Overloading your generator....... questions

[bessiedog]

So... got me a sweet Honda generator during the last snowmageddon in Feb.

It's small , quiet, .... it's a 1400....11amps.

I fired it up today to see if it could run my power tools (had to add to my little greenhouse) my skillsaw draws 15 amps.... I plugged her in anyways.... run the trigger.. she fires up 1/2 speed or so.. genny runs a lot slower, then revs back up... and I got enough juice to cut just fine.

Power drill ran ok... didn't seem to stress the gen too much.

Am I doing a bad thing using the skillsaw..?

Can I damage the generator?

[tri777]

I'd cease these activities immediatly..
..gonna burn both items out prematurely.

[Heyupduck]

The generator will just trip, when the frequency goes down too much.

The skill saw may draw 15amps at peak, or when it first starts up, but generators usually can handle a surge for a few seconds.

Think about this: A skill saw will not use the same power spinning idle, cutting 3/8 plywood, 3/4 plywood.... cut slower, you will be fine.

If you are using it a lot, get a bigger generator, but a bit here and there - it will be fine

[calgarygringo]

Startup load draw on a power saw is bigger than most people think. Many power tools, RV air conditioners, micro waves have big startup draw that the smaller genny's cannot handle.
Unfortunately it is something many people are not aware of when buying a smaller genny and then they end up buying another unit large enough to handle the start up loads. Expensive lesson learned for some.

[Commander B]

Being a Honda does it have the economy idle feature. If so turn it off and let the Gen run at full power then try the saw. This will give you full power vs sensing the load and spooling up.


B.

[bessiedog]

I think it does have that idle feature.

Thanks guys..... I really only need it to run my furnace and a few lights... which it can.

The power tool use is a bonus.