Portable generators are great for outdoor power needs. But selecting the right portable generator for your needs is the key in this. Going too low, you won’t have enough power and the fun outdoors, is not so fun anymore. Going too high, you will be left with the bitterness of spending more money that you should have.
So let’s break it down. If you are just going camping and need basic power, like power for your lights, a small TV, and maybe a kettle, we would suggest getting a 1200watt generator, a 2000watt generator, or a 3000watt generator . That is about how much power you would need. Depending on your tolerance for noise versus you love for your wallet, you may want to upgrade to an inverter portable generator. They are quieter, for a price.
Now if you are going RV’ing, your two favorite things to run are the air conditioning and the microwave. So what will power your air conditioning?
Well if you have a 13,500 BTU air-conditioner, which is the most common for toy haulers, 5th wheels, and many travel trailers, a 3500 watt generator should do just fine. Just make sure it has 30 amp service, like the GG3500RV . This is critical, as not all 3500 watt portable generators will have the ability to pull the amps needed for your air conditioner’s surge. If you have trouble, do not run the microwave and a/c at the same time.
If the GG3500RV portable generator is not quiet enough, you can upgrade to the inverter portable generator version, the GG3500D or GG3501D. All three will support most RV air conditioners out there, and have 30 amp service.
If you are in a public camp ground or park, remember you be courteous to your neighbors. Getting a quiet portable generator also means you won’t get booted out of the camp ground!
Sunday, March 6, 2011
How to operate a portable generator?
Portable generators are much like most small-engine products (lawn mowers, week-wackers, etc). Below are general guidelines for operating your portable generator. However, we strongly recommend you read the owner manual for your specific portable generator, as these guidelines may differ from one generator to the next. for more information click here
How to connect my portable generator?
There are two type of readers that land on this page; those who of you who have a nice looking generator, sitting in your garage, and you’re now trying to figure out how to connect it to your home. The second type, are those of you who thought ahead and want to plan this out before you buy your portable generator.
Well, the good news is that this article will help you both. It is never too late to learn how best to connect your portable generator.
There are three general methods to connect emergency power to your home. We will explain all three methods, and rate them by safety, ease and cost.
First Option: using a portable generator and extension cords
Cost: cheapest method
Safety: least safe method
This is fairly simply. You buy a portable generator, and run extension cords from the generator to your favorite appliances in the house. The cost is just that of the generator and some cords, available at any hardware store.
Although common, we highly recommend against this. Running extension cords has a safety hazard. Would you ever want your mechanic to cut corners in fixing your car that may be unsafe? Well why would you do it for your home?
Second Option: using a standby generator, with an automatic transfer switch
Cost: high, typically $5,000-$10,000
Convenience: very convenient
Safety: safe, with use of UL-certified components and a certified electrician
If money is no object, this is a great option. It provides the most hands-off solution, and is very convenient. But for the rest of us, where money does matter, let’s look at option 3.
Third Option: using a portable generator, with a manual transfer switch
Cost: $1000 - $2000
Convenience: medium
Safety: safe, with use of UL-certified components and a certified electrician
Herein lies the best of both worlds. Technology has evolved, and these days, you can buy a good manual transfer switch for a few hundred dollars. Be sure to buy one that can handle the amount of power you want to pull from your generator. There are three components you’d need to buy:
1. a portable generator (we recommend a 10,000 watt portable generator . This is the best bang for your buck)
2. a manual transfer switch
3. switch-to-generator inlet box
It’s a good idea to budget some money for an electrician to install this. Once setup, and in the event of a power outage, you would roll your generator out of the garage, plug it into the inlet box, turn it on, then flip the manual switch to “generator power”.
Well, the good news is that this article will help you both. It is never too late to learn how best to connect your portable generator.
There are three general methods to connect emergency power to your home. We will explain all three methods, and rate them by safety, ease and cost.
