What Can You Run on a 5000 Watt Generator?

By
Rodney Nestor
Rodney Nestor
Research Writer
Rodney holds a Master’s degree in Arts and apart from working as a freelance writer, is a rather successful author of science fiction stories published in several literary read more
Last updated: August 19, 2023
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5000 watts is the midpoint among the popular types of generators, but almost at the extreme end among the category of portable generators. They run on gasoline, diesel, propane, or natural gas and are available in inverter technology design, standby design, and open-frame design. So, what can you run on a 5000 watt generator?

A 5000-watt generator is a very powerful generator that can provide stable and reliable power to homes and small offices during outages from the main grid. Also, they are useful and capable of powering appliances in an RV, caravan, motorhome while camping in remote areas.

They are powerful enough to be used for reliably powering basic appliances at home. They are also still portable enough for outdoor and on-the-go use in RVs, as they have wheels and carry handles. What exactly can a 5000 watts generator power?  Where and when are they useful? Our guide below gives you important information and tips on the possible uses of these generators.

The different types of 5000 watts generators

When you need to buy a generator like this, you can choose from three types of design:

Conventional generator set

What Can You Run on a 5000 Watt Generator?

Conventional generators have basic regulation that is suitable for common uses. They are ideal for use at home or on job sites. They have an open-frame design, that is, their engines and internal components are not housed or insulated like the inverter and standby generators. Their disadvantage is that they can be very noisy (around 50 to 120 decibels). Also, they are the least fuel-efficient of all types. However, on the functional aspect, they are very practical and reliable. Like the Honda 663640 or the Generac 6864, they run on gasoline or diesel, respectively.

5000-watt generators with inverter system

What Can You Run on a 5000 Watt Generator?

If the weight, dimensions, and noise of the conventional sets turn you off, then you should add to your budget and consider a 5000-watt generator with an inverter design.

The Inverter system is the top-of-the range among the range of electrical generators. They are ideal for powering sensitive devices such as computers or audio-visual equipment for example. Also, the inverter is coupled to the injection map of the heat engine and can reduce the speed (and therefore the fuel consumption) when the generator set is not really in use.

Standby generators

Standby generators with 5000-watt power are rare but this power rating is the starting power capacity for these types of generators. These are designed to be installed in a fixed position as their name implies. However, some of these types double as portable generators. They are smaller in size than the standard models and are equipped with casters for portability. These are usually diesel-fueled generators and are very fuel-efficient.

When and where will you need a 5000-watt generator?

5000-watt generators are ideal for the following situations:

Ideal for camping and picnics

For many campers, camping does not mean completely foregoing amenities such as a television, refrigerator, hot water boiler, and cozy lighting. While electricity connections are available on many campsites, these are not available or not in sufficient numbers on “wild camping” or on some nature campsites. So, a portable generator can stand in as a reliable solution.

For the construction site

On most construction sites, nothing works without electrical energy. Whether a high-pressure cleaner, drill, or compressor, a construction site usually comes to a standstill without electricity. Since there is often no power connection on construction sites, a generator can be of great service here. This is especially needed if the local electricity supplier cannot provide a construction site connection or it simply costs too much.

For construction sites, it is advisable to choose a generator that is as robust, weatherproof, and powerful as possible. Many power tools need a lot of electricity and the generator should be able to supply several devices in parallel. A 5000-watt generator is therefore the perfect type of generator.

Supply the garden with electricity

What Can You Run on a 5000 Watt Generator?

Do you have a large allotment garden whose extreme corners can not be reached with extension cables? In this case, the purchase of a powerful portable generator is recommended. For example, with a 5000-watt generator, you can use electric hedge trimmers or grass trimmers.

The possible uses in the allotment garden range from the connection of electrical garden tools to amenities such as TV and refrigerator to the operation of electric hotplates. For mobile use in the garden, a generator should be as light as possible, while high power is a very important criterion for devices for allotment gardens.

For operation in gardens and allotments, low noise and exhaust emissions are other criteria to consider. However, in some statutes of allotment garden associations, the operation of electricity generators is restricted to certain times or completely prohibited.

