Generator Wattage Calculator
Depending on how you will use your generator, there are different
categories to meet your needs. This can include recreation, home
standby and construction. Honda also offers Inverter Generators.
Inverter generators are smaller and lighter as power is created
electronically and not through a conventional alternator. Inverter
power offers the cleanest power output, ideal for sensitive
electronic devices.
If you want a generator for home standby, for example, if you want
to run your refrigerator, you’ll need at least 2500 watts or more.
And if you want to use a transfer switch so that power can go
directly into your home, you’ll want a generator with at least 3000
watts.
You’ll also need to consider the maximum and rated power of the
generator. This is important depending on what items you want to run
off of your generator. Items such as toaster, lamps, and coffee
makers are resistive, or constant loads and their total load can be
calculated at amps x 1. Items such as saws and drills are reactive
loads and while the running load may be small, the starting load
should be calculated at running amps x 3. Remember, after the
initial start less power is required for actual operation.
Always remember that simple power management will allow a smaller
generator to do a big job. Very seldom are all tools or appliances
operating simultaneously. When calculating power requirements,
consider the starting requirements are only for the initial start
and then additional tools may be operated in addition.
Remember Ohm’s Law from High School Physics?
Watts = Volts x Amps
Amps = Watts/Volts
So if you have two of the numbers (e.g. volts, amps) then you can
find out the other (e.g. watts). This can help you to determine the
rated power that you’ll need from your generator.
For more specific information detailed to your personal needs,
please contact one of the friendly
professionals at Gulf Marine!
AVERAGE WATTAGE REQUIREMENT GUIDE
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|
Household |
Approximate Wattage Required For Starting |
Approximate Running Wattage Requirements |
|
Coffee Maker |
600 |
600 |
|
Dishwasher Cool Dry |
540 |
216 |
| Electric Fry Pan |
1500 |
1500 |
|
Electric Range 8-inch element |
2100 |
2100 |
|
Microwave Oven 650 watts |
1000 |
1000 |
|
Refrigerator or Freezer – Energy Star |
1200 |
132-192 |
|
Automatic Washer |
1200 |
1200 |
|
Clothes Dryer Electric |
6750 |
5400 |
|
Furnace Fan, gas or fuel oil |
||
| 1/8 Horsepower |
500 |
300 |
| 1/6 Horsepower |
750 |
500 |
| 1/4 Horsepower |
1000 |
600 |
| 1/3 Horsepower |
1400 |
700 |
| 1/2 Horsepower |
2350 |
875 |
| Incandescent Lights |
as indicated on bulb |
as indicated on bulb |
|
Radio |
50 to 200 |
50 to 200 |
|
Sump Pump |
||
| 1/3 Horsepower |
1300 |
800 |
| 1/2 Horsepower |
2150 |
1050 |
| Television - Color |
300 |
300 |
|
Air Conditioner 10,000 BTU |
2200 |
1500 |
|
Contractor |
Approximate Wattage Required For Starting |
Approximate Running Wattage Requirements |
|
Air Compressor 1 Horsepower |
4500 |
1600 |
|
Bench Grinder 8 inches |
2500 |
1400 |
|
Hand Drill 1/2 inch |
900 |
600 |
|
High-pressure Washer 1 Horsepower |
3600 |
1200 |
|
Circular Saw, Heavy Duty 71/4 inches |
2300 |
1400 |
|
Electric Chain Saw 14 inches, 2 Horsepower |
1100 |
1100 |
|
Table Saw 10 inches |
4500 |
1800 |
|
Drills |
||
| 3/8 inch 4 amps |
600 |
440 |
| 1/2 inch 5.4 amps |
900 |
600 |
|
Industrial Motors |
Approximate Wattage Required For Starting |
Approximate Running Wattage Requirements |
|
Split Phase |
||
| 1/4 Horsepower |
1700 |
400 |
| 1/2 Horsepower |
2600 |
600 |
|
Capacitor Start Induction Run |
||
| 1/3 Horsepower |
975 |
450 |
| 1 Horsepower |
2300 |
1000 |
|
Capacitor Start Capacitor Run |
||
| 1 1/2 Horsepower |
4200 |
1600 |
|
Fan Duty |
||
| 1/4 Horsepower |
1200 |
650 |
|
Farm Equipment |
Approximate Wattage Required For Starting |
Approximate Running Wattage Requirements |
| Electric Fence, 25 miles |
250 |
250 |
| Milk Cooler |
1800 |
1100 |
|
Milker (vacuum pump), 2 Horsepower |
2300 |
1000 |
|
Portable Heater (kerosene, diesel fuel) |
||
| 50,000 BTU |
600 |
400 |
| 90,000 BTU |
725 |
500 |
| 150,000 BTU |
1000 |
625 |
|
Battery Charger |
||
| 15 amp | 380 |
380 |
|
60 amp with 250-amp boost |
1500/5750 |
1500/5750 |
|
100 amp with 300-amp boost |
2400/7800 |
2400/7800 |
|
Electric Welder |
||
| 200 amp AC | 9000 |
9000 |
| 230 amp AC, at 100 amp | 7800 |
7800 |
| Air Compressors |
Approximate Wattage Required For Starting |
Approximate Running Wattage Requirements |
| 1/2 Horsepower | 1600 |
975 |
| 1 Horsepower | 4500 |
1600 |
|
Computers |
Approximate Wattage Required For Starting |
Approximate Running Wattage Requirements |
| Desktop | 600 to 800 |
600 to 800 |
| Laptop | 200 to 250 |
200 to 250 |
| Monitor (CRT) | 200 to 250 |
200 to 250 |
| Fax | 600 to 800 |
600 to 800 |
| Printer | 400 to 600 |
400 to 600 |