What will 800 watt generator run

How big a generator will I need? Pls advice. Hi Rose, For the items that you mention will need a small generator if any at all. You can inflate the mattress with a small pump that can run from your DC plug in your vehicle. Table lamps can be run on batteries for a LONG time and you can carry extra batteries. You can use small rechargeable power packs that can be used to charge cell phones.

All that said, you can get away with a watt generator, however standard generators may damage your cell phones. Save money. Less noise. Hope this helps, Ray. Looking to buy a generator in case of an emergency to run my refrigerator, furnace, deep freezer , some lights, tv , computer, in my house.

If I oversized it a bit what size generator could handle this load. Hi Dave, watts should be enough. Remember all the keys. Add up the Amp requirements for ALL items that you would run at the SAME time and add the surge watts for the appliances that cycle on like the fridge and freezer and furnace. Consider protecting your computer by using adequate surge protector, or use an inverter generator.

For the money you can buy a separate battery inverter that you can run your computer off of. You are smart to oversize it. I need to size a generator to service a low pressure e-one 1 HP volt motor. Nothing more is required. Can I go to a watt? Hi Joe, Not all lot watt generators have volt output option. If yours does than you should be ok. Make sure you confirm that Amp draw of your motor is low enough to make sure.

I need some clarification. Why are some surge numbers zero? Seems that they should be equal or greater than the running watts. When a number is listed in the surge column, this is a high estimate of how many surge watts are required for certain items. The running watts plus the surge watts should be together in determining what you will need.

That said, a refrigerator running at watts would rarely need the additional surge watts of But to be safe, err on the high side, and have a generator that can handle up to watts. Thanks for the question. If you are unsure about the table then others will be too. We purchased a Stanley W generator and had an electrician install a 30 amp panel to plug into. The main power users are V well pump, 2 refrigerators and the fan for a propane furnace.

It had run for less than an hour when we noticed the power failing and went out to find that the generator was smoking because the alternator was on fire. Did the electrician install the wrong panel? Why would a brand new generator catch fire? Just trying to understand it so we can get the generator repaired and not have it happen again. Can you help? Overloading should have turned the generator off. The panel should have breakers as well. Fires can be caused by fuel leaks and sometimes oil leaks.

If you do simply replace the alternator, PLEASE have it checked out by the repair shop to insure that it is working properly. In a way you were fortunate that you or your property were unharmed.

Hi, im looking for a Generator to used for a refrigerator, 2 light 60 watts each a tv and a fan how much watts i need. Hi Daisy, The most power hungry item you mentioned is your refrigerator. If it is a standard size, it probably needs watts to cover the surge requirement. So you can probably get a watt generator to suffice your needs.

Hi Dennis, First, the light will require very little. Next, the fans take more power when they are first turned on called surge watts , then they settle in to a lower running watt requirement.

Your refrigerator similarly has a surge watt requirement each time the compressor turns on. The key is how many amps the refrigerator and fans require. Check those. So an 8 Amp refrigerator times volts standard wall outlet equals watts. Do the same for your fans. With all that, you can generally expect to need to watts. Champion makes popular models in that range. Durostar and Duromax same co. Then I plan on turning those off and going back to running the other things. Do I make since?

Thanks for the response. This would be only for emergencies. Now all I have to worry about is gas. Hi EJ, You are smart to be prepared. Make sure that you test the well pump. That is the most power hungry. You might consider battery inverters that you can charge during the day and use for night lights or other low power needs. Ray Ray. What size portable generator would i need?

Thanks for the help in advance. Hi Ty, Take a look on the specs of the unit. It will tell you how many amps it requires. Multiply by volts and it will give you watts. I assume you have other uses in mind for your generator? If indeed all you want is a cup of coffee, perhaps you can consider an alternate coffee source, say a portable propane burner and an old fashioned drip method with boiled water?

Thanks for the info. Still lost. Born and raised in Florida just want the peace of mind. Hi Stephanie, All this can be confusing, I know.

