Portable generators:Buying tips for first time user

Portable generators are the best solution for frequent power shutdowns. You can power many appliances in your home like AC, fans, coffee maker, refrigerator etc with the help of these generators.

There are plenty of generators suiting your budget from the cheap Xantrex series to expensive models like Honda. But is budget the only consideration for purchasing generators? Or are there any more factors to be considered? Let us find out about this now.

Portable generators with the extension cords can power up all your home needs appropriately. With a transfer switch and an extension cord connected to it you can eliminate the need of multiple cords and also prevent what is known as backfeed. When buying generators for your home needs typically you will have to take in consideration the following factors. They are
• Wattage capacity:
• Fuel :
• sound level:

Let us look in to these factors one by one.

Wattage capacity: Get hold of a wattage chart which lists the running wattage and starting/surge wattage of every home appliance. Now calculate the total wattage by adding up the wattage needs of all the appliances you are planning to connect simultaneously. This will give you an idea of running wattage required for your home needs. Now check out the surge wattage of each appliance. The surge or starting wattage of any appliance is always 2-3 times greater than its running wattage.

So when you choose a generator the maximum watts of the generator should support the surge wattage and its running wattage should be more than the total wattage of appliances you calculated. The surge wattage and the total running wattage help determine the size and the wattage capacity of the generator.

Fuel: gasoline, natural gas, propane, diesel can be used as fuel types. If you are looking for a portable variety then gasoline is best. But it cannot be stored and has a short shelf life. If you intend to store them then you must use a fuel stabilizer along with the fuel. Gas generators also require periodic maintenance like oil changes, filter clean ups etc. For less pollution you can use natural gas generators.

For longer shelf life propane fits the bill. Diesel is less inflammable of all these and safer to use. They are also more efficient and quieter. But they are definitely expensive. Multi fuel devices which allow you to switch between one type of fuel to another is also available. But they are expensive.

Sound level: the intensity of sound is measured in db. Anything between 140-100db is loud and noisy. Between 90-70db is equivalent to street noise. So ideally a generator should have noise levels less than 60db. 60-40db produces a moderate level of noise which does not damage ears.

Apart from these, other features to look out for are portability, electric start, inverter technology, low oil shut down, OHV engine, fuel tank capacity etc. These features are also outlined below.

• Look for flexible handles, wheels etc if you wish to transport the unit from one place to another. These are very much required if your unit weighs more than 100lbs or so.
• If you have more than 5 gallon tank fuel capacity in your generator then make sure you have low oil shut down feature. This will make sure that during low oil conditions the engine shuts down automatically.
• A fuel capacity of more than 4-5 gallons will enable the generator to run for more than 7-8 hours at a stretch. Also you need not shut down the machine multiple times to add fuel.
• OHV or overhead valve engines are much quieter and durable in the long run. These also produce less pollution.
• Go for electric start if manual start or recoil start is cumbersome. The recoil start method requires you to manually pull a starter rope for starting the motor. The electric start on the other hand has a button switch to operate the motor.
• Alternator technology is required to power sensitive appliances. Alternator technology ensures that there is less harmonic distortion of the electrical current. Thus it produces cleaner output of current and is perfectly suited for electrical applications.

These buying tips will help you buy a generator most suitable for your home needs. Just make sure you connect the generator at least 10 feet away from your home to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning. Also make sure that the generator is grounded to prevent electrocution.

You may also want to read …

http://www.askthebuilder.com/B178_Portable_Electric_Generators_Considerations.shtml

My review of Xantrex Powerpack 600 Watt Jumpstarter, Power Inverter and Backup Power Source

If you are on the move always then it is a good idea to carry an emergency back up with you to power your car, fan and lights. What better model than Xantrex Powerpack 600 Watt Jumpstarter, Power Inverter and Backup Power Source for your needs? It is portable, easy to recharge and you don’t need an ac converter to use it. It functions best as stop gap power supply.

So why buy the Xantrex Powerpack 600 Watt Jumpstarter, Power Inverter and Backup Power Source?

