How to Choose the Right Portable Generator For You

By David Clair



Before we get into choosing a portable generator, let's review exactly what a portable generator is, and what the standard uses for them are.

What is a portable generator? Typical portable generators are fueled by unleaded gasoline and have standard 120-volt power outlets like the outlets you have on the walls of your home.

What can portable generators be used for? Portable generators are extremely versatile and can be used for a wide variety of purposes. Among the most common uses of a portable generator are:

- Providing power for a home in an emergency

- Power in locations that do not have access to standard eletric outlets

- Recreational use, such as at campsites and in RVs.

How do I use a portable generator? When the generator is running, you simply plug in your tools or appliances into the 120-volt (standard) electric outlets. Some models of generators also have 240-volt outlets. 240-volt outlets are used for large appliances like clothes dryers.

Now, let's talk about what to look for when choosing the right portable generator for you.

How high of a power capacity do I need?
Generators use two basic power measurements: peak power (sometimes referred to as startup power), and continuous power. Both kinds of power are measured in wattage.

- Peak power is the required wattage that appliances need at startup or when they are running at their highest power consumption levels.

- Continuous power is the required wattage to operate appliances under normal circumstances.

What are standby generators? Standby generators are generators that create anywhere from 5,000 to 25,000 watts of power (sometimes even more). You need to choose a generator that supplies enough peak power and continuous power for the appliances that you need to keep powered.

What are you going to use your generator for? For recreational use, A small 1,000-watt portable generator could be all you will need. If you need to power tools at a remote jobsite, you could require up to about 8,000 watts of power.

Another thing to consider is how many outlets you will need on your generator. Make sure there are enough outlets to power all of the appliances you will be using at one time.

The size of the fuel tank is another consideration and is very important. Depending on how long you will potentially need your portable generator to run, you may need a larger fuel tank. The larger the fuel tank, the longer your generator will be able to run without refueling.

Now that you know what to look for, you can compare different portable generators and find out which one will meet your needs. A good resource for your research can be found at this portable generator reference website.

What can portable generators be used for? Portable generators are extremely versatile and can be used for a wide variety of purposes.

What Type of Portable Generators Do You Need?

By MJ Marks



When I think of portable generators, I think of something that can generate energy in an emergency or at a powerless location (up in the mountains), that can be carried. Well, with a little research, it didn't take me long to discover that there is a lot more to portable generators, and that they can be divided into three different styles. They are:

1. Recreational
2. Emergency
3. Professional

So, lets take a look at each of these categories so that you can find the best portable generator for your personal needs.

Recreational Portable Generators

Now, I did kind of have it right, portable generators allow you to take the convenience of home with you no matter where you go. But you also have to be careful. There is nothing worse than being at a remote campground and having somebody pull up, set up their tent and then start their noisy generator so they can watch a movie. It takes the peace out of being one with nature. When in the outdoors, stick to a recreational generator. They are typically small with low wattage and do not make as much noise as an emergency or professional generator.

The most common sizes that a recreational generator comes in is 1000 watts and 2000 watts. The smaller of the two is good for running only one or two appliances at a time, the larger one will usually allow you to run multiple appliances simultaneously. But always be aware of how much wattage each appliance takes, they should all have a plate on the back letting you know their wattage, that way you can unplug and plug in appliances as needed without overloading your generator.

Emergency Portable Generators

The modern world is very dependent on electricity, and though it can be a fun family evening sitting around in the dark with only candlelight or a fireplace, lack of power can cause some real problems. Security systems can fail, food can spoil, basements can flood, and if you live in the country on your own well, you typically lose your water along with the power. These can be real problems if power is out for an extended period of time. To solve these problems, many people use portable generators as an emergency back up, and your little recreational generator will not do the trick!

Now, to know how much power you need if your power goes out, you can figure it the long way by looking at every appliance needed and tallying up the total wattage, or you can use a general rule of thumb.

