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Three tips for buying generators
How much power you need depends, of course, on what you intend to connect. All electrical products are marked with an output in watts. The label tells you how much power the products draw when they are running, but it's important to think about what's called “inductive loads”. This pertains to products that consume much more power in the start-up phase than when they are running. This category includes products with compressors, such as refrigerators and air conditioning units. If you want to use a generator to run these types of products, check that the power is also sufficient for the start-up phase, which may require up to five times more power than is required for operation.
An average generator powered by petrol or diesel has a sound level of between 80 and 100 decibels. Generators can be quite loud, often giving off a dull humming that can be perceived as quite annoying. If you're going to use a generator in noise-sensitive contexts, it may make sense to take a closer look at its decibels. There are petrol-powered generators that run at levels of down to 50 decibels, which is much more gentle on the ears. Also read user reviews to get a real idea of how much noise they make.
A generator should be easy to use. Some generators come with digital displays that show a lot of information which makes operating them easier, not least in the dark (which is quite often the case in the event of a power failure). Some generators are equipped with an anti-vibration system that makes them easier to use and extends their service life.
A generator might have more uses that you think. Here’s a list of some of the situations where a generator could be very useful.