Use and Care Manual

Not for
Reproduction
15
Generator Capacity
To make sure your generator can supply enough
running watts and starting watts for the items you will
power at the same time, follow these simple steps:
1. Select the items you will power at the same time.
See following list for typical wattages.
* Typical wattages listed are approximate only. Check
tool or appliance for actual wattage.
** Per Briggs & Stratton 628K, Starting Watts
represents the momentary electrical current the
generator can provide to start electric motors.
Starting Watts does not represent the power
required to continuously run electrical loads.
Starting Watts is the maximum current that can
momentarily be supplied when starting a motor,
multiplied by the generator’s rated voltage.
2. Total the running watts. This is the amount of
power your generator must produce to keep your
items running. See following example:
Example
Total running watts = 2355
Highest starting watts = 2000
Total generator watts required = 4355
3. Estimate the starting watts you will need. Because
not all motors start at the same time, total starting
wattage can be estimated by adding only the
item with the highest additional starting watts
requirements to the total running watts from step
2.
Power Management
To manage generator power, sequentially add loads as
follows:
1. With nothing connected to generator, start the
engine outdoors.
2. Plug in and turn on the first load, preferably the
largest load you have.
3. Permit the generator output to stabilize (engine
runs smoothly and attached device operates
properly).
4. Plug in and turn on the next load.
5. Again, permit the generator to stabilize.
6. Repeat steps 4 and 5 for each additional load.
Never add more loads than the generator capacity.
Take special care to consider surge loads in generator
capacity.
Tool or Appliance
Running
Watts*
Starting
Watts**
Light Bulb - 75 Watt 75 -
Sump Pump 800 1200
Refrigerator/Freezer 800 2000
Water Well Pump - 1/3 HP 1000 2000
Window AC - 10,000 BTU 1200 1800
Furnace Fan Blower - 1/2 HP 800 1300
Microwave Oven - 1000 Watt 1000 -
Color Television - 42” 280 -
Personal Computer w/17” monitor 800 -
Garage Door Opener - 1/2 HP 480 520
Tool or Appliance Running Watts Starting Watts
Window air conditioner
1200 1800
Refrigerator 800 2000
Television 280 —
Light (75 Watts) 75 —
2355 Total
Running Watts
2000 Highest
Starting Watts