What Can You Power With 5500 Watt Generator

Are you thinking about getting a 5500 watt generator but y'all are not sure what appliances you can run on it? I have keen news for you! Our squad here at Generatorist has helped over 350,000 visitors find information near generators and nosotros will help you as well.

Let'southward begin.

A 5500 watt generator provides approximately 45 amps in case of 120 volts or 23 amps in case of 240 volts. The all-time ones correct now are Honda EU7000is, Generac GP5500 or WEN GN6000.

In layman's terms, a 5500 watt generator tin run almost any essential household appliance, including:

1. Modest window AC unit – 1,200 watts
2. Fridge with a freezer – 700 watts
3. Small well pump (1/two HP) – 1,000 watts
4. Washing machine – ane,150 watts
5. Coffee maker – 1,000 watts
6. Microwave oven – one,000 watts
7. Dishwasher – 1,500 watts
8. Pressure cooker – 700 watts
9. Espresso car – 1,300 watts
10. Toaster – 850 watts
11. Ceiling fan – 60 watts
12. Vacuum cleaner – 200 watts
13. TV – 85 watts
14. Sump pump (1/2 HP) – 1,050 watts
15. Small heating system – 500 watts
16. Laptop – 50 watts
17. VCR / DVD Player – 100 watts
18. Smaller electric appliances – 400 watts
19. A couple of power tools – 800 watts
20. Medium radiant heater – one,800 watts
21. Window Ac (10,000 BTU) – 1,200 watts
22. Electric water heater – 4,000 watts
23. Bench grinder – 1,400 watts
24. Radial arm saw – 2,000 watts
25. Hammer drill – i,000 watts

To larn, whether you can run all these at the same time you need to know the power consumption of each appliance in your home. Our listing of over 100+ products and their power needs volition help you with this.

Also, you need to know whether your generator has the correct number and type of outlets equally some higher wattage appliances such every bit AC units may need different outlets than some depression-wattage appliances.

At that place are two main wattage output numbers characterizing the amount of ability a generator can produce: Running watts and Starting watts.

Running watts – The outset, smaller number, refers to rated (running) watts – the amount of ability your machine can produce over longer periods of time.

Starting watts – The second, larger number, refers to the surge (or starting) watts – the maximum power your machine can produce over a curt period of time.

By a 5500 watt generator nosotros refer to a machine that is able to produce 5500 running watts. Its starting watts volition vary depending on the brand and model of each generator, only based on our experience the range is somewhere between 6500 – 7000 surge watts.

Just don't await to run your whole house on this motorcar simultaneously as this will crave a lot more power than any 5500 watt generator provides. If you are thinking nigh getting one, pick from Honda EU7000is, Generac GP5500 or WEN GN6000. Feel free to bank check our older list of the best 5500 watt generators on the marketplace equally well.

If you need an free energy backup for your whole house without any limitations, y'all may consider getting a stand-by unit instead of a portable 1. Here is a great reckoner from Generac that will help y'all decide. Usually, these generators are much more expensive and need to be installed by a professional electrician.

Here are our tips for choosing the best generator for your household and specific tips for contractors, in case you are interested.

Determining your

wattage requirements

If you want to learn what electronic appliances will a 5500 generator run, you demand to become set to do some math. Don't worry, it will be a very uncomplicated process of adding upwardly several numbers.

To determine what appliances you tin run on this blazon of generator at the same time, you need to follow these steps:

1. List all electronic appliances in your abode you want to keep running in the case you are out of ability (here is a great list full of appliances you might utilise)
2. Write information from their name tags on required running and starting watts into a tabular array (see examples beneath)
3. So you need to add up all the running watts required to operate your appliances
4. The next step is to discover the item with the highest additional starting watts
5. Then add this number to your full running watts
6. The final number represent the amount of starting watts your generator needs to provide

Here is a good example of calculating wattage needs for a generator.

We accept decided that in example of a weather-caused blackout, we would need only essentials such equally refrigerator with a freezer and so our nutrient will exist safe, a lamp that will serve equally an emergency lite source, a pocket-size window Air conditioning unit to go along the temperature under control, a toaster, and a laptop.

