Operation
12 Owner’s Manual for Portable Generator
3.4 — Do Not Overload Generator
Overloading a generator in excess of its rated wattage
capacity can result in damage to the generator and to
connected electrical devices. Observe the following rules
to avoid overloading:
• Add up the total wattage of all electrical devices to
be connected at one time. The total should NOT be
greater than the wattage capacity of the generator.
• The rated wattage of lights can be taken from light
bulbs. The rated wattage of tools, appliances and
motors can usually be found on a data label or
decal affixed to the device.
• If the appliance, tool or motor does not give watt-
age, multiply volts times ampere rating to deter-
mine watts (volts x amps = watts).
• Some electric motors, such as induction types,
require about three times more watts of power for
starting than for running. This power surge lasts
only a few seconds. To allow for high starting watt-
age when selecting electrical devices to connect to
the generator, proceed as follows:
1. Figure the watts needed to start the largest motor.
2. Add to that figure the running watts of all other con-
nected loads.
3. See Subsection 3.5 — Wattage Reference Guide
for help in determining how many items the gener-
ator can operate at one time.
NOTE: All figures are approximate. See data label on
appliance for actual wattage requirements.
3.5 — Wattage Reference Guide
Device
Running
Watts
*Air Conditioner (12,000 Btu)................................. 1700
*Air Conditioner (24,000 Btu)................................. 3800
*Air Conditioner (40,000 Btu)................................. 6000
Battery Charger (20 Amp)...................................... 500
Belt Sander (3”)...................................................... 1000
Chain Saw.............................................................. 1200
Circular Saw (6-1/2”).............................................. 800 to 1000
*Clothes Dryer (Electric)......................................... 5750
*Clothes Dryer (Gas).............................................. 700
*Clothes Washer.................................................... 1150
Coffee Maker.......................................................... 1750
*Compressor (1 HP)............................................... 2000
*Compressor (3/4 HP)............................................ 1800
*Compressor (1/2 HP)............................................ 1400
Curling Iron............................................................. 700
*Dehumidifier.......................................................... 650
Disc Sander (9”)..................................................... 1200
Edge Trimmer......................................................... 500
Electric Blanket...................................................... 400
Electric Nail Gun..................................................... 1200
Electric Range (per element).................................. 1500
Electric Skillet......................................................... 1250
*Freezer................................................................. 700
*Furnace Fan (3/5 HP)........................................... 875
*Garage Door Opener............................................ 500 to 750
Hair Dryer............................................................... 1200
Hand Drill............................................................... 250 to 1100
Hedge Trimmer...................................................... 450
Impact Wrench....................................................... 500
Iron......................................................................... 1200
*Jet Pump............................................................... 800
Lawn Mower........................................................... 1200
Light Bulb............................................................... 100
Microwave Oven.................................................... 700 to 1000
*Milk Cooler............................................................ 1100
Oil Burner on Furnace............................................ 300
Oil Fired Space Heater (140,000 Btu).................... 400
Oil Fired Space Heater (85,000 Btu)...................... 225
Oil Fired Space Heater (30,000 Btu)...................... 150
*Paint Sprayer, Airless (1/3 HP)............................. 600
Paint Sprayer, Airless (handheld)........................... 150
Radio...................................................................... 50 to 200
*Refrigerator........................................................... 700
Slow Cooker........................................................... 200
*Submersible Pump (1-1/2 HP).............................. 2800
*Submersible Pump (1 HP).................................... 2000
*Submersible Pump (1/2 HP)................................. 1500
*Sump Pump.......................................................... 800 to 1050
*Table Saw (10”).................................................... 1750 to 2000
Television............................................................... 200 to 500
Toaster................................................................... 1000 to 1650
Weed Trimmer....................................................... 500
* Allow 3 times the listed watts for starting these devices.