Check out its salient features before heading out to buy one.

Outlets: it has 3 ac outlets and one dc outlet to run multiple appliances. So you need not carry a generator and gasoline everywhere just for powering your appliances. The portable Xantrex Powerpack 600 Watt can easily charge your power tools, cell phones etc. The beauty is that there need not be an outlet for charging the machine either.

Jumpstart: It can easily charge your 4 and 6 cylinder engines. It is portable enough with a rechargeable battery and so during an emergency it can easily power up your car too without requiring any outlets.

Radio and alarm clock: as it is portable it can be carried with you on your camping trips and while traveling. With a built in AM/FM radio you need not miss on the weather news and your favorite music as well.

Rechargeable battery: It has a 28 AH battery. AH is the capacity of the battery. 28AH means it can power 28 amp load for an hour, or it can power 1 amp load for 28 hours or 2 amp load for 14 hours etc. The AH battery and its discharge is calculated by measuring the load connected in amps and the time in hours. AH= load (amps)*time (hours)

Typically a 28AH battery can come up to 200-1000 charge/discharge cycles or 4-5 years of service life. What’s more the 28AH battery is non spill able which means that there is no discharge of battery acid during transportation. The battery acid often leaks due to pressure or when it is upset and the acid is quite corrosive to clothes and eyes. With non spill able battery you don’t have any free standing liquid inside the battery. And you can easily charge it at any cigarette lighter outlet or ac outlet.

Safety features: There are plenty of safety features in Xantrex Powerpack 600 Watt generator.

• To prevent accidentally overcharging your inverter there is a led indicator to indicate the charge level.

• If the machine overheats there is an alarm unit to sound the alarm. Not only that an alarm also sounds for the inverter under voltage conditions.

• Also if you happen to wrongly connect the cables of the machine to wrong switch terminals then there is a fuse inside the unit to prevent damage from reverse polarity. This 250 A fuse is replaceable.

• There is also an overload detector. If you draw more than 480 watts then the overload protector shuts the power off. Similarly if the powerpack exceeds the normal temperature the overheat protector automatically shuts the units.

• If there is low battery level then there is an alarm to help you charge the unit. Low battery conditions can cause excessive discharge from the battery.

600 watt power capacity: The power capacity of the generator is 600 watt which is sufficient to charge small appliances, car battery, cell phone, lap top, lamps etc. The wattage is not sufficient to power heater, coffee maker or air conditioner units. There is a built in meter to indicate the watts consumed.

What’s included?

Along with Xantrex 852-2000 XPower 600 HD Powerpack generator an ac charger, dc charging cable, jump start cables, accessory bag and owner’s guide is included.

Reviews regarding the machine:

The Xantrex 852-2000 XPower 600 HD Powerpack has received a rating of 4 at Amazon. The customers using this product have listed both the pros and cons of using the product. Take a look at its reviews before heading for the purchase.

The positives:

• “A great purchase”
• “best customer service”
• “it is easier to maintain than a generator”
• “high quality, solidly built”
• “well illustrated and good for power outrages”

The cons:

• “Heavy and takes forever to charge”
• “does not last”
• “radio needs improvement”
• “The guarantee is only for 6months and not 1 year”. If something happens you will need to throw them in trash heap.

Tips in using this inverter:

• Do not keep this machine outside as water, rain or snow can damage it permanently.
• These machines are not suitable for temperatures over 40 degrees Celsius.
• The ac charger provided with the machine lets you charge the system from an ac outlet. The dc charging cable recharges the system from a 12 volt system of a car.
• When recharging the unit make sure you do not use to it to charge up any electrical appliances.

Does it include a Warranty?

Xantrex provides a limited warranty of 6 months in case of any defects in the product. For replacements you must provide proof of purchase like invoice, purchase receipt, dealer invoice etc.

How much does this cost and where to buy?

With a 50% discount the best place to buy this product is Amazon. At Amazon this costs $179.99 only.

More reviews of the machine:

More reviews of Xantrex 852-2000 XPower 600 HD Powerpack can be viewed at Amazon.

