What size power station for an electric chainsaw (corded)?
It needs a station with at least 1,440 W of continuous output and a surge rating of at least 2,880 W to start it. At the default 85% efficiency it takes about 1,694 Wh of rated capacity for its typical 1 h a day, and 13,553 Wh for 8 hours of running. 38 of the 54 power stations in the Enough Watts data set can power it. None of them keeps it going for 8 hours of running.
Updated
The short answer
1,440W
Continuous output
2,880W
Surge to start it
1,694Wh
Capacity for its typical 1 h a day
13,553Wh
Capacity for 8 hours of running
38 of 54
Stations that power it
Wattsestimate
Typical figures for this type, from the sources at the foot of this page. Watts vary by model and age. Check the label on your own appliance and enter it for an exact answer.
- Running, typical
- 1,440 W
- Running, low to high
- 960 W to 1,800 W
- Starting
- 2,880 W1,920 W to 3,600 W, 2 times running
- Typical use a day
- 1 hhours the motor actually runs
- Average draw while on
- 1,440 W
- Voltage
- 120 V
- Assumes the motor runs the whole time; real use is often less.
Explained in: Watts vs watt hours, explained, How to read an appliance label for watts and Starting watts explained.
The math
Worked with the typical figure, as the calculator does it.
- Output1,440 W running, so the station's continuous output must be at least 1,440 W.
- Surge2,880 W to start, so its surge rating must be at least 2,880 W.
- Average draw1,440 W: the running watts count for every hour it is on, as if the motor never paused.
- A typical day1,440 W × 1 h = 1,440 Wh a day.
- Typical 1 h a day1,440 W × 1 h = 1,440 Wh usable, ÷ 0.85 = 1,694 Wh of rated capacity.
- 8 hours of running1,440 W × 8 h = 11,520 Wh usable, ÷ 0.85 = 13,553 Wh of rated capacity.
- On the BLUETTI Elite 100 V21,024 Wh × 0.85 = 870 Wh usable, ÷ 1,440 W = 36 min.
Stations that run it
Every power station in the data with this appliance alone plugged in, at 85% efficiency. Type the running watts from your own label and the table works it out again.
What moves the number
Bar length follows motor size: a 14 inch saw runs about 960 W, 16 inch saws about 1,440 W and an 18 inch saw 1,800 W, from their amp ratings at 120 V. No maker publishes a start figure, so the 2,880 W here assumes about twice the running watts.
Questions
How many watts does an electric chainsaw (corded) use?
Can a portable power station run an electric chainsaw (corded)?
How long will a power station run an electric chainsaw (corded)?
Why does an electric chainsaw (corded) need a high surge rating?
Sources
Researched from these pages, then checked against them a second time. The check corrected at least one figure.
- 8 Amp 14-in. Corded Chainsaw (CRAFTSMAN CMECS614) maker product page, checked
- Corded 16-in Electric Chainsaw (12 Amp) (CRAFTSMAN CMECS600) maker product page, checked
- Corded Chainsaw 15A 18In (BLACK+DECKER CS1518) maker product page, checked
- Electric Chainsaw, 16-Inch, 12-Amp (BLACK+DECKER CS1216) maker product page, checked
- Generator Wattage Worksheet (Generac) generator maker guide, checked
We read published figures and do the math; we do not measure appliances. The methodology states every formula on this page. Capacities are rated watt hours: 1,000 Wh rated gives 850 Wh usable at the default.