Think of it this way… You have a bucket full of power to run whatever electrical equipment you want to run. To run each item you need to empty the bucket of that much power. Remember that if you are not running something at the time, then that power remains in the bucket to use for other things. A little motor starts up when a refrigerator has to keep the temperature at its setting.

Your Air Conditioner has a similar requirement. So you must buy extra power from the bucket of power for this purpose. So if your refrigerator requires watts to run, it might need a total of watts periodically. A small window AC probably uses the same amount of power as a refrigerator. There are something called Amps that an electrical device uses. A combination of these Amps, Watts, and the volts from your outlets is related to each other.

So without getting more complicated, if you only powered the items one at a time, you could probably get away with a watt generator. But if you expect that all will be running at the same time, you should consider a to watt generator. We want to be able to run at one fridge, a light, power up our phones, t. My Pastor let us use his last year for 5 days, I remember , it had 4 prongs to run energy into the house and we ran two fridges , the phones, t.

Hello Shannon, Of the items you mentioned, the fridge would take up the most power and surge. This was more than enough. If you want to go smaller, you can probably get away with a watt unit. To be sure check to see that your fridge does not require more than 10 amps to run.

You might be OK with a surge watt unit if you needed to go smaller. You can unplug your fridge for a few hours to use that power somewhere else just remember to plug it back in. You might also consider batteries to run your lights. Remember to use a surge protector to plug your TV and other electronics into.

Generator power is sometimes uneven and can damage sensitive electronics. Good luck in your research. Hey, I have a generater an the running wat is , an wat. Can it run my fridge, 3 TV, 11 lights. Hi Joe, Under standard conditions, you would probably be taxing your generator to its limits. I appreciate your help. I was wondering how large a generator to buy for my house during power outages.

I have a deep well pump feet deep , two refrigerators, lights, power for a spark to my Ranai tankless hot water heater, and power for my pellet stove 2 auger motors and 2 blowers. Even the refrigerators you can unplug periodically just remember to plug them back in. Usually that size is a minimum amount to power the necessities during a power outage. I am unfamiliar with the requirements for your pump and your stove.

Will you be running cords? Or hooking it up to your panel? If you can, add up the Amp requirements of everything that you want to run get help with this if you need.

Make a list and make and mix and match what you can run at the same time based on their power requirements. Be sure to remember the extra power requirements for items with a motor that will periodically surge upon startup.

Congratulations on your decision to be proactive on possible power outages. Champion makes good generators. Dual fuel gives you options also. Good luck and be safe, Ray. I have an air mattress with a built-in pump that I want to take camping. I hate asking for co-campers to borrow their air compressors to plug this in so I thought buying a light weight inverter generator would be great. The air mattress built in pump says this V 60Hz and 0.

Thank you in advance! You can get a battery inverter that can convert your car battery power DC to the AC power needed to run your mattress pump. It will be a LOT cheaper.

If it does, you can buy an inexpensive battery operated air pump that will save you money. Of course you will find many uses for a generator should you choose to purchase one. If you do, you can get away with the smallest generator made since you only need 0. Im looking to find the right generator to be able to use for a small freezer, fridge, a window unit, tv and a few lights. Trying to figure out what size to get. Hi Patrick, You want to figure out the amp draw including surge requirements for all of the items mentioned.

The same amount would be required to run most refrigerators. So if you run everything at the same time, you can probably get by with watts. Get help if you need in figuring out the Amp draws. I need a back up for when the power goes off here. Thank you for any help. Hi Susie, I refrain from making any recommendations on generators that have to do with running sensitive medical equipment. The general principles are the same, but I would feel better if you got your information from the maker of your medical equipment, or from your medical professional.

Thank you for having the confidence to ask me, a stranger for such important information. I am flattered. Best wishes, Ray. I live in Florida and am preparing for Hurricane season :. We found a generator that will allow us to run off Gasoline OR Propane. Ideally, I would want it to power the refrigerator and a small window AC unit probably BTU since the room is only around square feet.

