To determine the right generator for you, use the chart below to give some guidance. As a rule of thumb, Amperage x Voltage = Wattage. If you have 10 Amps and 120 Volts then that would equate to 1200 Watts.
To make your calculations, print your selector guide here.
Use the following formula to convert to watts if necessary:
Amps x Volts = Watts (Single Phase - 90% you'll need this calc.)
Amps x Volts x 1.73 = Watts (Three Phase)
Running Watts** = Horsepower x 932 (for many motors)
*** For motors, remember that initial start-up will take from 3X to 6X as much power.
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APPLIANCE
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Typical Power Requirements
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QTY
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RUNNING WATTAGE
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ADDITIONAL STARTING WATTAGE
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| LIGHTS (multiply by quantity required) |
|
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| 100W Light Bulbs |
|
100
|
0
|
| 50W Light Bulbs |
|
50
|
0
|
| Florescent PL60 |
|
16
|
24
|
| Florescent (per 48" tube) |
|
40
|
50
|
| Florescent efficient (per 48" tube) |
32
|
48
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| Furnace Fan (select only one) | |||
| 1/4 horsepower |
600
|
1000
|
|
| 1/6 horsepower |
500
|
750
|
|
| 1/8 horsepower |
300
|
500
|
|
| 2/5 horsepower |
700
|
1400
|
|
| 3/5 horsepower |
875
|
2350
|
|
| 96" Electric Baseboard heater |
2500
|
0
|
|
| 48" Electric Baseboard heater |
1000
|
0
|
|
| 24" Electric Baseboard heater |
500
|
0
|
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| Electric Blanket |
200 - 400
|
0
|
|
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|
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Heat and Light SUB-TOTAL
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| Infrastructure |
|
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| Air Conditioner 1 Ton |
2000
|
4000
|
|
| Air Conditioner 2 Ton |
3000
|
6000
|
|
| Air Conditioner 3 Ton |
4500
|
9000
|
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| Alarm Clock |
2 - 4
|
0
|
|
| Battery Charger NiCad |
4
|
0
|
|
| Car Battery Charger (10A) |
1200
|
0
|
|
| Ceiling Fan |
10 - 40
|
50
|
|
| Clothes Dryer - motor only |
500
|
1500
|
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| Electric Water - Electric Heat |
4000
|
0
|
|
| Garage Door Opener - 1/3HP |
725
|
1400
|
|
| Garage Door Opener - 1/4HP |
550
|
1100
|
|
| Hair Dryer |
1000
|
1500
|
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| Hot Water - Propane or LPG fuel |
300 - 400
|
0
|
|
| Sewing Machine |
80
|
400
|
|
| Sump Pump - 1/2 hp |
1050
|
2150
|
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| Sump Pump - 1/3 hp |
800
|
1300
|
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| Telephone with answering |
10
|
0
|
|
| Vacuum Cleaner |
650
|
1950
|
|
| Ventilator Fan |
60
|
100
|
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| Washing machine |
800
|
1600
|
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| Well Pump - 1/2 hp |
1000
|
2100
|
|
| Well Pump - 1/3 hp |
750
|
1400
|
|
| Window Air Conditioner (room size) |
2000
|
4000
|
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| Hot Water - Propane or LPG fuel |
300 - 4000
|
0
|
|
| Iron |
200 - 400
|
0
|
|
|
|
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Infrastructure SUB-TOTAL
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| KITCHEN |
|
|
|
| Blender |
350
|
1050
|
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| Coffee Grinder |
150
|
200
|
|
| Coffee Maker |
850
|
0
|
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| Dish Washer - Cool Dry |
700
|
1400
|
|
| Dish Washer - Hot Dry |
1400
|
1500
|
|
| Electric Range 6-in. element |
1500
|
0
|
|
| Electric Range 8-in. element |
2100
|
0
|
|
| Electric Skillet |
1500
|
0
|
|
| Food Processor |
400
|
1200
|
|
| Microwave (750W) |
750
|
800
|
|
| Refrigerator (Large or inefficient) |
1400
|
2000
|
|
| Refrigerator (small or efficient) |
600
|
750
|
|
| Toaster 2-slice |
1100
|
0
|
|
| Blender |
300
|
450
|
|
| Garbage Disposal |
450
|
550
|
|
|
|
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Kitchen SUB-TOTAL
|
|
|
|
|
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| Entertainment |
|
|
|
| Computer, modem and monitor |
450
|
0
|
|
| Computer |
30 - 150
|
|
|
| Computer Printer |
30 - 120
|
360
|
|
| Computer Modem |
6
|
0
|
|
| Computer - Network Hub |
4
|
0
|
|
| Electric Clock or Timer |
3
|
0
|
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| FAX machine |
25
|
50
|
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| Radio |
25
|
0
|
|
| Satellite Dish |
30 - 75
|
0
|
|
| System - Entertainment |
30 - 150
|
0
|
|
| Television - Color |
350 - 450
|
0
|
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| VCR / DVD |
50
|
0
|
|
| VHF Radio |
12
|
0
|
|
|
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Entertainment SUB-TOTAL
|
|
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| Shaver |
15
|
|
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| Water Pik |
100
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