portable generator question.... Original Message Jun 9, 2010 7:13 pm
my portable gen is rated at 6800 running watts.Is it safe to run my gen at 6800w continuously or is a good idea to run it at say 10% below its rated wattage for an extended period of time??
It's rated for 6800 running watts and 8100 peak or start up watts.I just wanted to know if it is safe to run at 6800W for a prolonged period of time or should I play it safe and only run it at say 90% of its running watts.
Re: portable generator question.... Reply #3 Jun 21, 2010 10:19 am
It's like anything else, the harder you run it, the harder it has to work. Generators are made to run at their maximum ratings but you can expect a fair amount of engine and generator heat when working at maximum ratings. I'd run it at max ratings intermittently but I wouldn't be too comfortable flogging it mercilessly at max for hours on end. Buy an infrared heat thermometer and take temperature readings of the generator end while running at maximum rating. See if the temperatures get much higher than if run at 80 to 90 percent.
