75
Refrigerator/Freezer
700
2200
Sump Pump − 1/2 HP
1050
2200
Water Well Pump − 1/3 HP
1000
1500
Electric Water Heater
4000
4000
Heating/Cooling
Furnace Fan − 1/2 HP
800
2350
Window AC − 10,000 BTU
1200
1800
Space Heater
1800
1800
Kitchen
Microwave Oven − 1000 Watt
1000
1000
Coffee Maker
1000
1000
Electric Stove − Single Element
2100
2100
Toaster Oven
1200
1200
Family Room
VCR
100
100
CD/DVD Player
100
100
Stereo Receiver
450
450
Colour Television − 27 in.
500
500
Other
Security System
500
500
Curling Iron
1500
1500
Garage Door Opener − 1/2 HP
875
2350
Hair Dryer
1250
1250
DIY/Job Site
Quartz Halogen Work Light
1000
1000
Airless Sprayer − 1/3 HP
600
1200
Reciprocating Saw
960
1400
Electric Drill − 1/2 HP
600
900
Circular Saw − 7-1/4 in.
1400
2300
Mitre Saw − 10 in.
1800
2900
Planer/Jointer − 6 in.
1800
1800
Table Saw/Radial Arm Saw − 10 in.
2000
3000
Air Compressor − 1 HP
1600
4500
*Wattages listed are approximate. Check tool or appliance for actual wattage.
