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Use our power calculator to help select the portable system that's right for your
application. Note that all calculations are approximate. To get exact system sizing, contact a North Star Energy Services representative.
When selecting a power generation system, keep in mind the maximum (or surge) and rated AC power of the unit.
These ratings are in watts. The maximum rating is the wattage your solar powered unit can handle for very short periods of time, such
as when equipment or appliances require additional power on start up. The rated power is generally considered to be a safe and constant
level of power consumption. All of our units are rated according to their rated load.
In order to calculate your power requirement, add up the wattages of the tools, appliances, and items you want to
use with our solar energy system. Keep in mind there are items that have resistive, or constant loads and those that have reactive
loads. For constant load items, simply add up the Amps and convert to watts. Reactive load items require additional power when
they start up. The product's nameplate should list both the operating amps and the maximum amps. When you do not have access
to the nameplate for reactive load products, then as a guide, use the rated Amps multiplied by 3 to arrive at the total Amps required at
start up. Convert this figure to watts. Note that flourescent lamps, on average, require about 1.25 times the stated wattage on start up.
Frequently, the power ratings on items are listed in Amps. If so, then just use Ohm's Law to calculate the wattage:
Watts = Volts x Amps
Once you add up all the power requirements, you will have the total wattage. Just remember that, in general, not
all the items will be operating at once. So even if you determined you need 4500 watts, you may be able to operate with a 3500 watt
solar power system. And it may be important the order in which you start up the items running on generator power.
Below are some typical power requirements for various categories of items and products. This list is only meant
as a guide. Whenever possible, please refer to the ratings on your product's nameplate or contact the manufacturer.
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