Welcome to the guide on selecting the right portable generator size for your needs. When the power goes out, emergency, or just simply enjoy the outdoors, having a portable generator can be your loyal helper. But so many types of generators with different power, that it’s really hard for a beginner to select the right size generator. As we know, most generators are a little expensive, once we choose the wrong type, it will cause our money loss and will affect our experience of using the generators. This article will talk about all the problems you faced when choosing the generators, ensuring you make the right decision that meets your requirements for the generator.
Understanding Your Power Requirements
When we start to choose a generator, the size is very important. Generally speaking, big size means bigger power for you, but how can we decide what size is right for us? It all starts with your understanding of your power needs. Think about what you really need when facing power outages or go out for camping. Is it just used for a few lights or a small TV, or do you have a plan to purchase a heavy-duty generator for your whole house appliances?
Appliances and Their Power Consumption
We all know that different appliances have different power consumption levels. For example, a small LED light may be 5 or 10 watts, and a TV can use 100 watts to 400 watts when it’s running. Among the home appliances, microwave ovens are considered to be one of the most electricity-consuming devices, they can reach over 1000 watts. So, if you have a plan to power your house multiple appliances with your portable generator, you should know clearly about every appliance that needs how much power.
Calculating Running and Starting Wattage
If you want to get the right size generator, you also need to calculate both the running wattages and surge wattages of the devices you want to power. The running watts are the generator’s continuous running power, and the starting watts are the peak watts when you’re starting a generator, so that’s why a generator has two kinds of power, one is rated power, another is max power which means peak power, because some house appliances like refrigerators or air conditioners have an extra power requirement when we start them.
Different Sizes of Portable Generators
Small Type – Under 1000 Watts
Those portable generators under 1000 watts are generally very small and portable, pretty suitable for some basic use. Because of their small power, they’re perfect for some special areas. For example, they can provide necessary electrical support in emergencies such as disaster relief and power outages. They are also suitable for powering a few small lights, charging your phone or laptop, or running a small fan for camping and outdoor activities.
Medium Type – 1000 – 3000 Watts
Unlike small types of portable generators, medium-model generators with 1000 watts to 3000 watts range have more use range. Due to their power, they have the ability to power most of our home appliances, such as TVs, refrigerators, and microwaves.
Large Type – Over 3000 Watts
Those portable generators with over 3000 watts, are more powerful for intensive requirements. They can power large appliances like air conditioners for whole houses, electric heaters, and some large generators can even power whole buildings for heavy-duty uses.
Determine Your True Needs
Camping or Outdoor Activities
Have you ever been outside for camping or other outdoor activities? When we go camping, you should consider what kind of devices you’ll be using. If you plan to take small lights and power the flashlight, radio, and cell phones, the small portable generators are more suitable for you.
Home Emergency Use
When facing a home emergency, such as a sudden power outage, you should consider from your personal perspective, which household appliances are absolutely necessary. Imagine that during such tough times, a fridge to provide your food is very important; several lamps to help you move around safely at home; and if it’s cold, a small heater becomes essential too.
The Total Power Requirement
Add up All The Devices Watts
In order to confirm your generator power and sizes, you can add up all the appliances and devices’ watts that you’re planning to power. If your house has 50-watt fans, 100-watt lights, and a 250-watt TV, then you should consider that your generator watts should be 400 watts or more based on your power requirements. But please remember that this is just a running watt. Some appliances and devices, like motors in refrigerators or air conditioners, will require a higher power when they start up. So, we also should consider the peak power requirement or “surge”. A refrigerator always needs an extra 500 – 1500 watts or more for a few minutes when it starts. For details, you can check these appliance instructions.
Tips for Choosing the Right Size
Future Expansion
Besides considering all appliances and devices, we also should think about whether we will add some other devices in the future. If we don’t think about it, we may face the problem of the generator power not covering our requirements. You may not have the air conditioner right now, but you have a plan to purchase it. It’s better for you to purchase a generator with more power to meet your future demands. Just like you are buying a house, you may need more extra rooms if you plan on having a family in the future, a larger house with more rooms is suitable for you.
Fuel Impact Of Maintainance
As we all know, portable generators can run on different fuel types such as gasoline, diesel, and gas. Different fuel types will have different maintenance methods, we should check the maintenance instructions carefully, or ask a professional mechanic for help. Of course, the fuel types also have a big influence on the generator’s size. For example, diesel generators are often more powerful and have larger sizes than gas generators of the same power.
Conclusion
Overall, there are many factors that determine your choice of the right size portable generator. You need to consider the present and future power requirements, the types of devices and equipment you will be supplying, and the types of fuel you will be using. So you should consider carefully all the factors that affect your choice of the sizes of your generators instead of choosing a small generator that can not meet your power needs.
FAQs
Can I use a small generator for my whole-house backup?
No, a small generator under 1000 watts is not sufficient for powering an entire house. It can only handle very basic and small-power appliances.
Do all generators have the same fuel efficiency?
No, different fuel types and generator models have different fuel efficiencies. For example, propane generators may be more fuel-efficient in some cases compared to gasoline generators.
How often do I need to maintain my portable generator?
It depends on the usage, but generally, you should perform regular maintenance such as oil changes, filter cleaning, etc. at least once a year if it’s used occasionally.
Can I run a generator continuously?
Most generators can run continuously for a certain period, but it’s important to follow the manufacturer’s instructions. Continuous running can cause wear and tear, so proper maintenance is crucial.
What if I underestimate my power needs?
If you underestimate your power needs, you may not be able to power all the appliances you intended to. In some cases, it can also cause damage to the generator due to overloading.
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