| Portable generators are used in homes and in | | | | powered by the generator must be calculated. |
| places where there is no power or the need | | | | This includes the starting wattage required |
| for power is minimum. Portable generators are | | | | by appliances with motors, such as |
| generally smaller and are designed to use for | | | | refrigerators and freezers that use two or |
| a few. A portable generator of 5KW has enough | | | | three times their normal wattage power to |
| power to keep lights, refrigerators, | | | | start. The generator should not only meet the |
| computers and televisions running for 7 to 8 | | | | normal wattage, but the start up wattage of |
| hours. Portable generators are normally | | | | the appliances. Moreover, the generator must |
| powered by gasoline, diesel, propane or | | | | have the necessary voltage ratings to run |
| natural gas. They are the most popular of all | | | | electric appliances such as the ovens and |
| portable generators. Gasoline generators are | | | | clothes driers that are rated at 240 volts. A |
| relatively less expensive but require | | | | portable generator should have at least two |
| frequent maintenance and have a shorter life | | | | receptacles of 120 volt each. Generators that |
| span. Gasoline has a short shelf life and | | | | provide a longer runtime per tank of fuel or |
| cannot be stored for a long time unless | | | | having a fuel tank capacity of around 5 |
| treated with stabilizers.Diesel generators, | | | | gallon of fuel are preferred especially, by |
| on the other hand, are fuel-efficient, | | | | people living in areas where power failures |
| consume less fuel per kilowatt of power | | | | are quite frequent.A portable 7KW generator |
| produced, have longer life and require less | | | | that can power lights, furnaces, sump pumps, |
| maintenance. Diesel can be stored for longer | | | | televisions and refrigerators may cost $1000 |
| periods of time. However, they are harder to | | | | or more depending upon the quality and the |
| start in cold weather and noisy. Portable | | | | type of generator. For a normal home, an |
| generators powered by natural gas or propane | | | | ideal generator would be in 10KW to 12 KW |
| is the best choice if available. The | | | | costing around $2700 for 10KW and $3700 for a |
| generator lasts longer and burns | | | | 12 KW. Portable diesel generators are |
| cleaner.Before choosing a portable generator, | | | | available for use on construction sites in |
| the total wattage of all appliances to be | | | | the range of 200KW and more. |