What Can I Run with a 2000 Watt Generator?
A device that generates AC power with low-intensity sunlight is commonly called a solar generator. It plays a crucial role in our daily lives. If you experience frequent power outages and are worried about running your essentials during power disruptions, a solar generator will provide you with an uninterrupted backup power supply.
Similarly, if you need a reliable backup power solution for camping or off-grid living, using a solar generator will be worth it. Moreover, solar generators help you run high-power appliances and power equipment in remote locations, including remote offices, oil rigs, construction sites, and more.
Different sizes of solar generators are available on the market. This article explicitly focuses on what you can run with a 2000 watt generator.
How is wattage related to electrical power?
The electrical power of any appliance is measured in wattage. Wattage refers to the amount of power an appliance consumes per unit of time. To know the power consumption of electric appliances, you can simply see their nameplates attached to their back or bottom. Manufacturer's specifications also help you find the power consumed by any device.
If you can't find a device's power consumption, you can multiply its voltage and current rating to calculate its power rating. The formula is as follows.
Wattage = Voltage x Current
W = V x A
Wattage is a key factor when selecting the right solar generator to fulfill your energy needs. You might be thinking of why it is necessary to look at the generator's wattage when buying. Right? Well, the generator's rated power determines how many appliances for how much time you can run with it.
Therefore, if you want to make the right selection, make sure you calculate the power consumption of each appliance you want to run and ensure that the total power consumption of all appliances does not exceed the generator's capacity.
Starting watts and running watts of 2000W solar generator
Motor-powered devices need more power to start than they consume while running continuously. The running watts are usually three times less than the starting watts. The same is the case with a 2000 watt generator.
As the name depicts, the starting wattage of a generator refers to the amount of power it consumes when starting. It is also called peak or surge wattage. In comparison, the running wattage is the power a generator continuously consumes while operating. It is also known as rated or continuous wattage.
Suppose you have a 1,000W air conditioner installed in your home. 1,000W is its running wattage, where the starting wattage will be around 1,600-1,700W. Similarly, a 2000-watt generator consumes around 2000W power continuously, whereas its surge wattage is around 3000 watts.
Calculating the starting and running watts of appliances is necessary to ensure that the total power required is not greater than what your generator can provide. It also helps you make sure that you don't burden your generator. Therefore, remember to add a 10-25% buffer to the total power needed to calculate the right generator.
Simply put, the sum of the total power required and an extra buffer should not exceed the generator's surge power. This helps the generator run smoothly and power all essential appliances seamlessly.
What appliances can a 2000-watt generator run?
Before we go into the details of how much will a 2000 power station run, let's divide the appliances into different categories: home appliances, power tools, and outdoor equipment for camping, fishing, or similar purposes.
1. Home appliances to power up with a 2000W generator
With this generator, you can run many home appliances, such as small refrigerators, lamps, light bulbs, energy savers, and more. In addition, it can also provide backup power during emergencies and blackouts. Millions of people use a 2000-watt generator as a home generator.
A list of the common home appliances you can run with a 2000W generator, along with their starting and running wattages, is provided in the table below.
|
Home appliances |
Starting wattage (W) |
Running power (W) |
|
LED bulb |
– |
2-18 |
|
Ceiling fan |
70-80 |
50-60 |
|
Fridge |
1,000-1,300 |
350-800 |
|
Internet router |
– |
5-20 |
|
Iron |
– |
1,000 |
|
LED TV |
– |
50-100 |
|
Desktop computer |
– |
60-250 |
|
Laptop |
– |
15-60 |
|
Blender |
900 |
300 |
|
EV charger |
– |
1,600-7,200 |
|
Coffee maker |
– |
1000 |
|
Water dispenser |
– |
300-1,200 |
2. Power tools you can run with a 2000W generator
Power tools are usually energy-hungry devices that consume more power than home appliances. A 2000-watt generator can run a range of power tools. However, you can't operate all or multiple tools simultaneously. You need to keep the generator's maximum capacity in mind before you plug a power tool into the 2000W generator.
The table below lists the starting and running wattage of the most commonly used power tools. You can see that their power is higher than what home appliances consume.
|
Power tools |
Starting wattage (W) |
Running power (W) |
|
Electric drill |
1,800 |
720 |
|
Circular saw |
2,400 |
1200 |
|
Orbital sander |
1,800 |
600 |
|
Paint sprayer |
1,080 |
360 |
|
Disc grinder |
4,000 |
2,000 |
|
Electric pressure washer |
3,600 |
1,200 |
3. Outdoor appliances to power up with a 2000W generator
Outdoor appliances help you perform routine tasks smoothly when fishing or camping. For example, with outdoor appliances, you can heat up your food items, wash clothes, keep food fresh, and make sandwiches.
