The frequency of severe weather events around the country means that you can never predict what Mother Nature will do next. Millions of people go without energy every year because of extreme wind and rainstorms that damage power line infrastructure. Unexpected power outages can have a major effect on your home and daily routine.
Powermate can work with you as your storm readiness partner for this reason. They have a variety of portable generators that can keep you safe during a hurricane or tornado. Having a Powermate portable generator means you'll always be prepared for blackouts.
There are a number of advantages to using a Powermate portable generator:
You should not wait for the next storm warning to begin preparing your house for it. Prepare for whatever may come by making a plan in advance.
Powermate generators can keep your electronics running even if the power goes off. Browse their available options to get the perfect size and design for your needs. In anticipation of the impending storm, it is prudent to stock up on reliable, portable power sources.
Make sure you're prepared for the worst with a quick check of the items below.
Preparation Checklist for Severe Weather:
It's possible to wreck a generator and whatever electronics are plugged into it if you overload it.
These rules will help you avoid overload:
Add up the power consumption of all the appliances that will be plugged in at once. There is a hard limit to how much watts the generator can handle, so check the manual.
The wattage of a fixture can be calculated using the provided labels. Most equipment, appliances, and motors will have a data label or decal on them that specifies how many watts of power they can safely handle.
If the wattage of a given tool, appliance, or motor is not listed, multiply the rated voltage by the rated current to get the wattage (volts x amps = watts).
Induction electric motors, for example, require almost three times as much power to start as they do to run. This sudden increase in power is necessary only for a fraction of a second when starting these types of motors.
When deciding which electronics to plug into the generator, it's important to account for their initial power demands. In order to get the biggest motor going, you'll need to figure out how many watts it will take. All other connected loads' operational watts must be included as well.
If you're not sure how many devices at once the generator can handle, there are Wattage Reference Guides online.
Here are some notable generators from Powermate:
There is a 10-hour range on the 4.5-gallon gas tank. You may also purchase an additional propane tank, which, depending on its size (either 20 or 30 pounds), can extend the stove's operational period from 7.2 to 10.5 hours. Furthermore, this presupposes a 50% rate of electricity consumption.
This Powermate portable generator offers a 4,375-watt starting output and a 3,500-watt running output when using gasoline. Propane provides 3,200 running watts and 4,000 starting watts. The 206cc OHV engine provides the power and features a low-oil cutoff, fuel indicator, and a simple fuel selector.
The lack of a cover over the outlets is an inconvenient characteristic of this generator. There is a 120V 30A twist lock port, an RV ready option, and a conventional 120V 20A plug, all of which are great for running lights, charging devices, and running certain appliances.
It can be used for outdoor power equipment like lawn mowers and pool pumps thanks to its electric start and multimeter gauge. This generator weighs 118 pounds and can be moved around with ease because of the wheels and carry handle, despite being a louder equipment.
This engine or piece of equipment must meet the exhaust and evaporative emissions requirements established by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the California Air Resources Board (CARB) for engines and pieces of equipment certified to California standards.
Locate the emissions compliance decal on the motor to see which regulations apply.
If you need details on the emissions warranty, look at the owner manual. Adherence to the maintenance standards in the handbook is essential to ensure that the engine complies with the applicable emissions regulations throughout the life of the product.
The fuel selection dial allows the user to switch between gasoline (A) and liquid propane gas (LPG) (B). Placing the dial at 12 o'clock indicates long-term storage is ready.
The Multimeter logs operational hours for future servicing purposes. The Multimeter also displays the Voltage Output, Voltage Frequency, and Session Operation Time. You can change the current settings by pressing the MODE button.
The 120 Volt plug is safeguarded by a push-to-reset circuit breaker rated for 20 Amps. To put it another way, each plug can handle electrical loads of up to 2400 watts (2.4 kW), or 20 amps, at 120 volts AC, single phase, 60 hertz.
Only high-quality, well-insulated 3-wire, 125-volt, 20-ampere cord sets should be used (or greater). There's a Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter built in for safety, and you can test it and reset it with the TEST and RESET buttons.
A suitable three-wire cord set must be used to connect the connection to the load. The rated voltage and current capacity of the cord set must be 125 volts AC at 30 amps (or greater).
