Homelite HG1800 User Manual - Page 5

electrical generator Capacity Make sure the generator can supply enough continuous (running) 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 Continuous (Running) Watts Surge (Starting) Watts Window AC, 10,000 BTU 1200 1800 Refrigerator 700 2200 1/3 HP Well Pump 1000 2000 27 in. Television 500 0 Light (75 Watts) 75 3475 Total Running Watts 0 2200 Highest Surge Watts Total Continuous (Running) Watts Plus Highest Additional Surge Watts Equals Total Generator Output Required 3475 + 2200 5675 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. caution: Do not overload the generator's capacity. Exceeding the generator's wattage/amperage capacity can damage the generator and/or electrical devices connected to it. Tool or Appliance Essentials Light Bulb − 75 Watt Refrigerator/Freezer Sump Pump − 1/2 HP Water Well Pump − 1/3 HP Electric Water Heater Heating/Cooling Furnace Fan − 1/2 HP Window AC − 10,000 BTU Space Heater Kitchen Microwave Oven − 1000 Watt Coffee Maker Electric Stove − Single Element Toaster Oven Family Room VCR CD/DVD Player Stereo Receiver Color Television − 27 in. Other Security System Curling Iron Garage Door Opener − 1/2 HP Hair Dryer − 1/2 HP DIY/Job Site Quartz Halogen Work Light Airless Sprayer − 1/3 HP Reciprocating Saw Electric Drill − 1/2 HP Circular Saw − 7-1/4 in. Miter Saw − 10 in. Planer/Jointer − 6 in. Table Saw/Radial Arm Saw − 10 in. Air Compressor − 1 HP Typical Continuous* ­(Running) Watts Typical Surge* ­(Starting) Watts 75 700 1050 1000 4000 75 2200 2200 1500 0 800 1200 1800 2350 1800 0 1000 1000 2100 1200 0 0 0 0 100 100 450 500 0 0 0 0 500 1500 875 1250 0 0 2350 0 1000 600 960 600 1400 1800 1800 2000 1600 0 1200 0 900 2300 1800 1800 2000 4500 *Wattages listed are approximate. Check tool or appliance for actual wattage.