Pre-start preparations – North Star 5500 BDG User Manual
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7
Current/Pow er
Maximum Extension Cord Length
Amps
at
240V
Load
(watts)
#10
Ga.
Cord
#12
Ga.
Cord
#14
Ga.
Cord
#16
Ga.
Cord
10
2400
250’
150’
100’
75’
20
4800
125’
75’
50’
25’
30
7200
60’
35’
25’
10’
40
9600
30’
15’
10’
*
50
12000
15’
*
*
*
*Not recommended
CAUTION: Equipment damage can result from the
low voltage caused by using an extension cord with a
small wire size.
Use this chart to estimate the total load on your
generator.
For Determining Generator Load Requirements
Dev ice
Running Watts
Air Conditioner (12,000 Btu)
1700 (a)
Battery Charger (20 Amp)
500
Belt Sander (3”)
1000
Chain Saw
1200
Circular Saw (6-1/2”)
900
Coffee Maker
1000
Compressor (1 HP)
2000 (a)
Compressor (3/4 HP)
1800 (a)
Compressor (1/2 HP)
1400 (a)
Curling Iron
700
Dishwasher
1200
Edge Trimmer
500
Electric Nail Gun
1200
Electric Range (one element)
1500
Electric Skillet
1250
Furnace Fan (1/3 HP)
1200 (a)
Freezer
800 (b)
Hair Dryer
1200
Hand Drill (1”)
1100
Hand Drill (1/2”)
875
Hand Drill (3/8”)
500
Hand Drill (1/4”)
250
Hedge Trimmer
450
Home Computer
150
Impact Wrench
500
Jet Pump
800 (a)
Lawn Mower
1200
Light Bulb
100
Microwave Oven
700
Milk Cooler
1100 (a)
Oil Burner on Furnace
300
Oil Fired Space Htr (140,000 Btu)
400
Oil Fired Space Htr (85,000 Btu)
225
Oil Fired Space Htr (30,000 Btu)
150
Oven
4500
Paint Sprayer, Airless (1/3 HP)
600 (a)
Paint Sprayer, Airless (hand held)
150
Load Requirements Continued
Radio
200
Refrigerator
600 (b)
Slow Cooker
200
Submersible Pump (1-1/2 HP)
2800 (a)
Submersible Pump (1 HP)
2000 (a)
Submersible Pump (1/2 HP)
1500 (a)
Sump Pump
600 (a)
Table Saw (10”)
2000 (a)
Television
500
Toaster
1000
Vacuum cleaner
250
VCR
70
Water Heater
3000
Weed Trimmer
500
(a) Hard-starting motors require 3 to 5 times the
rated running watts.
(b) These loads may require up to 15 minutes to
restart due to its normal build up of compressor head
pressure.
NOTE: For extremely hard to start loads such as
air conditioners and air compressors, consult the
equipment dealer to determine the maximum wattage.
PRE-START PREPARATIONS
Your generator has been thoroughly tested prior to
shipment from the factory. A factory test report has
been included with this manual. However, damage
can occur during shipping, so be sure to check for
damaged parts, loose or missing nuts and bolts. If the
aforementioned problems occur, call customer service
at 1-800-270-0810.
GROUNDING - All units must be grounded. Drive
a 3/4” or 1” copper pipe or rod into the ground close to
the generator. The pipe/rod must penetrate moist
earth. Connect an approved ground clamp to the pipe.
Run a 12 gauge wire from the clamp to the generator
ground screw. Do not connect to a water pipe or a
ground used by a radio system.
OPERATING SPEED
The generator must be run at the correct speed in
order to produce the proper electrical voltage and
frequency.
The output voltage should be checked to ensure
the generator is working properly subsequent to
connecting a load to the generator. Failure to do so
could result in damage to equipment plugged into the
unit and possible injury to the individual.
All engines have a tendency to slow down when a
load is applied. When the electrical load is connected
to the generator, the engine is more heavily loaded,
and as a result the speed drops slightly. This slight
decrease in speed, together with the voltage drop
within the generator itself, results in a slightly lower
voltage when the generator is loaded to its full capacity
than when it is running with no load. The slight
variation has no appreciable effect in the operation of
motors, lights and most appliances. Electronic
equipment and clocks will be affected if correct RPM is
not maintained. See Load vs. Output chart.