First Option: using a portable generator and extension cords
Cost: cheapest method
Safety: least safe method
This is fairly simply. You buy a portable generator, and run extension cords from the generator to your favorite appliances in the house. The cost is just that of the generator and some cords, available at any hardware store.
Although common, we highly recommend against this. Running extension cords has a safety hazard. Would you ever want your mechanic to cut corners in fixing your car that may be unsafe? Well why would you do it for your home?
Second Option: using a standby generator, with an automatic transfer switch
Cost: high, typically $5,000-$10,000
Convenience: very convenient
Safety: safe, with use of UL-certified components and a certified electrician
If money is no object, this is a great option. It provides the most hands-off solution, and is very convenient. But for the rest of us, where money does matter, let’s look at option 3.
Third Option: using a portable generator, with a manual transfer switch
Cost: $1000 - $2000
Convenience: medium
Safety: safe, with use of UL-certified components and a certified electrician
Herein lies the best of both worlds. Technology has evolved, and these days, you can buy a good manual transfer switch for a few hundred dollars. Be sure to buy one that can handle the amount of power you want to pull from your generator. There are three components you’d need to buy:
1. a portable generator (we recommend a 10,000 watt portable generator . This is the best bang for your buck)
2. a manual transfer switch
3. switch-to-generator inlet box
It’s a good idea to budget some money for an electrician to install this. Once setup, and in the event of a power outage, you would roll your generator out of the garage, plug it into the inlet box, turn it on, then flip the manual switch to “generator power”.
Wattage Calculator
Portable generators information offer most everything you would need for home backup, RV & camping use, or commercial jobsite use, in a smaller and more cost-effective package.
But before you start comparing models or shopping prices, we highly recommend to first identify your power needs. This helps you select the portable generator that is right for you. You can then shop different models to find one that fits your budget.
To do so, start by looking around your home and figure out which appliances or gadgets you really must have when the power goes out. Write everything that uses power in your home down, and put them into 2 groups:
- Must-have items (like your fridge and lights)
- Would-like-to-have items (like a dishwasher)
Once you’ve done this, visit our power calculation page to total up total power needed
You can then make your own judgment call as to which appliances you really want to pay the price for to power up in case of an outage.
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
Do I need a generator?
Ever heard the phrase “better safe than sorry”? We hope that you are among the fortunate ones to not have learned that about portable generators the bitter hard way.
• Have you ever had the power go out at home and suddenly realized how dependant you are on electricity?
• Have you ever been camping, RV’ing or hunting, and realized how difficult it is without power?
• Have you ever been on a jobsite and wasted half your day trying to find power outlets for your tools?
If you haven’t, we hope you never do. But if you have, you already know the value of having power. Portable generators are often a product you hope you never have to use, but should always have just in case.
The technology in portable generators has advanced quite a bit, and prices have dropped from ten years ago to a level where almost every American can now afford one.
Think spending $500 or $1000 is too much? How about spending $500 or $1000 on stocking up your fridge or freezer, just to watch all that food go bad right in front of your eyes because your power is out! Or not being able to wear clean clothes, or take a hot shower.
Buying a portable generator has never made more sense. For those of you who are still reading this, stop, and start shopping for your portable generator!
• Have you ever had the power go out at home and suddenly realized how dependant you are on electricity?
• Have you ever been camping, RV’ing or hunting, and realized how difficult it is without power?
• Have you ever been on a jobsite and wasted half your day trying to find power outlets for your tools?
If you haven’t, we hope you never do. But if you have, you already know the value of having power. Portable generators are often a product you hope you never have to use, but should always have just in case.
The technology in portable generators has advanced quite a bit, and prices have dropped from ten years ago to a level where almost every American can now afford one.
Think spending $500 or $1000 is too much? How about spending $500 or $1000 on stocking up your fridge or freezer, just to watch all that food go bad right in front of your eyes because your power is out! Or not being able to wear clean clothes, or take a hot shower.
Buying a portable generator has never made more sense. For those of you who are still reading this, stop, and start shopping for your portable generator!
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