Whether you are going for a picnic with your family or using electric tools outside the house, you need a portable generator. It has the right size, the weight you can handle, and enough power for your adventures. The most popular house tool is a 2000 watt inverter generator with a low noise level and power supply for any emergency. You can also check out https://wellselectricservice.com/ for more great options.
Generator in Your Home
There are numerous models and types on the market. You have to pick the one that suits your demands. Before you buy anything, think about the main goal of the generator in your house. Will you use it daily? Will you power all electronics in your house? Or do you just need to charge the most sensitive gadgets like computers or phones? Write down all the possible scenarios, so you could easily pick the right dc generator.
Generators for Power Outages
If you live in an area with frequent power outages, your first concern must be about providing electricity to your house from another source. In this case, you need a highly powerful and possibly standby generator. The price will be more expensive than portable and may start from $5,000, but it is more powerful as well. It starts with 7000-watt power and can feed your refrigerator, oven, central air, or any medical equipment. It can easily illuminate your home. Yet, it is heavy and pricey. If the outages happen once in a year or so, you don’t need this giant machine at your house. Instead, you can use a portable generator.
You will have to connect a portable generator to the circuit with the manual transfer switch. You can choose the fuel:
- Diesel;
- Propane;
- Gasoline;
- Solar;
- Mixed fuel type.
Mixed types are the most expensive but may be handy in case you don’t have one type of fuel at home. If there is a lack of gas, you can try alternatives. Yet, you have to keep the tank full, just in case. If you can’t, make sure that you have the fuel nearby. Pay attention to its place in the house. The generator must be not less than 10 ft away from windows or doors to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning.
Generator types and wattage
If you are wondering whether there is enough power in the generator, read these helpful tips. Generators differ based on the wattage. Each of them has a different working time, based on the number of watts. The main types of portable generators:
- Small generator. This portable generator is perfect for camping, picnicking with family, and powering a few essentials like a computer, microwave, lights in the house, or fridge. It will not work for more than several hours. The small generator provides up to 3,000 watts. It is affordable and works quietly;
- Medium generators. They have a larger tank and can work longer than small ones. They provide up to 6,000 watts, and you can use them to illuminate the house, cook dinner, or work in the garden with electro tools until dark. They are still transportable and can be taken on a trip;
- These portable generators are less portable. You can’t move them as easily and take them camping if you have a long walking distance ahead. They provide up to 9,000 watts and can power a lot of rooms for a long period of time. You may use this type in your house on wheels;
- Extra-large generator. This option could be easily treated as a standby generator due to its immobility. It is big and highly powerful. It provides 10,000 watts. They usually have an electric start button, which makes them safer to use. You can consider them as a reliable alternative source of power and use them while you are on the road in the mobile home for months.
Inverter
There is a specific type of generator that takes care of sensitive electronics. Inverter generators protect your computers, refrigerators, and phones from overheating. It provides less than 5 percent total harmonic distortion, so your gadgets will not be fried. Higher THD can simply burn electronics. You need so-called “clean” electricity. Such generators are noiseless and perfect for family picnics and camping.
Frequent Power Problems
If you live in an area with hurricanes or a high possibility of natural disasters, you can install a standby home generator to avoid outages. Even if there will be no problems with electricity, it is better to feel secure. While portable generators do not run for weeks, standby generators can be used for a long period of time. There are major differences from portable generators:
- Can’t be moved. Standby generators must be installed by an electrician. You will not be able to move it anywhere;
- It can be fed by natural gas, diesel, propane, or dual fuel;
- Automatic work. These generators have automatic transfer switches that are connected to the circuit breaker in your house. Once the power is off, the automatic switch turns on the generator. The electricity will be restored in a blink of an eye. Such generators are widely used in hospitals;
- Standby generators can offer you 150 kilowatts or even more. The most powerful portable generator produces 17 kilowatts only. Such generators use clean power, so you can charge sensitive electronics as well. This is why a standby generator can work for over a few weeks non-stop, based on the model and output you pick;
- Size of the generator. They are way bigger than portable generators. You can’t carry them around. Yet, they also can vary in size. The size depends on the wattage you need, the a/c system, and your house;
- Standby generators cost more than portable generators. If you don’t need a constant power supply, you can save money on buying portable but powerful generators.
Perfect Generator for Your Family
Before you choose the generator you need for your family, think about all the activities you want to perform by using the generator. You may install a standby generator at your house to provide you with an alternative electric supply and use a portable generator for outdoor camping and family adventures outside. Read the article and find out which model you need for your specific case.