Would the generator I found be sufficient? I understand the refrigerator and window AC unit will require the additional surge watts, but was thinking that even when they surge, the generator might just have enough to handle it on the off chance they both require additional wattage at the same time.

Hi Howard, You are smart to be prepared. If it does shut down due to heavy use of the AC, remember you can unplug your refrigerator for a period and alternate as necessary. Be safe. Thanks in advance for your help. Last year in the hurricane we were without power for 5 days. Hi Kevin, Your idea to run parallel is a good one if you can afford it. You may have difficulty running the other items that you mentioned.

Turning your refrigerator on and off periodically as some do can get tedious over a long period. By running tandem units you will be putting less stress on your units.

You can run just one at night when your AC needs are less. So I recently did a basic bedroom conversion in my parents garage. Its starting to get hot so i went and bought an Haier btu window ac unit.

Yesterday was my first time running it and sure enough when my parents were running their one and only window ac unit at the same time I ran mine.. I have no idea what I am doing but I thought maybe if we bought a generator I could run my ac off of that. Is that even possible? Thanks for your help! But before you do, your home probably has the capacity to run both at the same time. You will have to ask an electrician to set up your electrical panel to provide a power source to your garage AC.

I want to buy a generator to power a small chest freezer 5cu ft in case of emergency. Which one would be more fuel efficient If I am running the same load. I really only need the watt but if it will use the same amount of fuel to run the freezer I might go with the watt just in case for future use. However if the watt uses a lot more fuel to run the freezer it might be better just to stick with the smaller since it will handle the load I am looking for.

The watt has a 1. The watt lists Engine Run time at a 50 percent load: 10 hours with a full 3. Hi Kramer, The larger model will use more fuel even at idle no load.

However in a power outage, it is always a good idea to have a larger generator for other uses. Your choice. The fuel cost difference should be minimal if you only need power for the freezer.

The manual says that it runs at a current of 1. So, if I get a W generator, I should have no problem for a good amount of time? Hi Bruce, You should have no problem with the specifications that you mentioned. Freezers do not have to be continuously running as they stay cold even when not running.

But watts will limit your other uses. What size generator would be good for a coffee maker that is V and watts AND and espresso maker that would be V and W? There would be a time where both would be used at the same time…. Assuming a no fail scenario where both require full power at the same time, you can add up the Watts and require watts. Does your espresso maker have a motor unit it it? If so you would need to add more power for surge requirements.

Hi Barbara, There are a couple of things that can change a concrete answer. The efficiency of your unit will come into play. Another consideration is the amp draw. Check that and if you are around the standard amps you should be OK. That could make your wattage requirement 2, watts, or the generator could shut down. If you get a larger than you need generator, you will eventually find other uses for it. You will also want to consider the noise factor of a standard generator vs an inverter type.

The inverters are quieter for camping, but cost more for equal power. Finally, consider the plug requirement of your trailer. Some generators come with RV type plugs. Hi Ray, Great site. Thank you! I am going to purchase a generator to run my refrigerator and a Watt portable heater for Winter and a large fan in the Summer.

Am I correct? Hi Grant, Your estimates sound correct. You will find that a unit of that size will come in handy in so many areas even when you are not in an emergency situation. Good choice. My motto, get the more power if you can afford it. Stay safe and good luck. Thank you so much. Surge power and running power?

Hi Grant, To be safe, with a little room at the higher end, see if you can get close to running watts. Thanks for the support. My home has approximately finished square feet. I have gas heat, oven, water heater and fireplace. AC unit is a 2-ton Goodman. Of course I have a sump pump, refrigerator, tv, garage door opener, electric dryer, etc. Considering either a 12kw Briggs and Stratton Fortress standby with load balancing powered by my natural gas connection, or a Champion portable with a transfer switch.

Any advice? Tks and really glad I found your site — very good information! Hi James, Your question is a common one and one that you must decide based on what you need.

