Portable Generators Buyer's Guide

To choose the right portable generator for your needs, several factors must be considered.

Mobility and Weight

Relative to their size, generators are not lightweight. Some portable generators, especially larger, heavier models, feature wheels for your rolling convenience. Most of these larger generators are best handled by at least two able-bodied people when lifting from truck boxes or trailer beds.

Compact-sized generators are lighter, though it’s at the expense of limited power and fuel capacity. Remember - weights listed in generator specifications do not include fuel.

Power Requirements

When determining generator power requirements, consider the equipment with the highest power needs first. The power required to start these applications will determine the rated power of the generator you should choose for your application.

Two types of appliances are common to the job, camp and home: resistive and reactive.

Resistive appliances require continuous power. An example of a resistive load is a light bulb. The same amount of power is required to turn on and run the light bulb for an extended period. Resistive appliances do not usually operate with an electric motor.

Reactive appliances have a peak power requirement, involving the start up of an electric motor. Peak power is most often encountered during appliance start up, and must be taken into account before deciding on generator. For instance, we’ve all seen lights dim when a refrigerator or dryer turns on ... that’s a reactive appliance.

Use this simple formula to determine an appliance’s generator requirement:
Volts x Amps = Watts

In this formula, you only need to know two of the variables to calculate the third.

For example, you may want a generator to power a coffee maker. The coffee maker is 120V and requires 6 amps of current. By multiplying volts and amps, it can be calculated that the coffee maker will require 720 watts of power.

A generator should never be operated at its maximum power output for more than 30 minutes. Rated power is a more reliable measure of safe generator power. Typically, rated power is 90% of maximum power.

Recreation Wattage Estimation Guide
Application	Approximate Starting Wattage	Approximate Running Wattage
RV Air Conditioner
11,000 BTU	1600	1010
13,500 BTU	2800	1800
15,000 BTU	3300	2000
RV Refrigerator	600	180
Blender	850	400
Electric Grill (tabletop)	1650	1650
Slow Cooker	170-270	170-270
Radiant Heater	1300	1300
Fan (portable)	120	40
Satellite Reciever	250	250
DVD Player	350	350

Home Wattage Estimation Guide
Application	Approximate Starting Wattage	Approximate Running Wattage
Refrigerator or Freezer (Energy Star)	1200	132-192
Microwave Oven
650 watts	1000	1000
800 watts	1300	1300
1000 watts	1500	1500
Incandescent Lights	as indicated on bulb (i.e. 60W)	as indicated on bulb (i.e. 60W)
Television
Tube type	300	300
Flat Screen (20")	120	120
Flat Screen (46")	190	190
Coffee Maker (4 cup)	600	600
Dishwasher (Cool Dry)	540	216
Electric Fry Pan	1500	1500
Automatic Washer	1200	1200
Radio	50-200	50-200
Window Air Conditioner (10,000 BTU)	2200	1500
Computer
Laptop	200-250	200-250
Desktop	600-800	600-800
Monitor (LDC style)	30	30
Printer	400-600	400-600
Garage Door Opener	1420	720
Air Compressor
1/2 hp	1600	975
1 hp	4500	1600

Making a Wise Choice

Knowing the wattage required, factoring peak power appliances and determining a manageable size and weight, you can purchase a generator with confidence. Choosing the right generator to suit your particular needs will make life easier at home, on the work site or around camp.

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