Selected Appliances	Rated (Running) Watts	Boosted Starting Watts
Toaster	850 W	0 West
Refrigerator / Freezer	700 W	2,200 W
Laptop	fifty Westward	0 Due west
Lamp (2 Lightbulbs)	150 West	0 Due west
Window AC (ten,000 BTU)	1,200 W	3,600 W
Total	2,950 W
		6,550 W

Every bit you can meet in our case above, if we add up all running watts of our appliances we get the number 2,950 – so we are well within the 5500 running watts limit (850 + 700 + 50 + 150 + one,200 = 2,950).

However, we would demand a generator that is capable of producing at least 6,550 surge (starting) watts to power all these appliances (ii,950 + three,600 = 6,550).

Just keep in mind that some electrical appliances in your home may not have running watts provided on their data tags. If this is the case, you lot can judge the running watts required cheers to the following formula:

Watts (W or kW) = Volts (V) x Amps (A)
Amps (A) = Watts (W or kW) / Volts (V)

And then, as long equally you accept required Volts and Amps, you lot can easily convert them into an estimate of required running watts. Maybe y'all think that this equation represents the Ohm's law from High School physics.

Luckily, there is a device called "appliance load tester" that you lot tin become to determine how many watts each your appliance takes. You can easily get one from Amazon and avoid all that physic´s equation.

If you demand general estimates of wattage consumption for the about common electronic appliances, then take a look at our tables at the end of this guide. Just have these numbers as crude estimates. You need to check each appliance / power tool in your dwelling house individually to see the precise wattage requirements.

How much can a 5500 watt generator run? Experience complimentary to check out the wattage requirements of the most popular household appliances, RV & camping appliances or ability tools for contractors here on Generatorist.

5500 WATT Generator FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Because we get lots of questions with regards to 5500 watt generators, we have decided to add this FAQ section where y'all can wait for helpful data.

If you take whatever questions that are not answered here, feel free to contact us or leave your question in the comments section available at the end of this article.

In general, a 5500 watt generator volition run almost any essential household appliance, including:

1. Small window Air-conditioning unit – i,200 watts
2. Refrigerator with a freezer – 700 watts
3. Minor well pump (ane/2 HP) – one,000 watts
4. Washing machine – one,150 watts
5. Coffee maker – 1,000 watts
6. Microwave oven – 1,000 watts
7. Dishwasher – one,500 watts
8. Force per unit area cooker – 700 watts
9. Espresso automobile – 1,300 watts
10. Toaster – 850 watts
11. Ceiling fan – 60 watts
12. Vacuum cleaner – 200 watts
13. Television receiver – 85 watts
14. Sump pump (1/ii HP) – 1,050 watts
15. Small heating system – 500 watts
16. Laptop – fifty watts
17. VCR / DVD Player – 100 watts
18. Smaller electrical appliances – 400 watts
19. A couple of power tools – 800 watts
20. Medium radiant heater – i,800 watts
21. Window AC (10,000 BTU) – 1,200 watts
22. Electric h2o heater – 4,000 watts
23. Bench grinder – 1,400 watts
24. Radial arm saw – 2,000 watts
25. Hammer drill – one,000 watts

To learn, whether y'all can run all these at the same time you need to know the ability consumption of each appliance in your domicile.

In full general, a 5500 running watts generator should provide enough power to run a small well pump. Sadly, answering this question is really hard without knowing the verbal running and starting watts required past your h2o pump.

I accept found rough estimates for different types of pumps:

• 1/3 Horse Power – Information technology takes 750 running watts and 1500 starting watts.
• 1/two Horse Power – It takes 1000 running watts and 2100 starting watts.
• 3/four Horse Power – It takes 1500 running watts and 3000 starting watts.
• ane Horse Power – It takes 2000 running watts and 4000 starting watts.
• one & 1/2 Horse Power – It takes 2500 running watts and 5000 starting watts.

Every bit you can meet in the estimates higher up, the upshot is not running watts but starting watts. To get the precise numbers, you will need to observe the voltage (120 or 240) and horsepower information on the info-plate of your pump.

Then, all it takes to acquire required wattage is to employ this equation:

Watts (W or kW) = Volts (5) x Amps (A)

To larn more about powering water pump with your generator, I highly recommend you to read this groovy article from Oakville Pump Service called: So Y'all Need a Generator Because Your H2o is Off During Ability Outages…

Although theoretically, you could run a very small central Ac (that is modern and power efficient) with a 5500 running watts generator, nosotros would rather go for an emergency window Air-conditioning unit as 5500 generators may have too petty starting ability.

