Start-up surge
Why the 20,000 W peak matters
A motor kicks hard for a split second when it starts. That split second is where generators and cheap power stations fail, and where the Mobile Power Plant doesn't.
Motors kick hard when they start
The inrush you can't see on the rating plate
A grinder, compressor or pump pulls 3 to 7 times its running power for a split second as the motor spins up. That rating plate number, 1,800 W compressor or 3,000 W welder, is the running draw. The start-up draw is much higher, and it arrives all at once.
Small generators and cheap power stations trip or stall right there. The breaker opens, the tool never starts, and you're standing in front of a dead machine holding a live one.
Spark Station handles start-up spikes up to 20,000 W, then settles to its 3,600 W rated output, so the tool starts first time. That headroom is built in, the battery management system rides through the spike instead of tripping on it.
Running vs start-up draw
Typical figures for common job-site tools. Every one of them starts and runs on one Mobile Power Plant.
| Tool | Running | Start-up surge | Surge multiple |
|---|---|---|---|
| LED work lights (x4) | 200 W | 200 W | 1× |
| Cordless tool battery chargers | 150 W | 150 W | 1× |
| 4½" angle grinder | 900 W | 2,700 W | 3× |
| Hammer drill | 1,000 W | 3,000 W | 3× |
| 7¼" circular saw | 1,400 W | 4,200 W | 3× |
| Submersible water pump | 1,000 W | 3,500 W | 4× |
| Air compressor (2 HP) | 1,800 W | 6,000 W | 3× |
| Inverter stick welder (140 A) | 3,000 W | 4,500 W | 2× |
Typical figures for planning only. Check your tool's rating plate. Most hand tools run in bursts, so a real working day lasts much longer than a non-stop figure suggests.
Got a tool that won't start on other power?
Tell us the nameplate numbers and we'll confirm the start-up surge is covered, in writing.
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