My review of ETQ TG32P12 4,000 Watt 7 HP 207cc 4-Cycle OHV Gas Powered Portable Generator

Fed up of power outrages in your area? Then why not buy a small efficient emergency generator to solve the problem? If you are looking for an inexpensive inverter then check out ETQ TG32P12 4,000 Watt 7 HP 207cc 4-Cycle OHV Gas Powered Portable Generator. Here is a brief review of the same.

So why buy the ETQ TG32P12 4,000 Watt Gas Powered Portable Generator?

This is a great generator and provides good value of money. If you are not convinced take a look at some of its features.

• 3250 running watts
• 4 stroke OHV engine
• 13 hours run time
• Low noise level
• Low THD
• Easy start

Power wattage: we all know that during a power outrage the generator should be able to meet the power requirements of all your appliances. For this you must determine the power requirements of all your appliances and get the appropriate wattage generator. To get the appropriate generator you must determine the power needs of all your appliances which you plan to run parallel or at the same time.

For this a wattage calculator listing the wattage of each appliance is helpful. Once you add up all the appliances and their wattage requirements you end up with a total wattage. Your generator should match or exceed this total wattage. The ETQ TG32P12 with 7 hp (7*746 watts) generates 3250 running watts. So your total wattage should be less than this running wattage.

Also to keep in mind is the surge wattage required by the appliances at startup. For example your dishwasher will need 700 watts for running but about 1400 watts for start up. So the surge wattage should also be high enough to bear this start up wattage.

The ETQ TG32P12 has a 3500 running watts and 4000 max watts. So it can safely run common house hold appliances like dishwasher, freezer, dryer etc.

Engine: The ETQ TG32P12 is an OHV (overhead valve) engine which means it is durable, has a quieter operation and is easy to start. The machine is compact and smaller as the camshaft (the rotating device) is located inside the engine.  The 4 stroke engine means that there is no requirement of gasoline and oil pre mix. So you need not have to deal with 25:1 0r 50:1 premix ratio of fuel and oil.

Run time: with a 4 gallon fuel tank the generator runs for about 13 hours at half load.

Noise level: The noise level is less than 65 db which means the sound is not harsh. There is also a muffler which ensures that the engine is quieter.

Low THD: with low harmonic distribution the device delivers cleaner and safer current to the devices. So the machine is also suitable for sensitive electronic appliances as it produces less than 6% THD.

Low oil shut down feature: This feature is quite useful for a 4 gallon tank. With this feature when the oil level drops below a safe level the engine automatically shuts down.

 

Portability kit: with wheels and handles this generator can easily be transported from one place to another.

Recoil start: The machine is easy to start with pull start feature. Just pull the rope, rope uncoils and the machine starts. This feature though is not as advantageous as an electric starter.

The machine is non CARB complaint which means that it does not follow California Air resource board standards.

What’s included?

For the price you get the ETQ TG32P12 4,000 Watt generator and wheel kit with handle.

Reviews regarding the machine:

The machine has received a 4 star rating at Amazon.

The generator has received both positives and negative reviews. Take a look at some of the views raised by the customers of this product.

First the positives:

• “Recommended. Excellent generator”
• “Good generator for the price. Fuel efficient and refueling is simpler.”
• “Easy set up and start up”
• “excellent emergency generator and very dependable”
• “thrilled with the purchase and will not find a better deal on a generator”

Now the flip side

• “not for long term use”
• “poor quality and customer service”
• “Instruction manual not very helpful and there are no tips for maintenance of the machine either”
• “the oil filling hole is not very accessible”

Helpful Tips in using the generator:

• As the oil filling hole is not very accessible it is a good idea to get a funnel with a flexible neck to fill the oil.
• Due to shipping the plug wires may be loose. So if your unit does not start then tighten the wires and then start.
• Regarding maintenance of the model the unit may require 10-50 hours of oil changes depending on the frequency of its use. Incase the spark plug wears out you can get it easily at Wal-mart, home depot etc. The air filter is easily cleanable so you need not worry about its replacement.
• After switch off and fuel cut off the machine will run for a minute or two to burn the fuel remaining in the fuel line.
• If you need an hour meter it is a good idea to get one from Amazon as there is no built in hour meter. Simply warp the wire around the spark plug and insert the other end of wire in to meter body.

