What Can A 3500 Watt Generator Run? (Detailed Guide)
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3500 watts generators are a common type of portable power machine. People often ask, “ what can a 3500 watt generator run?
A generator with 3,500 watts or more gives you a lot more options than other generators. So you must know its versatile usage.
This article will let you know the answer. You will also know about various features of a 3500 watt generator.
What can a 3500 watt generator run?
Even though a 3500-watt generator can’t usually meet the needs of a whole house at once, you can use it to run a lot of different appliances separately.
Most homes can run fine on a 3500 watt generator, which can power the fridge, lights, chargers, computers, TV, and more.

We recommend only running two big appliances at the same time, with the rest of the power going to smaller ones.
Even though your TV, laptop, and phone chargers don’t use much power individually, they can quickly add up to too much for your generator system to handle.
Every 3500-watt generator is different, and most of them can’t handle the power needs of a whole house with all appliances running at the same time.
But Predator 3500 Watt Super Quiet Inverter Generator is a great generator that can be suitable for you to run most of the appliances you have.
What Appliances Will A 3500 Watt Generator Run?
In The living room
This room gives you the most trouble when your generator is running because someone will want to watch TV while you are cooking.
As a general rule, you shouldn’t turn on the TV until everyone has eaten and showered. This will help you avoid headaches and fights.
Even though the systems in your living room aren’t strong enough on their own to kill your generator, they can give it the little push it needs.
By keeping track of which tasks are running in your living room, you can easily control how much work your machine has to do.
TV and Sound Bar

TV and sound bar are two of the most common things to run, and they should use the least amount of power from your generator.
The average TV and sound system only uses 200 to 500 watts, which is a very small amount of the power that the generator can provide.
Lights
If you have LED lights, each one will only use about 5 to 10 watts, so you won’t need more than a few in your living room.
Most of the time, you won’t have to worry about the lights being on as long as the lamps that aren’t being used are turned off.
Chargers
The chargers for your phone and laptop use about the same amount of power as your TV, so you can charge everything up ahead of time.
If you do this while watching TV and nothing else is using power, surges won’t be able to hurt your devices.
Consoles

Consoles usually come with their own power supplies, which makes it easy and quick to use them when a generator is running.
Even when playing hard games, the most powerful modern consoles only use about 177 watts.
In the Kitchen
Most of the appliances in your kitchen use a lot of power, so it’s no surprise that it’s the room that uses the most electricity in your home.
Many of the things you’ll use in the kitchen can use almost all of your generator’s 3500 watts on their own.
To fix this, you should keep track of how much power each appliance uses and never use more than two at once.
Be careful not to use other high-powered devices around the house while you are cooking.
Refrigerator
When the refrigerator is on, it is thought to use about 1000 watts of power, which is easy to figure out.
But when you turn it on, the power will jump to between 1500 and 1800 watts, which can kill the generator if it is already being used by other things.
Induction Plates
When running on a generator, the only type of electric plate we recommend is an induction plate.
But you have to be careful because each of these plates can use up to 2000 watts at most. It’s best to never use more than 800 watts.
Air fryer

Almost every kitchen now has an air fryer, which is better for the environment but still uses about 1500 watts when it’s in use.
The best way to make sure your generator doesn’t stop working all of a sudden is to only use this one thing.
Small Microwave
Your 3500-watt generator can be used up quickly and easily by your microwave alone. We suggest that you put it on the lowest setting and try not to use it at all when the generator is running.
Lights
Many kitchens have fluorescent lights, which draw a lot of power when they are first turned on. Before doing anything in the kitchen, you should start in the morning.
Once they’re lit, they won’t use much or any electricity because keeping the light on is easy.
Small Kettle
A small kettle can use up to 800 watts of power, while a large, expensive kettle can use 1200 watts of power quickly.
If you are already running the refrigerator, the induction plates, and the lights, this will cause a sudden surge that will kill your generator.
Outside of the House

When the power goes out for longer periods of time, you will eventually have to find a way to take care of things around your home.
People often learn by trial and error what they can and shouldn’t run.
>> Will A 20kw Generator Run My House?
After a week or two without power, you might have to mow the lawn, fix something in the garage, or use a pump to drain floodwaters.
You can do this with the power from the generator, but you can only run so many things at once.
Sump Pump
The sump pump is the most important thing for many people who live in basements.
Water and moisture will always build-up, and if left alone, they can cause damage. Most sump pumps only need about 1500 watts to start up, which is good news.
Power Tools
If your generator only needs to power your garage, you can use any hand-held power tools with ease and efficiency.
As long as you don’t use more than two or three tools at once, the 3500-watt generator should be able to do everything you need.
Lights

