A generator is a great investment for a construction site. It will ensure the construction crew has the power when it needs it most. The construction generator will provide power for various equipment, pumps, lighting systems, and more when the project is located out of the power grid. This strategic device will also become a source of backup energy in mission-critical situations, cut downtime, and prevent endangering constructor workers.
But picking this electric unit might have its own hurdles, which could have been overpassed if you know what features to consider. In this review, I will list the best generator for construction and enlarge on how to select the device that would meet your construction needs.
Name | Surge watts (gasoline/propane) | Running watts (gasoline/propane) | Fuel type | Dual fuel | Fuel tank size (Gallons) | Engine size, сс | Volume level, dB | Review |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Westinghouse WGen7500DF
best overall |
9500/8550 | 7500/6750 | gasoline/propane | yes | 6.6 | 420 | 75 | Review |
Pulsar G12KBN
most powerful |
12000/10800 | 9500/8550 | gasoline/propane | yes | 8 | 457 | 76 | Review |
Cat RP7500E | 9375 | 7500 | gasoline | no | 7.9 | 420 | 61 | Review |
Best Generators for Construction Reviews
Westinghouse WGen7500D – best overall
The Westinghouse WGen7500DF entry is a powerful solution for day-to-day challenges on the construction site.
Offering 7500/6750 running watts and 9500/8550 peak watts, this generator will provide the construction crew with the power to run the essential appliances. It features a robust 420cc 4-Stroke OHV Westinghouse engine made of a durable cast iron sleeve for long-lasting performance. The dual-fuel operation enables effortless switching from gasoline to propane without shutting off the unit, while an electric push-button start with a remote key fob ensures quick ignition even from a distance.
Unlike Pulsar G12KBN with the 8 gallons fuel tank capacity, the Westinghouse WGen7500DF runs up to 11hours on a 6,6 gallons gasoline fuel tank and 8 hours on a 20 lb propane tank.
The generator is easy to unbox and assemble. The VFT display gives real-time updates about the voltage output, lifetime hours, etc. However, it is hard to carry the item around as it’s quite heavy (around 201 lb), but the wheels are of great help when you need to take it to a new place. It’s also a little bit loud (72dB) but tolerable.
Without a hint of hesitation, this is the best job site generator for construction works. It’s powerful to run critical assets and is easy to start and stop even from a distance. If you want a more powerful generator, you should check out the WEN 11000-watt gasoline/propane portable generator with oem engine.
Key specs
- Surge watts (gasoline/Propane): 9500/8550
- Running watts (gasoline/Propane): 7500/6750
- Fuel type: gasoline/propane
- Dual fuel: yes
- Fuel tank size (gallons): 6.6
- Engine size, сс: 420
- Volume level, dB: 75
Pros
- 7500/6750 running watts and 9500/8550 peak watts to run construction appliances
- 420cc 4-Stroke OHV Westinghouse engine for enhanced durability
- The dual-fuel operation for effortless switching between gasoline and propane
- An LCD screen for added convenience.
Cons
- Might be a bit loud and heavy.
Pulsar G12KBN – most powerful
If you do not want the lack of power to stand in the way of timely project completion, you should take a look at the Pulsar G12KBN generator.
The 457cc, single-cylinder, 4-stroke, OHV, air-cooled engine makes enough current to satisfy the needs of the construction crew. With 12,000 peak watts & 9,500 running watts (gasoline) and 10,800 peak watts & 8,550 running watts (LPG), the construction workers will be able to run numerous devices in one go. The fuel tank capacity is 8 gallons to ensure 12 hours of continuous work on gasoline. This is a dual fuel device, so it supports both gasoline and propane.
In contrast to Westinghouse WGen7500DF with three outlets, this model features four regular 120 outlets and two 240 outlets for larger tools to cover a wider range of appliances.
The unit is solidly built. The open tube-frame design allows you to get to everything effortlessly. The generator is heavy (209 lb), but the wheelbarrow system allows you to move the item around. The operational volume is slightly disturbing – 74dB, which is inherent to all power generators.
