Choosing the Best Portable Generator Model That Fits Your Budget: A Concise Buying Guide
Portable Generators are one of the most useful pieces of equipment you can have with you these days. When the power cuts out on the night before an exam or the rains wreak havoc and leave the entire district in a blackout. You no longer have to resign yourself to waiting till normal services resume. Portable generators allow you to light up your home even when the world outside swims in darkness.
If you love the great outdoors and camping and caravans are second nature to you, then portable generators allow you to experience nature and home-like comforts all at the same time. They provide power to workers running their power tools at construction sites and to farmers running their machinery when the grid power is patchy at best.
Portable generators bring the pizzazz to outdoor weddings and exotic film shoots in remote locations. They are the backbone of the rural medical system powering mobile medical units and first aid stations in remote and rural areas.
Types of Portable Generators
A portable generator is a machine that works as a source of backup electrical power by turning mechanical energy into electrical energy with the help of a fuel-powered internal combustion engine and an alternator. There are different types of portable generators
Based on technology:
- Conventional Portable Generators: These have standard design consisting of a combustion engine and alternator. They provide alternating current (AC) as output with fluctuations. These generators are cheaper but are louder and less fuel efficient. They are best used for agriculture and on constructions sites.
- Inverter Generators: These generators create pure sine wave electricity as the engine generates AC which is converted to DC (direct current) before being inverted back to clean and stable AC. Inverter generators are compact, quieter and are more expensive than conventional generators. They are best used for home electronics, camping and other outdoor excursions.
- Solar Generators: Solar generators don’t have an engine. Instead, they store energy in a rechargeable battery that can be charged with solar panels or a wall socket too. Power is delivered as stable, pure sine wave output. Solar generators are near silent and have a higher upfront cost but are eco-friendly and have no moving engine parts that require maintenance. They have limited battery capacity and are best used for camping and emergency backup for small appliances.
Based on fuel source:
- Petrol (Gasoline) Generators: These are initially cheaper and compact in size. They are quite loud and are moderately fuel-efficient with shorter run times. Petrol as a fuel is quite easy to store but is flammable and so care needs to be taken.
- Diesel Generators: These generators are more expensive upfront and quite loud as well. But they provide high fuel efficiency and run times which makes them good to use in harsher environments.
- LPG or Propane Generators: These are modified to run on bottled LPG or propane and so are quieter and burn cleaner but they have lower output compared to petrol and diesel. They are perfect for residential use.
- Duel and Tri-Fuel Generators: These generators provide you the flexibility of choosing among several fuel sources to use in the generator for instance LPG + petrol. These generators are quite expensive upfront but provide good power output. They are best used in preparation for emergencies where fuel supplies might be limited.
Features of Best Portable Generators
If you are keen to look into new-age portable generators on the market, you should consider keeping these features in mind.
- Power Output (Wattage)
Rated (Running) wattage describes the continuous power the generator can supply. Peak (Starting) wattage describes the temporary surge of power required to start appliances like fridges or motors. - Number of devices you plan to run
Add up the total wattage of all the devices you want to run and then choose a portable generator that has greater capacity than that number. - Operating hour range
Tells you how long the generator can run continuously on a full tank of fuel/ full battery charge. Measured at half the rated capacity (50% load). - Type of fuel used
LPG is cleaner and safer to store but provides comparatively less power. Petrol is common and affordable with decent output and diesel has very good output but is noisier. Choose the fuel that makes the most sense for your planned usage. - Fuel tank capacity
Bigger fuel tanks allow for longer durations of use but the generator is heavier and not as easily portable. - Portability
Lighter generators are easily portable and great for camping and outdoor activities. Heavier generators are more suited for residential backups. Check for wheels and handles that allow for easier movement. - Noise levels
Noise levels are measured in decibels (dB). Inverter and LPG generators are much quieter while petrol and diesel generators are way louder. - Safety features
Features like overload protection, surge protection, carbon monoxide sensors and low-oil shutoff all help to enhance safety. - Warranty terms
Ensure that there is a warranty on the moving parts to ensure your purchase is protected in case of any issues. - After sales service and support
A widespread service centre network allows for peace of mind in case you face any problems.
Portable generator prices in India vary based on all the above features. Choosing the right generator for you comes down to assessing your usage and finding the generator type that works best.
Portable generators allow you to tackle the most unexpected situations and come out on top. Their ability to provide power when the grid is down and their compact nature makes them an essential to have at home, while camping, growing crops or raising buildings. Portable generators are generating much more than just power. They are generating belief, wealth, confidence and self-reliance.
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