Does it include a Warranty?

The ETQ 207cc 7 HP OHV engine has a one year manufacturer’s warranty.

How much does this cost and where to buy?

The ETQ TG32P12 4,000 Watt costs around $369.99 and the best place to buy this is at Amazon.

More reviews of the machine:

More reviews of the ETQ TG32P12 4,000 Watt can be obtained at amazon.com.

 

ETQ TG1200 1,200 Watt 2 HP 2-Cycle Gas Powered Portable Generator

If you wish for a quiet, light weight generator at an attractive price then you have come to the right place. Here you will learn all about ETQ TG1200 1,200 Watt 2 HP 2-Cycle Gas Powered Portable Generator and understand the pros and cons of using one. Take a look at its review before deciding to purchase the generator.

So why buy the ETQ TG1200 Gas Powered Portable Generator?

Here are its salient features which will help you decide whether it is suitable for your requirements or not.

• 2.2 HP machine
• Silent operation:
• 8 hours run time:
• 2 stroke engine
• Easy start
• THD feature
• Small size

It is ideal for camping and powering small house hold appliances: Before buying a generator you must estimate your total power needs.

• This is done by determining the power required for each item and then adding the wattage of each item which you plan to run together.

• Check out the wattage calculator found online to get an estimate of wattage consumed by household appliances.

• Also allow for an additional start up power during starting up of the appliances.

• Now you will have to select the inverter based on the total power requirements taking in to account 20% extra power to meet the appliances.

The ETQ TG1200 with its 2.2 HP (1HP=746 watts) is capable of producing 1000 running watts and 1200 maximum watts. This means you can connect a laptop, TV and fans simultaneously and expect it to run for 4 hours. But it definitely cannot run anything with a large compressor like fridge or air conditioner.  Only suited for small jobs and as emergency backups at home.

Silent operation: With 65db noise level you can expect quieter operation. This has low noise level vibration and some consumers have praised its quietness to a Honda too. You can even hold a conversation nearby.

Run time: with a one gallon fuel tank the machine can run for 8 hours with 50% load. On full load expect it to run for 4.5-5 hours.

Two stroke engine: Though a 2 stroke engine requires a pre mix of gasoline and oil for its operation due to lack of lubrication system, nevertheless due to simple construction the engine is lighter. Also they generate more power than 4 stroke of the same size.

Small size: It is very portable as it is lightweight and compact. It weighs less than 45 pounds and is easy to transport to and fro. No manhandling required at all.

THD feature: THD refers to total harmonic distortion which is the measure of quality of current. The ETQ TG1200 has a THD of less than 6% which means that electronic appliances like TV, dryer etc get cleaner, safer current.

Outlets: There is one AC outlet and one DC outlet. With a 120 volt connection you can run almost all house hold appliances.

Easy start: The machine requires a 50:1 fuel mix which means 2.5 oz of oil for every one gallon of gasoline. It is simple to start too. Just set the choke, open the fuel valve and pull.

Non CARB compliant: One problem is that this machine is Non CARB compliant. CARB stands for California Air resource board. A CARB compliant machine produces less air pollutants and is cleaner. Unfortunately this machine is non CARB compliant and as such does not follow cleaner operation.

What’s included?

ETQ TG1200 portable generator is the only thing included for the price.

Reviews regarding the machine:

The ETQ TG1200 has got a 4.1 star rating in Amazon. This 2 stroke portable generator has got a mixed bag of reviews though the pros outweigh the cons. On the pros the customers who use it say

• “The generator is quiet, easy to start and sparing on the fuel”
• “wonderful product for price”
• “good product and solidly built”
• “Quick shipping, light weight and with reasonable care lasts for many years.”
• “Though cheaply made it is fuel efficient and runs smoothly”
• “basic and simple for light duty work”

On the flip side

• “Carburetor problems and leaks gas.”
• “made of cheap materials and a bit wobbly”
• “Mediocre generator with plastic parts”

Warning:

Though the pros outweigh the cons when buying make sure you look up the return policy of the site from where you are purchasing. In case of any defects you must be able to get a refund.