All in all, this is the best portable generator for construction in terms of power. With considerable surge and running watts, this unit will cook up enough current to run numerous construction tools. Along with the generator, you should also make sure you have the best generator extension cord.
Key specs
- Surge watts (gasoline/propane): 12000/10800
- Running watts (gasoline/propane): 9500/8550
- Fuel type: gasoline/propane
- Dual fuel: yes
- Fuel tank size (gallons): 8
- Engine size, сс: 457
- Volume level, dB: 76
Pros
- 2,000/10,800 peak watts & 9,500/8,550 running watts (gasoline/propane)
- 457cc engine for flawless power production
- 8 gallons fuel tank capacity
- Six outlets for various devices.
Cons
- Slightly bulky and noisy.
Cat RP7500E
Cat RP7500E is your reliable workhorse when you need a portable generator for industrial purposes.
It extracts 7,500 running watts and 9,375 starting watts. The fuel tank nominal capacity is 7,9 gallons to ensure up to 11 hours of continuous running, even when multiple devices are attached. The 420 cc, OHV engine with electric start delivers power, durability, and quiet operation.
Both Cat RP7500E and A-iPower SUA12000E generators are gasoline-powered. They also have solid rubber wheels for easier transportation even across rough terrain.
This Cat generator is easy to set up and use. It has intuitive controls, and an LED readout panel facilitates the use even in the dark. The construction is sturdy: heavy-duty steel frame, sturdy rubber wheels, and double-folding handle to ensure years of service. However, there is no lift eye, which can make the process of loading the unit in the truck slightly challenging, considering its weight.
All in all, this is the best portable generator for construction in terms of power. With considerable surge and running watts, this unit will cook up enough current to run numerous construction appliances.
Another good 7500 watt option is the Champion 7500 Dual Fuel generator.
Key specs
- Surge watts (gasoline/propane): 9375
- Running watts (gasoline/propane): 7500
- Fuel type: gasoline
- Dual fuel: no
- Fuel tank size (gallons): 7.9
- Engine size, сс: 420
- Volume level, dB: 61
Pros
- Great capacity: 7,500 running watts and 9,375 starting watts
- 7,9 gallons fuel tank for 11 hours of work at 50% load
- 420 cc, OHV engine with electric start for flawless use.
Cons
- No lift handles to load the generator in the truck.
A-iPower SUA12000E
The A-iPower SUA12000E is a construction generator that would provide the crew with the power they require to successfully perform their duties on site.
Similar to Cat RP7500E, this generator runs on gasoline, but it is capable of producing more power – 12,000 starting watts and 9,000 running watts. Thanks to the 7-gallon fuel tank, the unit delivers 14 hours of running time at 25% load.
Featuring the 459cc OHV engine with cast iron sleeve & low oil shutdown, this generator will be operating for years without any safety issues. Thanks to the electric start feature, it is easy to start the device.
The construction of the unit is sturdy. There are rugged wheels and a heavy-duty powder-coated steel frame to meet various transportation demands. The folding handle enhances the portability features. There are some issues with the fasteners of the valves, but they can be replaced with better ones if that disturbs you.
The A-iPower SUA12000E will handle everything you need to power due to its capacity. The well-thought-out design simplifies transportation, which is critical for on-site construction jobs.
Key specs
- Surge watts (gasoline/propane): 12000
- Running watts (gasoline/propane): 9000
- Fuel type: gasoline
- Dual fuel: no
- Fuel tank size (gallons): 7
- Engine size, сс: 459
- Volume level, dB: 78
Pros
- 12,000 starting watts and 9,000 running watts to handle various devices
- 7-gallon fuel tank for gasoline – 14 hours of work at 25% load
- 459cc OHV engine with low oil shutdown and cast iron sleeve.
Cons
- Issues with valve fasteners.