However, the reply to this questions actually depends on the number of running and starting watts your AC unit of measurement requires.

Obviously, these numbers vary from one unit to some other and are based on cooling power of individual models and brands. That is why you need to wait for this information at the proper name tag of your cardinal Air-conditioning:

1. LRA (Locked Rotor Amps) – This number represents the current you tin await nether starting weather when you use total voltage.
2. RLA (Rated Load Amps) – This number represents the maximum current a compressor should draw under any operating conditions.
3. FLA (Full Load Amps) – This number represents the aforementioned as the Rated Load Amps.

Just note that you need to take into consideration the amps for both the compressor and the fan unit of measurement. To determine, if your 5500 generator tin run a fundamental AC, please consult the manufacturer or a professional electrician.

To detect the exact power needs of your AC unit, check out this helpful guide: How Many Watts Do 5,000 – 18,000 BTU Air Conditioners Use?

Keep in mind that a typical central air unit runs on a 208/240 volts and is often permanently mounted and hardwired into the electrical system of your house. That is why to safely run this electrical appliance y'all demand to connect your generator through a transfer switch.

Really, yous should always connect your generator through a transfer switch if yous don't desire to damage your appliances or endanger people who may be working on electric lines in your neighborhood.

Usually, a v,500 running watts generator should provide plenty power to run a minor sump pump without whatever issues. Yet, answering this question is really hard without knowing the exact running and starting watts required past your pump.

I take plant rough estimates for different types of sump pumps:

• 1/3 Equus caballus Power – It takes 800 running watts and i,300 starting watts.
• 1/ii Equus caballus Power – Information technology takes 1,050 running watts and 2,150 starting watts.

Every bit yous tin can see in the estimates above, the consequence is non running watts simply starting watts. To become the precise numbers, you will demand to find the voltage, amperage, and horsepower information on the info-plate of your pump.

Then, all it takes to learn required wattage is to apply this equation:

Watts (Westward or kW) = Volts (Five) ten Amps (A)

Just proceed in mind that your sump pump will probably require a 240V outlet on your generator. You tin read more on this topic here:

• What Size Generator Exercise I Need for My Sump Pump?
• Can a Generator Run a Sump Pump? (Examples)

In full general, a refrigerator takes around 1200 surge watts at the beginning while the compressor kicks in and then it gradually drops down to around 200 running watts. As you can see, each and every generator in this article could run a mid-sized fridge.

Nonetheless, you shouldn't rely on these general estimates and you lot have to cheque the nameplate and data tag on your fridge to learn the precise numbers.

Also, if your generator has a high total harmonic distortion, your fridge (particularly if yous accept a modernistic type) may go damaged (that is why nosotros recommend getting an inverter blazon of generator).

Learn more about power consumption of dissimilar types of refrigerators in our guide FAQ: What Size Generator Do I Need to Run a Fridge?

In full general, a 55000 running watts generator should provide enough power to run an air compressor (1 horse power) without any issues. However, answering this question is really hard without knowing the verbal running and starting watts required by your air compressor.

I have found rough estimates for dissimilar types of compressors:

• 1/2 Horse Power – Information technology takes 975 running watts and 1600 starting watts.
• ane Horse Ability – It takes 1600 running watts and 4500 starting watts.

As y'all can encounter in the estimates in a higher place, the issue is not running watts but starting watts. To get the precise numbers, you will need to notice the voltage, amperage, and horsepower information on the info-plate of your compressor.

And so, all it takes to learn required wattage is to use this equation:

Watts (W or kW) = Volts (V) x Amps (A)

Read more than in these manufactures:

• Tin can a Compressor Run Off of the Right Size Generator?
• Running a Compressor on a Generator

Usually, a 5500 watt gasoline generator has a 4-stroke engine. If this is the instance, you lot volition need to use either SAE 30 (if you lot live in a hotter climate) or a SAE 10W-30 if you are going to employ it in a colder climate.