When choosing from other sites apart from Amazon check out their return policy.

Few tips on using this generator:

• Use only two cycle oil for the two stroke engine.
• If the machine randomly shuts down let it cool for some time before restarting it.
• The generator may smoke during start up. But if you mix the correct oil and gas the smoke will soon lessen.
• When you get the generator initially run it for an hour or so with no load. Then add light load like lamps which do not use high surge currents.
• If you are going to connect it to digital equipments always make sure you have a surge protector

Does it include a Warranty?

The ETQ TG1200 has a 1 year warranty on its parts.

How much does this cost and where to buy?

The generator costs around $129 with 7% discount at Amazon. The listed price is $139

More reviews of the machine:

For more reviews of the ETQ TG1200 generator check out Amazon.com .


 

 

Tri fuel generators: Why go for tri fuel portable generators?

Investing in a portable generator? Then here is some food for thought. The popular option out there in the market of emergency generators is the use of gas powered portable generators. These units are small in size, deliver power when needed and most importantly are cheap. If you buy from known brands like Honda or Honeywell then these models are durable as well. But the problem with gas powered generators is that gasoline has limited shelf life. If left in the generator fuel tank the gas will gum up. This will make your generator useless when the time comes for it to power up.  You can use a stabilizer along with the gasoline for a year or so but for long life of engine you must use fresh gasoline the next time you power your generator up.

So what do you do? Buy tri fuel portable generators which will solve this problem. Let us discover how.

Tri fuel portable generators as the name suggests can use three types of fuel namely propane, natural gas and gasoline. So if you are camping you can use gasoline and if you are at home you can use propane or natural gas as the fuel option.

The benefits of going for such generators are

• You have different fuel options with this type of generator. Both propane and natural gas are available in plenty as well.

• Using fuel such as propane, natural gas will enable your engine to run longer. They will also not have any start up problems associated generally with gas powered generators. So expect your generator to be up and ready even during cold weather.

• Propane can be stored for years and does not gum up like gas. If you live in remote areas with no access to electrical grids then propane generators are the best choice for you. Tri fuel generators with propane option can work as long term installation solutions for such remote areas.

• Natural gas is also a great fuel to use when compared to gasoline. They too have longer shelf life.

• With a larger tank in such generators you can run the units for a longer time. So no need to fill the unit with fuel every time the generator stops.

• As propane is cleaner than gasoline you can expect clean fuel burning with fewer pollutants.

• If you are using natural gas you can connect the generators to gas pipe lines as well making the generators run for longer time without any interruption.

• During wide scale power outrages gasoline will be a limited supply.  You cannot keep it stored for longer duration either as it stales out. So during natural calamities propane or natural gas is the alternative.

• Tri fuel generators from reliable brands such as Yamaha or Winco are fuel efficient and can deliver the same power whichever type of fuel it uses.

These generators have an adapter to mix the different types of fuel. The adapter mixes the fuel propane or gas coming from the regulator of the generator with the air stream circulating in the throttle of the adapter. You can switch between each of these fuels by adjusting the tri fuel generator’s main load screw. If you have a gasoline generator then you can buy conversion kits to use different types of fuel. This prevents the use of buying a new generator.

These generators can be purchased online at Amazon, eBay for second hand or at authorized generator stores in your area.

The prices of such units vary from $500 for smaller units and $20000 for long term installation units. The higher end units which have high wattage capacity like 12000 watts are suitable for powering up homes which are not connected to electrical grids and are basically in remote locations.

Though pricier than single unit generators they are energy efficient units which you count upon. So do your research well and buy from the best brands like Winco, Honda and NorthStar.

Here’s a video you would want to watch about setting up a tri fuel generator.

