Tips For Buying A Portable Generator

A portable generator can incredibly handy in an emergency situation and it can add a whole lot of convenience to your leisure pursuits. You can even use one to work on your hobby in your tool shed or workspace.

To help you avoid purchasing an inefficient model, we at McKibben Powersports Lake Wales have compiled this short guide on portable generators. Read on to learn more and then head to our dealership to check out some reliable models for sale! We’re proud to serve our friends from Kissimmee and Lakeland.

Price

One of the main reasons for the popularity of these generators is, of course, their portability. However, another big benefit is that these models are a lot cheaper than standby ones. This can result in a difference of thousands of dollars. That said, buying a portable generator doesn’t mean going for the cheapest option.

A generator is a solid investment so you’ll still be spending a decent amount of money, no matter which type you buy. Calculate how much you’d like to spend on one, then see if the type you’re looking for falls within that. If it doesn’t, you’ll either have to change the type of generator you’re looking for or raise your budget.

Size

Another concern is the size of the portable generator. We recommend getting a generator that has the power to handle everything you want it to and then making the space for it. Bigger generators don’t tend to be portable and can be heavy to drag around even with wheels on them, but portable generators are smaller by nature. As long as the one you’ve chosen can provide enough juice, you should be able to make enough room for it. Keep in mind, it’s generally okay to have more than enough power, but spending the money is pointless if your generator isn’t packing the punch you need it to.

Wattage

Another deciding factor when shopping for generators is the wattage. To get that right, you have to know how much power you actually need for your project or appliances. This involves a little math, so get your calculator if you need it. 

Make a note of all the tools or appliances you want your generator to power. Note the number of watts required for each item. Add that up and bump it up a bit because a device pulls more energy to start up than to run. For example, if you have a device that needs 800 watts, it might actually use 1200 to get started.

Fuel

One final consideration to make is what type of fuel you want your generator to use. Hooking up to the electrical grid is probably out, so you’ll need to look into alternative fuel types. Some of the most popular fuel choices are propane, gasoline, diesel, and solar. For the occasional recreational activity or emergency use, propane and diesel are the best options.

Diesel burns more slowly so if you’re planning to use your generator a lot, this might be a better option. Solar is the more sustainable solution, but it can also leave you less tied down to the developed world if you’re a particularly adventurous traveler. A lot of buyers choose a hybrid of two types of fuel, so if they suddenly lose access to one fuel type, they’re not stuck with a generator that won’t run.

Keep in mind that portable generators are usually small in size so they may not suit a big project. To learn more or to get yourself a dependable portable generator, come to McKibben Powersports Lake Wales and we’ll help you make the right selection. We welcome all our patrons from Kissimmee and Lakeland, so stop by today!