What Can A 6500 Watt Generator Run?

A 6500-watt generator has a running power of 5,500 watts. So, you can run basically all the essential appliances such as a refrigerator, TV, small AC unit, lights, furnace, well pump, camper, etc. A 6500-watt generator is a good choice for backup, outage, camping, and also minimal industrial appliances. 

So, what can a 6500 watts generator run?

Well, follow the article to know everything you need to know about the usage of a 6500 watts generator.  

Can A 6500 Watt Generator Run A House?

6500 Watt Generator Run

Yes, a 6500-watt generator can run a house with the essential appliances you need. A 6500-watt generator can run a TV, an AC unit (6000 to 10000 BTUs), a refrigerator, an electric dryer, an electric water heater, etc. 

Now, add up the running and starting power of the appliances. If this is less than the generator power ratings, then you can run all of them at the same time. 

Let’s have a look at the most essential home appliances you can run on a 6500-watt generator. 

ApplianceRequired Wattage
Refrigerators750 – 2000 W
Window AC Unit (1 to 1.5 tons)750 – 1000 W
Electric Dryer5000 W
TV240 – 500 W
Well Pump1250 W
5 – 10 lights250 W
Dishwasher1500 W
Propane or Gas Furnace800 W
Home Security System100 W
Smartphone Charger20 W

To calculate how many amps a 6500-watt generator uses, follow the formula. 

  • Ampere = watts/volts 

So, on a 240-volt circuit, a 6500-watt generator will use = 6500/240 = 27.1 amps.

If you have decided to use a 6500 W generator then knowing the gas consumption of a 6500 W generator is a must. Well, depending on the fuel type and efficiency, the answer is .5 to 0.6 GPH.

Can A 6500 Watt Generator Run AC?

Yes, a 6500-watt generator can run your small AC units. However, that depends on the AC size, it’s running, and starting or surge power. 

AC SizeRunning Power (Watts)Starting Power (Watts)
2 ton960 – 1,700 W4500 – 5,100 W
3 ton2,000 – 3,000 W6000 – 10,500 W
Central air1,000 – 5,000 W6000 – 12,000 W

Remember, these figures are a rough estimate. The exact figure you’ll find on the AC’s manual or body. Now, you should be able to forecast the things you can run with a 5000 watts generator also. 

Will A 6500 Watt Generator Run A 2-Ton AC Unit?

Your 6500-watt generator will be able to run a 2-ton AC unit. As it uses somewhere between 960 to 1700 watts to run depending on the AC model, load capacity, etc. Also, it needs about 4500 to 9000 watts to start. So,. 

But that will leave little space for another high-wattage appliance. So, be careful not to use another high-power appliance like a refrigerator or heat pump. 

Will A 6500 Watt Generator Run A 3-Ton AC Unit?

The answer is no, you cannot run a 3-ton AC unit on a 6500-watt generator. The generator does not have the surge power to start the 3-ton AC. A 3-ton AC requires about 10,500 watts to start and about 2,000 to 3,000 watts to run. 

Will A 6500 Watt Generator Run A Central AC Unit?

Most of the central AC units will run on a 6500-watt generator. This generator is best for backup, camping, or only low-power essential appliances. Most of the central AC units require 6,000 to 12,000 watts to start. 

Can A 6500 Watt Generator Run A Furnace?

Yes, a 6500-watt generator can run a furnace as it takes little power to start and run. A furnace takes a rough estimate of 400 to 800 watts to run and 1,000 to 1,600 watts to start. So, a 6500-watt generator should run at the same time as other appliances. 

Will A 6500 Watt Generator Run A Welder?

Yes, a 6500-watt generator will run a welder but not at the same time as other high-wattage appliances. A welder takes about 945 to 2400 watts to run and about 3000 to 7500 watts to start depending on the volts and ampere. Usually, a 120V to 180V welder should run fine on a 6500-watt generator.   

Will A 6500 Watt Generator Run A Camper?

For a small camper van or RV setup, a 6500-watt generator is sufficient for all the essential camping appliances. Most small-size RVs use about 2000 to 4000 watts to run and approximately 6000 watts to start. For example, a 50-amp camper can be run sufficiently on a 6500-watt generator. 

Will A 6500 Watt Generator Run A Well Pump?

Yes, you can run a Well Pump on a 6500-watt generator. You need to multiply the horsepower by 746 to calculate the wattage. So, a 1HP well pump will need 746 to 800 watts to run and twice the power to start. 

Will A 6500 Watt Generator Run A Heat Pump?

No, it is not recommended to run a heat pump on a 6500-watt generator. Because heat pumps take about 545 to 7,500 watts to run and twice the power to start. HVAC professionals recommend using a generator from 7,500 to 12,000 watts generator for a heat pump. 

How Long Will A 6500 Watt Generator Run?

A 6500-watt generator will run about 10 to 11 hours per day on 50% load and full tank based on the appliance’s power usage. However, this depends on the load you’re putting on. 

If the load exceeds 60%, you’ll have less runtime. Also, fuel is another issue here, and as long as you have a constant fuel supply, you can basically run the generator.  

Conclusion

It’s amazing what can a 6500 watt generator run when you’re camping or need a backup during outages. A 6500-watt generator is a sufficient choice even for minimal industrial appliances and RV setups. But, maintain your generator to get a longer lifespan.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):

How Many KW Is 1 Ton AC?

Generally, 3.5 kW is 1 ton AC as it takes 3.5 kW of power to run. This unit is used for most air conditioning equipment. 

How Many KVA Generators Can Power 1.5 HP AC?

A 2.5 KVA generator should be able to power a 1.5 HP AC unit. Also, a 2.5 KVA generator can power a refrigerator, and extra light bulbs and fans at the same time. 

How Long Will A 7500 Watt Generator Run?

On gasoline, a 7500-watt generator will run up to 10 hours at a 50% load. But, on propane gas, the runtime will reduce to 5 to 6 hours.  

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