 

Best generator review: Honeywell HW1000i 1,000 Watt 53cc 4-Stroke Portable Gas Powered Inverter Generator (CARB Compliant)

Looking for a portable generator to carry with you on your camping trips? Then look no further than Honeywell HW1000i 1,000 Watt 53cc 4-Stroke Portable Gas Powered Inverter Generator (CARB Compliant). Here is a brief review of this machine.

So why should you go for the Honeywell HW1000i 1,000 Watt 53cc 4-Stroke Portable Gas Powered Inverter Generator (CARB Compliant)?

This CARB Compliant machine has several features. Take a look.

• 1,000 Watts Surge/900 Watts Continuous
• DC and AC overload protector with indicator light.
• Economy mode
• Portable
• Durable
• Extra features:
• Outlets

So let us study these features one by one.

Wattage capacity:With wattage capacity of 900 watts you can run lights, laptop, radio, fan, TV and cordless phone. Or you can power computer or microwave individually. With running watts so low you cannot definitely power the fridge whose starting wattage exceeds 1000 watts. The unit is meant only for powering small gear or for use at camping sites.

Run time: The unit can run for 5 hours with a 0.71 gallon tank. The single cylinder engine uses only unleaded gasoline and oil.

Portable: the unit is very portable with 31 pounds weight. It has built in handles which makes it easy to move to and fro.

Economy mode: the economy mode uses less fuel and runs quieter.  So you get a fuel efficient machine with low running noise.

Extra safety features: there is an overload protector built in to the unit to safeguard against loads or short circuits. So you can be assured that the unit is safe as electrical fires or machine overheating will not occur due to overload protection feature. Both ac and dc overload protection is present. There is an indicator light present as well to warn you. There is low oil shutdown feature present in the unit. When the system detects low oil condition it automatically shuts down thereby preventing further damages to the unit.

CARB Compliant: CARB stands for California Air Resource Board. A CARB compliant machine produces less air pollutants and is cleaner. So this unit produces fewer pollutants.

Outlets: it has 2 15 A, 120 v acc outlets to connect your appliances and one 12 v dc outlet to charge battery.

What’s included?

The Honeywell HW1000i comes with owner’s manual, oil fill container, oil drain pipe, spark plug wrench, screwdriver handle, and screwdriver universal bit.

Reviews regarding the machine:

The unit has got a rating of 3.6 out of 5 stars.  The machine has got more negatives than pros. Check out the advantages and problems of owning one here.

The pros first:

• “Not bad for the price”
• “Ok for occasional use”
• “moderately happy “
• “real quality in small package”
• “light weight and easy to move around”
• “small generator with good technology”

The cons:

• “Great for a while, terrible after 6 months”
• “Ok… if it works”
• “dies unexpectedly requiring frequent restarting and requires many pulls to start”
• “Stopped working after 10 hours”
• “Does not have a dc output. The dc output is unregulated”
• “requires user maintenance”
• “it is not quite as Honda”

Tips on using the generator:

• Check out the service centers before buying this unit. It is good to have a service center nearby to handle repairs.
• Get an engine hour meter if you wish to keep track of engine usage.
• Always shut down the fuel and tank vent to allow for perfect and easy start the next time you plan to use it. Otherwise you will have to frequently pull it to restart it.
• For longevity of the generator make sure you do not either overload or under load it.  for optimum performance run the generator at 70% load.

To increase the life of a portable generator get hold of

• Watt meter to detect the power.
• Meter oil pressure
• Hour meter to determine the duration of machine work

Does it include a Warranty?

Yes the Honeywell HW1000i includes a warranty of 2 years.

How much does this cost and where to buy?

The cost of Honeywell HW1000i is $399 with 33% discount. It is available at Amazon with free shipping.

More reviews of the machine:

More reviews of the machine can be read at Amazon.

 

My review of Honeywell HW7500E 9375 Watt 15 HP 420cc OHV Portable Gas Powered Home Generator With Electric Start

If you are looking for a wonderful piece of generator at reasonable rates then check out the Honeywell series which is capable of producing 9375 watts of power for your home needs. Before heading out for the purchase here is a brief review of the Honeywell HW7500E 9375 Watt 15 HP 420cc OHV Portable Gas Powered Home Generator with Electric Start series.

