Thread: portable generator

Prob hopeful Peter.

A 1kw drill will draw more than that on startup so you'd be looking at a 1.5 or 2kw gennie.

There have been some in Aldi recently. I think they were 1200w but with a higher instantaneous load rating. I can't remember the price but $299 rings a bell.

For the circular saw and drill, you should get away with something having a similar rating to the tool, say 2KVA. Start up current should not be a major issue as these two tools start without the load applied, and the load is applied one the unit is up to speed.

As backup for a freezer, hard to guess without knowing more about the freezer. If the motor is rated at 1/2 horse (375W), 2KVA would be borderline as the compressor motor is starting under load every cycle. Start current could be up to 6 times run current, and if insufficient current is available, the compressor may not start and will draw the available current till either the comp motor, the generator, or a fuse die. Either way the freezer will thaw unless there is immediate intervention.

Thanks everyone for their advice, I didn't think it was as simple as it looked. I will probably buy something of a decent size now, there is nothing worse than an underpowered tool of any kind. thanks and cheers Peter