There are different categories to consider when choosing a generator for your needs: recreation, home standby and construction. You may also want to consider using an inverter generator for sensitive electronic devices. Inverter generators are smaller and lighter as power is created electronically and not through a conventional alternator. Inverter power offers the cleanest power output.

If you want a generator for home standby, say to run your refrigerator, you’ll need at least 2500 watts or more. And if you want to use a transfer switch so that power can go directly into your home, you’ll want a generator with at least 3000 watts.

You’ll also need to consider the maximum and rated power of the generator. This is important depending on what items you want to run off of your generator. Items such as toaster, lamps, and coffee makers are resistive , or constant loads and their total load can be calculated at amps x 1. Items such as saws and drills are reactive loads and while the running load may be small, the starting load should be calculated at running amps x 3. Remember, after the intial start less power is required for actual operation.

Always remember that simple power management will allow a smaller generator to do a big job. Very seldom are all tools or appliances operating simultaneously. When calculating power requirements, consider the starting requirements are only for the initial start and then additional tools may be operated in addition.

Remember Ohm’s Law

Watts = Volts x Amps

Amps = Watts/Volts

So, if you have two of the numbers (e.g. volts, amps) then you can find out the other (e.g. watts). This can help you to determine the rated power that you’ll need from your generator.

 

AVERAGE WATTAGE REQUIREMENT GUIDE

(AMPS X VOLTS = WATTS)

Household Running

Wattage

Requirements

Additional

Wattage Required

For Starting

Coffee Maker 1750 0
Dishwasher

Cool Dry

700 1400
Electric Fry Pan 1300 0
Electric Range

8-inch element

2100 0
Microwave Oven 625 watts 625 800
Refrigerator or Freezer 700 2200
Automatic Washer 1150 2300
Clothes Dryer

Electric

5750 1800
Furnace Fan, gas or fuel oil
1/8 Horsepower 300 500
1/6 Horsepower 500 750
1/4 Horsepower 600 1000
1/3 Horsepower 700 1400
1/2 Horsepower 875 2350
Lights as indicated on bulb 0
Radio 50 to 200 0
Sump Pump
1/3 Horsepower 800 1300
1/2 Horsepower 1050 2150
Television – Color 300 0
Central Air Conditioner

10,000 BTU

1500 2200
Contractor Running

Wattage

Requirements

Additional

Wattage Required

For Starting

Air Compressor

1 Horsepower

1500 4500
Bench Grinder

8 inches

1400 2500
Hand Drill

1/2 inch

600 0
High-pressure Washer

1 Horsepower

1200 3600
Circular Saw, Heavy Duty

71/4 inches

1400 2300
Electric Chain Saw

14 inches, 2 Horsepower

1100 0
Table Saw

10 inches

1800 4500
Drills
3/8 inch 4 amps 440 600
1/2 inch 5.4 amps 600 900
Industrial Motors Running

Wattage

Requirements

Additional

Wattage Required

For Starting

Split Phase
1/4 Horsepower 600 1000
1/2 Horsepower 875 2300
Capacitor Start Induction Run
1/3 Horsepower 720 1300
1 Horsepower 1600 4500
Capacitor Start Capacitor Run
11/2 Horsepower 2000 6100
Fan Duty
1/4 Horsepower 650 1200
Farm Equipment Running

Wattage

Requirements

Additional

Wattage Required

For Starting

Electric Fence, 25 miles 250 0
Milk Cooler 1100 1800
Milker (vacuum pump),

2 Horsepower

1000 2300
Portable Heater (kerosene, diesel fuel)
50,000 BTU 400 600
90,000 BTU 500 725
150,000 BTU 625 1000
Battery Charger
15 amp 380 0
60 amp with 250-amp boost 1500/5750 0
100 amp with 300-amp boost 2400/7800 0
Electric Welder
200 amp AC 9000 0
230 amp AC, at 100 amp 7800 0
Air Compressors Running

Wattage

Requirements

Additional

Wattage Required

For Starting

1/2 Horsepower 975 1600
1 Horsepower 1600 4500
Computers Running

Wattage

Requirements

Additional

Wattage Required

For Starting

Desktop 600 to 800 0
Laptop 200 to 250 0
Monitor 200 to 250 0
Fax 600 to 800 0
Printer 400 to 600 0

Our hours for pickup/drop-off are
Monday - Friday:
7:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Saturday (Only March – December):
7:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Elmsford Showroom:
Elmsford, NY: (914) 592-2016
11 Vreeland Avenue Elmsford NY 10523.

Peekskill Showroom:
Peekskill, NY: (914) 739-9000
1075 Washington Street Peekskill NY 10566.

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