Don't Overload Your Generator; Capacity; Power Management - Generac Portable Products PowerBOSS 5500 Storm-Plus Owner's Manual

DON'T OVERLOAD YOUR
G EN ERATO R
Capacity
You must make sure your generator cansupply enough
rated (running) and surge (starting) watts for the items you
will power at the same time. Follow these simple steps:
I. Select the itemsyou wilt power at the same time.
2. Total the rated (running) watts of these items.Thisis
the amount of power your generator must produce to
keep your items running. See Figure I0.
3. Estimate how many surge (starting) watts you wilt
need. Surge wattage isthe short burst of power
needed to start electric motor-driven tools or
appliances such as a circular saw or refrigerator.
Becausenot all motors start at the same time, total
surge watts can be estimated by adding only the
item(s) with the highest additional surge watts to the
total rated watts from step 2.
Example:
Tool or Appliance
Window Air
Conditioner
Refrigerator
Deep Freezer
Television
Light (75 Watts)
Rated (Running)
Watts
1200
800
500
500
75
3075 Total
Running Watts
Total Rated (Running)Watts = 3075
Highest Additional SurgeWatts = 1800
Total Generator Output Required = 4875
Additional Surge
(Starting) Watts
1800
1600
500
1800 Highest
Surge Watts
Power Management
To prolong the life of your generator and attached devices,
it is important to take care when adding electrical loads to
your generator.There should be nothing connected to the
generator outlets before starting it's engine.The correct
and safe way to managegenerator power is to sequentially
add loads as follows:
I. With nothing connected to the generator, start the
engine as described in this manual.
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,
as described above.
Tool or Appliance
Essentials
Light Bulb - 75 watt
Deep Freezer
Sump Pump
Refrigerator/Freezer - 18 Cu. Ft.
Water Well Pump - I/3 HP
Heating/Cooling
Window AC - I0,000 BTU
Window Fan
Furnace Fan Blower - 112HP
Kitchen
Microwave Oven - 1000Watt
Coffee Maker
Electric Stove - SingleElement
Hot Plate
Family Room
DVD/CD Player
VCR
Stereo Receiver
Color Television - 27"
Personal Computer w/I 7" monitor
Other
SecuritySystem
AM/FM Clock Radio
Garage Door Opener - 1/2 HP
Electric Water Heater - 40 Gallon
DIY/Job Site
Quartz Halogen Work Light
Airless Sprayer - I/3 HP
Reciprocating Saw
Electric Drill - 1/2 HP
Circular Saw - 7 I/4"
Miter Saw - I0"
Table Planer - 6"
Table Saw/RadialArm Saw - I0"
Air Compressor - I-I/2 HP
Rated*
(Running)
Watts
75
500
8O0
8O0
1000
12O0
3OO
8O0
1000
1500
1500
25O0
Additional
Surge
(Starting)
Watts
500
1200
1600
20O0
1800
6O0
1300
100
100
450
5o0
8o0
18o
3O0
480 520
40O0
1000
600 1200
960 960
1000 1000
1500 1500
1800 1800
1800 1800
2000 2000
2500 2500
*Wattages listed are approximate only. Check toot or
appliance for actual wattage.
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