For power outages and emergencies

Even if your last power failure was several years ago, failures in the public power supply are by no means a relic from past decades. For example, freezing rain, flooding, transformer failure, or natural disasters (perish the thought), can interrupt the power supply. In individual cases, this can last for several days. A 5000 rated watt generator can be an emergency power generator. With it, you can maintain the supply of devices such as cell phones, AC, refrigerators, or lamps.

Electric radiators and fan heaters can even be operated on these generators. This can be of great value especially in winter.

Caution!!! Beware of danger from carbon monoxide, fire and short circuits

Generators with combustion engines can lead to fatal accidents caused by combustion gases such as carbon monoxide. You should therefore only operate the generators in well-ventilated locations outside of closed rooms, campers, or tents. Make sure that the combustion gases cannot get into the interior due to unfavorable circumstances.

If you’re camping outdoors or having a picnic, the CDC recommends keeping a distance of at least 20 feet Trusted Source Preventing Carbon Monoxide Poisoning|Natural Disasters and Severe Weather Information on Preventing Carbon Monoxide Poisoning After an Emergency. Provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). www.cdc.gov from the generator.

Do not store fuel near generators or cover the equipment with blankets, tarpaulin, or other materials as this could result in a fire. Only buy generators that cannot be damaged or short-circuited from rain or other moisture.

What can a 5000 Watt run?

A modern portable 5000-watt power generator is used for varied applications. It can supply energy to a home in the event of an emergency and power failure, guaranteeing in those cases the operation of essential appliances.

At home, this generator can power refrigerators, cookers, air conditioners, the washing machine, and also the television and the dryer (one of the electronic devices that, as we know, consumes more energy than others). Moreover, the advanced technology on which some modern generators are based allows them to produce clean and stable energy. They are ideal for new-generation electrical equipment, especially those built with highly sensitive electronic systems.

These generators are not only used at home. They can supply electricity to country houses, for outdoor parties, to campers for their stops in non-equipped areas. While camping, batteries in cars or mobile homes can only feed stronger appliances such as refrigerators or hotplates for a short time, if at all. In particular, hot water boilers have a very high power requirement, which batteries are usually not able to cope with. If your camper does not have a gas hob, a lot of electricity is also required for electric cooking.

Below are the types of appliances and equipment they can power, as well as the watt rating of the devices. As you can see with the power rating of the devices, best 5000-watt generators can run up to 5 of these appliances simultaneously at 25 to 75% load.

Appliances Minimum watt rating Maximum watt rating
100W light bulb (Incandescent) 100 W 100W
42 Inch LED TV 58 W 60W
Belt sander 100 W 1200 W
9″ disc sander 1200 W 1200 W
Air Cooler 65 W 80 W
Air Fryer 850 W 2000 W
Air Purifier 25 W 30 W
Amazon Echo 3 W 3 W
American-Style Fridge Freezer 40 W 80 W
Aquarium Pump 20 W 50 W
Bathroom Towel Heater 60 W 150 W
Ceiling Fan 60 W 70 W
Clothes Dryer 1000 W 4000 W
Coffee Maker 800 W 1400 W
Corded Drill 600 W 850 W
Dehumidifier 240 W 240 W
Electric Mower 1500 W 1500 W
Electric Shaver 15 W 20 W
Espresso Coffee Machine 1300 W 1500 W
Food Blender 300 W 400 W
Game Console 120 W 200 W
Gaming PC 300 W 600 W
Induction Hob (for each hob) 1400 W 1800 W
Air Conditioner 1000 W 4000 W
Oven 1000 W 2150 W
Vacuum Cleaner 40 W 100 W
Wine cooler (up to 18 bottles) 80 W 83 W

Final thoughts

A 5000-watt generator is a transportable device that produces electricity for the operation of instruments and appliances in places and situations in which, for various reasons, it is not possible to use the traditional electricity grid. This watt size is a midpoint between models with a lot of power and the more standard, less powerful generators. Again, what can you run on a 5000 watt generator? Well, it depends on the number of appliances you will have plugged in at a time and their watt rating. Power generators can be of great service to you when camping, on construction sites, or in the allotment garden. They are also extremely useful in the event of power outages or crisis situations. They can run basic home appliances such as TVs, as well kitchen and convenience devices, among many others we have seen.

References

1.
Preventing Carbon Monoxide Poisoning|Natural Disasters and Severe Weather
Information on Preventing Carbon Monoxide Poisoning After an Emergency. Provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
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