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OPERATION
12
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. See
Figure 6.
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.Total surge watts is estimated by adding
only the one item with the highest additional surge
watts to the total rated watts from step 2.
For Example:
Total Rated (Running) Watts = 1875
Highest Additional Surge Watts = 1600
Total Generator Output Required = 3475
Power Management
It is important to take care when adding electrical loads
to your generator.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 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
Essentials
Light Bulb - 75 watt
75
-
Deep Freezer
500
500
Sump Pump
800
1200
Refrigerator/Freezer - 18 Cu. Ft.
800
1600
Water Well Pump - 1/3 HP
1000
2000
Heating/Cooling
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
Stereo Receiver
450
-
Television - 27”
500
-
Personal Computer w/17” monitor
800
-
Other
AM/FM Clock Radio
300
-
Electric Water Heater - 40 Gallon
4000
-
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”
1500
1500
Miter Saw - 10”
1800
1800
Table Saw/Radial Arm Saw - 10”
2000
2000
Air Compressor - 1-1/2 HP
2500
2500
Figure 6 - Wattage Reference Chart
Tool or Appliance
Rated (Running)
Watts
Additional Surge
(Starting) Watts
Refrigerator 800 1600
Deep Freezer 500 500
Television 500 -
Light (75 Watts) 75 -
1875 Total Running
Watts
1600 Highest Surge
Watts