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What Is A 20000W Generator?
A 20000-watt generator is a robust machine that provides 20000 watts of electrical power, which is more than enough for a 3000-5000 square-foot apartment. With such a powerful machine, one can easily power a refrigerator, an air conditioner, an electric oven, a water heater, and several lights concurrently. With this many appliances running together, a 20000-watt generator becomes ideal for maintaining essential household or business operations during power outages or in remote locations.
There are different models of a 20000-watt generator and one can choose them as per their preference. The most common types are:
20000-watt portable generator: A 20000-watt portable generator is a high-capacity, movable power source that uses diesel or propane to perform. These generators are commonly used on construction sites, during outdoor events, or as emergency backup power. For instance, this diesel-run generator can run multiple high-demand appliances such as a refrigerator (700W), an air conditioner (2,000W), an electric oven (5,000W), and a water heater (4,500W watts).
20000-watt inverter generator: A 20000-watt inverter generator provides clean and stable power, making it ideal for those looking for alternatives to a traditional diesel generator. This generator converts AC power to DC and back to AC, which always ensures a reliable, consistent, and smooth power output for sensitive appliances like computers, medical devices, and entertainment systems.
20000-watt solar generator: A 20000-watt solar generator harnesses energy from the sun, converting it into electricity through solar panels and storing it in large batteries for later use. This eco-friendly and renewable power source is ideal for those who are aiming to reduce their overall dependency on the on-grid power supply. The complete independence from such grid power makes such generators ideal for off-grid living, camping, and emergency backup, especially in areas prone to power outages.
Before we learn more about the 20000-watt generator and evaluate which size is ideal for your household and outdoor needs, let us explain a couple of technical terms that will help you in this comprehensive guide.
Starting Wattage: Starting wattage is the initial burst of power that most appliances use when they are first turned on. For example, a central air conditioning unit might require around 15,000 watts to start, even though it runs continuously at about 5,000 watts. This high starting wattage is necessary to overcome the initial resistance, which ensures that the unit's compressor and fan motor are running.
Running Wattage: Running wattage is the amount of power an appliance needs to operate under normal conditions. In short, a running wattage is a continuous power that a generator must supply to ensure that the connected appliance is operational, even after the initial startup. For instance, a large electric furnace might require around 18,000 watts of running power to maintain heat in a large home.
Surge Wattage: Surge wattage refers to the short-term peak power an appliance needs for just a few seconds to start working effectively. This is especially common in appliances with motors or compressors. For example, a large industrial air compressor might have a surge wattage of 20000 watts to start, even though its running wattage is only around 12,000W.
Watt-Hours: A watt-hour (Wh) is a unit of energy that measures the amount of power consumed over time. For example, if an industrial heater uses 15,000 watts and runs for 2 hours, it consumes 30,000 watts or 30 kWh of energy. This measurement helps one easily understand the total energy usage and cost associated with running such heavy-duty appliances.
What Can A 20000-Watt Generator Run?
A 20000-watt generator is a powerful portable machine that can run household appliances and even be taken on extended RV trips or to remote locations for work. Its large wattage makes it suitable for both residential and commercial usage. For instance, it can handle high-demand appliances like a central air conditioning unit (running wattage around 5,000W), an electric furnace (around 18,000W), and an industrial air compressor (running wattage around 12,000W).
You can use a 20000-watt generator in multiple scenarios, like during the extended power cuts and off-grid living.
Will a 20000-watt Generator Run a House?
Yes, a 20000-watt generator is ideal for a 3000 to 5000 square feet apartment where there is a need to run multiple appliances at the same time. With this powerful unit, one can get ample power for most of the essential appliances and systems at home. For instance, if you have started using a 20000-watt generator at home in the suburbs, you can simultaneously run high-duty appliances, like a central air conditioner (5,000W), a well pump (1,500W), and several other household appliances.
Can 20000-watt Generators Be Used for Construction Sites?
Yes, definitely! A 20000-watt generator is ideal for construction sites where you intend to use multiple high-power tools, like large air compressors (12,000W), concrete mixers (1,200W), and electric saws (1,800 watts). With the robust power of such generators, you can ensure that all the necessary tools are functional, and there will not be any need to use the on-grid power to run any or all appliances for a long time.
Is a 20000-watt Generator Enough for an RV?