Still, there are many things y'all need to consider while choosing the oil for your auto:

• Whether you got a 2-stroke or a four-stroke engine
• Starting and operating temperatures
• Type of fuel your machine runs on
• Certifications and classifications of the oil
• Reputation of the make and company behind the oil

If you need to acquire more than data on how to choose the best oil for your generator, then consult our guide that is available right here. We provide you lot also with a list of best brands in various categories of oil.

In general, a 5500 watt generator provides approximately 45 amps, in example of 120 volts or 23 amps in case of 240 volts. To learn more, yous should check out the owner´southward manual to the motorcar yous want to buy.

Actually, identifying how many amps there are in a 5500 running watt generator is a very simple process. All yous have to do is to apply the post-obit formula:

Amps (A) = Watts (Westward or kW) / Volts (5)

Y'all demand to dissever the wattage by the voltage. If you want to convert 5500 watts to amps you need to split up 5500 by 120 or 240 to get the correct numbers. Here is a dandy conversion calculator, in case you lot desire to check for yourself and our helpful list of over 100+ products and their power needs.

Here is our handy crook sheet:

• 500 Watts, 120 V = four.2 A, 240 V = ii.1 A
• 1000 Watts, 120 5 = 8.3 A, 240 5 = iv.ii A
• 2000 Watts, 120 V = 16.7 A, 240 V = viii.iii A
• 3000 Watts, 120 V = 25.0 A, 240 5 = 12.5 A
• 4000 Watts, 120 V = 33.iii A, 240 V = 16.vii A
• 5000 Watts, 120 V = 41.vii A, 240 5 = twenty.8 A
• 6000 Watts, 120 V = 50.0 A, 240 V = 25.0 A
• 7000 Watts, 120 5 = 58.3 A, 240 V = 29.ii A
• 8000 Watts, 120 V = 66.7 A, 240 Five = 33.three A
• 9000 Watts, 120 5 = 75.0 A, 240 Five = 37.5 A
• 10000 Watts, 120 V = 83.3 A, 240 V = 41.7 A
• 12000 Watts, 120 V = 100.0 A, 240 V = 50.0 A
• 14000 Watts, 120 V = 116.vii A, 240 5 = 58.three A
• 16000 Watts, 120 V = 133.3 A, 240 5 = 66.7 A

This question doesn't take an universal answer as each generator has unique fuel consumption and capacity of the fuel tank. From our feel an average 5500 watt generator runs for approximately 11 hours on a l% load.

This number is a median that nosotros got after looking at the run time of over xxx generators that provide 5500 running watts.

Here are some examples:

• Yamaha EF6300ISDE – five,500 running watts – 13.3 60 minutes on a 25% load (4.5 gal)
• Generac GP5500 – 5,500 running watts – 10 60 minutes on a l% load (7.two gal)
• Pulsar PG6580E – v,500 running watts – 12 hr on a 50% load (5.2 gal)
• Westinghouse WGen5500 – five,500 running watts – xv hr on a 50% load (6.vi gal)
• PowerShot SPG5568 – 5,500 running watts – nine hr on a 50% load (6.1 gal)
• Briggs & Stratton S5750 – 5,750 running watts – xi.5 hr on a 50% load (7.5 gal)
• Honda EU7000iS – 5,500 running watts – 16 hr on a 25% load (5.ane gal)
• Ryobi RY905500 – 5,500 running watts – 9 hr on a fifty% load (6.0 gal)
• Powermate CX5500 – 5,500 running watts – 12.v hr on a fifty% load (7.0 gal)

There are several features you can consider while shopping for the best generator for your dwelling. Our team here at Generatorist recommends the following:

1. At least 1 culling fuel source if gasoline is not available
2. Electric kickoff with manual recoil fill-in for convenient use by anyone
3. Included maintenance-free electric battery with a trickle charger
4. Built-in inverter or automated voltage regulation
5. Automatic idle command for reduced fuel consumption
6. Durable frame and steel fuel tank
7. Fuel gauge and low-oil shutoff
8. Manual fuel-shutoff switch/valve
9. Longer run time
10. OHV (overhead valve) engine
11. Spark arrestor
12. Multiple types of outlets with covers
13. At least ane outlet for college wattage items (30 amp)
14. Folding handles with a wheel kit

To read more about how to pick the best generator for your abode, check out our helpful guide linked in a higher place.

