What Can I Run With a 5500 Watt Generator

Are you thinking about getting a 5500 watt generator but you are not certain what appliances yous can run on it? I have bully news for you! Our team hither at Generatorist has helped over 350,000 visitors discover information nearly generators and we will help you as well.

Allow's begin.

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

In layman'southward terms, a 5500 watt generator can run well-nigh any essential household appliance, including:

1. Small window Ac unit of measurement – i,200 watts
2. Fridge with a freezer – 700 watts
3. Small well pump (1/2 HP) – 1,000 watts
4. Washing machine – 1,150 watts
5. Coffee maker – 1,000 watts
6. Microwave oven – 1,000 watts
7. Dishwasher – 1,500 watts
8. Pressure cooker – 700 watts
9. Espresso car – 1,300 watts
10. Toaster – 850 watts
11. Ceiling fan – threescore watts
12. Vacuum cleaner – 200 watts
13. Television – 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 electrical appliances – 400 watts
19. A couple of power tools – 800 watts
20. Medium radiant heater – 1,800 watts
21. Window AC (10,000 BTU) – i,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 – 1,000 watts

To learn, whether y'all tin can run all these at the same time you need to know the power consumption of each appliance in your home. Our list of over 100+ products and their power needs will help you lot with this.

Also, y'all need to know whether your generator has the right number and type of outlets equally some higher wattage appliances such as AC units may demand unlike outlets than some low-wattage appliances.

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

Running watts – The beginning, smaller number, refers to rated (running) watts – the amount of power your automobile tin produce over longer periods of fourth dimension.

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

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

Just don't expect to run your whole house on this machine simultaneously as this will crave a lot more ability than whatever 5500 watt generator provides. If y'all are thinking about getting one, pick from Honda EU7000is, Generac GP5500 or WEN GN6000. Feel gratis to check our older list of the best 5500 watt generators on the market also.

If you need an energy fill-in for your whole house without any limitations, you may consider getting a stand-by unit of measurement instead of a portable one. Here is a bang-up calculator from Generac that volition assistance you lot decide. Unremarkably, these generators are much more than expensive and need to exist installed past a professional person electrician.

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

Determining your

wattage requirements

If y'all desire to learn what electronic appliances volition a 5500 generator run, y'all need to become set to do some math. Don't worry, information technology will exist a very uncomplicated process of calculation upwardly several numbers.

To determine what appliances yous can run on this type of generator at the same fourth dimension, you need to follow these steps:

1. List all electronic appliances in your dwelling house you want to keep running in the case you are out of power (here is a great list full of appliances y'all might use)
2. Write information from their name tags on required running and starting watts into a table (see examples below)
3. Then you need to add up all the running watts required to operate your appliances
4. The next step is to find the detail with the highest additional starting watts
5. Then add this number to your total running watts
6. The concluding number represent the amount of starting watts your generator needs to provide

Here is a good instance of computing wattage needs for a generator.

We take decided that in case of a weather-caused coma, we would demand only essentials such every bit refrigerator with a freezer so our nutrient volition be safe, a lamp that will serve equally an emergency light source, a small window Air conditioning unit of measurement to go on the temperature under command, a toaster, and a laptop.

Selected Appliances	Rated (Running) Watts	Additional Starting Watts
Toaster	850 West	0 W
Fridge / Freezer	700 Westward	two,200 W
Laptop	l W	0 W
Lamp (2 Lightbulbs)	150 West	0 W
Window Air conditioning (10,000 BTU)	1,200 W	3,600 W
TOTAL	two,950 W
		vi,550 W

Equally you can encounter in our example above, if we add up all running watts of our appliances we get the number ii,950 – so we are well within the 5500 running watts limit (850 + 700 + fifty + 150 + 1,200 = 2,950).

However, we would need a generator that is capable of producing at to the lowest degree 6,550 surge (starting) watts to power all these appliances (2,950 + 3,600 = six,550).

Just continue in listen that some electrical appliances in your home may not have running watts provided on their information tags. If this is the example, you lot can gauge the running watts required thanks to the following formula:

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

And so, every bit long as you take required Volts and Amps, you tin easily convert them into an estimate of required running watts. Maybe y'all recollect that this equation represents the Ohm's law from High School physics.

Luckily, in that location is a device chosen "appliance load tester" that you can get to make up one's mind how many watts each your apparatus takes. You lot tin can easily get 1 from Amazon and avert all that physic´due south equation.

If you lot demand full general estimates of wattage consumption for the nearly common electronic appliances, then have a await at our tables at the terminate of this guide. Simply have these numbers equally rough estimates. You demand to bank check each apparatus / power tool in your home individually to encounter the precise wattage requirements.

How much can a 5500 watt generator run? Experience gratis to cheque out the wattage requirements of the most popular household appliances, RV & camping ground appliances or power tools for contractors hither on Generatorist.

