Generator Capacity; Power Management - RIDGID RD8000 Series Operator's Manual

ELECTRICAL
CONTROL PANEL CORD
See Figure 1.
The 25-ft. control panel cord (Model RDEC25) has a 240 Volt,
20 Amp twist lock plug on one end and a 240 Volt, 20 Amp
twist lock receptacle on the other end. It also has a 12 Volt
DC engine control connector on each end. When using this
cord, the removable control panel can provide power through
the 2 x 120 Volt duplex GFCI outlets on the control box.
CAUTION:
Use only with RDEC25 control panel cord. Do not
exceed separation length of 75 ft. or a combination
of three RDEC25 control panel cords.
CAUTION:
Operating voltage and frequency requirement of all
electronic equipment should be checked prior to
plugging them into this generator. Damage may result
if the equipment is not designed to operate within a
+/- 10% voltage variation, and +/- 3 hz frequency
variation from the generator name plate ratings.
To avoid damage, always have an additional load
plugged into the generator if solid state equipment
(such as a television set) is used. A power line
conditioner is recommended for some solid state
applications.
GROUND FAULT CIRCUIT INTERRUPTER
See Figure 2.
The 20 amp, 120 volt receptacles on the generator are pro-
tected by a Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI), which
guards against the hazards of ground fault currents. An
example of ground fault current is the current that would flow
through a person who is using an appliance with faulty insu-
lation and, at the same time, is in contact with an electrical
ground such as a plumbing fixture, wet floor, or earth.
GFCI receptacles do not protect against short circuits, over-
loads, or shocks.
The GFCI receptacles can be tested with the TEST and
RESET buttons.
To test:
 Depress the TEST button. This should cause the Reset
button to pop out.
 To restore power, depress the RESET button.
Perform this test monthly to ensure proper operation of the
GFCI. If the generator is stored outdoors, unprotected from
the weather, test the GFCI receptacle before each use.

GENERATOR CAPACITy

Make sure the generator can supply enough continuous (run-
ning) and surge (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.
2. Total the continuous (running) watts of these items. This
is the amount of power the generator must produce to
keep the items running. See the wattage reference chart
at right.
3. Estimate how many surge (starting) watts you will need.
Surge wattage is the short burst of power needed to
start electric motor-driven tools or appliances such as a
circular saw or refrigerator. Because not 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
Quartz Halogen
Work Light
Reciprocating Saw
Electric Drill
Circular Saw
Total Continuous (Running) Watts
Plus Highest Additional Surge Watts
Equals Total Generator Output Required

POWER MANAGEMENT

To prolong the life of the generator and attached devices,
it is important to take care when adding electrical loads to
the generator. There should be nothing connected to the
generator outlets before starting its engine. The correct and
safe way to manage generator power is to sequentially add
loads as follows:
1. With nothing connected to the generator, start the engine
as described later 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 previously described.
8 — English
Estimated* Estimated*
Continuous Additional Surge
(Running) Watts (Starting) Watts
1000
960
600
1400 +2300
3960 Total +2300 Highest
Running Watts Surge Watts
0
+960
+900
3960
+ 2300
6260