When you’re running on a generator, you should only use the lights where you’re doing something.
If you’re not going to be walking around the house, it’s best to turn off all the outside lights until you can reconnect to your home’s main power source.
Lawnmower
Most gardeners have electric lawnmowers and wheat eaters on hand, and they are usually safe to use.
If you only use these tools, they won’t use up all the power from your 3500-watt generator.
Rooms and the office
When we move to bedrooms and offices, where things can be deceptively high or low, things can get interesting.
We focus on the four things we know you can leave on or charge while you sleep and the generator runs outside.
Many homeowners now work from home, so it’s also important to know which office tools are safe to use.
We need to make sure you know how much power you use because the 3500-watt generator is perfect for people who only use one or two computers at home.
Chargers
Like the TV in the living room, chargers for phones and laptops use very little power and should always be used.
If your phone or laptop can run on its own battery, you won’t have to use the generator as much to do your daily work.
TV
Bedroom TVs don’t have sound systems or game consoles very often, so it’s easy to ring them.
We suggest that you make sure everything else in the house is turned off and not using any energy. Usually, the bedroom TV is a luxury.
Computers

When a game is fully loaded, a large gaming PC with the latest hardware can quickly use up 1500 watts.
But even a PC with 1500 watts of power will only use 200 watts when it is idle or doing normal office work. A PC should always have a UPS, though.
Night lights
Children’s night lights have come a long way, and most new LED ones have backup batteries built in.
But if you need to keep one small light on while everyone sleeps, the generator won’t notice the draw if you leave it running.
>> Will A 9000 Watt Generator Run A House?
Other Appliances
Small Pumps
When starting the generator, these pumps are typically not turned off.
This is true whether the pump in question is a pressure pump or the pump and air system for an aquarium.
We strongly suggest that you always factor these into your power budget calculations because it may be physically impossible for you to live without them.
Heating
Heating can be accomplished with anything from a compact fan heater rated at 800 watts to an extensive climate control system rated at 2000 watts under the floor.
If you live in an area where temperatures regularly drop well below freezing, turning on the heater and doing nothing else may be your only option for surviving the winter.
Washing Machine