So why should you go for the Honeywell HW7500E 9375 Watt 15 HP 420cc OHV Portable Gas Powered Home Generator With Electric Start?

Here is the list of salient features of this machine.

• Quiet operation
• 7500 continuous watts and 9375 maximum watts
• Hassle free start
• 7-hour run time
• 4 outlets
• OHV engine
• Extra features for convenience

Let us check out these features one by one.

Quiet operation: The Honeywell HW7500E series is rather quiet with an oversized muffler for quiet operation. It is not louder than 20″ push gas lawn mower.

Easy start: with electric battery starting the unit is easy. The one touch battery start is easy to operate too. The battery can be charged with car battery charger in 2A mode for 6 hours. There is also a recoil start if necessary. The machine is easy to understand and operate due to color coded controls. With well labeled outputs you can easily access all its features.

Portable: the generator weighs only 217 pounds and is easy to transport as there is a wheel and handle attached for easy portability. The handle is high leverage ensuring easy transportation.

Run time: it has 7 hour run time with 50% load attached to it. The 6.5 gallon fuel tank can decently run for the specified time with half load.

Extra features: Low oil shut down, overload protection etc ensure long life of the engine. The engine detects low oil and shuts down automatically. Similarly the engine detects overload condition too and shuts down. It also has an auto voltage regulator to power electronic appliances safely. Auto voltage regulator ensures regulated power at all times to digital appliances.

Wattage: you can power most of your appliances at the same time during power outrages. The 7500 running watts ensures that small appliances like sump, fridge, electric fan, DVD, computer, microwave etc can be connected at the same time while large appliances like dishwasher, water heater etc can also be powered individually.  With a 7500 running watts you can be assured that most of the appliances can be connected in parallel. Refer a wattage chart and the surge wattage of large appliances to determine the size of the portable generator.

Outlets: The Honeywell HW7500E provides 5 outlets out of which 4 are 120 volt ac outlets with 15/20 amp and a single 30 amp 120/240 volt outlet.

The only problem is the machine is non CARB compliant. This means it does not confirm to California air resource board and cannot be purchased in California. For this check out the model HW7500EL.

What’s included?

Along with the Honeywell HW7500E 9375 Watt machine you get free accessories like 4-in-1 power cord, 1 liter 10W30 oil, funnel,, 12v battery for electric start, step by step start/stop sheet, Never-Flat Wheels and handle kit.

Reviews regarding the machine:

The unit has received 4.1 rating out of 5 stars. Here is what the customers have to say about this product.

The positives:

• “great whole house portable gasoline generator”
• “reliable generator for the money”
• “very impressed”
• “plenty of power for my needs”
• “unit is well built and runs like a champ”

The cons:

• “watts not as advertised”
• “ manual pull difficult to start”
• “made of inferior materials”

Tips on using this inverter:

• If you are planning to purchase this generator make sure you check the nearest service area centre. If there are issues you must able to get it repaired, right?
• Use clean cup to pour oil in to the funnel. This will reduce messes. The included funnel is useless. Instead buy a long neck funnel.
• Use full synthetic 10w30 oil instead of the oil that comes with the generator. This will allow for easier start of the generator.
• To avoid carbon monoxide poisoning keep the generator outside in garage or sheltered patio.
• Get outlet covers if you wish to protect the outlets from moisture and rain.
• If your climate is very cold then it is best to get synthetic oil for your machine.

Does it include a warranty?

Yes the Honeywell HW7500E comes with a limited 3 year warranty.

How much does this cost and where to buy?

The price of Honeywell HW7500E 9375 Watt unit is $949 with 36% discount at Amazon. So the best buy is from Amazon.

More reviews of the machine:

More reviews can be found at Amazon.

