Portable Electric Generators 101
This easy-to-carry electric generator can get you out of a bind in a power outage or make a camping trip or picnic more enjoyable. CLICK THIS PHOTO TO HAVE THIS GREAT GENERATOR DELIVERED TO YOUR HOME NOW. Copyright 2017 - Tim Carter
Portable Electric Generator TIPS
- Small generators can do many things but not all at once
- Weight similar to 5-gallon bucket of drywall mud
- Produces clean AC power
- Smaller generators need more refueling
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DEAR TIM: I've had it with power outages here at my home and I've decided to get an electric generator. I've got several complicating issues.
For starters, my budget is tight. Second, I want this generator to be multi-purpose and take it on family picnics and camping trips.
The generator needs to be quiet. What are my options? Can I satisfy all of my wishes and have clean power that won't hurt my sensitive electronic devices?
What can you tell me about these small generators? Kathleen K., Boulder, CO
DEAR KATHLEEN: I've got great news for you.
Small Generators = Big Benefits
You can get a new portable generator that will satisfy all your requirements! What's more, if you lug in multiple bags of groceries on a routine basis, I believe you'll be able to carry one of the generators a short distance with moderate effort on your part.
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Tiny Computer Chips
As with many things, advancements in technology and micro computers have allowed electric generator manufacturers to produce small generators that produce stable and clean alternating current using an inverter inside the machine. Most new portable generators have an onboard computer that converts the direct current from the generator to a very stable alternating current that will not harm your sensitive electronics and appliances.
My Own Testing
I know this for a fact because in the past two weeks I tested two different portable generators using a sophisticated oscilloscope to measure the quality of the electricity being produced by the generators. Guess what?
Both machines created a more perfect sine wave on the scope than the electricity coming into my home from my local utility!
Size Matters
Here's the scoop on the portable generators. Size does matter.
The bigger the generator, and all it's combined parts, the more power it can produce. If you want portability, meaning a generator you can carry like a five-gallon pail of drywall compound, then you sacrifice total power output.
Hand-Carry = 2,000 Watts
The generators I tested weigh about the same as a pail of drywall compound and produce 2000 watts of power. That may seem like a lot of power, but it's not when you think about the giant standby generator I have next to my garage.
This automatic standby generator comes on automatically if the power fails at my house and will produce 17,000 watts. You can purchase generators that produce far more power than that if you desire. My standby generator weighs hundreds and hundreds of pounds. It's the size of an outside air-conditioning unit.
Large Standby Generator Video
Watch a video about my standby generator.
Tight Budget Means Small Power
Since your budget is tight, you'll probably be able to get one of the 2,000-watt machines. Even though it's power output is not the highest, you can still power many things with it. For example, here's the running wattage of some common tools or appliances:
- cell phone battery charger - 25 watts
- furnace fan blower - 700 watts
- electric crock pot - 240 watts
- video game device - 40 watts
- refrigerator - 550 watts
- water well pump - 575 watts
Auto Adjust Fuel Rate
What I love about the new portable generators is how they automatically adjust the gasoline motor speed in relationship to the power being requested by the devices you have connected. If the generator senses little need for power, then the gasoline motor runs at a lower speed using less fuel and making less noise.
Quite Quiet
The new generators are also very quiet, even when running at full speed. When you take them on a camping trip or a picnic, you'll not have to scream to be heard in a conversation.
Start-Up Power Draw
The issue with small generators is what's called startup power. Certain appliances and tools have a very high starting wattage.
You may have seen this in your home on occasion when a refrigerator, washing machine or air conditioner turns on. The lights in your house may momentarily dim when the electric motors in these things draw lots of power to start spinning.
A portable generator putting out only 2,000 watts can't handle the start-up demand of many things, so you'll have to check into that to see what you can and can't power when your house power goes off.
Frequent Monitoring & Feeding
You'll discover you can use a portable generator at your home in a power outage, but you'll be busy. You'll only be able to power a few things at a time, so you'll be switching out extension cords as you produce your own rolling brown outs within your home.
The portable generators, by default, have smaller fuel tanks so if you have an extended power outage, you'll be refueling on a more frequent basis.
Follow all safety guidelines when refueling a generator and NEVER EVER operate a portable generator indoors, in a garage, near an open window, etc. The carbon monoxide produced by the gasoline engines can and will kill you. Be CAREFUL and read all safety instructions.
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