5500 WATT Generator FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Because we get lots of questions with regards to 5500 watt generators, we accept decided to add this FAQ section where you tin can wait for helpful information.

If you have any questions that are not answered here, experience free to contact us or leave your question in the comments section available at the cease of this article.

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

1. Small window AC unit – one,200 watts
2. Fridge with a freezer – 700 watts
3. Small well pump (1/2 HP) – ane,000 watts
4. Washing machine – 1,150 watts
5. Java maker – i,000 watts
6. Microwave oven – 1,000 watts
7. Dishwasher – 1,500 watts
8. Pressure cooker – 700 watts
9. Espresso machine – ane,300 watts
10. Toaster – 850 watts
11. Ceiling fan – sixty watts
12. Vacuum cleaner – 200 watts
13. Television receiver – 85 watts
14. Sump pump (1/2 HP) – i,050 watts
15. Small-scale heating system – 500 watts
16. Laptop – l 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 – 1,800 watts
21. Window Air-conditioning (ten,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 – 1,000 watts

To learn, whether you tin run all these at the aforementioned time you need to know the ability consumption of each appliance in your home.

In general, a 5500 running watts generator should provide plenty power to run a modest well pump. Sadly, answering this question is actually hard without knowing the exact running and starting watts required by your water pump.

I have found rough estimates for different types of pumps:

• 1/iii Horse Power – It takes 750 running watts and 1500 starting watts.
• 1/2 Equus caballus Power – It takes 1000 running watts and 2100 starting watts.
• three/4 Horse Power – It takes 1500 running watts and 3000 starting watts.
• one Horse Power – It takes 2000 running watts and 4000 starting watts.
• ane & 1/ii Equus caballus Power – Information technology takes 2500 running watts and 5000 starting watts.

As yous can see in the estimates above, the upshot is not running watts but starting watts. To get the precise numbers, yous will need to find the voltage (120 or 240) and horsepower data on the info-plate of your pump.

So, all it takes to learn required wattage is to utilise this equation:

Watts (West or kW) = Volts (5) ten Amps (A)

To acquire more about powering water pump with your generator, I highly recommend you lot to read this groovy article from Oakville Pump Service called: Then You Demand a Generator Because Your Water is Off During Power Outages…

Although theoretically, you could run a very pocket-sized central Air conditioning (that is modern and ability efficient) with a 5500 running watts generator, nosotros would rather go for an emergency window AC unit of measurement every bit 5500 generators may have too little starting power.

However, the respond to this questions really depends on the number of running and starting watts your AC unit requires.

Obviously, these numbers vary from one unit of measurement to another and are based on cooling ability of individual models and brands. That is why you need to look for this data at the name tag of your central AC:

1. LRA (Locked Rotor Amps) – This number represents the current you tin await under starting conditions when you apply total voltage.
2. RLA (Rated Load Amps) – This number represents the maximum electric current a compressor should describe under any operating conditions.
3. FLA (Total Load Amps) – This number represents the same as the Rated Load Amps.

Just annotation that yous demand to take into consideration the amps for both the compressor and the fan unit of measurement. To determine, if your 5500 generator can run a central Air conditioning, please consult the manufacturer or a professional person electrician.

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

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 apparatus you need to connect your generator through a transfer switch.

Actually, you should always connect your generator through a transfer switch if you don't want 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 enough ability to run a modest sump pump without any issues. However, answering this question is really hard without knowing the exact running and starting watts required by your pump.

I take institute crude estimates for dissimilar types of sump pumps:

• ane/3 Horse Ability – Information technology takes 800 running watts and 1,300 starting watts.
• i/two Horse Power – It takes 1,050 running watts and 2,150 starting watts.

As y'all can see in the estimates above, the issue is not running watts but starting watts. To get 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 (W or kW) = Volts (V) ten Amps (A)

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

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

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

However, yous shouldn't rely on these full general estimates and you lot accept to check the nameplate and information tag on your fridge to learn the precise numbers.

Besides, if your generator has a high total harmonic distortion, your fridge (especially if you lot have a modern type) may become damaged (that is why nosotros recommend getting an inverter blazon of generator).

Acquire more most power consumption of different types of refrigerators in our guide FAQ: What Size Generator Do I Need to Run a Refrigerator?

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

I have found rough estimates for different types of compressors:

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

As you lot can see in the estimates above, the issue is not running watts but starting watts. To get the precise numbers, you will need to find the voltage, amperage, and horsepower data on the info-plate of your compressor.

