CHOOSING THE RIGHT GENERATOR

It’s easy to feel left in the dark when it comes to knowing what to look for when selecting a generator. The selection guide below will enable you to make the correct decision based on your needs.

Traditional Portable Generator

Traditional portable generators produce power by using an engine to rotate two large coils of wire (the rotor) inside a circumference of magnets (the stator). Each full rotation of the engine produces one complete sine wave of AC power. Therefore the engine must maintain a constant speed of 3000RPM to produce the standard of 50Hz. (3000 revs / 60 seconds (1min) = 50Hz). No matter what the load, a traditional style generator must run at full speed to provide the correct power.

Inverter Generator

An Inverter Generator is normally used where power is required for sensitive electronic equipment like PCs, TVs and instrumentation. They are also chosen when portability or size is important and where noise must be kept to a minimum.

Portable Generator

A portable generator consists of two main components, a gasoline or diesel powered engine and an Alternator or an Invertor. Portable generators have many applications at work and around the home and have made outdoor events and projects much easier to tackle.

The Generator Place Range of generators takes reliability, convenience and portability to another level with the latest technology, functions and brand choice.

What Do You Need To Power? Is the BIG IMPORTANT Question!

The first question when selecting a generator is "What do you need to power?”

Make a List

Make a list of the appliances, tools and lighting that you want to use simultaneously.
How many lights will you need to run alongside your powertools?
Will you need to run the oven as well as the microwave at the same time?

Note the Wattage Required

The list below offers a guide on the wattages used on most common appliances and items used at home and in the workplace. For exact figures we recommend you check the nameplate or instruction manual for your individual appliances. Also listed (where applicable) is the "starting wattage” or "surge wattage” which is the amount of wattage needed to start an appliance with a motor. This may be up to three times the wattage required to run the appliance, so this must be taken into consideration.

All generators also have a maximum and rated wattage output. All Generator Place Generators are designed to work at their maximum rating for minimum 30mins. Rated power is the level where the generator can be operated continuously and is typically 90% of maximum power. The Generator Place Portable Generator Range includes machines that range from 900W to 18000W.

• Weight / Portability
• Operating Sound Levels
• Engine Type (2 Stroke, 4 Stroke, or Diesel)
• Fuel Capacity
• Starting System (2-Wire, Remote, ELectric (Key or Button) or EZ Start Recoil)
• Investment Cost

Calculate Your Total Power Needs

This chart lists average power requirements. Your particular tool or appliance may require more or less than the listed wattage. Firstly, add up all the "running wattage” requirements for all the items that you need to power simultaneously. Next, add to that total the highest of the "starting wattages” you listed down. Now you know approximately how much power you need to start and run your appliances and equipment.