At AP Electric & Generators, we want to make it easy for you find the perfect generator for your needs. As such, we have developed this guide to walk you through the process.
Portable Generators
Portable generators are all about mobility and are perfect when you need a unit you can transport easily. They provide electricity during power outages and even in remote areas completely unplugged from the electrical grid. These generators are designed to be temporary electrical generators, measured in hours of use instead of days.
Size matters when it comes to the capacity of the device. The key measurement is total wattage. So, before plugging appliances into your generator, add up the total number of watts all of the appliances will require to run and compare this number to the wattage rating of your generator. The generator needs to produce an equal or higher amount of wattage in order to work safely. This may mean sacrificing the use of an air conditioner in favor of a refrigerator when using smaller portable generators. A bigger generator with a higher wattage rating means more available power for higher wattage tools and appliances.
Small, handheld generators are commonly used for recreation such as camping or tailgating at a football game. They are often powered by gasoline and can offer enough electricity to power small appliances, lights, and more at a campsite. Larger models provide more power for bigger jobs; they can power tools and light for construction sites and related workspaces, enough to support a site or a shed with no other electrical power source.
Common Uses for Portable Generators
Construction Site
Watts and Power Requirements
- The tools used in construction often utilize electric motors which have special startup power requirements.
- When a motor starts, it uses up to six times the rated power for one and half to three seconds.
- A generator starting that motor must be capable of supplying the motor's inrush current during startup.
- If multiple tools will operate from the generator at the same time, consider the starting current of each motor.
Motor Type
Power tool motors fall into two categories: the universal motor and the capacitor start motor.
- Universal Motors
- These motors power easy to start loads such as electric drills, circular saws, disc grinders and jig saws.
- The number of starting watts for each tool is approximately double the number of run watts.
- Each tool has a nameplate marked with the voltage and the amps.
- Multiply amps by volts for watts, then double the number of watts to determine starting watts.
- Capacitor Start Motors
- Tools that use capacitor start motors are shown on the nameplate as type G or type L motors.
- These include brick or metal cut-off saws, air compressors and pumps.
- Running watts are determined by multiplying volts by amps as shown on the tool nameplate.
- Type G motors require three times the running watts to start; while type L motors need six times the running watts at startup.
Recreational
Sizing Generators for Recreational Use
When it comes to camping and tailgating, quiet generators can be roughly grouped into three sizes based on power output:
- Lightweight, compact generators provide up to 1,000 watts of power. They are ideal for powering TV’s, electric razors, gaming consoles, and small lights and fans.
- Slightly larger models provide up to 2,000 watts. Ideal for powering coffee pots, microwave ovens, hair dryers, electric grills and heaters, these generators are still lightweight at around 40 – 50 pounds.
- Even larger models are capable of generating more than 3,000 watts. These puppies can pretty much power anything you bring camping and usually several devices simultaneously. Many can power RV A/C units up to 13,500 BTUs. But, they are larger and heavier often weighing 100 – 150 pounds and come at a hefty price.
Load Type
The loads supplied by a portable generator for recreational use are either resistive loads or motor loads.
- Small motors for window fans, grill rotisseries, decorative lights, and lighting are all considered resistive loads for the purpose of sizing a portable generator. Each device is marked on a nameplate with its power requirements, or the information is supplied in the owners manual or user guide.
- Larger motors such as refrigerators, freezers and air conditioners require three to six times the starting watts of the motor.
Emergency
Sizing Generators for Emergency Use
Homeowners can make use of portable generators during power outages to help keep their devices running until the power comes back on. Emergency generators can be roughly grouped into three sizes based on power output:
- Medium generators are meant to power survival appliances only. To this end, they provide anywhere between 1,000 to 5,000 watts of power.
- Large models are designed to provide enough electricity for multiple rooms. As such, they produce between 6,000 and 8,000 watts of power.
- Extra-large models are capable of generating anywhere between 10,000 and 17,500 watts. These powerful portable generators are potent enough to power a small house.