Champion 100813
Get enough power for your next construction project with the Champion 100813 generator.
At 9375 starting watts and 7500 running watts, it will provide the employees with the backup power they need to run multiple devices, even being out of the power grid. Fill the 5.7-gallon tank with gasoline and enjoy up to 8 hours of run time at 50% load. Thanks to the 420cc Champion single-cylinder OHV engine, the crew will obtain enough current for getting their job done with the right tools. An electric start with included battery and a Cold Start technology ensures a quick start even in cold weather.
Similar to the Pulsar G12KBN, the Champion generator model produces a noise level of 74 dBA from 23 feet, which might be too annoying. But unlike its rival, this unit features a Volt Guard™ built-in surge protector to prevent overloads and protect the devices from voltage spikes.
The generator comes with a 1.2 qt bottle of oil, which I would recommend adding slowly to prevent overflowing. It fires right up using an electric start and runs flawlessly. The digital display shows helpful information like voltage, run-time hours, and hertz to allow you easily monitor the power output and maintenance intervals.
Champion 100813 is a sound generator option for providing the construction crew with power when it performs its daily tasks.
Key specs
- Surge watts: 9375
- Running watts: 7500
- Fuel type: gasoline
- Dual fuel: no
- Fuel tank size (gallons): 5.7
- Engine size, сс: 420
- Volume level, dB: 74
Pros
- 9375 starting watts and 7500 running watts
- 5.7-gallon tank for 8 hours of runtime at 50% load
- 420cc Champion single-cylinder OHV engine for reliable performance.
- Volt Guard™ built-in surge protector to mitigate overloads and voltage spikes.
Cons
- Produces lots of noise.
Construction Generators Buying Guide
What generator size do I need for a construction site?
There are various sizes of construction generators on the market. As it turns out, setting the budget and checking the items’ price tags doesn’t help a lot. Neither do the job site size as smaller objects might require even more power than a larger project.
In light of these facts, get ready to crunch more numbers. Think of what devices you will be running off the generator and make a list. Then, check the tags on all the units and write down the wattage they consume. If the crew will be using multiple items (like three drills with 600 watts each), you should multiply the wattage by the number of devices that would be used simultaneously.
Also, most units have peak capacity (also known as starting or surge power), which might be crucial for starting the device. This figure should be also taken into account when determining the required amount of power. For example:
Tool | Running wattage | Surge wattage |
---|---|---|
Bench grinder | 1,400W | 2,500W |
Circular saw | 1,400W | 2,300W |
Air compressor (1.00 HP) | 1,600W | 4,500W |
Concrete vibrator (2.00 HP) | 1,800W | 3,600W |
Hammer drill | 1,000W | 3,000W |
Hand drill | 600W | 900W |
When the calculations are done, I would recommend adding an extra 10% to the total to ensure that all construction appliances function flawlessly.
Usually, the choice of generator sizes starts with 5,000W. I would suggest considering options that start with 7,000W.
Generators noise level
Most generators for site jobs feature a noise level between 70 to 100dB. These are impressive figures equal to a busy restaurant’s noise level and the MP3 player at its max volume. This noise creates an unfavorable working environment.
Thanks to technological advances, it has become possible to purchase a quieter worksite generator that runs around 52 to 62dB. Of course, these models will cost more due to premium quality components, but the price difference might not be as dramatic as the peace of mind the crew will get with a more ear-friendly unit.
Job site generators portability
Sometimes the use of the generator for construction site comes at a cost – the employees have got to carry an unbearably huge and heavy source of power. If you would like to avoid this daunting experience and let contractors focus on their main tasks, I would speak in favor of the device under 300lbs.
Durability and safety of use
Opting for flimsy generators that get out of order every few months is a very questionable way of saving money, so keep the durability of the item in mind.
The long-lasting generator will be made of quality components. Avoid getting devices that have plastic elements. Choose construction appliances with steel construction, paying special attention to the steel thickness. The fuel tank should also be sturdy for safety measures.