It will turn off when power is restored. The natural gas connection is very convenient in a prolonged outage, eliminating the need to refill a gasoline engine.

Although you could get a portable model to run on natural gas, but limits its portability. And you can always choose between power needs in the home, keeping the essentials running.

It sounds like you utilize a lot of gas energy. I am looking for a portable inverter generator to power some things in a lengthy power outage: a Watt EdenPure heater, a couple lights and maybe a LED TV, which I think is around watts. We run 3 or 4 of them at a time.

In a long power outage we might hook up our refrig for a few hours. Hi AJ, You are right about the watt bulbs. So just use the watt designation on the LED bulbs you are using in your total usage calculations.

In answer to what size generator you need, consider getting large enough to run your refrigerator full time along with your other necessities. You can always unplug your refrigerator when you need the power for other uses that might come up. From what you said, you might consider a W unit. Hi James, Thank you for your questions. With what you said you want to run at the same time, it should be OK if you can get the surge watts.

The AC and refrigerator will surge now and then. The most you would be using is when both surge at the same time. If you are like others people, you will like the available power, especially in an outage, and might add other power eaters to your unit.

Think of the ways you can juggle your appliances in an emergency. You might not run the AC at night when you need more lighting and entertainment. You can disconnect your refrigerator for periods at a time and still keep your food safe.

As always stay safe with the generator fumes and adequate cords. Hi James, With a 14 gauge cord, there is a limit of how many amps you can safely run though it, and the maximum length.

If you look at the table on the article on this site on extension cords, the table says that you can use a 14G maximum length 50ft, and run 20 amps through it. There will be approximately watts available through that cord. You can plug it in to the standard three prong outlet on your generator which normally sends out only 20 amps. Check your manual. Remember that at the other end of the cord you can use up to 20 amps. Hi James, Surge watts and running watts in general can vary from the stated watts on the unit.

You can check it with a meter, but the difference you mentioned is small and could fluctuate even more than that difference. Testing your results would be needed regardless, but you t0 is minor. Or possibly adding a third 10 foot cord to make 60 feet. Is it allowable to connect the cords together. Hi Jim, What are the plug types of your cords? Single outlet each? What outlet are you using as the initial connection to your generator?

Although not ideal, it is possible to connect cords as you mentioned. All 30 amp rated 10 gauge. You may notice a slight decrease in amps at the business end by connecting cords. Make sure that the connections are flush tight. Keep the connections clear of any obstructions and dry. As usual, please do not rely on my comments solely. Ask a certified electrician to see what you your plans are exactly. How about powering a food pantry with about 4 large fridges and 3 freezers, plus a walk-in freezer.

I have no clue how to go about doing that. Hi Cassie, It sounds like you need to power some sort of institutional facility? When something of that importance, I recommend that you contact a certified electrician for your options. It could require a large 10kW generator or larger. You may even consider a standby generator, depending on the importance and frequency of the need to power them.

Howdy, great site! It has helped me narrow down what I am looking for immensely, but it is also made me realize that while my needs are low in terms of power, my feature requirements limit my options. I am looking to add this onto a small RV a Cirrus truck camper , primarily to run my AC or microwave while boondocking. I will be building a box on the back bumper to keep it secure and out of the elements, and will permanently be attaching it to the propane plumbing and electrical wiring of the camper.

Here are the features I am looking for:. Hi Chris, I see that you obviously want an inverter. As far at the footprint, you would need to visit the specs of the models that you are interested in.

There are so many coming on the market that it is difficult to keep up with them from my end. Narrowing down often comes down to reviews. I am looking at purchasing a soft serve Ice cream maker. Looking at a choice of 2 at present. Cheers Donna. Hi Donna, I love soft serve! If the generator will be the only source of power for your ice cream maker, you will want to know the surge requirement. You must keep your freezer operating smoothly without the generator shutting down during surge.

You can probably get by with a W unit, but please get the figures. As mentioned in other articles, you do not usually use all appliances at the same time. AND the refrigerator can be unplugged periodically and still remain cold. That threw me completely! So I thought around generator if I was to run all at same time… Then I came across electric water heater….

