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2.6 DON’T OVERLOAD THE 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 to prevent overloading the unit:
• Add up the total wattage of all electrical devices to be connected
at one time. This total should NOT be greater than the
generator's wattage capacity.
• 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 wattage, multiply
volts times ampere rating to determine 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 surge of power lasts only a few seconds when starting
such motors. Make sure to allow for high starting wattage when
selecting electrical devices to connect to the generator:
1. Figure the watts needed to start the largest motor.
2. Add to that figure the running watts of all other connected
loads.
The Wattage Reference Guide is provided to assist in determining
how many items the generator can operate at one time.
IMPORTANT: Do not overload the generator. Also, do not overload
individual panel receptacles. These outlets are protected against
overload with push-to-reset-type circuit breakers. Read “Don’t
Overload the Generator” carefully.
NOTE:
All figures are approximate. See data label on appliance for
wattage requirements.
2.7 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.
2.8 BEFORE STARTING THE GENERATOR
Prior to operating the generator, engine oil and gasoline will need
to be added, as follows:
2.8.1 ADDING ENGINE OIL
All oil should meet minimum American Petroleum Institute (API)
Service Class SJ, SL or better. Use no special additives. Select
the oil's viscosity grade according to the expected operating
temperature (also see chart).
• Above 40° F, use SAE 30
• Below 40° F and down to 10° F, use 10W-30
• Below 10° F, use synthetic 5W-30
Any attempt to crank or start the engine before it has
been properly serviced with the recommended oil may
result in an engine failure.
Operation