Generators...Watts...Volts....Help Needed

According to Sullivans the Air Express III blower uses 2185 watts, the turbo fan uses 6 amps so 6 x 110 = 660 watts.  The total of the two is 2845 watts, in theory this means a 3000 watt generator should run both but I understand sometimes theory is wrong.  Do the number make sence?  Also what happens if you overload a generator, does it trip breakers just like standard electricity?

Using the same numbers it would be assumed that two blowers would use 4370 watts, does this mean a 5000 watt generator could handle two blowers?  It seems like everyone always talks about the Honda 6500 as the cadillac of generators and the machine that is needed to run two blowers but based on the numbers a smaller generator might work. 


Mike

remember to use THICK extension cords from the generator to the blower, otherwise they will get hotter and won't last as long.

Watts = Volts x Amps.  AC Current in North America ranges from 110 to 120v. 

Remember with a generator, regardless of rated watts, you have to clear the breakers.  So make sure it's got 20 Amp circuit breakers, not 15 Amp.  Gotta have 20 Amps to run a modern blower.  Your AE III will take almost the whole 20 Amps, so the fan will have to run on a different circuit/breaker. If you want to run two blowers, you need two 20 Amp circuits, and if you want to run fans at the same time, even more.

Generators are also rated by peak wattage versus sustained wattage.  Our El Cheapo is rated at 7000 watts peak, 6000 sustained, and handles two blowers just fine.  In theory it can kick up to 7k to start motors, but can only keep up with 6k worth of load for any period of time.  I think you want to have some cushion, as a generator may not live up to it's claimed output, especially over time.

My advice is to go big or stay home! When I bought mine I bought one big enough to run my welder. It's on wheels and truthfully isn't much bigger than the smaller ones. It has made the trip to the yards in denver several times and is handier than the pocket on your shirt around the ranch, and it was pretty handy during the ice storm a few years ago too! RW

The thing to remember when powering electric motors like on your blower is that they take a substantial amount of energy to get started. Like often DOUBLE the normal running wattage, so a motor that draws 2,000 watts when it's running may take closer to 4,000 watts to get started.

I have an engine drive welder with 3,500 watt AC output and it powers my blower just fine.

It's an older Miller unit, 180 AMP 100% duty welder with the 3,500 Watt generator (generator runs at half throttle)

Generally speaking, the control motors are plastic shell circuit breakers contactors, thermal relay motors, they pass through the current relationship is the thermal relay action current is 1.5 times the rated current of the motor. Contactor current and thermal relay a class, circuit breaker current higher than the contactor class.