Yes, if you have a large RV or trailer or even a camper that can accommodate the big size of a 20000-watt generator, then you can use it to handle high-demand devices like an RV air conditioning unit (3,500W), an electric stove (2,000W), and a water heater (1,500W) simultaneously. Additionally, you can use this powerful generator to run multiple other appliances, like lights, coffee makers, entertainment units, and more.
Can You Live Off-Grid with a 20000-Watt Generator?
Yes, a 20000-watt generator is generally considered ideal for those who aim to live off-grid permanently or temporarily. Unlike small machines, like a 1000-watt generator, which is not feasible for off-grid living, you can use a 20000-watt generator to run high-demand appliances like an electric water heater (4,500W), a solar battery charger (1,000W), and a large refrigerator (700W), along with lights and several communication devices, like a laptop, smartphone, GPS devices, and more.
Jackery 20000W Portable Generator
Jackery offers the Jackery Whole-Home Backup Kit 5000 Plus, which has a capacity of approximately 20kWh, to power most appliances during extended outages or off-grid living. It can run several appliances simultaneously during outages to maintain a comfortable lifestyle. Here are some of the popular Jackery Solar Generators that are suitable for powering appliances indoors or outdoors:
Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Plus
While the base unit does not have a 20,000-watt output, the Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Plus still delivers a powerful 3000W rated output (6000W surge) suitable for powering essential appliances like refrigerators, microwaves, lights, CPAP machines, and routers during outages. This home battery backup is ideal for homes that don’t need full-scale backup right away but want flexibility to expand capacity at their own pace, from 2kWh to 24kWh, with the add-on battery packs.
Who Should Buy This
If you're looking for a quieter, solar-powered alternative to a large gas generator for powering essential appliances during power outages, and one that can be expanded to 24kWh, consider investing in the Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Plus.
Customer Review
“Jackery makes things built to last. The handle makes it so easy to move around. Jackery has given me and my family the peace of mind if I ever need this during a power outage or emergency.” — Gary DeWitt.
Jackery Explorer 5000 Plus Double Kit (10kWh)
The Jackery Explorer 5000 Plus Double Kit (10kWh) combines two Jackery Explorer 5000 Plus Portable Power Stations. It is an essential home backup solution that offers home-backup-level performance with up to 10 kWh of expandable battery capacity. It is sufficient to power multiple large appliances, such as well pumps, portable heaters, full-size refrigerators, and even some central HVAC systems, during an outage. It emits less than 30dB of noise, equivalent to the sound of a quiet library, making it ideal for indoor use.
Who Should Buy This
If you need reliable emergency power for multiple essential appliances without relying on noisy, gas-powered systems, then the Jackery Explorer 5000 Plus Double Kit (10kWh) appears to be a reliable choice.
Customer Review
“We are off the grid, powering our 35-foot Viking using the Jackery 5000 Plus. Well, it’s been awesome not having the generator running. Jackery keeps the boat running with no issues.” — Darryl Ward.
Jackery Whole-Home Backup Kit 5000 Plus (20kWh)
The Jackery Whole-Home Backup Kit 5000 Plus (20kWh) is built for full-home coverage. It combines two Jackery Explorer 5000 Plus units with two expansion Jackery Battery Pack 5000 Plus units, delivering up to 20kWh of stored energy. It can keep your lights, fridge, HVAC, kitchen appliances, and medical equipment running smoothly during extended outages. It does not emit any toxic fumes or noise, making the whole home backup kit suitable for indoor use.
Who Should Buy This
If you want a solar-powered whole-home backup solution to cover outages without the fuel, fumes, or maintenance of a traditional 20kW gas generator, you can consider investing in the Jackery Whole-Home Backup Kit 5000 Plus (20kWh).
Customer Review
“The Jackery 5000 Plus alongside the Smart Transfer Switch is a really great combination. Everything just works. Having automatic power switching from the grid to backup power is very nice. If you are getting the 5000 Plus, I would strongly recommend adding the Smart Transfer Switch - no extension cords!” — Thomas Rowe.