Medium portable generators (30000 - 6000 watts) will allow you to power multiple appliances; however, any appliance that has a motor (fridge, furnace, sump pump, freezer) takes more power and you would not want to run two of these at the same time on this small of a generator. You would have to rotate the major appliances that you need to run. So, the cost is less, but it takes more effort to keep things going.

If you want more power, you can move up to the 7000 - 9000 watt range, this will allow you to power multiple rooms or a couple of larger, motorized appliances at one. But even this size is not enough if you want to run an air conditioner.

If you want central AC, you have to get the extra large portable generators that are 10,000+ watts. These will restore power to most of your house, assuming your home is not very large. But if you are running a central air conditioner, check the amount of energy that your AC needs to make sure that you get a generator that is big enough.

Professional Generators

These portable generators are typically used on a job site, and the sizing is basically the same as for emergency generators. You have to consider how big the job is, and how much equipment and tools you need the generator to power. Professional generators are typically a bit beefier than their home emergency counter parts, they are designed to hold up under rougher conditions.

Personally, when in the outdoors, I do not need to power a coffee maker, TV or mini fridge. But having been in many black outs, I do like the idea of the emergency portable generators. Especially having lived in the country and know what it is like to have to melt snow on a wood burning stove just to flush a toilet! But how about you, do you have any need for a portable generator?

MJ writes for ClickShops Inc, which offers a great selection of portable generators
Whether you need power when in remote areas, or want an emergency back up power source for your home, or you need power on a job site, a portable generator is what you need. But how do you know what size you need? Find out some general guidelines and...

Hot Portable Generator Safety Tips From the Pros Who Know Generators

By Joe Elliot


Every year unfortunate accidents related portable generators end up causing physical injury and death. The majority involve CO poisoning from generators used indoors or in partially enclosed spaces. The others are related to improper set-up and...

Every year unfortunate accidents related portable generators end up causing physical injury and death. The majority involve CO poisoning from generators used indoors or in partially enclosed spaces. The others are related to improper set-up and installation and not knowing or ignoring clearly stated safety rules. Notably, these tragic incidents and accidents could have been altogether avoided.

Simply put, when used improperly, portable generators become hazardous to your health, safety, life and property. Set up and used properly, you can enjoy the benefits of portable generators without any hitches. There are six eminent dangers associated with these devices. With the advice of the experts, you can spare yourself and others from these dangers:
Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

Portable generators, when running, emit a highly toxic gas known as carbon monoxide or CO. What makes this gas so dangerous is that it is literally impossible to detect because it is both odorless and colorless. Remember, you cannot smell or see CO.

More often than not, people succumb to carbon monoxide poisoning without ever realizing they were in harm's way. You can avoid carbon dioxide poisoning by placing the portable generator only in areas specified by our experts. Here is our list of do's and don'ts concerning this potential hazard.

oDO NOT ever run a portable generator indoors; that means DO NOT run them in: rooms, basements, garages, crawlspaces or any other enclosed space. Even if the room or area has ventilation, take note: portable generators were not meant to run indoors, not even in partially enclosed spaces.

o DO NOT ever position a portable generator beside any window, door or vent or near any opening in which people or animals may be visiting, staying or living. A common myth is; if you open doors and windows or use fans you can prevent CO build-up; THIS IS A COMPLETELY FALSE STATEMENT! Carbon monoxide from portable generators can seep through windows, doors and openings even though it is running outdoors.

o DO advise everyone that will be near a portable generator of the hazards and symptoms of CO poisoning and the safety precautions. If anyone experiences symptoms of carbon dioxide poisoning, which include: nausea, dizziness, headache and tiredness, get to fresh air IMMEDIATELY, then seek medical attention IMMEDIATELY! DO advise the medical staff that CO poisoning is suspected. DO contact the fire department so that they can determine when it is safe to re-enter the property.

o DO install battery-operated carbon monoxide alarms. These alarms save lives! They should be certified to the requirements of the latest safety standards for CO alarms. Test them frequently and replace weak and dead batteries.

o DO follow all of the set-up and operation instructions that come with your portable generator.

