A 1000watt to 30000watt generator is quite powerful to drive the most basic appliances. Computers and battery chargers for your cellphones take no more than 500 watts, so you can have a TV and your lights powered at the same time. You may have to do some power management schemes where you power some and do your task sequentially. Bear in mind that power outages rarely last more than a few minutes or hours. If they last for days, you must have had a major calamity that caused it.

Suitcase generators can range from the small hand-carried suitcase types with 1000 watts to larger 4000watters. For the most part, the typical household can get by with a small suitcase generator to power the essential appliances. But if you do some carpentry work at home on a regular basis, those power tools are power hungry and will require generators in the 5000watts ranges.

It’s quiet

Generators are generally noisy. So much so that they need to be operated outside the house where noise can dissipate better. Typical room noise can be tolerated in the 45 decibel to 55-decibel ranges. Generators can easily exceed that to annoying levels in the 70-decibel range. Suitcase generators have better noise isolation thanks to their plastic molded casing that also make them look neat and uncluttered. For city dwellers in condos, apartments and town houses with no backyard to boast, this is the best option.

Its environment friendly

The use of newer fuels results to generally less noisy and cleaner emissions. Gasoline ad diesel-powered generators do emit noxious and poisonous carbon monoxide fumes. The newer generation generators feed on propane or liquid petrol as well has natural gas. These have engines that are not only quieter but have cleaner exhaust emissions.

It fits your needs

At the end of the day, the suitcase generator should be everything you expect it to be in terms of reliably – powering-up the appliances you consider vital for your relaxation or work at home. It should likewise be budget friendly, though that could take a backseat if you need to get a really powerful and robust home generator that may be used more frequently due to severe power outages in your area.

The main consideration for this is to assess the wattage requirements of all the appliances you need powered during an emergency. Then put in a 30% load safety factor. Bear in mind that motorized appliances like air conditioners, submersible pumps, refrigerators and power tools require surge current or peak power when turned on. A 2x to 3x power allowance would be great for these. Most home appliance that are vital can be powered by small suitcase generators in the 2000 to 4000 watts range. You just need to exercise some prudent power management.

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Electricity forever

These days you can’t. The modern household is chockfull of electric and electronic conveniences that have defined 21st century lifestyles. The computer and the Internet just can’t run without electricity. In prolonged power blackouts, you just have to be online, not only for current affairs, but for your social networking and even office work. Your cellphones, Nintendo and PSP game consoles and mp3 players, while self-sustained with their batteries, cannot last more than a few hours without charging their batteries. It would be great if you had spare batteries, which is a good practice. But what if the black caught you without them or in the midst of charging some batteries?

Electricity has always been something we take for granted as it’s always there. Until some calamity knocks down an electric post or a transformer serving your neighborhood. That’s the time you realize you can no longer live without it. As they say, you’ll never realize the value of anything until you lost it. Even for a short while.

Generators to the Rescue

A suitcase generator comes in as an indispensable home accessory. Though it’s rarely ever considered when building your home, you’d be glad you have one when you need it. If you are about to build your home, don’t forget to include a shed or room that has good noise isolation from the rest of the house, preferably near the kitchen area or basement. Fixed standby generators are fine when you want to power the entire house seamlessly bridging utility power with generator power. That’s very ideal. But most households and even commercial offices can get by with just a suitcase generator with sufficient capacity to drive the bare necessary appliances to get things done. After all, you don’t expect the blackout to last longer than a few hours or a few days at the most.

Suitcase Generators

Modern generators come in this form factor. They typically range between 1000watts to 4000watts that can, with some power management skills, allow you juggle the appliances that need to be powered in times of blackouts. And what’s great about them is their quieter operation. Generators are noise pollutants that can be annoying when you need some silence around. Suitcase generators are well encased to offer some sound isolation to make them anywhere from 6 to 10db quieter. They are neat and smart to lug around as well as compact enough to be stored without looking cluttered.

Suitcase generators come from various makes and in different capacities. Whichever you choose for the home, you won’t regret having one. Do a little research on the net on the various fuel used as well the how to match generator capacity with the total power needs of the appliances you want powered in times of emergency. Every home should have a suitcase generator.

Pros and Cons

Just about all fuel types used have their advantages and disadvantages that are nearly in equal measure. Consumers normally consider the most convenient fuel to source as a major selection criterion.

Using Gasoline

Gasoline is the most preferred as it has the least disadvantages among all fuel types. The main caveat is that it’s the most flammable and expensive as all motorists know. Just about all suitcase generators use gasoline.

