What Can a 3500-Watt Generator Run

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.

Watts = Amps × 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:

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 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.  

Who Should Buy This 

If you want a longer runtime without upgrading to a heavier unit, then you can consider the Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Plus Kit (4kWh), which is ideal for remote work setups, extended camping trips, or powering multiple home appliances during prolonged power outages.

Customer Review 

“We used the Explorer 2000 + power pack + panels on a weekend trip to a site with no hookups. Only took the panels out for a few hours, and managed to come home at 47%. That said, we only really used a fan, lights, radio, and water pump, plus charging our devices.” — TravvyB.

Jackery Solar Generator HomePower 3000 

The Jackery Solar Generator HomePower 3000 is an essential home backup solution that fits well within the 3500-watt use range. It can power key household appliances, including full-sized refrigerators, LED lighting, laptops, internet routers, CPAP machines, fans, and induction cooktops. Whether you're working from home during an outage or need to keep your food cold and your lights on during a storm, it provides you with reliable backup. Its portability and dual handles make it easy to move around the home or carry to a cabin, campsite, or jobsite.

Who Should Buy This 

If you need dependable, portable power to support everyday devices and key home appliances during outages or in off-grid situations, the Jackery Solar Generator HomePower 3000 is an ideal option.

Customer Review 

“Jackery home power 3000 has worked out great for me and my wife, living off grid on our property in Panguitch Lake, Utah. These powers are 50-amp toy haulers converted down to 30-amp. So far, I love the system and am interested in what other advantages Jackery has to offer.” — Rich Frei.

Jackery Solar Generator 5000 Plus

The Jackery Solar Generator 5000 Plus is a powerful, essential home backup solution. With its 5 kWh battery capacity, it can power large appliances such as refrigerators, microwaves, washing machines, sump pumps, and even smaller HVAC units. It’s also well-suited for daily needs during long blackouts, powering lights, internet routers, kitchen gadgets, medical devices, and entertainment systems. You can even connect the solar generator to your home panel using the Jackery Smart Transfer Switch for seamless backup during outages.

Who Should Buy This 

If you are a homeowner or off-grid user who wants a powerful home battery backup solution to run multiple essential appliances at once, both during emergencies and for everyday off-grid living, then the Jackery Solar Generator 5000 Plus is a reliable option.

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.” — Thomas Rowe.

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 the Jackery Solar Generator HomePower 3000 seems a great option. It has a battery capacity of 3072Wh with a 3600W rating and a 7200W surge peak output to power 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:

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 HomePower 3000 to understand better:

The Jackery Solar Generator HomePower 3000 has a capacity of 3072Wh and operates at 51.2V. The amp-hour can be calculated using the below formula:

Amp-Hour = Watt-Hour / Voltage = 3072Wh / 51.2V = 60Ah.

How Long Will a 3500 Watt Generator Run On a Tank of Gas?