This plug can supply up to 3600 watts (3.6 kW) at 30 Amps for single-phase 120 Volt Alternating Current (AC) loads operating at 60 Hertz. The plug is protected by a 30 Amp circuit breaker that can be reset with a simple push.
You can use a NEMA L14-30 plug (rotate to lock/unlock) with this outlet. Using a suitable grounded four-wire cord set, connect the connector to the load. The maximum allowable current for the cord set is 30 A at 250 V. (or greater).
You can plug appliances that use up to 3600 watts (3.6 kW) of power at 30 Amps into this outlet if it's wired for 120 Volts alternating current (AC) 60 Hertz, or 7200 watts (7.2 kW) if it's wired for 240 Volts alternating current (AC) 60 Hertz. The outlet is safeguarded by a single 30-amp 2-pole circuit breaker.
You can use a NEMA L5-30 plug (rotate to lock/unlock) with this outlet. A suitable three-wire cord set must be used to connect the connection to the load. The plug and cord must be approved for use with 125 V at 30 A. (or greater).
This plug can supply up to 3600 watts (3.6 kW) at 30 Amps for single-phase 120 Volt Alternating Current (AC) loads operating at 60 Hertz. This plug is protected by a circuit breaker rated for 30 Amps that may be reset by pushing a button.
Overall this is a well made, durable, and reliable generator which is fuel efficient and provides value for money.
The Powermate PC0143500 is an OHV gasoline generator that weighs 107 pounds. This outlet can power 3,500-watt appliances and can jump-start devices that need 4,375-watts of power.
For outdoor events like camping and tailgating, this is a great choice.
The PC0143500 comes equipped with a digital multimeter, low-oil sensor, and fuel gauge. Your 4.5-gallon tank provides energy for 12 hours at 25% capacity.
You can also use the outlets, and they are covered, which is good because they will keep debris out. There are two standard outlets, a 120V 30A RV ready port, and a 120V 30A twist-lock plug.
The auto-volt regulator is a nice feature, but unfortunately this option is not CARB compliant. In addition, you'll have to make due with the recoil start because there is no electric option. This portable generator is easy to transport thanks to its wheels and carrying handle, but it is not powerful enough to run an RV.
In addition to its OHV engine, the following portable generator has six outputs: a 120/240 30A twist lock, a 120V 30A port, and four 120V 20A standard plugs. Despite convenient features including a digital multimeter, electric start, and low oil shut off, this model does not meet CARB standards.
At half power, the 7-gallon fuel tank gives you about 8 hours of use with this option. The 10,000-watt starting power and 8,000-watt continuous power are sufficient to run powerful tools and large home appliances.
The 231-pound weight and extremely loud operation are two of the product's downsides. Another issue is that when running at maximum power, this engine might overheat.
It's also important to remember that this Powermate generator is a relatively new design, thus its lifetime and durability haven't been tested in detail.
The maximum power output for this model is 8,125 watts, while the minimum is 6,500 watts when running. However, increasing the power setting on this OHV engine past the 50% mark can sometimes cause it to stall.
It has a 7-gallon gasoline tank and can run for 6 hours on 25% power. Electric starter, low-oil shutoff, and digital multimeter are all features that can be used to your advantage. You can also use the 120/240V 30A twist lock plug or any of the four GFCI 120V 20A outlets.
This generator also doesn't meet CARB standards, weighs 200 pounds more than it needs to, and is an entirely new design. Due to its novelty, its longevity and resilience remain open questions. Last but not least, this Powermate unit has relatively poor fuel efficiency but it is better than average.
While shopping for a Powermate portable generator, keep in mind the tasks you intend for it to complete.
Will it be used to run tools at remote construction sites? Is it for camping or emergency use around the house? In the end, these will help you find which generator is best for you..
The wattage, run time, gas tank capacity, and number of outlets can all be determined by the responses to the aforementioned questions. As soon as you've mastered those, you may start thinking about adding in any more features that would be helpful.
Features including remote starting, additional accessories, and wheels are also available, in addition to dual fuel options, outlet covers, wheels, and a handle.
If you're counting on your generator to keep your home lit during a storm, double check that it can handle the load of all of your little electronics in addition to the basics.