The reason we buy a generator is to power appliances and recharge various electronics. The next question comes up - what can you run on a 2000 watt generator? What can a generator of that size power at the same time?
Note that starting watts tends to be higher than continuous (running) watts for many appliances. Electric water heaters, hot plates, water pumps, deep freezers, clocks, light bulbs and electric stoves don’t experience a power surge at startup before dropping to a lower running load.
Many power tools like circular saws and miter saws use the same power at startup as when they are running, though reciprocating saws have a 10% or so higher starting wattage and electric drills see a 50% spike at start up.
The worst offender is the air compressor; while a 1 horsepower air compressor uses 1500 watts of continuous power, the average unit uses close to 3000 watts at startup.
Some Essential Home Appliances That Can Be Powered By a 2000 Watt Generator
Powering Smaller Appliances With a 2000 Watt Generator
Powering a Deep Freezer, Microwave, Electric Grill or Electric Stove
Let’s look at what you could run in the average RV, cabin or home if you only look at appliances that don’t have an initial spike of starting watts. A 2000 watt generator could power a 500 watt deep freezer and one element of the electric stove. Or you could run the freezer, cook with a 650 watt microwave (using 1000 watts) and a few lights. The typical electric range with 8” elements will use all 2000 watts if you use it while connected to the generator. Even better is using a slow cooker (300 watts), whereas an electric grill will use 1700 watts of the generator’s power.
The challenges arise when the power goes out and you need to start up critical appliances using the generator.
Powering Larger Appliances With a 2000 Watt Generator
Powering a Sump Pump or Well Pump
Sump pumps have 1200 starting (surge) watts and draw 800 watts while running. A 2000 watt generator could start up the sump pump and then keep it running during a storm, and once running and drawing 800 watts, you could use the same generator to power the 1000 watt water well pump. A 2000 watt generator won’t be able to power your hot water heater.
Powering an Air Conditioner
A 2000 watt handle the load of a 15000 BTU RV air conditioner with a higher starting wattage capacity could let you run a 10,000 BTU window air conditioner during a summer blackout. The typical such unit has 2200 starting watts but only needs 1500 watts of continuous power. Once the AC is running, you could use the remaining capacity to run a few lights or charge a laptop or cell phone. A 2000watt generator can’t handle the load of a 15000 BTU RV air conditioner starting up, but it could carry the load once it was running.
Powering a Refrigerator
A mid-sized energy star rated refrigerator uses about 1200 starting watts when the compressor kicks in before dropping down to 200 running watts. If there’s nothing else plugged into the 2000 watt generator, you could start up the refrigerator. Once it is running, you have roughly 1800 watts left to work with. You could start up a one third horsepower sump pump before its load drops down to 800 watts, then use the remaining power from the generator to run a desktop computer or run a laptop computer while charging your cell phone.
Powering a Furnace Fan or a Radiant Heater
If the power goes out due to a snowstorm, a 2000 watt generator has the capacity to run the average 1300 watt radiant heater after you’ve let it handle the starting surge of refrigerator’s load. If you have an oil or natural gas furnace, the generator has enough power to run a third of a horsepower furnace fan. The surge wattage is 1400 watts while running load is 700 watts. However, a half horsepower furnace fan needs nearly 2400 watts to startup – more than the 2000 watt generator could provide unless it is one of the few inverter generators with a starting load that high. Conversely, a 2000 watt generator could run a radiant heater, multiple lights and a couple of fans to distribute the heat.
Powering a Washing Machine
It can’t run your clothes dryer, but it could run an automatic washer assuming there is almost no other load barring lights and maybe a TV running.
Can I run a 7500 BTU on a 2000 watt tool shed generator
Yes you can, at least with the Honda 2000
Can u run a 1600 psi pressure washer with this generator
No. The average 1600psi pressure washer is rated at 1560 watts with a current draw of 13 amps. The generator probably produces less than 2000 watts on a continuous basis. This will overload the generator and you will have problems. Get at least a 4000 watt generator and you will be OK.
I have 2000 watt Yamaha invert 1600 running will it run a LG refigerator
Thank you I was getting nervous when I looked at the box they are selling like hot cakes today pge wants to shut off power
I was curious if anyone ran their Honda 2000 you are OK for 10,000 hours because I have approximated my use and it seems that I am about there
How do I prep a portable 2000w generator…what makes it work?
To prep a gas powered generator you need non ethanol fuel for best results and if new nothing else.
Most generators are run off of a small combustion engine like what you would have on a lawn mower and attached to the shaft is the head which while spinning will give you your electricity.
In a nutshell
I have a predator 2000 watt gen/ inverter I’m going to try and run my 13500 btu rv a/c with a easy start. Think it will work. My a/c also has hard start capacitor. I don’t want to use the parallel kit every time I need a/c.
did this work?
A 13500 BTU AIR CONDITIONER DRAWS ANYWHERE FROM 2700 TO 2900 WATTS AT START-UP. yOU’RE 2000 WATT MAX HONDA GENERATOR WILL NOT BE ABLE TO HANDLE THE AMPS NOR WATTS REQUIRED.
My 2000 watt wont handle 13500 ac. I have a 3800 gen for that. The 2000 watt will run everything without air conditioner.
My Ryobi 2300 in inverter generator will run my 10,000 BTU window AC. It will run my Porter Cable circ saw, but not pancake compressor.
What size gen do I need to fun a slush machine
Can I use a deep fryer on my 2000 gas generator
Will these top 10, 2000w generators run my mikado 16, draws 14.5 amps corded chainsaw?
Can a 1200 watts powers 10 units of computer with household lights?
I have a question. Im new to all of this and dont know the first thing about it. Im looking for some help. Im looking to run a 300 watt appliance for as long as i can. Would a 2000 watt generator help? And how long would it run for? And is there like a cool down period to wait before using it again?
I’m a little late in seeing this BUT; First, we’d need to know the appliance that you want to run. 300watts is nothing for a 2000watt generator to run but some appliances use more power at start up than they do for continuous operation. But let’s say your appliance doesnt use more than 300watts starting or running. If that’s the case then a 2000 watt generator will run the appliance for as long as you can keep the generator in good repair, gassed up, and running. You wouldnt need a cool down period at as all except maybe to stop the generator on occassion to check its oil level. On the other hand, if your appliance requires more than 2000 watts to start up before settling into running at 300 watts, then you’ll need a more powerful generator. So you’ve got some research to do on your appliance.
Will my 2200 craftsman inventor generator run my 6500 BTU Frigidaire AC