What will it run / 7,500 W
What will a 7,500 watt generator run?
Taking the Champion 201040 as the example: it is rated 7,500 W running and 9,375 W starting. In this site's outage order it carries 11 kinds of load at once — 6,293.2 W running, with room to start the biggest motor in the list for a total of 8,493.2 W — and it can start 30 of the 30 devices in the tables on their own.
Champion names this generator by its running rating, 7,500 W on gasoline, with 9,375 starting watts. On propane both figures drop, to 6,750 W running and 8,400 W starting, which matters for the larger motor loads.
Champion lists 10 hours at half load from the 7.7-gallon gasoline tank and 5.5 hours at half load from a 20-pound propane cylinder.
An outage list it can carry
| Load | Qty | Running W | Extra to start |
|---|---|---|---|
| Refrigerator/freezer | 1 | 700 | 2,200 |
| Sump pump, 1/2 hp | 1 | 1,050 | 2,150 |
| Furnace fan blower, 1/3 hp | 1 | 700 | 1,400 |
| Well pump, 1/2 hp | 1 | 1,000 | 2,100 |
| CPAP machine (ResMed AirSense 11) | 1 | 73.2 | — |
| LED light bulb, 15 W | 6 | 90 | — |
| Cell phone charger | 2 | 40 | — |
| Television, LED | 1 | 80 | — |
| Laptop | 1 | 60 | — |
| Microwave, 1,000 W | 1 | 1,000 | — |
| Coffee maker | 1 | 1,500 | — |
| Total | 6,293.2 | + 2,200 = 8,493.2 |
The list is filled in a fixed order — refrigerator, sump pump, furnace fan, well pump, CPAP, lights and chargers, then television, laptop, microwave, coffee maker, space heater and window air conditioner — skipping anything that would push the running total past 7,500 W or the starting total past 9,375 W. It leaves 1,206.8 W of running capacity and 881.8 W of starting capacity unused. The highlighted row has the biggest starting surge, which is the one added to the running total.
On propane the ratings fall to 6,750 W running and 8,400 W starting, and the same order fits 10 kinds of load, 4,793.2 W running.
What it can start on its own
Refrigerator/freezer; Sump pump, 1/3 hp; Sump pump, 1/2 hp; Well pump, 1/3 hp; Well pump, 1/2 hp; Furnace fan blower, 1/3 hp; Furnace fan blower, 1/2 hp; Garage door opener, 1/2 hp; Microwave, 1,000 W; Coffee maker; Toaster; Toaster oven; Air fryer; Slow cooker; Electric range, one 8-inch element; Dishwasher; Washing machine; Window air conditioner, 12,000 BTU; Central air conditioner, 24,000 BTU (2 ton); Heat pump; Space heater; Electric water heater; CPAP machine (ResMed AirSense 11); Oxygen concentrator (Philips EverFlo); LED light bulb, 15 W; Television, LED; Laptop; Desktop computer with monitor; Cell phone charger; AM/FM radio.
Every device in the tables, including the central air conditioner and heat pump, fits on its own; the limit is how many run together.
A refrigerator and a 1/2 hp sump pump together need 1,750 W running and 3,950 W to start — within this generator's ratings.
Compared with the other sizes
Run time: 10 hours at 50% load, gasoline, 5.5 hours at 50% load, 20-lb propane tank from a 7.7-gallon tank, by the maker's figures. Keep it outdoors at least 20 feet from doors, windows and vents (why).
Ratings: Champion Power Equipment, model 201040 dual fuel generator. Appliance figures: Generac GP brochure, EWEB and Champion tables (see methodology). Other sizes: 2,200 W · 3,000 W · 5,000 W · 7,000 W · 9,500 W.