Generators

Generators — Portable Gas Generators and Inverter Generators for Power Backup

Generators provide electrical power from stored fuel when grid power is unavailable — during utility outages from storms, equipment failures, and grid maintenance, and in remote locations without power infrastructure. From lightweight inverter generators for camping and tailgating to high-capacity whole-home standby generators, the range of generator types matches the diversity of power needs from occasional emergency convenience to continuous critical infrastructure support. Selecting a generator with adequate wattage capacity for the intended loads, appropriate runtime per fuel tank for the expected outage duration, and clean power output for sensitive electronics is the foundation of a generator purchase that actually meets the user's needs when grid power is lost.

Running wattage (the continuous power a generator produces) and surge/starting wattage (the momentary peak capacity during motor starting) are the two capacity specifications needed for load planning. Electric motors in refrigerators, HVAC systems, well pumps, and sump pumps draw 2-3x their running wattage during starting, requiring generators with surge capacity that matches or exceeds the highest starting load. A generator that covers continuous running loads but cannot handle the starting surge of the sump pump during the storm that caused the outage fails at the most critical moment. Always size generators based on the highest single starting load plus the sum of all simultaneously operating running loads.

Inverter generators use electronic alternators that produce clean, stable sine wave power regardless of load changes and engine speed variation, making them safe for sensitive electronics including laptops, mobile devices, medical equipment, and modern variable-speed appliance controllers that require stable, low-distortion power. Conventional generators produce power that varies with load and RPM changes, creating distortion and voltage variation that can damage sensitive electronics over time. Inverter generators also run quieter and more fuel-efficiently than conventional generators because the engine speed adjusts to match the load rather than running at constant full speed. The tradeoff is higher cost per watt compared to conventional generators of similar capacity.

Generator carbon monoxide safety is the most critical safety issue in generator use — generators produce lethal concentrations of CO from their exhaust, and generator-related CO poisoning kills dozens of Americans annually, almost always from generators operated indoors or in attached garages. OSHA and CPSC both specify that generators must be operated outdoors, at least 20 feet from building openings, and downwind of occupied spaces. Installing battery-operated CO alarms in occupied spaces provides warning if CO enters from outdoor generator exhaust that drifts toward building openings. CO-sensor shutdown generators automatically shut down when they detect CO concentrations rising in their vicinity — an important safety feature for generators used near confined outdoor spaces.

Our generator collection covers portable inverter generators from 1,000W to 4,000W for home emergency backup and recreational use, and conventional portable generators from 3,500W to 10,000W for higher-capacity backup power applications, with transfer switch kits and power cord accessories for safe connection to home circuits.