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How to Pick the Right Generator
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A generator has lots of uses around the home so working out exactly what you need one for will help you pick the right one. If you're thinking of buying one so that you can run the essentials like the fridge freezer and the air conditioning unit during hurricane season, how much energy will those things take and how long will you need to draw on the generator's power for? Work those things out and then start shopping around. The other things you need to consider is the type of generator. Do you want a portable or a stationary generator? That depends on how often it's needed.
Portable or Stationary?
Portable generators do a great job particularly if you only need one from time to time. As you'd expect from the name, this type of generator can be wheeled around and connected to whatever you need to be powered. A stationary model, which is also called a standby generator, is a permanent feature of the home as it's ready to start automatically when the electricity is cut. This generator needs to be professionally installed but it's a better solution if you regularly face power cuts.
What Wattage?
How much power do you need? That's not something you will be able to answer without checking out the wattage required to power the appliances you can't do without. A typical refrigerator will use 600 watts, a microwave will need 1,500. If you're powering several lights in the evening, figure on 400 watts, and to keep watching TV during a power cut add in a further 200 watts. A small portable with 3,000 to 4,000 watts will be able to handle that. You'll need a midsized portable and small stationary with 5,000 to 8,500 watts if you want to power a heater at 1,300 watts and a computer at 250 watts as well as the other essentials.
Best Generator
Who makes the best generators? There are lots of firms on the market, some with recognizable names like Honda and Yamaha, others from firms who that don't branch out into as many other fields like WEN and Briggs and Stratton. Don't buy based on the brand though. Read reviews and work out which generator suits your needs. Is power or lightweight more important to you? Is the operating time available from a tank of fuel more important than the noise from the generator?
Generator Noise Levels
One of the key concerns for people thinking of introducing a generator into their home is the noise it produces while operating. If you need the generator to power the TV, you won't want it drowning out your favorite soap opera or sporting event. If you want to hear what's being said to you or what's being said on the TV, opt for a generator that produces less than 60 decibels as that's the volume at which most conversations take place.
Fixing a Generator
A generator is just a gas powered engine that turns the power of gasoline into electricity so if you're good with engines, you'll understand how to fix your generator. For example, if it doesn't start, look at the spark plugs as you would in the engine bay of your car. Does they need replacing? Is the carburetor clogged? That's another common reason why a generator fails to fire up. Again, a little knowledge of motors will help you get your generator working again.
Operating a Generator
The standby generator turns itself on automatically when it's needed but you have to operate a portable one whenever you need power. The generator can be connected to various devices directly or it can be routed through the home through the flanged outlet. This piece of hardware looks like a heavy-duty plug socket that's accessible from the outside of the home. Plugging your generating into that through a heavy-duty extension cord made for the purpose is the safest and best way of powering the appliances you need as it's routed through the home's transfer switch, which has circuit breakers. The generator itself is easy to start as you just need to switch the ignition on, pull the choke out and then pull to start.
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Source: https://www.life123.com/article/how-to-pick-the-right-generator?utm_content=params%3Ao%3D740009%26ad%3DdirN%26qo%3DserpIndex