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View Full Version : How many watts for a generator?



Polished60
05-24-2005, 10:58 PM
So I finally bought a generator but now I`m wondering how many watts does the pc pull? The generator is good for 1850 watts! Should this be enough?

AMDin93103
05-24-2005, 11:21 PM
Amps x Volts = Watts

The PC (http://www.porter-cable.com/index.asp?e=547&p=2805) uses 3.7amps x 120 volts so you will need at least 444 watts. I say at least because when any electric motor switches on it will spike at a substantially higher level. You may need 600 watts to get the thing started without throwing your breaker/fuse. Do consider what other equipment you will be running while operating your PC or what equipment you might want to run when you get deeper in the trade. Extractor, Steam Cleaner, Rotary, Air Compressor, Vacu-boom, Turntables, Refrigerator. HTH.

dimedrol
05-24-2005, 11:38 PM
So I finally bought a generator but now I`m wondering how many watts does the pc pull? The generator is good for 1850 watts! Should this be enough?

Planty, MAN.
You can run almost 4 of them with 1850 generator.
3.7x120=444

Polished60
05-25-2005, 01:29 AM
Excellent!!! I thought I should check before hooking it all up tommorrow. I do have a number of other things I`ll run off of it as well but not a refridgerator (yet :hungry ) Thanks for the super fast replies. Andrew

PhaRO
05-25-2005, 07:50 AM
Another option for the PC instead of listening to your generator for a couple hours is a small invertor. $54 for 700 watt at your local wally world.

klnyc
05-25-2005, 08:04 AM
What brand it`s that? It`s run on pure gasoline or you need to mix it like you were doing on a lawnmow?

Polished60
05-26-2005, 11:13 AM
I think its a pretty nice setup and it really worked well yesterday. Its a Coleman generator with B&S engine. It has a casing around it, handles, and quite portable. I got it a Home Depot for $399 Not all that loud either. I`ll try to find a link or pic for the forum.

Polished60
05-26-2005, 11:14 AM
Oh, and it runs off reg unleaded!

Polished60
05-27-2005, 12:07 PM
heres a pichttp://

Mikeyzr
05-27-2005, 03:12 PM
That pic isnt working? ^

I`ve had bad experiances with power invertors, 12VDC to AC. They really drain your vehicle battery down, almost so much that you need to leave it running. If you have the money, that generator will have plenty of power for what you`re using it for. Your friends will also bug you because it`s one of those things you really need once and a while and not many people have them! ;)

Mike

PhaRO
05-27-2005, 05:56 PM
I only run the inverter for the PC. My battery is pretty old and haven`t had a problem so far. My 5000 watt gen is just too noisy to run for the pc. I plan to get a honda or at least a honda engine generator this summer and use my beast for a backup :)

Hawaiianelement
05-27-2005, 06:53 PM
If you run an Inverter and worried about your battery , you can upgrade your cars cell to a Optima battery . Lots of stereo guys love these because of their excessisive power needs. Good luck ...

Polished60
05-29-2005, 09:55 AM
Heres a pic!