Appliances you most commonly need while camping are listed in the table below, along with their starting and running watts.
|
Camping appliances |
Starting wattage (W) |
Running power (W) |
|
Fridge |
70 |
60 |
|
Oven |
– |
1,200-1,800 |
|
Clothes washer |
800-2,800 |
400-1,400 |
|
Hot plate |
1,750 |
1,200 |
|
Drip coffee maker |
– |
500-900 |
You can separately run all the above-mentioned outdoor appliances with a 2000 watt generator, but when you try to power a couple of them at once, the generator may not be able to run them if the energy required exceeds its maximum capacity.
What can a 2000 watt generator not run?
Now that you are familiar with a range of appliances you can run with a 2000-watt generator. It is time to look at what you can't run with this much generator capacity, as it has some limitations.
Simply put, anything that consumes more power than the generator's peak power or more than 2000 watts won't be able to run with a 2000W generator during outages or at night.
For example, a 2000-watt generator can't run high-power appliances like central heating and air conditioning systems. Similarly, larger freezers or refrigerators also belong to the same family of appliances. Moreover, many instant electric geysers and bigger washing machines also consume more than 2000W while running, so you can't power them with your 2000-watt generator.
Further, a newly introduced electric water heater faucet takes at least 3000W of power to run, which means you can't power it up with a 2000W generator you have.
Best 2000 watt generator in 2024
Are you looking for a dependable home backup power solution that can run appliances of up to 2000W? We have come up with the two most demanding Renogy solar kits in 2024. Let's look at each kit to understand how it can help you during blackouts or at night.
Renogy 1.8kW/1.9kW/2.2kW Advanced Plus Kit
This solar kit comes with three different models: 1.8KW, 1.9KW, and 2.2KW setups. If you want to enjoy an off-grid life with an uninterrupted power supply, try the Renogy Advanced Plus Kit.
The LYCAN 5000 Power Box's easy plug-and-play installation makes your power consumption experience memorable. This kit comes with Wi-Fi monitoring and Bluetooth connectivity. Solid DC circuit protection ensures that every appliance runs smoothly.
Renogy 400W Complete Kit for Workshop/Shed
This kit offers a 5-year warranty. The package includes three batteries, one 3000W pure sine wave inverter, 400W high-efficiency PERC PV panels, 4-stage charging algorithm (for longer battery lifespan), remote switch, and complete accessories required for installation.
Renogy 400W Complete Kit for Workshop allows you to choose between three 12V 100Ah core series lithium batteries or three 12V 100Ah deep cycle AGM batteries.
Factors to Consider When Selecting a 2000W generator for your needs
Are you wondering how to select a worthy 2000 watt generator? Below, we present some important factors to consider when making a purchase.
1. Durability
If you plan to purchase a 2000-watt generator, ensure it comes with safe battery technology. We highly recommend generators with lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4) batteries, as they do not use toxins and have a thermal runaway threshold of 270 degrees Celsius.
2. Recharge time
Advanced 2000W generators can fully charge a 500Wh station within 2 to 3 hours. They have one of the fastest recharge times. In comparison, traditional 2000-watt generators take around 8 to 10 hours to charge. If you want to buy the best generator, make sure it can charge fully within 4 hours.
3. Battery storage
Don't forget to keep the battery capacity in mind when buying a 2000W generator for your home. Make sure the generator has advanced battery technology like LiFePO4. For example, a 100Ah lithium iron phosphate battery has the ability to consume more than 100% of the rated capacity. In contrast, a 100Ah lead-acid battery can only use 30Ah to 50Ah at max.
4. Noise level
Though many generators produce noise depending on their sizes, some are quieter. If you want to buy a 2000W generator and are planning to run it with batteries only, it will produce very little to no noise. If you compare solar generators with gas-powered generators, they are completely noiseless.
5. Compatibility with PV panels
If you live in a remote area or prefer enjoying off-grid living, buy a 2000-watt generator that is highly compatible with solar panels. You can charge its batteries with the PV cells during the daytime and use the power stored in batteries during outages or at night.
Conclusion
A 2000 watt generator can be a great addition to your home because it provides a reliable backup power solution to run or charge most of your appliances, such as small refrigerator, television, light bulbs, ceiling fans, mobile devices, digital cameras, laptops, and the list continues.
Though a 2000W generator can power many home appliances, it does not mean you can run them all at the same time. To choose the right size generator, you should calculate the starting (surge) and running (continuous) power of all the appliances or devices you want to run with it. What to consider when buying a 2000-watt generator is discussed above. Give it a read.
Frequently asked questions
What can't a 2,000 watt generator run?
It can't power energy-hungry appliances like electric water heaters, electric cooking ranges, electric clothes dryers, and more.
Can you run a house on a 2000 watt generator?
If you live in a tiny home, a 2000W generator may help you run the whole house. But, most houses require a bigger generator to run all home appliances. For more information on determining the ideal solar generator size to power your entire home, check out this comprehensive guide: What Size Solar Generator Do You Need to Run a Whole House.
How long will a 2000W generator run?
It depends on how many devices or appliances you want to connect to the generator. However, with low-power-consuming home appliances, a 2000-watt generator can run for about 8 to 12 hours (if batteries are charged fully).
