The first question you might have when considering buying a generator is “Do you need an inverter with it?”. More products have microprocessors, and they are very sensitive to the quality of power. Unclean power can damage these electronic components. If you’re not careful, you may end up wasting money and energy on a generator that’s too powerful. Fortunately, there are several options for you.
5,000 watts
A 5000 watt generator can power many appliances in your home, including space heaters and a window air conditioner. This amount of power is plenty to keep three bedrooms warm at night, as well as a space heater. It will also have excess power to run other electronic appliances such as a television and a computer. If you use multiple power tools at one time, you may run into surge power limits if the generator is supplying more than one tool at a time. Similarly, an air compressor can run pneumatic tools, which can be powered by a generator.
A typical inverter has a start-up surge that is between two and three times its continuous wattage. This means that a 700 watt miter saw might require as much as 1400 watts to start up. Therefore, an inverter that delivers just 750 watts will be insufficient. An inverter with a minimum of 1400 watts will be adequate to start the miter saw. Before buying an inverter, make sure to check its manual. If you are unsure of the appliance’s wattage requirements, check its manual or contact the manufacturer directly.
7,000 watts
If you’re looking for a portable power source, consider getting a 7000 watt generator. This power source can run several appliances at once. While it can’t run a central air conditioning unit, it can power several small appliances and power tools. A 7,000 watt generator will also run a 40-gallon water heater. It can also power several laptops, air compressors, and power tools.
A 7,000-watt generator will power the most essential appliances in your home. It will run your microwave, air conditioning, and a few lights. It will even power your blender. Knowing what appliances you need to run beforehand can help you plan a backup machine for your home. Depending on the power requirements, a 7,000-watt generator may run up to three or four appliances simultaneously.
8,000 watts
A conventional generator operates at full capacity all of the time, and if you’re using more than 8,000 watts, you’ll need to use a generator. Not only is this a waste of fuel, but it’s also noisy, worse for the environment, and less portable than other options. Here are some tips to choose a good generator. Check the manual for the appliances you’re using and consider whether or not they have a specific wattage requirement.
Choose a generator with an output that matches your needs. A basic camping generator is sufficient to run a few small appliances, but you might need a generator with more than 10,000 watts to power a house. The next step is to determine how many appliances you’ll need to run, starting with small ones, such as a sump pump. For larger appliances, like a whole-house generator, you’ll need more power.
12,000 watts
If you’re planning to run multiple power tools and appliances on your generator, you should buy one that can produce over 12,000 watts. While a 12K watt generator might be able to run multiple appliances at once, the power output will only be sufficient for a short period of time. A generator with a maximum output of 12K watts must also support the operation of a central air conditioning system, at least three heavy-duty appliances, and a large swimming pool pump.
When comparing prices for the same model, it is important to note the peak power capacity of each unit. An inverter can supply the peak power for a short period of time. This peak is generally less than a second long. However, some appliances have higher power requirements at start-up, such as compressors, air conditioners, freezers, and refrigerators. For these purposes, you should look for an inverter with both a surge and continuous rating.
15,000 watts
Inverter-generators are great for backup power. They are quiet, but not silent. If you need a high wattage, look for an inverter-generator that has a surge limit of 6,550 watts or greater. You can use an inverter-generator to chain together two units to increase the total output. Most boondockers start with one unit and later purchase a second. Inverter-generators are light-weight and can be chained together to double the output.
A 15000 watt generator is perfect for worksites or remote areas where you need a power source for a long period of time. It can run your home’s appliances for seven or ten hours without recharging. You can even take it on vacation in your RV, since these generators are powerful enough to power multiple appliances, including a TV. If you have to use your generator during a natural disaster, a 15000-watt unit will keep you going for a long time.