Is that right? Remember you would probably NOT run all on your list at the same time. Normally a 50 gallon running off of volts would use about watts. And that is to heat up the initial volume. Then it will maintain the temp through a thermostat and not draw that amount all the time.

During your use, you can set the temperature to a lower setting also. Look at your list again and determine if you would really use items and when. You can also unplug certain items refrigerator when the power is needed elsewhere temporarily like when heating the water or using the washing machine or oven. Good luck and stay safe, Ray. Hi Ray, First off thanks for this fabulous informational website. I will be looking to buy a generator to power up: Fridge…V 6. I have 14 and 16 G extention cords…most under 25 ft except I need ft for the fridge.

Marty, Your numbers seem OK. You might want to consider beefing up your cords to 12 Gauge. Choosing a generator is up to you. An inverter will be more quiet, but more expensive. At least get protection against fluctuations in power if you plan to use your computer to protect it.

Reliability is important. Look for good reviews on that. Champion, Wen, Generac are good mid priced companies. I would like to buy a generator that is pretty much quiet and a good price for my Italian ice cart as a backup. Which one do you recommend? Hi Sandy. Is an ice cart like an electric freezer? Or does it have a motorized dispenser? Either way, determine how many amps you need to operate it at full use.

Then choose the generator accordingly. You need Quiet? Then you would consider an inverter generator. Then you could run it in close proximity to your cart assuming good ventilation in the area of use. Otherwise if you could place the generator several feet away, the noise level might be OK with a standard generator and a long cord. I have an watt 10, watt max load portable generator. Hi Richard, Does your unit have the ability to switch from volts to volts?

Generators of that size usually do. And if you switch your generator to the volts, then your other plugs on the volt size would not work to plug additional cords into. Great website!! Definitely answered some questions But still uncertain on the following.. Question is— My home service panel is located in the hallway of the home.. With the generator in a safe location in the backyard, the power cord between the generator and transfer switch will need to be ft, 20 ft of this length will be in LPVC Conduit running up the exterior wall and through the attic to the transfer switch..

Open to any suggestions Thanks a Million. Hi Greg, Congratulations on considering safety prior to any electrical install. As you may know, I am not a professional electrician. I only share general knowledge. I recommend contacting a professional and not rely on what you may get from an internet source. I appreciate you trust in this site, but your success is our utmost goal. I decided to reply letting you know how I really enjoyed reading everything you mentioned here and your comments too to your readers.

Their small size makes them portable to take along. However, suppose you take your small generator camping. In that case, you might want to use it to power up a battery bank and run your fridge off the battery overnight so the generator noise does not disturb the people around you. If you are very resourceful, a watt generator might be enough to cover some basic needs for off-grid living, as well. Off-grid, you might cook over fire but just want a few lights in the evening to read, or perhaps you want to charge up a small battery bank from time to time.

As you can see, even watt generators can serve a variety of needs. First, you need to understand what a watt is. A watt is simply a measurement of power. For example, a 75 watt light bulb requires 75 watts to light up. Now that you know what a watt is, you need to understand the difference between starting watts and running watts. All generators have two power ratings. The first is the running power or continuous power.

Continuous power is the amount of power that your generator can provide continuously. In this case, your running power should be watts.

The other rating is the surge power or starting power. Starting power is a higher output of watts typically used for a few seconds to start motors. Some motors will require anywhere from two to five times extra power to get started, so you need to make sure that the generator can handle the startup surge of your motor or appliance without being overloaded.

If you have any additional questions, please view our FAQs below. Greengear Generator Sizing. In a typical 2 bed house, running only essentials items a few lights, refrigerator, heating system it can require between — Watts. Running Rated Watts — continuous Watts needed to keep the appliance running.

Starting Watts — extra Watts needed for a few seconds to start the appliance. Running Watts are the amount of power required for the tool or appliance to run normally.