 

My review of DuroMax XP4400E 4,400 Watt 7.0 HP OHV 4-Cycle Gas Powered Portable Generator with Wheel Kit and Electric Start

If you are looking for an emergency backup generator which can power all your appliances then try DuroMax XP4400E 4,400 Watt 7.0 HP OHV 4-Cycle Gas Powered Portable Generator. Here are the consumer reviews for this product.

So why should you go for the DuroMax XP4400E 4,400 Watt 7.0 HP OHV 4-Cycle Gas Powered Portable Generator with Wheel Kit and Electric Start?

Here is the list of salient features of this machine.

• 8 hour run time
• Wattage capacity 3500
• Electric key start
• EPA and CARB approved
• Low oil shut down
• Low noise level
• portable

Let us check out these features one by one.

Run time:With a 4 gallon gas tank the unit has an 8 hour run time.  The 8 hour run time is with 50% load.

Wattage capacity:It has a running capacity of 3500 watts with surge wattage at 4400. This means you can connect appliances whose total wattage capacity does not exceed 3500 watts. So coffee maker, fridge, TV etc can be run in parallel.  Keep in mind that the starting wattage of any appliance you connect should not exceed 4400 watts. So things like air compressor whose surge wattage is 4500 watts cannot be definitely connected to this unit. Also an important thing to keep in mind is that the unit runs very well when the wattage of appliances connected is low. As the wattage increases to 3000 watts there is a dip in voltage and frequency. More than 3300 watts can cause the engine to shut down.

Key start: if recoil or manual method is a pain for you to start then electric start option with battery is also provided in this unit. The recoil method consists of pulling a coil to start the generator whereas electric start uses a key operated switch to start the engine.

Low oil shut down: the generator having this feature can detect low oil conditions. The engine shuts down in these conditions. Also there is warning light for low oil conditions in the fuel panel of the machine.

Low noise level: The machine produces a low noise level of 69 db. This noise level is low and does not produce any damage or cause any problems in a silent neighborhood.  With a super quiet muffler present the engine noise is further reduced. It also has a quieter exhaust. Also with isolated motor mounts the unit produces low noise.

Portable: with a wheel kit and stow away handles the 36”*21” unit is easy to transport.

EPA and CARB approved: CARB stands for California Air Resource Board. A CARB compliant machine produces less air pollutants and is cleaner. So this unit produces less pollutants. EPA stands for environmental protection agency. This means better fuel efficiency, higher performance and higher reliability of machines.

Outlets: It has one dc outlet for charging battery or running 12v devices. It also has 120 v, 30 amp 3 outlets for household appliances and one 120/240v 30 amp twist lock outlet.

What’s included?

For the price you get Durable DuroMax 7.0 Hp machine and a wheel kit w/ front handle for portability.

Reviews regarding the machine:

The unit has received 4 out of 5 stars. Here is what the customers have to say about this product.

The positives:

• “Good performance, excellent value”
• “built well, works well and less polluting”
• “good deal for the money”
• “very pleased, quality product”
• “great unit for the money”

The cons:

• “The published wattage is overstated”
• “Battery unit does not start, have to use recoil start”
• “customer service is not that great”

Tips in using this inverter:

• Using the oil fill tube can be a bit awkward. So use a funnel with a tube to add oil and to stop spilling of oil.
• It is best to change the oil every 6 hours of run time during the first run. Later on you can change it to 25-30 hours.
• If you use the engine infrequently it is a good idea to mix the fuel with some antioxidant. This will make sure that the gas lasts longer for a year or so.
• If you don’t want cords running all over the place then make sure you get a transfer switch to connect the generator to the main panel.
• Do not keep the fuel in the tank for long time as this will varnish and cause blocks in the passageways. Drain the carburetor completely when you switch off the unit or use the generator periodically.

Does it include a Warranty?

Yes, the DuroMax XP4400E 4,400 Watt machine has a one year warranty in all its parts.

How much does this cost and where to buy?

This machine costs $469 with 2% discount at Amazon. You can also buy it slightly cheaper at buy.com for a list price of $429 with 28% discount.

More reviews of the machine:

More reviews of the machine can be read at Amazon.

 

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