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9 — English
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
Estimated*
Continuous
(Running) Watts
Estimated*
Additional Surge
(Starting) Watts
Quartz Halogen
Work Light
1000 0
Reciprocating Saw
960 +960
Electric Drill
600 +900
Circular Saw
1400 +2300
3960 Total
Running Watts
+2300 Highest
Surge Watts
Total Continuous (Running) Watts 3960
Plus Highest Additional Surge Watts + 2300
Equals Total Generator Output Required 6260
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:
Tool or Appliance
Estimated*
Running
Watts
Estimated*
Additional
Starting
Watts
DIY/Job Site
Quartz Halogen Work Light 1000 0
Airless Sprayer − 1/3 HP 600 +1200
Reciprocating Saw 960 +960
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 equipment for
actual wattage.
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.
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.