Nosotros recommend you to consider the post-obit features:

1. Fuel Blazon – For job contractors, nosotros recommend generators that are running on diesel every bit this blazon of fuel is more often used in other machines that are ordinarily present on the task site. This mode, your fuel management volition exist much easier.
2. Long run time – The worst thing that can happen on a job-site is a downtime as information technology leads to profit loss. Every refueling takes your car out of service for some fourth dimension. Therefore, it is vital to get a generator that can run for a whole shift without the need to refuel. This way, you can do the refueling with basic maintenance after the work shift is over.
3. Big gas tank – Although a big gas tank volition diminish the portability of your generator, it will enable you to run it for a longer period of time without the need to refuel.
4. Automated idle control – The automated idle control (too known every bit Eco Throttle or Smart Throttle) can relieve you lot a lot of fuel costs and can reduce the noise of your generator. It automatically adapts the rotations of your engine in relation to the actual load. If your generator runs idle, this system tin significantly reduce the number of rotations per minute.

To discover more features you should expect for in your adjacent generator, read our tips in this commodity here: Choosing The Best Generator for Contractors

Looking at the whole spectrum of generators providing 5500 running watts, we have selected iii upkeep-friendly options:

1. Westinghouse WGen5500 (1106+ Reviews)
2. Predator 5500/6500 (vi+ Reviews)
3. PowerMate CX5500

Merely keep in mind that yous get what you pay for. These are affordable machines but lack some of our preferred features.

Our advice is to choose a automobile that is powerful but notwithstanding repose. Ideally, become for an inverter such as Yamaha EF6300iSDE (23+ Reviews) or a Honda EU7000iS (74+ Reviews).

Based on our database of 5500 running watts generators, in that location is not a single car that would be "RV ready" every bit none has an 30 amp or 50 amp RV outlet built into the console.

Luckily, yous can get a necessary set of adapters (also called dogbones) to hands connect to any machine on this list through either a 20 or a 30 amp outlets.

Then pick a generator that fits your needs the most and don't forget to get the correct RV adapter.

Finding a reliable information on the "noisiness" of generators is a tough job to do. However, based on our findings, we can listing the following machines equally "quietest":

1. Honda EU7000iS (74+ Reviews)
2. Yamaha EF6300iSDE (23+ Reviews)
3. Honda EM6500S (10+ Reviews)
4. Wanco WI6000

In general, if you want a portable generator that is powerful but too repose at the same fourth dimension, so go for an inverter. Sadly, these machines are much more expensive than regular generators.

If you are looking for a 5500 running watts generator that offers the nearly comfortable electric start, then we can recommend y'all the following machines:

• Honda EU7000iS (74+ Reviews)
• Yamaha EF6300iSDE (23+ Reviews)
• WEN 7000E (108+ Reviews)

Both Honda and Yamaha are well known brands in the manufacture. They produce loftier quality machines that take one big downside, they are very expensive. That is why we have listed WEN generator as an choice for those on a tight budget.

While going over our database of 5500 running watts generators, we accept identified only 1 generator that runs on diesel. It is the DuroStar DS7000Q (12+ Reviews).

It'due south a well made generator that offers a remote electrical start. Sadly, it's quite heavy with its 305 pounds (138.34 kg) dry weight. However, if you are looking for a diesel powered 5500 option, and then DuroStar DS7000Q is a good choice.

Nosotros accept found merely i 5500 generator that runs on propane. It's PowerMate PM0135500 (iv+ Reviews). Sadly, it has been discontinued.

If yous withal need a propane powered generator, you would need to either increase or decrease the running watts category:

• All Power America APG3560CN (24+ Reviews)
• Sportsman GEN7000LP
• Sportsman GEN7500DF (1414+ Reviews)

If you don't insist on the propane, then our recommendation would be the Winco HPS6000HE/I. It is a Dual Fuel 5500 generator that runs on both gasoline also equally natural gas.

If y'all are looking for the best inverter generator that provides 5500 running watts, then go for either the Honda EU7000iS (74+ Reviews) or the Yamaha EF6300iSDE (23+ Reviews). But continue in mind that inverter generators are on the expensive side.

