What Is a 3500 Watt Generator?
A 3500-watt generator can act as a lifesaver when the power goes out, or there's no nearby electrical outlet available. It can supply enough energy to keep lights on, the phone charged, and the refrigerator running. It can even charge medical equipment like CPAP machines.
Different types of 3500W generators are available, including inverter, solar, and portable generators. Let's explain them briefly:
3500-Watt Inverter Generator: This type of generator converts electricity to deliver clean and safe power for sensitive electronics. It is compact, energy-efficient, and quieter than a traditional generator.
3500-Watt Solar Generator: It combines portable solar panels and battery backup with a built-in inverter to capture, store, and then distribute power from the sun to appliances. Even though solar generators need a high upfront cost, they are quite affordable in the long run.
3500-Watt Gas Generator: Also known as a natural gas generator or gas-powered generator, it works by converting natural gas into electricity. While these gas generators can be used for home power backup sources, they are less preferred due to high levels of noise emissions.
Now that you know different types of 3500W generators, here are some terms to keep in mind:
Starting Watts: Sometimes called surge watts, it is the maximum power the appliance needs for a short time. It is always higher than running watts.
Running Wattage: It's the amount of power that the appliance needs continuously. It is often lower than starting watts.
Surge Wattage: It's the maximum amount of power that the generator can generate. This is the starting power the generator can supply to the appliances for a short period (typically a few seconds). Jackery Solar Generators typically have higher surge watts, almost double the rated watts.
Watt-hours: In simple terms, watt-hours typically measure the energy or power consumed by the appliance over a specific period. It is equal to one watt of power consumed in one hour.
What Size Generator Do I Need?
If you want to determine the correct size of the generator, you need to follow these steps:
Step 1: List the electrical appliances you want to run "at the same time" in case you are out of power.
Step 2: Check the appliance to note the running and starting wattage consumption. If there's no information on the appliance, consider multiplying the amps and volts.
Step 3: Add all the running wattage you would need to operate the appliances simultaneously. This obtained number represents the total running watts the generator should provide.
Step 4: Now, find and add the highest starting watts needed to run the appliances and the total running watts. These are the starting watts the generator should supply.
Here's an example that reveals how to calculate the generator size:
What Can a 3500 Watt Generator Run?
A 3500-watt generator can run most home and RV/camping appliances, including coffee makers, microwaves, dishwashers, toasters, TVs, vacuum cleaners, and power tools. However, you might not be able to run all these simultaneously. It's best to check the starting and running wattage of each appliance you'd like to power. It should be less than 3500W so you don't overload the generator while charging.
Will a 3500 Watt Generator Run a House?
Yes. A 3500-watt generator can power many kitchen or household appliances. With a generator of this size, you can supply steady power to a coffee maker, toaster, microwave, and refrigerator. It's essential to ensure the generator can handle the power requirements of all the appliances you want to run simultaneously. So, make sure to calculate the appliance wattage requirements and match the number with the generator's capacity.
|
Household Equipment |
Running Watts |
Starting Watts |
|
Coffee Maker |
1000W |
— |
|
Washing Machine |
800W |
1600W |
|
½ HP Sump Pump |
1050W |
2150W |
|
Space Heater |
1800W |
1800W |
|
Microwave |
1000W |
— |
Work Site
A 3500-watt inverter generator can safely run small appliances, including a circular saw, air compressor, etc., in a work setting. While this unit might not be able to run multiple power tools simultaneously, it can run one at a time. Hence, it's best for work sites with only two or three people working at the same time.
|
Work Site Equipment |
Running Watts |
Starting Watts |
|
Bench Grinder |
1400W |
2500W |
|
Angle Grinder |
900W |
1000W |
|
Circular Saw |
1400W |
— |
|
Electric Mower |
1500W |
— |
|
Circular Saw |
1400W |
2300W |
RV
A 3500-watt quiet generator will run many RV appliances; however, you might not be able to use all the appliances simultaneously. Since RV appliances are small and energy-efficient, they use less power and can be run for long hours. For instance, an RV AC draws only 1200W once started. Hence, you can power the RV AC and some lights at the same time. You'll still need to ensure the wattage consumption of the RV appliances is less than 3500W.
|
RV Equipment |
Running Watts |
Starting Watts |
|
Electric Blanket |
200W |
— |
|
Outdoor String Lights |
250W |
— |
|
CPAP Machine |
60W |
— |
|
Electric Heater |
1100W |
— |
|
RV AC (11000 BTU) |
1050W |
1600W |
Jackery 3500W Solar Generators
Jackery does not offer a 3500-watt solar generator, but you get smaller and larger models to meet your power needs. For example, a Jackery Solar Generator 3000 Pro has a 3000W rated wattage and 3024Wh capacity. If you want something larger, you may opt for the Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Plus Kit (4kW), which has a battery capacity of 4085.6Wh. This section will reveal the best portable battery backups ideal for home power outages, RV/camping, and work site appliances.