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

Watts (W or kW) = Volts (V) 10 Amps (A)

Read more in these articles:

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

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

However, there are many things you demand to consider while choosing the oil for your motorcar:

• 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 brand and visitor behind the oil

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

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

Really, identifying how many amps in that location are in a 5500 running watt generator is a very simple process. All y'all have to practise is to apply the following formula:

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

Y'all demand to divide the wattage by the voltage. If you want to convert 5500 watts to amps you need to divide 5500 by 120 or 240 to become the correct numbers. Hither is a great conversion calculator, in case yous want to bank check for yourself and our helpful list of over 100+ products and their power needs.

Here is our handy cheat sheet:

• 500 Watts, 120 5 = iv.ii A, 240 V = 2.1 A
• grand Watts, 120 Five = 8.three A, 240 V = 4.2 A
• 2000 Watts, 120 5 = 16.7 A, 240 5 = 8.3 A
• 3000 Watts, 120 V = 25.0 A, 240 5 = 12.v A
• 4000 Watts, 120 V = 33.3 A, 240 V = xvi.7 A
• 5000 Watts, 120 V = 41.seven A, 240 5 = 20.8 A
• 6000 Watts, 120 V = 50.0 A, 240 V = 25.0 A
• 7000 Watts, 120 5 = 58.3 A, 240 Five = 29.2 A
• 8000 Watts, 120 V = 66.7 A, 240 5 = 33.3 A
• 9000 Watts, 120 V = 75.0 A, 240 V = 37.5 A
• 10000 Watts, 120 Five = 83.3 A, 240 V = 41.seven A
• 12000 Watts, 120 Five = 100.0 A, 240 V = 50.0 A
• 14000 Watts, 120 V = 116.7 A, 240 V = 58.3 A
• 16000 Watts, 120 V = 133.iii A, 240 5 = 66.7 A

This question doesn't have an universal reply as each generator has unique fuel consumption and capacity of the fuel tank. From our experience an average 5500 watt generator runs for approximately xi hours on a 50% load.

This number is a median that we got subsequently looking at the run time of over 30 generators that provide 5500 running watts.

Here are some examples:

• Yamaha EF6300ISDE – five,500 running watts – xiii.3 hr on a 25% load (4.5 gal)
• Generac GP5500 – 5,500 running watts – 10 hour on a 50% load (7.2 gal)
• Pulsar PG6580E – 5,500 running watts – 12 hour on a 50% load (v.2 gal)
• Westinghouse WGen5500 – 5,500 running watts – 15 hr on a 50% load (6.6 gal)
• PowerShot SPG5568 – 5,500 running watts – 9 hr on a 50% load (6.1 gal)
• Briggs & Stratton S5750 – 5,750 running watts – eleven.5 hour on a 50% load (7.five gal)
• Honda EU7000iS – 5,500 running watts – xvi hour on a 25% load (5.1 gal)
• Ryobi RY905500 – 5,500 running watts – ix hour on a 50% load (6.0 gal)
• Powermate CX5500 – 5,500 running watts – 12.five 60 minutes on a 50% load (7.0 gal)

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

1. At least 1 alternative fuel source if gasoline is not available
2. Electric offset with manual recoil backup for user-friendly use by anyone
3. Included maintenance-free electric battery with a trickle charger
4. Born inverter or automatic voltage regulation
5. Automated idle control for reduced fuel consumption
6. Durable frame and steel fuel tank
7. Fuel gauge and low-oil shutoff
8. Transmission fuel-shutoff switch/valve
9. Longer run fourth dimension
10. OHV (overhead valve) engine
11. Spark arrestor
12. Multiple types of outlets with covers
13. At least one outlet for higher wattage items (30 amp)
14. Folding handles with a wheel kit

To read more about how to selection the best generator for your habitation, check out our helpful guide linked higher up.

We recommend yous to consider the following features:

1. Fuel Type – For chore contractors, nosotros recommend generators that are running on diesel as this type of fuel is more frequently used in other machines that are commonly present on the chore site. This way, your fuel management volition be much easier.
2. Long run time – The worst thing that can happen on a task-site is a downtime every bit it leads to profit loss. Every refueling takes your machine out of service for some time. Therefore, information technology is vital to get a generator that tin can run for a whole shift without the need to refuel. This way, you tin practice the refueling with basic maintenance after the piece of work shift is over.
3. Big gas tank – Although a big gas tank will diminish the portability of your generator, it will enable you to run information technology for a longer period of time without the demand to refuel.
4. Automatic idle control – The automatic idle command (also known every bit Eco Throttle or Smart Throttle) can save you 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 bodily load. If your generator runs idle, this organisation can significantly reduce the number of rotations per minute.

To discover more than features you should expect for in your next generator, read our tips in this article hither: Choosing The Best Generator for Contractors

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

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

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

Our communication is to choose a machine that is powerful but all the same placidity. Ideally, go for an inverter such as Yamaha EF6300iSDE (23+ Reviews) or a Honda EU7000iS (74+ Reviews).

Based on our database of 5500 running watts generators, at that place is not a unmarried car that would be "RV ready" as none has an 30 amp or fifty amp RV outlet built into the panel.

