Generator Wattage I was wondering if anyone knows if a 2000 or 2500 watt generator would be a good fit for running a computer, monitor, cable modem and firewall. I guess i don't want to have the generator go into a brownout condition if i have too much equipment for it. Thanks...

One consideration is how many circuits and how much total wattage is being used when the generator is in service.
"Gas Powered Generator GG2300 2300 Watts Surge 2000 Watts Continuous Output 10 Hours of Run Time at Full ."
This is a relatively small generator with 2000 watts output, so the problem may be that the generator can not handle the wattage demand. You can get a pretty good estimate of the wattage demand by adding up the wattage of everything , all lights, appliances, etc that's being powered by the generator. If the total wattage is greater than the output of the generator (2000 watts) then the generator is too small.

have the saw motor checked for internal and wiring problems
check the start/run capacitor of the electric motor
running a 1 1/2 hp motor (1075 watts) on a generator that has a running wattage of around 2250 watts means that it should start and come to speed immediately if the motor is good
the problem indicates that there is a circuit problem in the saw motor that is exceeding the available wattage (3000 watts ) on start up

you are missing the voltage supply here to get an definitive answer
for 240 volts drawing 4.8 amps the required wattage is 1152
for 120 volts the wattage is 576 watts
for 120 volts with a current of 900 watts , it equates to 7.5 amps
with 240 volts with a current of 1150 watts , it equates to 4.79 amps
so you can see the problem by not stating the supply voltage
get access to an cable clamp amp meter / watt meter from an electrician and read the current on starting the ac unit
if it exceeds 900 watts for 120 volts or 1150 for 240 volts , consider a bigger generator

Hello,

The calulation of max wattage is going to be 750 watts at start up and be around 500 on normal running wattage after start up so a 1100 watt generator should be fine.


GENE

What type of load (electrical) was hooked up to this generation?? If the surge voltage and current was exceeded above the generator maximum for any length of time. There problems, it could be the regulator, insulation burnt off the windings.


I am taking a guess here. Now, 7100 Watts is it typical surge wattage. This mean that the generator will deliver 7100 Watt (voltage times current) this is know as the power factor. The actual operating load would be 6800 Watts and I would even operator the generator at its peak wattage. Something in the neighborhood of 10--15% less the peak wattage. Therefore a good positive theatrical Wattage would be 5800 to 6350 operating wattage. Then this generator would run all day.



Just remember Ohm's Law. Current plays a big factor in loading of a generator while the operation voltage is at 120 AC Volts. Example: electric motor; Now electric motor when starting will pull three time its operation current. Operating current for a 1/2 HP AC motor is 6 amperes but start this electric motor will require 18 amperes. This is one reason why they starting capacitors on smaller electric motors. Larger three phase electric motor can literal stop a generator cold...in its tracks. It put such a large demand on the generator it stops the engine powering the generator. I have seen crankshaft break because the generator could handle the heavy current load.



Remember, any time you are running a small gas powered generator. All ways figure what the load and surge current load will be before hooking up any generator. Normally this is figured in VA (volt/amps). Wish you lock. GB...stewbison

Your cutter machine may use more power than your whole house depending on the size of motor. A one horsepower motor 115v will use about 3000 watts to start and about 1000watts to run. To estimate how much power you need, add up all the watts that you will use at home and add to that estimated wattage of the cutter motor (motor will use 3x rated wattage to start plus loss of power thru the extension cord). Buy a generator that will give you needed power and still have a 25 percent reserve. If you need 2000 watts on a continued basis, the 2800 watt may be good, however I would be more comfortable with a 3500 watt if the price was right because of the cutter machine. I would consider converting the cutter to gas power and buy a smaller generator to save on gas since you will be most likely running the generator far longer to power the house. Good luck

How long have you had this generator?
Has the generator worked on all of these loads before?
Model 5500 is a 5500 Watt generator which could easily be 5500 watts (Peak) and not continuous.

Your AC is an inductive load.
Your lights are resistive loads

An inductive load can cause issues when starting due to an increased current demand at start up that some generators cringe under. Do the lights flicker or are they stable? I'd say your diodes on your stator are working if you have light stability but you haven't provided nearly enough information for a detailed solution.

I'm sure you have enough voltage but you aren't getting enough current to run specific loads. How many watts is your AC? How many watts for your microwave? Both of these units demand a great deal of energy to run and when you place too much demand on your generator, it will choke it out and eventually, will cause damage to the generator. You may consider getting a beefier generator with a greater amount of wattage output.


Seeing these specs online and noting what you are trying to run, you have an undersized generator and need to get one that can produce a greater amount of running wattage (as well as peak wattage).

Good day,
That sounds about right, however if your generator is rated in wattage the amps times volts won't work.
On an induction unit, such as a refrigerator, the wattage is volts times power factor times amps.
Nominal wattage should be around 375 watts. However, during auto defrost the heater will probably be around 450 watts.
As well, locked rotor amps on starting will be about 4 times running amps approx. 18 to 20 amps. so your generator will have to be able to handle that.
The short and long of it is give yourself wiggle room.

sounds like a voltage regulation problem with the generator

check your load..the generator is carrying heavy weight when you are going to load a high wattage thats why its RPM will turn slowly and have the possiblity to stop it...It MUST be needed the the given wattage of the generator is greater than the load you apply.for example:when your generator's specification is 3500 watts,tehn the load you are going to apply is i watts to 3499 watts only..