The only time that your washing machine might use a lot of power is when it is first starting up.
On the other hand, it is necessary for it to be the only thing that draws power from your generator in order for it to function properly.
It is impossible for it to run in conjunction with other appliances in your home.
Dishwasher
It can be difficult to tell whether or not the dishwasher is working properly, as the vast majority of compact dishwashers are designed to be used even when powered by a generator.
On the other hand, larger dishwashers have a much better chance of drawing more than 2000 watts of power from your generator, so they should be closely monitored.
How long will a 3500 watt generator run?
The majority of portable generators include a maintenance schedule that must be followed every 100 hours, however, this is not an ironclad rule.
The amount of oil that is currently present in the engine of your generator is more likely to be the limiting factor.
This normally runs low after 150-200 hours of usage, and the majority of modern generators will automatically shut down in order to safeguard the engine if it detects that the oil level has dropped too low.
When using your generator for a period of time that is significantly longer than its runtime, remember that heat build-up is also a crucial factor to take into consideration.
When used continuously for more than 24 hours, generators may produce only a negligible amount of additional heat.
However, if you use your generator for more than 24 hours in a row, you run the risk of producing engine heat that could permanently damage your generator.
If you are going to be operating your generator while the temperature is high, you should think about putting ice in it and using a fan to try to cool the engine down as much as you can.
It is important to keep in mind that using the generator at higher wattages will cause it to produce more heat.
Therefore, if you take excellent care of your generator, you may be able to keep it running constantly for anywhere between 150 and 200 hours on propane.
How many amps can you run on a 3500 watt generator?
You can calculate the amperage that the device is capable of producing when connected to 120 volts by dividing the wattage by the voltage (Amps = Watts / Volts).
Therefore, a generator that delivers 120 volts and 3500 watts is capable of running 28 amps.
It is one of the best choices for emergency backup electricity to have a 3500 watt generator because it can supply enough power to run several medium-sized household appliances at the same time.
It will provide between 14 and 28 Amps of current when using a standard 120 watt power supply.
How much gas does a 3500 watt generator use?
The generator operates very effectively. To keep the generator operating, you will need between two and three gallons of gas.
The majority of generators with a capacity of 3500 watts are both readily available and reasonably priced.
What will a predator 3500 watt generator run?
- Toaster – 850 watts
- Refrigerator/Freezer – 700 watts
- Dishwasher – 300 watts
- Electric stove – 1,500 watts
- Television – 200 watts
- Air conditioning – 1,000 to 4,000 watts
- Coffee Maker – 800 watts
- Sump or well pump – 1,000 watts
- Microwave – 800 watts
- Lightbulb – 60 watts
What can a Champion 3500 watt generator run?
- Refrigerator: 2,100 starting watts and 700 running watts
- Coffee machine: 750-1,200 watts
- Freezer: 2,100 starting watts and 700 running watts
- Microwave: 700-1,200 watts
FAQs about a 3500 watt generator
Will A 3500 Watt Generator Run My RV?
Yes, a 3500-watt generator can power your RV. In fact, it can run an RV of almost any size. But it depends on how many things you want to run at once. A 3,500-watt generator gives your RV enough power to run almost anything.
Will A 3500 Watt Generator Run A 30 Amp Camper?
Yes, a 3500 watt generator will run your 30 amp RV without any problems. It is just the right size to power a 30 amp camper. Since a 30 amp RV electrical system has one 120v hot leg, it can use up to 3600 watts of power at any given time.
Will A 3500 Watt Generator Run A House?
Most normal homes can get by with a 3500-watt generator, but it won’t be enough if you have a large entertainment system or a heavy-duty refrigerator.
Will A 3500 Watt Generator Run A Well Pump?
Yes. If your groundwater isn’t so deep, a down-hole deep-well submersible pump is normally 1/3 or 1/2 horsepower, and a 3500-watt generator could power multiple of these if you start only one at a time.
Will A 3500 Watt Generator Run A Welder?
Yes, you can run a welder of 120 volt or less output by an 3500 watt generator.
Will A 3500 Watt Generator Run A Washing Machine?
Most of the time, yes! A washing machine can be powered by your 3500-watt generator. Most washing machines need a surge power of 1,600 watts and a steady power of 800 watts.
So, you should be fine as long as you aren’t running any extra appliances that use more than the remaining 1900 watts.
Will A 3500 Watt Generator Run A Refrigerator?
Yes, it is possible to power refrigerators with a single 3500-watt portable generator. However, it depends on the size and power consumption of your refrigerators.
Always consult the user manuals of your refrigerators and freezers to determine their starting and operating Watts requirements.
Will A 3500 Watt Generator Run 2 Refrigerators?
A 3500 Watt portable generator will be sufficient to power two freezers simultaneously.
The 3500W generator will offer far more beginning watts than the 2400 required by your two 1200W refrigerators.
Will A 3500 Watt Generator Run A Furnace?
Yes, a 3500 watt generator will allow to run your oil or gas furnace without any problem.
Will A 3500 Watt Generator Run An RV Air Conditioner?
Yes, an inverter generator with 3500 watts of power is capable of running the most powerful RV air conditioner with room to spare.
Will A 3500 Watt Generator Run An Air Conditioner?
It is possible for a generator with 35000 watts to supply enough power to run a central air conditioner, but the specific requirements will vary depending on the specific model of the air conditioning unit.
Will A 3500 Watt Generator Run A Window Air Conditioner?
Window air conditioners can be powered by generators with a 3500W output for the average 5000-10,000 BTU unit. This number can be different depending on how many more watts the compressor needs to start up.
Will A 3500 Watt Generator Run A 5000 BTU Air Conditioner?
Yes, a 3500 watt generator is more than adequate to run a 5000 BTU air conditioner.
Will A 3500 Watt Generator Run A 15000 BTU AC?
Will A 3500 Watt Generator Run A 15000 BTU AC?
Will A 3500 Watt Generator Run A 13500 BTU Air Conditioner?
Yes, a 3500 watt generation is more than enough to run a 13500 BTU air conditioner. Please ensure that your generator is not connected to other equipment while your air conditioner is operating. Because your air conditioner consumes nearly all of your generator’s power.
What Size Air Conditioner Will A 3500 Watt Generator Run?
A 3500 watt generation can run up to 2000-15000 BTU air conditioners. The size also depends on the AC type and the weather.
A champion 3500 generator run on a tank of gas approximately for 9-12 hours.
How Long Will A 3500 Watt Generator Run On Propane?
If there is no problem, a 3500 watt generator can run up to 10.5 hours on propane.
How Long Will A 3500 Watt Generator Run On A Tank Of Gas?
A tank of gas can make your 3500 watt generator run for 12-18 hours
How Long Will A 3500 Watt Generator Run On 5 Gallons Of Gas?
A 3500 watt generator runs for 8 hours if you connect it with 5 gallons of gas.
Final Thoughts
Now you know what can a 3500 watt generator run. For running several small or medium devices at the same time, a 3500-watt generator is a good choice.
It’s important to know how much electricity each appliance you plan to use needs so that you can use them safely and effectively.
The 3500-watt generator can easily power a few lights, a fridge, freezer, air conditioner, and other appliances. For your own convenience, it’s helpful to know the order in which items or appliances need power.