Fire Hazards From Improper Refueling

Portable generators get hot; therefore heed this warning to the letter! Before refueling your portable generator, always take these two steps: 1). Turn the unit off. 2). Let the unit cool down. If you are not sure what the acceptable refueling temperature is, consult your user manual.

DO NOT ever attempt to refuel a portable generator while it is running.

DO NOT ever refuel a portable generator moments after shutting down.

These devices remain hot for a long period of time and that heat mixed together with gasoline or gasoline vapors could easily spark a fire. It may be inconvenient but always wait until the unit cools down before you attempt to refuel. You may be a top-notch contractor pushing to meet a tight deadline and need your generator to power your circular saw. I've been there; you're tempted to ignore safety rules to get the job done, DON'T DO IT! It's not worth jeopardizing your physical well being, life or property.

Improper Set-Up and Installation

A portion of the portable generator related accidents arise from improper set up and installation. Here is our list of do's and don'ts to insure that your set-up and installation won't put you in harm's way.

o DO NOT ever attempt to use your portable generator to power any house using a practice known as, "back feeding." This is when the output from a generator is plugged into a wall outlet. The theoretical thought is; the generator will feed all of the other outlets in the house. This dangerous practice usually bypasses the built-in household circuit protection devices and even worse, presents an electrocution risk to utility workers and neighbors served by the same utility transformer.

We never advise anyone to connect a portable generator to house wiring unless it is done by a qualified and licensed electrician in accordance with local electrical codes. Moreover, only use a portable generator to power a house as a temporary solution in emergencies. If this is an ongoing scenario, a permanently installed standby generator is better for your needs

o DO Plug appliances directly into the generator. If you must use an electrical cord, use a heavy duty, outdoor rated extension cord; one that is properly rated to handle the sum total of the appliance load. Check the entire cord from end-to-end to confirm that the cord is free of frays, cuts or rips and that the cord has all three prongs, particularly the grounding pin.

Electrical Hazards

Treat portable generators with the same safety precautions as you would a normal power source. Remember, most generators lack protection devices such as circuit breakers; therefore, they can be considerably more harmful in the event that you happen to get electrocuted. To avoid shock or electrocution, make sure your hands; body and feet are dry before touching a generator. Never attempt to connect any appliances while barefooted.

Keep every connection clean and avoid tangling of cords, unnecessary and unsafe connections. Never overload your generator with too many appliances or devices. Keep your generator dry as much as possible and never use wet electric devices under any circumstances. Never let your generator work in the rain. In rainy weather, use a canopy like structure for protection.

Improper Storage Hazards

Always avoid these common portable generator and fuel storage hazards.

o DO NOT ever store fuel for your generator in your home. As a safety precaution, gasoline, diesel, propane, natural gas, kerosene and other flammable liquids should always be stored away from living areas in properly labeled, non-glass safety containers.

o DO NOT ever place or store any fuel container near a generator or near any place it could absorb heat. That means DO NOT store fuel containers near any fuel-burning appliance such as a natural gas dryer or water heater. If the container is not sealed properly or fuel is spilled, it is possible for vapors from the fuel to be ignited by the appliance's pilot light or by arcs from electric switches in the appliance.

Vibration Accidents and Noise Hazards

Some portable generators vibrate considerably, which causes them to shift and move. If they are sitting on a tailgate of a truck bed or on any other surface where the potential of falling off exists, this is a clear safety hazard and should be avoided. Always survey your location for this potential hazard. And remember, most many manufacturers suggest wearing ear protection when working around certain portable generators, consult your owner's manual.

When it comes to generators, Joe Elliot is your man! He literally shows you the power. His website is a MegaSite for virtually any and every type and brand of generator on the market. Got a question about generators, need help to figure out what you need? Why search the web, when you can find clear cut answers and solutions at