Four Simple Steps to Consider Before Choosing Your Generator
Whether you love the great outdoors or just want peace of mind during a power outage, the right generator can make a huge difference. Navigating generator jargon like watts, kva, and surge wattage can be confusing. Instead, we have four simple steps for you to follow so that you can make the best choice for your specific needs.
- Calculating the Power You Need: Make a list of your appliances. Jot down everything you'd want to run during a camping trip or power outage (lights, fridge, coffee maker, etc.)
- Watts Matter: Check the wattage listed on each appliance (often found on the label).
- Surge vs. Continuous: Put simply, continuous wattage/power is the power that an appliance or piece of equipment will use each and every minute or hour that it is operating. Surge wattage is the large boost of power that some appliances (especially fridges) need to start. The general rule of thumb is to double or triple their listed wattage, while this is not always 100% accurate, it will give you a rough estimate. However, there is certain equipment such as pumps or other inductive loads can use anywhere from 5-7 times more power during startup, so be sure to always check the usage on the compliance plate or user manual when you are unsure.
- Future-Proof Your Plans: Thinking of adding a new appliance soon? Factor that in to avoid buying a generator that's too small.
Types of Generators: Which Suits Your Style?
Inverter Generators:
- Perfect for camping or powering sensitive electronics (laptops, etc.)
- Super quiet and fuel-efficient.
- Often smaller, making them great for portability.
- For more details, browse our range of Inverter Generators.
Traditional Generators:
- Ideal for powering a worksite or household during outages.
- Usually bigger with higher power outputs.
- May be louder as they lack the sound-suppressing features of inverter generators.
- For more details, browse our range of Traditional Generators.
After something with a bit more power? No worries, we can supply generators with more than 100kVA. For more details, browse our range of Commercial Generators.
Additional Tips
- Understand Noise Levels: Decibel (dB) ratings tell you how loud the generator is. Think about how close it'll be to your campsite or home.
- Pre-Starts Matter: Our team can perform a pre-start test to ensure the generator works flawlessly before you take it home.
- No Stale Fuel: Leaving old fuel in a generator causes problems. Ask how to drain your specific model correctly.
Need Professional Advice?
We're here to help, let us help you to make the right choice! Choosing a generator doesn't have to be overwhelming! If you have any questions about which generator to choose, feel free to give us a call or come by our Mackay or Townsville store!
Need help with those wattage calculations? We can help you build a custom power plan based on your unique needs.