|
Product |
Output |
Capacity |
Appliances Running Time |
|
Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Plus |
3000W / 6000W Surge Peak |
2042.8Wh |
Refrigerator (300W) = 5.3H TV (150W) = 10.0H Stove (1000W) = 1.6H Microwave (1000W) = 1.6H Heater (1600W) = 1.0H
|
|
Jackery Explorer 5000 Plus Double Kit (10kWh) |
14,400W / 28,800W Surge Peak |
10,080Wh |
Refrigerator (300W) = 24.5H TV (150W) = 42.8H Stove (1000W) = 8.2H Microwave (1000W) = 8.2H Heater (1600W) = 5.2H
|
|
Jackery Whole-Home Backup Kit 5000 Plus (20kWh) |
14,400W / 28,800W Surge Peak |
20,160Wh |
Refrigerator (300W) = 48.4H TV (150W) = 85.6H Stove (1000W) = 16.4H Microwave (1000W) = 16.4H Heater (1600W) = 10.4H
|
How To Build a 20000 Watt Generator
Before building a 20000W generator, you'll need to define the fuel type. For example, gas or propane generators are hard to build and require a solid understanding of electrical engineering. On the other hand, if you want to build a 20000W solar generator, all you need to do is consider a power station and choose the right number of solar panels.
If you are looking for a 20,000-watt generator to power appliances for extended periods, you can consider the Jackery Whole-Home Backup Kit 5000 Plus (20kWh). It has a battery capacity of 20kWh and can power most appliances for days or weeks, especially when the grid is down because of severe weather conditions or grid failures.
How Many Amps Does a 20000 Watt Generator Produce?
A 20000-watt generator is a large machine that can produce roughly 83.33 amps at 240 volts or 166.66 amps at 120 volts. As you can see from these numbers, the calculated amps depend on how the generator is configured and the voltage setting you use to power your household or outdoor appliances.
In order to understand more of the amps that a 20000-watt generator can produce, you can check the following equation:
Amps = Watts ÷ Volts = 20000W ÷ 240V = 83.33 amps
If you use an alternative voltage setting and bring it down to 120V, you will get the following amps:
Amps = Watts ÷ Volts = 20000W ÷ 120V = 166.66 amps
Using the same equation and method, you can also find the amp-hours of the Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Plus:
Amp-hour = Watt-hour ÷ Volts = 2042.8Wh ÷ 44.8V = 45.6Ah.
The above numbers state that a Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Plus at 44.8V will produce 45.6 amp-hours.
What Size Generator Do I Need?
The size of the generator that you require to power your household appliances and construction site tool depends on multiple factors, including the number of appliances you are carrying, their energy efficiency, and for how long you intend to use them. Check out the following steps to understand appliance wattage:
Step 1: Gather all the essential appliances that you aim to use with the generator.
Step 2: Find the running and starting wattage of all the gathered appliances. If you are unsure about the exact running and starting wattage, then you can check the manufacturer's website to learn the same.
Step 3: Add the running wattage of all those appliances. In order to gather the exact information about the generator's size, you should also identify the highest starting wattage and add it to the total running wattage.
Check out the example here:
FAQ
Are Whole House Generators Worth It?
Yes, whole house generators, like a 15000-watt generator or a 20000-watt generator, are worth the investment for all those who seek uninterrupted power during outages or to reduce their monthly average electricity bill. When you use a whole house generator, they automatically kick in when the main power supply fails, which ensures continuous operation of essential systems.
What Size Generator Do I Need for a 200 Amp House?
For a 200-amp house, a generator with a capacity of around 15,000 to 20,000 watts is typically recommended. This size will ensure that the plugged-in generator can handle the significant load, including high-demand appliances like central air conditioning units, electric water heaters, and other important appliances.
What Size Generator Do I Need for a 1500 Sq Ft House?
If you have a 1500-square-foot house or apartment, then a 7500-watt generator or even a 10,000-watt generator is sufficient to power essential appliances and systems. For example, a 7,500-watt generator can comfortably handle a refrigerator (700W), a small air conditioning unit (1,200W), a water heater (4,500W), and several lights without overloading the generator.
Conclusion
A 20000-watt generator is ideal for household, RV, or off-grid living and for carrying along at remote sites for construction-related work. However, a typical 20kW diesel generator weighs around 1,169 lbs or 530 Kg, making it extremely difficult to carry around at off-grid locations.
A 20000-watt generator also roughly costs $5000 to $15000. If you are looking for an economical and portable unit that can power most of your household appliances and remote power tools, you can check out a Jackery Explorer 2000 Plus Portable Power Station. The portable power station is also compatible with an additional Jackery Battery Pack 2000 Plus that can be expanded to a huge power capacity from 2kWh to 24kWh.
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