What to look for in a portable electric generator

Portable electric generators are used in several different manors including being used to power homes and businesses during power outages and powering various items used for outdoor activities. When looking to purchase an electric generator there is many variables to be considered b the buyer. With the cost of a quality generator ranging from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars, knowing which mode and type to buy will save the consumer a lot of hard earned money. The following advice will allow the consumer to make a smart and well-informed decision as to which portable electronic generator will be the best to handle their individual needs.

When you decide that you are in the market for a portable electronic generator you should make a list of all the electronic devices that will need to be powered by the generator. You will need to take into account the wattage required to start the items and the wattage needed to run the items. These numbers tend to vary greatly based upon what your generator will be powering. The amount of wattage needed to run a product or appliance can be found on the appliance nameplate or on the electrical cord itself. Starting wattage is crucially important for compressors, motors, and pumps, and is typically two to seven times the running wattage of the item. The starting wattage of a central air-conditioning unit and the smallest available heat pumps will be greater than ten thousand watts, which is far greater than the capacity of even the most powerful portable electric generators. To determine what size of a generator you will need, you will, first have to decide what essential equipment will need to powered and which larger appliance can be cycled on and off. It may be more cost effective to rotate the powering of equipment in order to reduce the size of a portable generator needed.

Shopping for a portable electric generator is a lot like shopping for a new car. The body and engine of the unit are included in the base price, but most of the essential and desirable features for the generator to go way up. Determining where and how you will use your generator will help you in deciding which of these pricey features you will need to purchase and include in the cost of the unit when doing the final comparison between models.

If you are looking to use your generator on a long term basis and are looking for it to be quiet and efficient you may look into purchasing an overhead valve engine for your generator. You may also look into a model that is capable of handling pressurized lubrication which will also prolong the life of the engine. The cost of these two features could raise the overall price of your generator more than two hundred dollars. If your needs require you to run your generator for long periods of time, you may want to look for models that have features that conserve fuel.

Some models can be purchased for about fifty more dollars and are equipped with larger than normal gas tanks. Many of these gas tanks are designed to hold five or more gallons than most generators which will allow your unit to run 12 to 18 hours more than average units. A generator that is equipped with an idle control feature will not only reduce the noise level of the generator but will allow the generator to run at less than full power during periods where less power is needed. This greatly increases your fuel economy and may allow your generator to run up to 18 hours longer than models that are not equipped with an auto idle feature.

A low oil shutdown feature is well worth the approximate thirty five-dollar increase in some generators price. It will automatically shut down the generator should the engines oil level fall below a predetermined level. This feature will prevent the engine from running without enough oil to keep it lubricated and will prevent the engine from being damaged. A low oil shutdown feature also increases the life of your generator and should be taken into account for consumers looking to use their generators for many years.

A final feature that may be the most important to some buyers and doesnt increase the overall price of a generator too drastically is a wheel kit. This wheel kit allows the unit, which usually weighs more than one hundred pounds, to be portable and moved to wherever it may be needed. This feature would be especially attractive to those looking to use their generator for outdoor purposes such as camping or tailgating.

When making an investment like buying a portable electric generator, consumers should be well prepared and knowledgeable about what they need and are looking for. They should only purchase a generator that is the right size for their needs. They should also look into any special features they feel like they would need and be sure to include the costs of these features when doing price comparisons.