Choosing the Best Generator for Construction Site: Tips & More

Besides the maximal volume of power, portability, and size of your generator, there are several other features you can consider while shopping for the best contractor generator for your job or construction site.

Our Generatorist team recommends considering the following features:

1. Fuel Type – For job contractors, we recommend generators that are running on diesel as this type of fuel is more frequently used in other machines that are usually present on the job site. This way, your fuel management will be much easier.
2. Long run time – The worst thing that can happen on a job-site is a downtime as it leads to profit loss. Every refueling takes your machine out of service for some time. Therefore, it is vital to get a generator that can run for a whole shift without the need to refuel. This way, you can do the refueling with basic maintenance after the work shift is over.
3. Large gas tank – Although a large gas tank will diminish the portability of your generator, it will enable you to run it for a longer period of time without the need to refuel.
4. Automatic idle control – The automatic idle control (also known as Eco Throttle or Smart Throttle) can save you a lot of fuel costs and can reduce the noise of your generator. It automatically adapts the rotations of your engine in relation to the actual load. If your generator runs idle, this system can significantly reduce the number of rotations per minute.
5. Durable gas tank – With regards to a gas tank, you need to consider the material it has been built from. We recommend choosing a generator that has a metal fuel tank as it is much more durable. Although plastic fuel tanks are lighter and cheaper, they can get pierced easily at a job site. Also, they become brittle in extreme cold.
6. Fuel gauge – A fuel gauge is a must have feature if you are going to get a generator for your job site. Without it, you will have a hard time effectively managing your fuel needs and you will face frequent downtimes.
7. Automatic fuel priming system – Even if you have a fuel gauge on your unit, you need to check it from time to time. Although no one plans on running a generator completely dry, this happens quite often. Luckily, if you have an automatic fuel priming system, you don’t need to call a trained technician and there will be no extra downtime once you let your unit run dry. All it takes to restart your generator is adding fuel and turning the ignition key to the start position.
8. Fuel-shutoff switch/valve –  This valve becomes very handy especially during the transportation, maintenance, and storage of your generator. In case you need to store your generator for a longer period, you need to remove all fuel from the system to avoid clogging of the carburetor with gasoline that went bad.
9. Automatic low-oil shut off – The automatic low-oil shutdown system will protect your engine against damage caused by low levels of oil. Without this feature, your machine can easily get destroyed by a sudden loss of engine oil and such a situation can endanger people on the job site as well.
10. Electric start with manual recoil backup – Some people simply don’t know how to properly use the recoil pull start. Having a generator that can be started with just a single push of a button will significantly reduce the down time. We recommend getting a unit that offers both an electric start and recoil pull start option as a backup. In most cases, the battery of your generator that is responsible for electric start dies after not using your machine for longer periods. Once this happens, you will be glad you have that recoil backup start option.
11. Maintenance-free electric battery with a trickle charger – If you decide to get a generator with an electric start, then go for one that offers a maintenance-free battery or a trickle charger. This way you will always have your generator ready to serve.
12. Built-in inverter or automatic voltage regulation system – Having a stable current without any extreme fluctuations no matter the load or operating temperatures is vital if you don’t want to damage connected tools to your generator (especially those that have microprocessors in them). To achieve this, you need to get a unit either with an inbuilt inverter or an automatic voltage regulation system (AVR).
13. Power bar / inbuilt wattage meter – The inbuilt wattage meter shows you how much power you already take from your generator. One look at the bar and you see whether you can plug in another tool right away or if doing so will trip the circuits. Just keep in mind that overloading your generator can cause unplanned downtime on your job site, and can damage the unit itself and all tools that are connected to it.
14. Hour meters – As a contractor, you need to keep your generators well maintained and running all the time. A built-in hour meter will make sure you can keep the track of the run-time of your units to schedule the maintenance.
15. Frequency Switch – If you know that you need to connect power tools that require different types of frequencies (some operate at 60 Hz while others at 50 Hz), then you need to look for a machine that offers a frequency switch. Just keep in mind that lower frequency will provide only around 80% of rated running power.
16. Voltage Selector Switch – If you want to get the most out of your generator, then get a unit that offers a voltage selector switch. It will allow you to harness the most power while connecting a 120 volt tool to a 120/240 outlet. If you are connecting a 240 volt power tool into the 120/240 socket, you need to leave the switch in the “240 volt only” position and vice versa.
17. GFCI Outlets – The GFCI abbreviation refers to a ground fault circuit interrupter. GFCI outlets have three wires (neutral, hot & ground) instead of just two (neutral & hot). Once the GFCI detects an imbalance of power flow, it trips the circuit. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and National Electric Code (NEC) require these outlets on construction sites, bathrooms, and anywhere else where electricity is close to a water source, such as swimming pools.
18. Covered Outlets – If you are a contractor working on a dusty construction site, you should consider a generator that has covered outlets. Without these, your outlets can easily get clogged by dirt and dust and your machine will need extra maintenance and downtime.
19. Durable, Sturdy Frame – A job site can be quite harsh to the equipment used. That is why you need to invest in a generator that has a sturdy wraparound metal frame. Look for a beefy roll cage and ideally a metal shielding.
20. Wheel Kit & Lifting Eyes – We always recommend getting a generator that is already equipped with a wheel kit. Although 4 wheels may sound like a great idea, they work smoothly only on flat surfaces. If you want a generator for a job site with rough terrain, choose a unit with two wheels that are semisolid as they are resistant to puncture and they still bounce. If you intend to move your generator around with a forklift or a boom crane, then look for a unit with lifting hook/eyes.
21. EPA Tier IV (if diesel) – If you have a generator that runs on diesel, then look for a Tier IV certification by the EPA (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency). Tier IV is the highest certification for non-emergency diesel generators with regard to the amount of emissions produced.
22. Quietness – Some job sites are located in areas with very strict noise limits. So, if noise is your main concern, then choose a durable professional generator with a muffler and noise-reducing construction. If you can fit an inverter generator to your power needs, then we highly recommend it as there are not many generators that are quieter than inverters.
23. CARB Certification – If you are working in California, then you can only use a generator whose levels of emissions have been certified by the California Air Resources Board (CARB).
24. Spark Arrestor – This is a helpful piece of equipment that minimizes the chance of setting dry vegetation on fire. Some areas restrict the use of generators to only those including spark arrestors.

Just keep in mind that each one of these features will increase the final price of your generator. That is why you need to consider your budget and prioritize each one of these features. 

What we consider to be a necessity may not be so important for you and vice versa.