Using Diesel

Diesel fuels have enhanced variants that can be cheaper and less flammable than gasoline. Diesel engines generators are larger and nosier requiring more maintenance work though over the long run they tend to cost less to operate. They make better sense when used frequently in the suburbs or in remote areas where there are no electricity or experience incessant blackouts. Bio-diesel variants are a mixture with 20% bio fuels and make for cleaner emissions. They can easily be sourced and can be delivered right at your doorstep. For this reason they can be an alternative to gasoline in suitcase generators.

Using LP or Propane and Natural Gas

These are modern fuel types developed for their more environmental friendly traits. As such, they have the cleanest emission of all. But being relatively new, sourcing could be a problem in some areas though outlets and home deliveries are increasingly available. Larger generators sets above 30kw used in business are known to carry larger initial costs, typically 15% to 20%higher than gasoline or diesel generators. Fuel consumption cost have a staggering threefold increase but can be economical in the long run as engine life expectancy especially for liquid-cooled types are much longer. Air-cooled types for small generators are often in the budget class. They also have least power output, typically 30% less BTU than a comparable gasoline or diesel.

Conclusion

In general, the new fuels provide cleaner emissions and their engine units operate with the lowest noise. If fuel sourcing and the initial acquisition costs are not a problem, they make good sense for long-term frequency use in industrial and commercial areas. And for residence with medium power needs and noise pollution constraints, budget-priced air-cooled propane-fired generators are an excellent option to consider. You can expect more of this to appear in suitcase generators.

With all things considered, the new generators using recently developed fuel types seem suited to small suitcase generators for cleaner and quieter operation. New technical developments are expected to give them the edge over gasoline fired suitcase generators.

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A Most Sensible Invention

Generator noise can’t often be helped unless someone invents a quieter piston motor to drive their AC currents. For so long, those engines are exposed without any means to absorb or cancel the noise. They are basically air-cooled engines and won’t like it any other way.

But it’s now a real blessing to have those inverter using suitcase generators making their way to our homes. Their neat plastic molded housing works to seal out much of the noise inherent in the 2-4 horsepower 4-stoke engines virtually all of generators use. Quiet doesn’t mean silent. They still generate noise, but on a scale of acceptability, they’re about 3, with 0 being totally silent and 6 your typical generator noise.

When Quiet is Everything

During a power outage, those relatively quiet suitcase generators are most welcome when:

• You live in a small motor home and any kind of noise is driving you nuts. Even if you locate the generator outside, the noise can be annoying when you need to focus on some computer work or enjoy music listening.
• Your baby’s room is near the shed housing the generator and can’t get to sleep.
• Your kids decide to camp out in our backyard across the neighbor who dislikes any noise whatsoever. And they decide to watch TV right there.
• You’re like to go camping often with the TV or need to recharge your cellphones and mp3 players.
• You like to host parties outside where there are no outlets and you can’t have long cables snaking around to trip your guests.
• You’re in front of your computer during a power outage and can’t focus with all that generator noise.
• Your bedroom is just above where it’s installed can you can’t sleep. A set of ear muffs could come in handy here.

Typical suitcase generators weigh about 25kg to 30kg, light enough for even a woman to lug around in short distances or brought with you in camping, boating and caravanning trips. They can’t support as many appliances powered simultaneously, but can take in a TV, computer and printer anytime with an ample 2-3 kilowatts of power. Versatile enough to be a vital accessory, every home should have one, these small suitcase generators can be your ticket to a seamless uninterrupted lifestyle that won’t get distressed with a few minutes or hours of electric power outage.

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But there are situations you’d be glad to have a silent or near silent generator, short of asking your neighbor to turn it off when you’re about to sleep, like when entertaining outdoors. Or when you have your kid’s friends do a camp-out sleep-over out in your backyard directly below your bedroom and across the neighbor. They decide to enjoy some electric conveniences on the side, like a computer or TV. Maybe you have a baby who can’t sleep through all that noise. Or can’t concentrate on doing some computer work while on standby power. It is times like these that a quiet suitcase generator would be most welcome.

Quiet doesn’t mean silent

There are a lot of inverter-type suitcase generators out there that proudly claim to be silent, well not, really silent. Any kind of piston motor will always have a signature sound and a 4-stoke one often has. Almost all of them are the suitcase portable types whose plastic molded body casing helps to sound proof the inherent noise in their engines.

A more reliable way to gauge how quiet a generator is would be to get its decibel rating. Most suitcase generators claim 8-10 decibels quieter than a conventional generator. One needs to have that figure in perspective. A quiet library is about 30db quiet. A typical room in our homes is around 40db. The kitchen, with the refrigerator on is a bit noisier at around 45 db. A normal conversation 3 feet away will get you to from 50 to 55db. So with all that, it would really be comforting to know there are suitcase generators that can go to just 55db to 60db, when a typical regular generator can be 70 db noisy. So the claims seem realistic enough.