Getting a generator for a construction site? Then look for these features:

• A lot of starting power
• Covered outlets to avoid getting the clay into them
• Automatic voltage regulation or an inbuilt inverter for clean ability
• Tranquility machine if you are working in a noise restricted surface area
• Portability kit included
• Steel fuel tank

Based on these criteria, we accept identified the Westinghouse WGen5500 (402+ Reviews) as the best 5500 generator for a construction site that won't ruin your budget. Information technology is quite affordable and has a sturdy blueprint.

There are also more premium, quieter, high-quality machines that provide a picayune bit more starting watts such as Honda EU7000iS (74+ Reviews), simply these don't have covered outlets.

Are you lot looking for the best 5500 generator that has a plastic gas tank? There are not many options to choose from simply definitely the best generator is YAMAHA EF6300ISDE (23+ Reviews).

Household Appliances

Estimated wattage

Kitchen Appliances	Rated (Running) Watts	Additional Surge Watts
Toaster	850 W	0 Westward
Microwave	one,000 W	0 Due west
Refrigerator / Freezer	700 West	ii,200 W
Java Maker	1,000 West	0 W
Electric Stove (8" Element)	ii,100 W	0 W
Deep Freezer	500 W	1,500 W
Electric Can Opener	170 W	0 W
Dishwasher	one,500 W	1,500 W
Food Processor	400 Due west	0 W

Essential Appliances	Rated (Running) Watts	Boosted Surge Watts
Electric Water Heater	4,000 W	0 W
Well H2o Pump (1/two HP)	1,000 W	2,100 W
Window AC (10,000 BTU)	i,200 West	three,600 Westward
Window Ac (12,000 BTU)	three,250 W	9,750 Westward
Key Air conditioning (10,000 BTU)	1,500 West	4,500 Due west
Key Air conditioning (24,000 BTU)	3,800 West	11,400 W
Sump Pump (1/3 HP)	800 Westward	one,300 West
Sump Pump (i/2 HP)	1,050 Westward	2,150 W
Furnace Fan Blower (1/3 HP)	700 Due west	i,400 W
Furnace Fan Blower (1/ii HP)	800 Westward	2,350 W
Garage Door Opener (one/2 HP)	875 Westward	2,350 W
Common Light Bulb	75 W	0 Due west
Infinite Heater	one,800 West	0 W

Laundry Appliances	Rated (Running) Watts	Additional Surge Watts
Washing Motorcar	1,150 W	2,250 West
Wearing apparel Dryer (Electrical)	5,400 W	6,750 W
Iron	1,200 Due west	0 Westward
Pilus Dryer	one,250 W	0 Due west

Entertainment Appliances	Rated (Running) Watts	Additional Surge Watts
Laptop	fifty Due west	0 West
Television (49" LED)	85 Westward	0 W
Stereo	450 W	0 Westward
VCR / DVD Histrion	100 W	0 W
Video Game Organisation	40 Due west	0 Westward

Other Appliances	Rated (Running) Watts	Additional Surge Watts
Clock Radio	50 - 200 W	0 W

Printable Chart

power tools & machines

Estimated wattage

Power tools	Rated (Running) Watts	Additional Surge Watts
Radial Arm Saw	2,000 W	two,000 W
Round Saw (vii.25")	1,400 W	4,200 W
Air Compressor (i/4 HP)	975 W	1,600 West
Air Compressor (1 HP)	ane,600 West	iv,500 Westward
Miter Saw (ten")	1,800 West	1,800 W
Reciprocating Saw	960 W	0 W
Electric Drill	600 West	900 W
Belt Sander	1,200 W	2,400 W
Bench Grinder	1,400 W	ii,500 W

Printable Chart

Printable Chart

Looking for a 5500 watt generator?

About Generatorist

Matthew Gerther

Founder, Generator enthusiast

Our aim here at Generatorist is to become the No. 1 resources for all things related to generators & power needs. Nosotros helped over 350,000 visitors with our tips and reviews and we will help yous as well.

Our work has been featured in many publications effectually the world. Generators are our passion, and nosotros strive to provide the best information out there. If yous have whatever questions about generators, go out a annotate below our articles, and we volition get back to you ASAP.

recommended readings

homancotne1977.blogspot.com

Source: https://generatorist.com/faq-what-will-a-5500-watt-generator-run

Share this post