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OPERATION
POWER OUTPUT AND DEMAND
The generator should not be run completely unloaded
for extended periods otherwise the engine may be
damaged. It is recommended that the generator should
always be operated with at least one-third of its rated
120-Volt AC power output. 120-Volt AC devices have two
different electric power demands that must be taken into
consideration, namely the running power and the starting/
peak power. Both are measured in Watts (typically
abbreviated as "W").
The steady state continuous load is the running power
demand and this is often marked on the device near its
model number or serial number. Sometimes the device
might only be marked with its voltage (i.e. 120 V) and current
draw (e.g. 6 Amp or 6 A), in which case the running power
demand in Watts can be obtained by multiplying the voltage
times the current, e.g. 120 V × 20 A = 2,400 W.
Simple resistive 120-Volt AC devices such as incandescent
bulbs, toasters, heaters, etc. have no extra power demand
when starting, and so their starting power demands are the
same as their running power demands.
More complex120-Volt AC devices containing inductive
or capacitive elements such as electric motors have a
momentary extra power demand when starting, which can
be up to seven times the running power demand or more.
Manufacturers of such devices rarely publish this starting
power demand and so it's often necessary to estimate it.
A rule of thumb for devices fitted with an electric motor
is to apply a starting power multiplier of 1.2 for small
hand-held or portable devices and a value of 3.5 for larger
stationary devices. For example, a 900 W angle grinder can
be assumed to have a starting power demand of at least
1.2 × 900 W, which equals 1,080 W. Similarly, a 1,650 W
air compressor can be assumed to have a starting power
demand of at least 3.5 × 1,650 W, which equals 5,775 W.
To prevent overloading of the generator's 120-Volt AC
system:
1. Add up the running power demand of all the 120-Volt
AC devices that will be connected to the generator
at one time. This total must not be greater than the
generator's specified running power output.
2. Add up the running power demand again, but for the
largest motor-driven device use the value of its starting
power demand instead of its running power demand.
This total must not be greater than the generator's
specified starting power output.
3. The total running power demand of all the devices that
will be connected to any one of the generator's outlets
must not exceed the generator's specified running
power output or 3,700 W, whichever is the lesser.
18 | Westinghouse Portable Power
STARTING THE GENERATOR
Be sure to check oil levels before starting. If it is the first
time starting make sure to add oil (see Adding Engine Oil
page 22).
1. Make sure nothing is plugged into power outlets
2. Make sure the circuit breakers are properly set (see
Figure 8).
Figure 8 - Breakers
1
240/120VMain Circuit Breaker Operating Position
2
240/120V Main Circuit Breaker Tripped Position
3
120V Circuit Breaker Operating Position
4
120V Circuit Breaker Tripped Position
3. Move the fuel shutoff valve to the ON position (see
Figure 9).
Figure 9 - Fuel Shut Off - ON
4. If the engine is cold, move the choke lever to the ON
position (see Figure 10 below). If the engine is warm
turn choke OFF.
Figure 10 - Choke - ON
ON
OFF
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