When you are faced with a prolonged power outage lasting hours or days, the food in your refrigerator or refrigerator/freezer can spoil unless you have an emergency electric generator. If power outages are a significant concern, you should buy a generator and periodically practice using it as an emergency power source for your refrigerator.
Check the refrigerator’s nameplate for the wattage the refrigerator needs to run. If the nameplate states only voltage and amperage, multiply voltage by amperage to get watts. Refrigerators also need an extra jolt of electricity to start the compressor motor. As a rule of thumb, multiply the running wattage by 1.5 to find the wattage the refrigerator needs to start up. For instance, if the ‘fridge needs 700 running watts, multiply 700 by 1.5. The result, 1,050, is the wattage your generator must put out to start up the unit.
Check your generator’s wattage output rating to be sure it will put out enough power for the refrigerator. For instance, if your generator is rated at 1,500 watts it should handle the example refrigerator’s 1,050 watt starting demand with ease and run the unit without problems. But a generator rated at only 800 watts will probably trip a breaker or blow a fuse from the overload created when the refrigerator tries to start.
Move the portable generator to a flat spot in the yard near where the refrigerator is located. Keep the generator at least 10 feet away from the structure and away from canopies, awnings and other overhangs. Plug the pronged end of a 14-gauge extension cord into the power outlet on the generator.
Run the extension cord from the generator into the structure through a doorway or window to reach the refrigerator.
Start the generator and allow it to come up to operating speed.
Unplug the refrigerator from the wall outlet and plug it into the extension cord’s receptacle. Check that the refrigerator starts and is operating correctly.
Things You Will Need
- 14-gauge extension cord
- Don't use skinny extension cords meant for lamps to make the connection between the generator and refrigerator. These cords can overheat and create a fire hazard.