FAQs
What size generator do I need for my home?
For a refrigerator, freezer, fans, lights, and charging, 2,350W to 2,850W is enough. Add one AC unit and you want 3,500W to 4,000W. To run AC alongside a full household load with headroom, go 5,000W or more. The real variable is air conditioning — it is usually more than half the load in a home here, and it is the thing that makes the difference between surviving an outage and being comfortable during one.
Can a portable generator run an air conditioner?
We measured ours. A window unit around 10,000 BTU draws roughly 300 running watts and spikes to about 500 on startup. A 12,000 BTU mini split is closer to 400 running and 600 on startup. Your generator has to cover the spike, not just the running draw.
Why won't Wal-Mart or Amazon ship a generator to Guam?
Most mainland retailers cap shipping at the contiguous 48 states. Generators are heavy, they contain fuel systems and lithium starter batteries, and the paperwork for moving them to a territory is different from a mainland ground shipment. It is easier for a large retailer to exclude the territories than to handle the exception. We built this business around that exception.
When should I buy a generator before typhoon season?
Before the season, not during it. The moment a storm enters the forecast, demand across the territories spikes and the shipping window is already working against you.
Inverter generator or conventional — which is better for home backup?
An inverter generator produces cleaner power, typically under 3% total harmonic distortion, which is what protects refrigerators with circuit boards, TVs, routers, Starlink, laptops, and medical equipment like CPAP machines. It is also dramatically quieter and lighter for the same output. A conventional open-frame generator is cheaper per watt and louder, and its dirtier power is fine for tools but risky for electronics.
How much gas does a generator use in a day?
Depends on load, not on size. A 5,000W unit running at quarter load will go around 9 to 10 hours on a tank. At half load, closer to 6. Over a multi-day outage that means refueling daily, which is why propane models are worth a look here — a propane tank you filled two years ago works exactly as well today, while gasoline goes stale in a few months and gums up a carburetor sitting through a wet season.
Why does gasoline go bad, and what do I do about it?
Ethanol-blended gasoline absorbs moisture and begins degrading within about 30 days. In a humid climate it happens faster. Use 87 octane with less than 10% ethanol, add stabilizer if it will sit, and before storage run the generator with the fuel valve closed until it burns the lines dry. Or buy dual fuel and store propane instead.
Can I plug a generator into my house?
Not directly into an outlet — that is backfeeding and it is dangerous to you and to linemen working on the grid. You need a manual transfer switch installed by an electrician. For that you want a generator with 120/240V split-phase output, which our larger units have and most small inverter generators do not.
How far from the house does a generator have to be?
At least 20 feet, with the exhaust pointed away from doors, windows, and vents. Never in a garage, carport, or under an overhang, even with the door open. Carbon monoxide from a generator kills people every single storm season, and it kills them indoors. Our units have CO shutoff sensors, but a sensor is a backstop, not a substitute for placement.
Do these generators work with Guam and CNMI power?
Yes. The territories run the same 120V standard as the U.S. mainland. Your existing appliances, cords, and plugs work without adapters.
What happens if my generator arrives damaged?
Contact us immediately with photos or video and we will make it right. Everything ships double-boxed for exactly this reason, but freight across the Pacific is rough handling and we would rather hear about it the day it lands than a month later.
Shipping
Do you ship to Guam and Saipan?
Yes. That is the whole business. Guam, Saipan, Tinian, Rota, and the rest of the CNMI.
Will you ship to a PO Box?
Yes.
Is shipping included in the price?
Yes.
How long does it take?
About two to three weeks, door to door.
Do I need a freight forwarder or a stateside address?
No. We ship direct to your address. Skip the forwarder and the California mailbox service.
Is a signature required?
Yes.
Can I pick one up?
In Saipan, yes, on select models through our island partner. Ask us what is in stock. Guam is ship-only right now, though we have models coming that will be stocked on island.
Buying
How do I know what size I need?
Use the size calculator, or just call. Tell us what you want running during an outage and we will tell you what fits. Five minutes on the phone saves people from buying twice.
What if I order the wrong size?
Call before you order.
Do you take returns?
On unopened, factory-sealed units. If a generator arrives damaged or does not start on first use, contact us immediately with photos or video and we will make it right.
What is the warranty?
It varies by model. Most are two years, a few are one.
The generators
Will they work with my outlets?
Yes. No adapters, no converters.
Are they safe for electronics?
Yes. All of our units are pure sine wave inverter generators, which means clean power for refrigerators, battery chargers, TVs, Starlink, and medical devices.
How loud are they?
The smaller inverter units run in the high 50s to mid 60s decibels. The largest tri-fuel unit is around 70. All of them are considerably quieter than an open-frame generator of the same output.
Does it come with fuel or oil?
No. Generators ship dry, which is a shipping requirement. Have oil on hand before it arrives.
What about dual fuel and tri fuel?
Some models run on propane or natural gas in addition to gasoline.
How is it packaged?
Double-boxed. The factory carton goes inside a second outer box before we ship.
Getting help
Call, text, or WhatsApp (314) 833-8000.
Email sales@durvy.com.