What size generator for a cabin?

Check, uncheck or adjust the typical device list below — watts, startup surge and battery size update instantly. Numbers come from U.S. DOE, ENERGY STAR and manufacturer spec sheets, not marketing copy.

1. Check what you need to power

Refrigeration & Freezers

  • 1
  • 1

Kitchen

  • 1

Heating, Cooling & Fans

Water & Pumps

  • 1

Laundry & Cleaning

Electronics & Office

  • 1
  • 1

Medical Devices

Power Tools & Outdoor

Lighting

  • 4

2. Your sizing

Running load1,421 Wtypical certified-model range 1,408–1,429 W; we size with a conservative value
Startup peak2,531 Wdriven by 1× Freezer (chest, ~15 cu ft)
Daily energy4,365 Wh
Recommended capacity5,460 WhBasis: 1 day of typical usage, incl. 25% margin for inverter loss & battery depth of discharge
Backup duration:

Assumptions: daily hours per device follow DOE / ENERGY STAR duty cycles; capacity adds a 25% margin. Check your appliance nameplates — actual draw varies by model.

3. Best matches from our 6-brand database

  1. EcoFlow DELTA Pro 3partial coverage ~75% of target~$2,799
    • rated 4,000W covers your 1,570W continuous load
    • surge 8,000W covers your 2,531W start peak
    • covers about 75% of the target capacity for your selected duration (4,096Wh vs 5,460Wh recommended)
    • 120/240V split-phase output
    Check price →
  2. Bluetti AC200Lexpandable system~$999
    • rated 2,400W covers your 1,570W continuous load
    • surge 7,200W covers your 2,531W start peak
    • base 2,048Wh + expansion batteries (up to 8,192Wh) covers your 5,460Wh need
    Check price →
  3. EcoFlow DELTA 3 Max Plusexpandable system~$1,149
    • rated 3,000W covers your 1,570W continuous load
    • surge 6,000W covers your 2,531W start peak
    • base 2,048Wh + expansion batteries (up to 10,000Wh) covers your 5,460Wh need
    Check price →

Static answer (crawlable summary)

Typical device list: Freezer (chest, ~15 cu ft)×1, Refrigerator (freezerless, ~16 cu ft)×1, RV 12V Water Pump (Shurflo 4008 class)×1, LED Bulb (60W equivalent)×4, Coffee Maker×1, Router + Modem×1, Starlink Standard (Gen 3)×1.

Estimated from: Energy Star Certified Products · Mfr spec: Shurflo 4008 (Pentair) · Energy Star Certified Products (bulbs) · VT Extension table (DOE-derived) · Mfr spec class: Netgear KB + measured (ARRIS SB8200) · Mfr spec: Starlink

Continuous load1,421 W
Startup peak2,531 W (driven by 1× Freezer (chest, ~15 cu ft))
Daily energy use4,365 Wh
Recommended capacity5,460 Wh (25% margin included)
Minimum inverter1,570 W continuous

Frequently asked questions

What size generator for a cabin?

For a typical setup (Freezer (chest, ~15 cu ft), Refrigerator (freezerless, ~16 cu ft), RV 12V Water Pump (Shurflo 4008 class), LED Bulb (60W equivalent) and Coffee Maker, plus 2 more devices), you need at least 1,421W of continuous power. The single biggest moment is startup: when 1× freezer (chest, ~15 cu ft) kicks on, the momentary draw peaks at 2,531W. For a full day of runtime we recommend at least 5,460Wh of battery capacity (your devices use about 4,365Wh per day, plus a 25% margin for a full day of use).

Which power stations can handle this?

Based on published specs, EcoFlow DELTA Pro 3, Bluetti AC200L (with expansion batteries), EcoFlow DELTA 3 Max Plus (with expansion batteries) cover the 2,531W startup peak and deliver about 75% of a full day / up to 1.9 days fully expanded / up to 2.3 days fully expanded of typical daily use. Check the comparison cards above for the full numbers.

Why is the startup surge higher than the running watts?

Motor-driven devices (fridge compressors, well pumps, air conditioners) draw 2-5× their running power for a split second at startup — measured as locked-rotor amps (LRA). On this page the biggest spike comes from the Freezer (chest, ~15 cu ft): a station that only meets the running load will trip or stall when it starts. Data sources: U.S. DOE Energy Saver, ENERGY STAR certified products, manufacturer spec sheets.

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