If you live in an area that is prone to power outages then you will know just how useful Portable generators can be. Temporary power failures are most common in areas that have thunderstorms, high winds or snow storms but can occur anywhere if there is a random fault in the system. Many homes and businesses can be seriously affected by outages if they last more than an hour or two. Buying a portable generator can bring piece of mind, knowing that there is a back-up power source to provide power. There are additionally many other reasons to buy a portable generator. In this article we are going to look at why it is a good idea to invest in one and what to look for when buying.
Their ease of use means that there are a number of benefits to owning a portable generator.. As pointed out before, the most common reason for buying one is in order to supply power during power outages. However, there are at least two other examples where a portable generator can come in handy. The first is for supplying power in an area that does not have access to the main power supply. This might be to supply power for building machinery. The second example is to generate power for recreational purposes. Many campers and boat owners invest in a portable generator so that they know they will always have access to a power source no matter where they go.
The most important point to consider when choosing a generator is to determine how much power is needed. If you don't buy one with sufficient power you might find that you are unable to power all the appliances that you need. When you are calculating the power requirements you need to use peak power values. Theses are usually quoted in instruction manuals and commonly on the appliance itself. The peak or maximum power is the usually the power need to start an appliance. For example, when a refrigerator is running, it takes only a small amount of power but it does need a lot more whenever the compressor switches on. So you need to add up the peak power requirements of your appliances so that you can determine what power your generator needs to provide.
Some other details you need to consider are the number of 120V outlets that you want and the sort of fuel that the generator needs - most run from gas. The size and portability is an issue as well. Portably generators vary in size according to the amount of power they can supply. You need to think about whether you will want to transport it to different sites or if it will be in a fixed position. Many portable generators come with wheels to allow you to move them around without any difficulty.
There is no doubt that portable generators can be a great benefit, providing power for essential appliances in homes and businesses. Buying a generator can save thousands of dollars in the long term.