Luckily, y'all can get a necessary set up of adapters (also called dogbones) to easily connect to whatever auto on this listing through either a 20 or a thirty amp outlets.

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

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

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

In general, if yous desire a portable generator that is powerful but as well placidity at the same time, then get for an inverter. Sadly, these machines are much more than expensive than regular generators.

If you are looking for a 5500 running watts generator that offers the most comfortable electric start, then we tin recommend you 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 industry. They produce high quality machines that have ane big downside, they are very expensive. That is why nosotros have listed WEN generator as an selection for those on a tight budget.

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

It's a well fabricated generator that offers a remote electric commencement. Sadly, it'southward quite heavy with its 305 pounds (138.34 kg) dry out weight. Notwithstanding, if you lot are looking for a diesel powered 5500 option, and so DuroStar DS7000Q is a practiced choice.

We have establish only ane 5500 generator that runs on propane. It's PowerMate PM0135500 (four+ Reviews). Sadly, it has been discontinued.

If you still need a propane powered generator, you would demand to either increase or subtract 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 as well as natural gas.

If you are looking for the best inverter generator that provides 5500 running watts, and so go for either the Honda EU7000iS (74+ Reviews) or the Yamaha EF6300iSDE (23+ Reviews). Just keep in mind that inverter generators are on the expensive side.

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

• A lot of starting power
• Covered outlets to avoid getting the dirt into them
• Automated voltage regulation or an inbuilt inverter for clean power
• Quiet automobile if you are working in a noise restricted expanse
• Portability kit included
• Steel fuel tank

Based on these criteria, nosotros have identified the Westinghouse WGen5500 (402+ Reviews) every bit the all-time 5500 generator for a construction site that won't ruin your budget. It is quite affordable and has a sturdy design.

There are also more premium, quieter, loftier-quality machines that provide a footling bit more starting watts such as Honda EU7000iS (74+ Reviews), but these don't accept 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	1,000 West	0 West
Fridge / Freezer	700 W	2,200 West
Coffee Maker	1,000 Due west	0 W
Electrical Stove (8" Chemical element)	two,100 W	0 W
Deep Freezer	500 West	1,500 W
Electric Tin Opener	170 W	0 W
Dishwasher	1,500 Due west	one,500 W
Food Processor	400 W	0 W

Essential Appliances	Rated (Running) Watts	Additional Surge Watts
Electrical Water Heater	iv,000 Due west	0 W
Well Water Pump (1/2 HP)	ane,000 W	2,100 W
Window AC (10,000 BTU)	1,200 Westward	three,600 Westward
Window AC (12,000 BTU)	3,250 Due west	9,750 W
Central Air conditioning (10,000 BTU)	1,500 W	4,500 W
Central AC (24,000 BTU)	iii,800 West	11,400 Due west
Sump Pump (1/3 HP)	800 Due west	1,300 W
Sump Pump (1/2 HP)	ane,050 W	ii,150 Due west
Furnace Fan Blower (one/3 HP)	700 Westward	1,400 W
Furnace Fan Blower (1/2 HP)	800 W	two,350 W
Garage Door Opener (1/two HP)	875 W	two,350 W
Mutual Lite Seedling	75 W	0 W
Infinite Heater	one,800 W	0 Due west

Laundry Appliances	Rated (Running) Watts	Additional Surge Watts
Washing Motorcar	i,150 W	2,250 W
Clothes Dryer (Electric)	v,400 W	6,750 West
Atomic number 26	one,200 Due west	0 W
Hair Dryer	1,250 Due west	0 West

Entertainment Appliances	Rated (Running) Watts	Boosted Surge Watts
Laptop	50 W	0 W
Tv (49" LED)	85 Due west	0 West
Stereo	450 Westward	0 W
VCR / DVD Thespian	100 Due west	0 W
Video Game System	forty W	0 W

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

Printable Nautical chart

power tools & machines

Estimated wattage

Power tools	Rated (Running) Watts	Boosted Surge Watts
Radial Arm Saw	ii,000 W	2,000 W
Circular Saw (vii.25")	1,400 West	iv,200 W
Air Compressor (1/iv HP)	975 W	1,600 W
Air Compressor (1 HP)	1,600 West	4,500 W
Miter Saw (10")	1,800 Due west	one,800 W
Reciprocating Saw	960 West	0 W
Electrical Drill	600 W	900 Westward
Belt Sander	1,200 W	ii,400 W
Bench Grinder	1,400 W	2,500 Due west

Printable Nautical chart

Printable Chart

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Matthew Gerther

Founder, Generator enthusiast

Our aim here at Generatorist is to become the No. 1 resource for all things related to generators & ability needs. We helped over 350,000 visitors with our tips and reviews and we will help yous too.

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

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