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ELECTRICAL
GENERATOR CAPACITY
Make sure the generator can supply enough continuous (run-
ning) 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
Window AC,
10,000 BTU
1200 1800
Refrigerator 700 2200
1/3 HP Well Pump 1000 2000
27 in. Television 500 0
Light (75 Watts) 75 0
3475 Total
Running Watts
2200 Highest
Surge Watts
Total Continuous (Running) Watts 3475
Plus Highest Additional Surge Watts + 2200
Equals Total Generator Output Required 5675
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 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 previously described.
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 0
Heating/Cooling
Furnace Fan − 1/2 HP 800 2350
Window AC − 10,000 BTU 1200 1800
Space Heater 1800 0
Kitchen
Microwave Oven − 1000 Watt 1000 0
Coffee Maker 1000 0
Electric Stove − Single Element 2100 0
Toaster Oven 1200 0
Family Room
VCR 100 0
CD/DVD Player 100 0
Stereo Receiver 450 0
Color Television − 27 in. 500 0
Other
Security System 500 0
Curling Iron 1500 0
Garage Door Opener − 1/2 HP 875 2350
Hair Dryer − 1/2 HP 1250 0
DIY/Job Site
Quartz Halogen Work Light 1000 0
Airless Sprayer − 1/3 HP 600 1200
Reciprocating Saw 960 0
Electric Drill − 1/2 HP 600 900
Circular Saw − 7-1/4 in. 1400 2300
Miter Saw − 10 in. 1800 1800
Planer/Jointer − 6 in. 1800 1800
Table Saw/Radial Arm Saw − 10 in. 2000 2000
Air Compressor − 1 HP 1600 4500
*Wattages listed are approximate. Check tool or appliance for actual wattage.
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.