Portable Generator
Choosing The Right Portable Generator
Is Easy When You Think Like a Pro

The mistake most people make when choosing a portable generator is actually a common one; not determining the type of generator they actually need. First time generator buyers as well as those who have bought a generator before make this mistake. The problem is, when the generator doesn’t perform as they think that it should, they immediately blame the manufacturer. When in fact, in many cases they simply bought the wrong generator for the job. If you are looking to purchase a portable generator, make sure that you can clearly answer this question first.

What Am I Using This Portable Generator For?
It seems like a simple question that everyone desiring a portable generator should ask, but you’d be amazed at how many people never ask and answer this question. Make sure that you can clearly answer this question prior to plumping your money down to buy any generator. Why is that question so important? Because there are many types of portable generators. Here’s the most common list that virtually eighty percent of users will fall into:

1. Emergency Power Generators
2. Camping Generators
3. Jobsite Generators
4. RV Generators
5. Marine Generators
6. Standard Portable Generator

Let’s briefly examine each of these categories so that you can find the best portable generator for your needs.

Emergency Power Generators
These generators are specially designed to provide back up power in the event of power outages. They must provide enough wattage to startup and maintain a combination of items such: refrigerators, sump pumps, furnaces, heaters, air conditioners, lights, computers, televisions, medical equipment, etc.

Most of the Emergency Power Generators are way to heavy to be used for anything else.

Although, they have wheel kits and handle bars, they can still be a challenge to move even for a fit man. It usually takes two people to lift these units into the bed of a truck or a car. Clearly, this portable generator is only made for home use.

Camping Generators
Numerous manufacturers make generators specially designed for camping. They’re quiet, small, lightweight, easily refuelable and a may come with a protective outer shell that is somewhat cool to the touch. These units are used for camping sites, tailgating and other uses that don’t require a lot of wattage.

ALERT: these units are typically low wattage and are only designed to run one, maybe two small appliances.

Jobsite Generators
Contractors, builders, electricians, roofers, painters, carpenters and other types of construction workers need portable power at the jobsite for tools, equipment and lights. If that’s what you need a portable generator for, don’t waste your time with cheap generators.

When you’re on a jobsite, the last thing you need is a generator that produces erratic power, is hard to start or that burns more fuel than an eight cylinder gas guzzler. Remember; time is money and the more time you spend restarting and refueling your generator, the less money you make. For jobsites, we only recommend industrial/contractor grade generators.

RV Generators
If you have an RV, then you know how important a portable generator is. What most RV’ers find out the hard way is that RV generators must follow code restrictions for RV’s. Stand-alone generators cannot be used in RV’s.

Marine Generators
There are some pretty distinct differences between a marine generator and all other portable generators. Marine generators are engineered to be used in water environments, such as on boats, marinas, etc. They include features such as: class H insulation, highly non-corrosive material and hydraulic pumps. Other portable generators should not be used near water and can even become less efficient in moister environments when operated near an ocean or lake. Non-marine generators are simply not made to replace marine generators.

Standard Portable Generator
There are hundreds of portable generators. They come in all shapes, sizes, brands and types. It is vitally important that you choose the right generator to avoid damaging your equipment, the generator and otherwise creating a safety hazard. The crucial thing to remember is that manufacturers engineer and design generators for certain scenarios and situations.

As you have learned, you cannot use a regular portable generator in place of a marine generator and you cannot use a camping generator in place of a RV generator. Abide by those guidelines and your purchase will bring you years of satisfaction.