Jackery Solar Generator 3000 Pro
The large Jackery Solar Generator 3000 Pro has a 3024Wh capacity to support 99% of home or outdoor appliances. It has a rated wattage of 3000W and surge peak of 6000W to support heavy-duty appliances. The solar generator charges appliances in peace and emits only 30dB of noise, which resembles the refrigerator's hum. There's a built-in pure sine wave inverter to deliver stable power and safeguard the charged appliances.
Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Plus
The expandable Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Plus has an outstanding LiFePO4 battery of 2042.8Wh. It powers heavy-duty appliances up to 6000W, making this solar battery backup ideal for extended blackouts, power outages, and outdoor adventures. It emits only 30dB of noise while charging 99% of appliances, including lights, refrigerators, and CPAP machines.
Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Plus Kit (4kWh)
The large Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Plus Kit has a LiFePO4 battery capacity of around 4085.6Wh. The Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Plus Kit offers expanded capacity and increased output. It freely powers multiple devices, helping you stay charged during power outages or blackouts. You can expand the capacity to 24kW to support two weeks of home backup power.
|
Product |
Output Rated / Surge Watts |
Capacity |
Appliances Running Time |
|
3000W / 6000W Surge Peak |
3024Wh |
Coffee Maker (1000W): 2.5H Washing Machine (800W): 3.2H Bench Grinder (1400W): 1.8H Angle Grinder (900W): 2.8H Electric Heater (1100W): 2.3H RV AC (11000 BTU) (1050W): 2.4H |
|
|
3000W / 6000W Surge Peak |
2042.8Wh |
Coffee Maker (1000W): 1.7H Washing Machine (800W): 2.1H Bench Grinder (1400W): 1.2H Angle Grinder (900W): 1.9H Electric Heater (1100W): 1.5H RV AC (11000 BTU) (1050W): 1.6H |
|
|
3000W / 6000W Surge Peak |
4085.6Wh |
Coffee Maker (1000W): 3.4H Washing Machine (800W): 4.3H Bench Grinder (1400W): 2.4H Angle Grinder (900W): 3.8H Electric Heater (1100W): 3.1H RV AC (11000 BTU) (1050W): 3.3H |
How Much Can a 3500-Watt Generator Run?
A 3500-watt generator can run most home or outdoor appliances, including refrigerators, laptops, televisions, lights, electric stoves, air conditioners, etc. It's worth noting that 3500 watts is a versatile amount of power. While you may not be able to charge everything at once with 3,500 watts, it's typically enough juice to run most essential appliances and tools.
Will a 3500 Watt Generator Run an AC Unit?
The best 3500-watt inverter generator can run a window or RV AC; however, higher-wattage AC needs a larger model. For example, a small RV AC unit (11000 BTU) draws 1050 running and 1600 starting wattage. Similarly, a midsize generator (13000 BTU) consumes 1800 running and 2800 starting wattage. These AC models can be quickly charged with the help of a 3500W generator.
However, if the AC unit consumes more than 3500W, you must look for a high-watt generator. Suppose you want to charge an AC with 1800 running and 2800 starting watts. That's where Jackery Solar Generator 3000 Pro seems a great option. It has a battery capacity of 3024Wh with a 3000W rating and a 6000W surge peak output to charge this AC unit safely for 1.4 hours.
Will a 3500 Watt Generator Run a Well Pump?
An average well pump draws around 700-800W of electricity, and the midsize models consume nearly 2000-2500W. A 3500W can efficiently supply enough power to small to midsize well pumps.
If you are wondering how many watts a well pump uses, here's a rough estimation of the running and starting watts:
|
Water Pump Motor Size |
Running Watts |
Starting Watts |
|
1/3 HP |
750 W |
1500-3000 W |
|
1/2 HP |
900 W |
2000-4000 W |
|
3/4 HP |
1500 W |
3000-4500 W |
|
1 HP |
2000 W |
4000-6000 W |
As you can see, larger well pump models draw higher starting watts. For this reason, you'll need to look for a generator that can deliver initial surge and running wattage to the well pump for a safe operation.
How Many Amps Does a 3500 Watt Generator Put Out?
Generally, a 3,500-watt generator puts out anywhere around 29-30 amps at 120 volts, which might vary depending on the voltage supply. For example, when the voltage is increased from 120V to 240V, the current (measured in amps) would be slightly less than 15 amps.
Let's take an example of the Jackery Solar Generator 3000 Pro to understand better:
The Jackery Solar Generator 3000 Pro has a capacity of 3024Wh and operates at 43.2V. The amp-hour can be calculated using the below formula:
Amp-Hour = Watt-Hour / Voltage = 3024Wh / 43.2V = 70Ah.
How Long Will a 3500 Watt Generator Run On a Tank of Gas?
Conclusion
If you're considering investing in a generator, choosing a model that fits your power needs and, most importantly, your budget is essential. While a 3500-watt generator is a great option, you can also consider the small and larger models.
For example, the Jackery Solar Generator 3000 Pro can run 99% of home or outdoor appliances like refrigerators or CPAP machines. Similarly, an expandable Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Plus is available to power 99% of appliances for a relatively long time.
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