Mostly, we get generators for a lot of appliances in our house. But at times, you only need a generator for your refrigerator. In this case, knowing the right size is a face because if it is large, it will be a waste of your money and if it’s too small, it won’t power up the fridge.
So, before you buy one, check out the small details and learn what size generator to run in a refrigerator. Now, you can learn about the size without any electrician!
Calculating the Power Requirements
You have to calculate the power requirements for the devices of your house for a whole house generator. All you have to do is check the total power requirements of the appliances you are using the generator for and then get the right generator. Here, as you want a generator for the refrigerator only, you have to check the wattage of this.
Bigger refrigerators will require more power and vice versa. Not only is the power important here, the medium like the generator extension cord is also necessary to provide the power with safety. So, you have to check the other details too
As we told you already, the size of the generator is confusing and with this process, you will be able to learn the right size. For this, work a bit hard today!
If you want to know what size generator to run in a refrigerator, you must calculate this. While calculating this, you will need to calculate two different factors. The first is the starting watts and the second is running watts.
Starting Watts:
The starting watts are the amount of power that your appliance will require when it starts up. In most cases, this can vary from the running watts. The products that have included motor will require more energy during starting while the appliances without a motor will need less energy.
If you check the starting watts and running watts of your air conditioner, you will know the difference. All you have to do is check the energy it needs and note it down.
Running Watts:
On the other hand, running watts are the energy that your device requires when it needs to run. After the initial starting, it will need energy or power to run. This is running watts. It is also known as rated watts in cases.
We will talk to you about this through an example so that you get a better idea of it. Mostly, the regular 10,000 AC of these times will require 2200 watts for starting the appliance. In the first few moments of starting, it will consume this amount of energy. This is called the starting watts.
After the process of starting it is done, the energy demand will not be such high. So, within a few seconds, it will lower its energy demand. Now, it will take 1500 watts for running the appliance. The AC will consume 1500 watts constantly for the whole time you will keep it running. This is called running watts.
Size of the Generator
If you are aiming to buy a generator for your refrigerator or AC or any other appliance, you will need to know about both numbers we have mentioned above. Now, let us talk about the wattage that your refrigerator requires!
When you talk in a generalized manner, we have to mention that the typical fridge will require 800 watts or so for the freezer and fridge are working or cooling together. The typical household refrigerators you see will require more or less 800-12000 starting watts.
Let us talk in examples, you understand it better. Suppose you have a freezer or fridge that is 6.5 AMP by a brand and the capacity is 18 cu ft. When the fridge starts, the starting watt is more or less 1200 watts. But after starting, when it runs, it runs in 700-800 watts.
The first wattage is called starting watts and the next one is running watts. For this, you might need a larger solar battery generator so that you can back up the refrigerator. In this case, keep in mind that the brand or model you are choosing should have 1000W above capability.
If your generator can support the running watts but not the starting watts, don’t go for it. Otherwise, there will be a powerful power spike. And this might result in damaging the generator. People might think that there are generators that can fit every appliance but unfortunately no; there is nothing like this. All you have to do is check the manual or manufacturer’s tag so that you learn about the watts and can buy the generator according to it.
Wattage Details
You might ask about where the wattage details are. As we have mentioned above, you will get it from the manufacturer. If you don’t get it there, all you have to do is check the sticker inside the fridge’s door. There is detailed power requirements added.
Here, you have to search for the AMPS or AMPERES. You will find the AMPS that your device will require for starting and running it. Let us guess that you have a refrigerator labeled as 6.5 amps. You have a standard 120-volt wall outlet. All you have to do is multiply these two numbers.
6.5 amps x 120 volts = 780 watts
So, the energy requirement of the generator for running the refrigerator will be 780 watts. But you have to keep the starting watts in mind which can be 2/3 times of the averaging running watts. The double of 780 watts is 1560. So, when you get a refrigerator, you must get one that is 1560W or more.
Appliances Details
However, we recommend you to get the mid-level generators for decent-sized fridges. It will not hurt if you go a little large but if you settle for a smaller one, it might do serious damage. In most cases, we do not buy a generator for the refrigerator only. Other appliances require power for surviving the power cuts.
Whenever you plan to buy a generator for your refrigerator along with the other appliances, you have to take a look at so many specifics. Take a notebook and start noting the names of the appliances of your house that require the generator. These are the appliances that you want to run with the generator when there are power cuts.
In most cases, the common appliances off your house that you run during the emergency power outrage are the refrigerator, AC, freezer, and other lighting circuits. Also, there are other appliances like the oven or stove that you might want to keep running when there is no electricity.
Gas Powered Generators
But if you want to get one for the fridge only, you can settle for the 2000 watt gas generators. These are great for decent-sized fridges. When you plan to get one smaller, get the 1000-watt range so that you can support the small fridge. Keep in mind that you won’t be able to power the large refrigerators with this one. Also, do not add it with other appliances than the fridge.
Battery Powered Generators
Not all battery-powered generators will suit your refrigerator. We still recommend you to check the manual or manufacturer’s guide for this. But if we are told to recommend you the top two selections of battery-powered generators for your refrigerator, we will recommend you the generators of 1300W. However, there are also battery-powered generators of 2000W if you have a medium fridge.
Wrap Up
So, you have learned about what size generator can run your refrigerator and which can be the best size for you. Here, always keep in mind that there is no all-in-one sized generator made for your fridge. So, you have to do mathematics to make it work.
Comment below which sized generator your use for the fridge and other appliance. Have you ever plugged a wrong sized on with your refrigerator? Share your story with us!
I’m James. The author of Electricalaffairs.com. It’s been my passion to deal with power tools and gears. This website is mainly to talk about electrical wirings, lighting, various power source tools and accessories. I want to explore tackles and help people to grow their basic knowledge about electrical things. I would also like to help people to pick the right power tool for their daily needs.
