What Is A 3600W Generator?
A 3600-watt generator is a versatile portable power solution capable of providing electricity during different settings, ranging from home backup to long RV trips. This midsize generator can help you charge air conditioners, refrigerators, sump pumps, well pumps, TVs, space heaters, etc. The 3600W portable generators can also be carried to construction sites to charge various power tools, including electric drills, chainsaws, table saws, etc.
There are generally three types of 3600W generators available:
3600-Watt Portable Generator: A 3600-watt portable generator runs on gas or diesel and can charge most home or outdoor appliances. It is generally heavy and requires wheels for easy transportation.
3600-Watt Inverter Generator: Unlike traditional generators, 3600-watt inverter generators feature an alternator that creates AC electricity and a rectifier to transform AC to DC current. They are typically used to recharge battery-operated devices, such as power tools.
3600-Watt Solar Generator: A 3600W solar generator is a clean and safe charging solution compared to other types of generators. It combines solar panels and a solar battery to create and store electricity for later use. With a 3600-watt solar generator, you can run most indoor or outdoor appliances for long periods.
If you're planning to invest in a 3600-watt generator, it is essential to understand a few terminologies that can affect the compatibility of the appliance with the generator:
Surge Wattage: As the name suggests, the starting watts (peak wattage) refers to the extra or additional wattage a generator must provide for a few seconds to turn on the appliance.
Running Wattage: Also known as rated watts, running watts represent the number of watts an electrical appliance draws continuously when running for a specific period.
Starting Wattage: The initial power an appliance requires to begin is called starting wattage. Heavy-duty appliances with motors generally have high starting watts, which are higher than their rated wattage.
One important thing to note is that running and starting wattage may differ for every appliance. Many devices require no surge power to turn on. On the other hand, motorized appliances need a surge wattage of two or three times the running watts.
Watt-hour: A watt-hour measures the amount of energy or power used over a specific period of time. For example, if a light bulb drawing 10 watts of electricity per hour is run for 5 hours, the total watt-hour consumption will be 50Wh.
What Can A 3600-Watt Generator Run?
A 3600-watt generator can run most indoor or outdoor appliances, including air conditioners, televisions, refrigerators, sump pumps, CPAPs, microwave ovens, etc. For example, you can run a large refrigerator (1500W), a central heating system (2000W), a sump pump (1400W), and several lights (10W each) during extended power outages, construction sites, or extended RV trips. Let's explain various scenarios where a 3600-watt generator would be helpful:
Will A 3600-Watt Generator Run A House?
Yes, a 3600-watt solar generator can run most household appliances, such as air conditioners, space heaters, portable fans, microwaves, coffee makers, etc., during unexpected power outages or blackouts. It's also a great choice if you want to reduce your reliance on the power grid and save money on high electricity bills.
For example, suppose there is a long-term power cut in summer, and you're left without a fan or light. A 3600-watt generator can help you run an AC (1000W), fan (50W), light (10W), and even cooking appliances. However, a solar generator would be more reliable than gas or propane generators as it doesn't emit toxic fumes and offers clean energy.
Can a 3600-watt Generator Be Used For DIY Construction Projects?
Yes, a 3600W generator is a great option on a construction site with no nearby power outlets. For example, if you're planning to build a kitchen cabinet, a 3600W generator would help you charge a wood cutter, electric drill, pressure washer, table saw, etc.
Additionally, the generator can charge garden tools such as leaf blowers and weed cutters. However, it's worth noting that running multiple power tools simultaneously may overload the generator. If you're looking to power larger tools such as electric welders (8000 - 9000W), you might need a 10,000-watt generator or 15,000-watt generator.
Is A 3600-Watt Generator Enough For RV Or Camper?
Yes, a 3600-watt generator for an RV has enough power to run RV or camper appliances. Let's say you're planning an extended RV trip in an RV park or campground with no electricity supply. A 3600W portable generator can power an AC (1000W) to keep the space cool, an electric grill (800W) to cook food outdoors, and RV lights (100W) to illuminate the space at night.
Can You Live Off-Grid With A 3600W Generator?
If you want to live completely off-grid and cut the reliance on the electricity grid, a 3600W inverter generator might not be an ideal choice. Since your home or off-grid cabin will not receive electricity from the utility grid, it's recommended to go ahead with a larger 12,000-watt generator. However, if you want to use only a few appliances in your off-grid cabin, such as a small freezer (200W), TV (150W), and portable fan (50W), a 3600W generator might be a reliable option.
Jackery 3600W Portable Generators
Jackery does not have a solar generator with a 3600W output, but you can consider Jackery Portable Power Stations that have a 3000W output. With a rated wattage of 3000W and surge peak wattage of 6000W, the Jackery Explorer 3000 Pro Portable Power Station or Jackery Explorer 2000 Plus Portable Power Station can run most household or outdoor appliances for long hours. Let's explain these portable generators briefly:
Jackery Explorer 2000 Plus Portable Power Station
The Jackery Explorer 2000 Plus Portable Power Station can charge 99% of household appliances, making it ideal for extended power outages. The foldable handle and ergonomic design ensure you can carry the portable power station to the RV or camper to charge most RV appliances. If you are unsure what size generator will meet your needs, you may go ahead with this Jackery Explorer 2000 Plus Portable Power Station, which can be quickly expanded from 2kWh to 24kWh.