Is noise a criterion for choosing your generator?

Only when you have specific situations in mind, like the one above. Otherwise, while a quiet generator would be great, at the end of the day, it will be your power needs that will decide for you.

On the other hand, if your power needs fall within the power envelops offered by various suitcase generators out there, and most likely they do, you’re in luck. Noise is rarely an issue with them. Their construction makes it so. Typically in the 1000 to 4000 watts, these suitcase generators can be the best options for the common household. At 4000 watts, you can power up the lights in your house, a TV, ref and your computers. At a lower wattage, you will need some power management for a drawback. That means doing a juggling act. At 1000 watts, you can still enjoy your TV and your computer, but you may not be able to power up some appliances simultaneously. Power tools, air conditioners and water pumps won’t be support. But not to worry, a power outage can often just tax your power management skills for just a few minutes, an hour or two at the most.

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When will you use it?

Power outages are rare, rarer in some areas than in others. Whether for residential or commercial use, power generators are there precisely to address the need to take over electric power when not available. There’s an emerging mobile lifestyle trend where power generation can be useful when you’re in boondocks, on the road or just in a rural area where no electric power is available. To a large extent, this will determine the size and level of portability of generators. Almost all generators are portable in the sense they can be carried or transported anywhere. Some have roller wheel sets you can attach for better mobility. But they are still heavy. There are new suitcase generators out there that one can carry like a briefcase and may be more suited for your purposes than the traditional portable generators.

How quiet do you want it to be?

Almost without exception, generators vibrate and are noisy. Their engines sound no different from those of small cars or motorbikes. People have known to accept this drawback knowing the situation that calls for them are temporary, lasting a few minutes to an hour. In addition, most generators are installed in a shed outside your homes allowing a good level of noise isolation. But if your need something quieter, there are inverter-based suitcase generators that generate half as much decibels. They are great if your kids want to enjoy their small electronic stuff camping out in your backyard without disturbing the neighbors. But if you need commercial strength generators, “quietness” becomes less of a criterion.

How portable do you need it to be?

Almost all residential generators are portable. The largest ones have optional roller wheel attachments to easily move them from one location to the next. Needless to say, the degree of portability is often proportional to the power they generate. The smaller the power the smaller it’s size. There are already inverter-based suitcase generators that dovetail the power and efficiency of small and medium size conventional generators. They are an alternative if quietness is a major factor.

What appliances need to be powered?

This may actually be the very first consideration when deciding on what size and portability level you want your back-up generator to be. For commercial use, only professional strength generators should do. For residences, you can do some math to determine the total power load requirements of the appliances you’d want powered in cases of power outage. Whether for business or home, the rule is that you won’t need to have everything powered up in case of an emergency. Lights may be halved, so are air-conditioning and heating. Data center servers, for sure, need to be powered up 100%. Client workstations may be diminished too. But it all depends on what you can afford. A small but powerful suitcase generator is every bit a disaster recovery tool for businesses and unless you can’t live without the convenience of 21st century lifestyle at home.

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The contraption is noisy, to say the least. Ever heard of a car or motorbike engine running idle. That’s how it sounds. It also vibrates like a car engine, and that adds to the noise. In short, it can be annoying. But it does the job of delivering alternating current your appliances live by. Emergency office and professional industry-grade power generators are of this type.
Inverters in Generators

Now we have a newcomer in the field. Enter the inverting microprocessor circuits in suitcase generators. Inverter technology used in electric generators whether for office or home uses, employ sophisticated computer processors that converts DC input into cleaner and quieter AC output that can power just about any appliance including relatively more sensitive appliances like computers and home entertainment systems.

The DC input is taken from usual fuel-fired 4 cycle or 4-stoke engines that are designed to produce more stable high frequency AC current. This is then converted to the DC that the inverter will “invert”.

These inverter generators have created quite a following. They make it possible for suitcase generators to look neat and certainly smart to carry around. Not for long as they can be heavy. But if you need a mobile power source for your telecommuting or even home emergency needs, inverter-based suitcase generators are ideal.

Mobile Power when Needed

The busy executive and family man need to extend his lifestyle wherever he goes. For the most part, that means having the technological wonders at his disposal. And they need mobile electricity to operate; now thanks to suitcase generators, this is possible.

