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.

The math

Worked with the typical figure, as the calculator does it.

  1. Output1,440 W running, so the station's continuous output must be at least 1,440 W.
  2. Surge2,880 W to start, so its surge rating must be at least 2,880 W.
  3. Average draw1,440 W: the running watts count for every hour it is on, as if the motor never paused.
  4. A typical day1,440 W × 1 h = 1,440 Wh a day.
  5. Typical 1 h a day1,440 W × 1 h = 1,440 Wh usable, ÷ 0.85 = 1,694 Wh of rated capacity.
  6. 8 hours of running1,440 W × 8 h = 11,520 Wh usable, ÷ 0.85 = 13,553 Wh of rated capacity.
  7. 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.

Add it to the runtime calculator with the rest of your list

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?
About 1,440 W while running, from 960 W to 1,800 W across the models in our sources. That figure is an estimate: few published figures exist for this type. It needs about 2,880 W for a moment at start. Watts vary by model and age. Check the label on your own appliance and enter it for an exact answer.
Can a portable power station run an electric chainsaw (corded)?
Yes. 38 of the 54 power stations in the Enough Watts data set can power it on its own. It takes at least 1,440 W of continuous output and a surge rating of 2,880 W.
How long will a power station run an electric chainsaw (corded)?
It depends on the battery. At 85% efficiency the smallest station that powers it, the BLUETTI Elite 100 V2 (1,024 Wh), gives about 36 min. The largest, the EcoFlow DELTA Pro Ultra X (12,288 Wh), gives about 7.3 h.
Why does an electric chainsaw (corded) need a high surge rating?
Its motor draws about 2,880 W for a moment at start, 2 times its 1,440 W running figure. A station whose surge rating is below that cannot start it, even when the continuous output is enough. 38 of the 54 stations pass that check.

Sources

Researched from these pages, then checked against them a second time. The check corrected at least one figure.

  1. 8 Amp 14-in. Corded Chainsaw (CRAFTSMAN CMECS614) maker product page, checked
  2. Corded 16-in Electric Chainsaw (12 Amp) (CRAFTSMAN CMECS600) maker product page, checked
  3. Corded Chainsaw 15A 18In (BLACK+DECKER CS1518) maker product page, checked
  4. Electric Chainsaw, 16-Inch, 12-Amp (BLACK+DECKER CS1216) maker product page, checked
  5. 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.