Jackery Explorer 3000 Pro Portable Power Station
The Jackery Explorer 3000 Pro Portable Power Station is also an ideal charging solution that can power 99% of indoor or outdoor appliances for hours. For example, you can charge air conditioners, televisions, refrigerators, or sump pumps during power outages. When you are outdoors, the portable power station can charge outdoor electric grills, induction cooktops, coffee makers, ice makers, or microwaves. It also features a foldable handle and flat top for easy carrying during RV or camping trips.
|
Product |
Output Rated / Surge Watts |
Capacity |
Appliances Running Time |
|
Jackery Solar Generator 3000 Pro |
3000W / 6000W Surge Peak |
3024Wh |
Sump Pump (1000W): 2.5H Large Refrigerator (800W): 3.2H Induction Cooktop (1400W): 1.8H Microwave (900W): 2.8H Electric Heater (1100W): 2.3H Portable RV AC (1050W): 2.4H |
|
Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Plus |
3000W / 6000W Surge Peak |
2kWh - 24kWh |
Sump Pump (1000W): 1.7H Large Refrigerator (800W): 2.1H Induction Cooktop (1400W): 1.2H Microwave (900W): 1.9H Electric Heater (1100W): 1.5H Portable RV AC (1050W): 1.6H |
What Is The Quietest 3600-Watt Generator?
A 3600-watt solar generator is one of the quietest charging solutions available in the market because it does not have any moving parts. Solar generators do not emit any harmful fumes or gases, which is why they are ideal for indoor use. For instance, the Jackery Explorer 2000 Plus Portable Power Station has a noise level of 30dB, which is less than a library. Hence, you can safely charge the household or outdoor appliances at night or in areas where noise reduction is essential.
How Long Will A 3600-Watt Generator Run?
The running time of the 3600-watt generator will depend on the type of generator you are using and the wattage of the appliances you are charging simultaneously. Let's take an example to understand the running time better:
Suppose there is an unexpected power grid in your area, and you want to charge essential appliances such as CPAP (40W), small refrigerator (400W), and lights (10W) with the Jackery Solar Generator 3000 Pro. The working hours can be calculated using the below formula:
Working Hours = Jackery Solar Generator 3000 Pro Capacity in Wh × 0.85 ÷ Operating Wattage of the Appliances = 3024Wh × 0.85 ÷ 450W = 5.7H.
Note: We have multiplied the battery capacity by 0.85 because charging electrical appliances will cause some power loss.
What Size Generator Do I Need?
The size of the generator will directly depend on the wattage of the appliances you're planning to run. For example, if you're outdoors and want to charge smartphones or laptops, you may consider investing in a small 1000-watt generator. On the other hand, if you're going to charge household appliances during a power outage or off-grid living, a sizeable 6500-watt generator might make more sense.
If you want to calculate the right size generator for your appliances, you need to do some simple math.
Step 1: List all the electrical appliances in your home or RV that you would like to charge simultaneously. You can check the appliance wattage chart and then note the running and starting wattage of all the appliances you want to charge.
Step 2: Once you've noted the wattage, consider adding the running wattage of all those appliances. The rated wattage of the generator of your choice should be equal to or more than the total running wattage of the appliances.
Step 3: Next, identify the electrical appliance with the highest starting watts and then add it to the total running watts. The generator should have a higher surge wattage than the obtained number.
FAQs
How many amps does a 3600-watt generator use?
If the generator is rated at 3600 watts and operates at 120V, the amps are equal to 30A. On the other hand, if the voltage is increased from 120V to 240V, the amps will be equal to 15A. The amps of a 3600-watt generator can be calculated using the formula Amps = Watts ÷ Volts.
How much kW generator is required to run a 1.5-ton AC?
A 1.5-ton AC typically consumes 1500 - 1800 watts of electricity per hour, so you'll need a generator that can supply at least 1.5 - 1.8 kWh. For example, a 1.5-ton AC can easily be powered by a 3600-watt generator. However, if you want to run it for long hours, you may consider a larger 7000-watt generator.
How many ACs can run in 3kW?
With a 3kW solar power system, you can easily charge a 2-ton AC and other household appliances. However, it's essential to calculate the total wattage consumption of all the appliances you plan to charge with the 3kW generator and ensure it does not exceed the 3000W rated wattage.
Conclusion
A 3600-watt generator can run basic household or outdoor appliances, tools, and electronics. It can act as a reliable companion during power outages and can also be taken on RV or camping trips. If you want a reliable, clean, and portable generator, you can check out the Jackery Explorer 3000 Pro Portable Power Station. It can safely charge 99% of household appliances during power outages, outdoor trips, and even construction sites.
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