• Your car can easily power your cellphones and mp3 players when on the road. But if you need more, suitcase generators can be your savior.
• Picnic grounds and campsites can benefit from these small battery-powered generators. While you may lose the rustic ambiance of a no-electricity rural charm, the modern 21st century family man might just refuse that charm in favor of the convenience of modern living afforded of his laptops and electronic gadgets. Sooner or later these gadgets need recharging. Your suitcases power generators will come in handy.
• Power outages in residential areas can leave you frustrated for a few minutes or even hours when you can’t get online. Good if you’ve got a blackberry but even that won’t last. Be sure you don’t get surprises by having an emergency power generator on hand.
• Make it a standard accessory in your SUV or car. You can never know when you might end up in some deserted place after some calamity or a simple engine problem. A portable self-powered light source can still benefit from your suitcase generator for extended use.

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But there are health risks behind that come with the use of generators at home if you are not careful. The prime risk lies in carbon monoxide poisoning resulting from their engine exhaust. Even electrocution or electric shock can attend them if the homeowner is not careful.

Carbon Monoxide Risks

CO gases are invisible and odorless unless contaminated. In confines spaces, fuel-fired generators emit CO gases in a matter of minutes after start. Here are some things to bear in mind.

• Gasoline-fired suitcase generators are better operated in open spaces or at least in a room with enough natural ventilation. Never use them in enclosed garages, shed or rooms inside the house or near the house with vents that allow CO fumes to enter the house. Because you cannot smell or see CO gases, you could be exposed to it without ever knowing it.
• If you find yourself feeling weak, dizzy, or nauseated while working near a generator set, get out of the room right away to seek fresh air. Don’t delay as exhaust CO fumes can kill fast. Even after you’ve turned off a generator, the CO fumes can remain for hours unless adequate ventilation exists.
• Deploy CO alarms near in the house in close proximity to where you might operating a generator. These are battery-operated so do check on them regularly. Ensure that these CO alarms are U/L certified for safety standards. (UL 2034, IAS6-96, CSA6.19.01)

Electrical and Fire Risks

This comes with any electrical generating unit. Here are some things to remember when operating suitcase generators.

• You can be exposed to electric shock or electrocution when operating generators at home. One sure way to get one is using a generator under wet conditions. So to ensure safety, operate generators on dry ground or surface and handle with dry hands or with rubber gloves.
• Connect appliances securely using heavy-duty extension cables that are long enough for the generator to be situated outside the house. Refrain from connecting extension cords one after another to reach the required lengths.
• Don’t backfeed. That’s a term used to describe plugging your portable generator to a wall socket, effectively powering all the AC outlets connect to it. While this might work, it bypasses the electrical safety features of your home protection circuit and presents electrocution risks.
• Since your portable suitcase generator set is fuel-fired, store your spare gasoline, kerosene or any other combustible liquids in a cool place and as far away as possible from heaters or stoves.
• Turn off the generator when re-fueling.

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The modern man takes electric power for granted. It’s a utility fixture at home you hardly think about, because it’s always there. You don’t realize how much you need it until it’s gone.

In general, homeowners prefer not to wait out until the power comes up. They consider emergency generators in the suitcase form factor a necessary accessory every home should have. But before picking up that nice suitcase generator at Macy’s, do some simple math and a little research on the net to learn what emergency power back-up generators are available out there at the price you are willing to pay that is adequate for your needs.

A Little Planning Before Plunging

First, take stock of your home’s electricity needs with the bare minimum of appliances that you think will keep you going for the duration of a power outage. What appliances can’t you live without even for a few minutes when at home?

If the outage happens at night, what areas or functional rooms must remain lighted? If you do work at home, the computer and the internet need to be powered. For a typical American household, you would need the kitchen and bathroom appliances powered as well. The food in your ref will go stale. You need the water heater to run. List down what needs to be powered but be aware that power outages only last a few minutes to an hour. Anything longer than that can be considered a calamity. Unless you are prepared to spend a fortune to back-up your entire home’s electricity needs to the hilt, just focus on the essentials and even a modest suitcase generator can be very useful.

Sensible Portability

Emergency generators come in various capacities and styles. The more popular portable suitcase generators are the most appropriate for home and small office use if you need to power only the few essential appliances and then move on to another part of the house to power something else. For computers and sensitive appliances, they do an adequate job.

What Not To Get

For sure, you don’t need professional industry-grade power generators that are used to back up offices and small factories. Unless your home has the power consumption equivalent to one that you want supported, that would be overkill. Another you shouldn’t get are those tiny recreational generators used to power portable lights and cookers for picnic or camping. For the typical American household in the city and the suburbs, you can safely eliminate these two extremes and go for suitcase generators.

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