The Best Features:
- Portable propane-powered generator with an easy-to-transport design and 212cc OHV engine
- Reliable 3,250-watt power supply; 3,750 surge watts
- Uses standard 20 or 30 pound liquid propane tank for easy portability (fuel tank not included)
- Covered outlets protected from the elements; circuit breakers for overload protection
- Non-CARB Compliant/Not For Sale In California
A few gotcha items UPDATE - how to start By Bruce H
UPDATE: The generator runs fine and I made the decision to skip running it 30 minutes each week. I'm hoping that that recommendation is really a hold over from their gasoline powered generators... as was their (printed booklet) starting instructions! These instructions are different from the decal on the generator...but that decal is small and basically icons and therefor easy to ignore if you have the booklet in hand.
>>>With a gasoline small engine you apply the choke to make the mixture rich, pull the starter cord gently to prime the engine, and then pull to start, keeping the choke on until the engine warms up; with the propane engine you prime the engine by pressing a button for two seconds (you can hear the propane filling the cylinder), apply the choke and pull twice (don't know why), then OPEN the choke and start by pulling. The engine will not run (or start) with the choke applied.<<<
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I've been waiting for my electrician to wire up an outside, 220V outlet so I can use this generator to power up selected circuits in my house during a power outage... so I actually haven't powered it up yet! But I have made a couple of observations (below) that might be helpful for deciding whether to purchase this generator. I will update the review later after firing it up.
First the good:
1) Delivery (by contract trucking firm) was very efficient
2) Assembly was easy - even for one person (a second person would have been handy to hold up end while attaching wheels)
3) Seems to be well-built
Now the gotchas;
4) Instructions recommend running generator for 30 minutes.... once a week! at half rated load you will use up the propane tank in 18 weeks and, since you can't top off a propane tank (well, you can if you are willing to pay for a full tank), this weekly run will leave you with less run time in a power loss.
5) Instructions also recommend you adjust the valve clearance after the first 50 hours of use (and then every 300 hours)... but provides no details. Suggests you take it to the authorized service center if you don't feel comfortable with this service.
6) To change or regap spark plug, or adjust valve clearance, you will have to take the generator's housing apart - not a good design.
7) If you are not going to run it for more than 30 days they recommend changing the oil and putting some oil in the cylinder to lubricate and protect the cylinder - again, taking the generator housing apart.Generac - Worst Customer Service Ever! By M. Lis
I'll try to make a short story out of a long painful one.... I purchased this unit back at the end of the summer (last week in August 2011), not from AMAZON, which I should have! I received the generator mid-September DOA. I had to schedule a day off to take to get repaired (October 3rd). My wife and I had to lift and stuff this heavy generator into our car and needed help on the other end to unload. It is now nearly two months later and it is just now being worked on because Generac had NO replacement parts! Believe me, they did not go out of their way one bit to make this right (ship a new unit; discount the bad unit, NOTHING!) I had to consistently call and email Generac support just to get them to realize the service shop was still waiting for a part from them. I actually had to rent a generator since that time because of a power issue we had. Generac just doesn't seem to care or get it. Because of the POOR customer service, I would not buy another Generac product, I don't care if it walks the dog or makes breakfast. - One Very Unhappy Generac customer.Doesn't do it for me By SluggoMagoo
I got this unit during the recent northeast power outage caused by an October snow storm. My other generator when down. I was out for 5 days, 19 hours and 20 minutes. The manuals are not on line on the manufacture's website so there's no valid specification to be reviewed. You have to assemble this item. The orange tank shield is extremely cheesy. The nuts that are inserted to keep it secure pop right out when you move the generator causing a safety issue because then the tank could fall off of the unit. Also make sure you use this in a well ventilated area away from people because I've used 3 different tanks with it and during the operation the unit smells like propane and that's not good. The advertisement says that it will do 3250 watts but in reality using 120 volts it will only do 2400 watts. I couldn't run both my freezer and refrigerator at the same time. It also wouldn't run my freezer using a 10 gauge extension cord. I had to move my freezer to the entrance of the garage to keep it running while the generator was outside. For the money get a gasoline unit that performs better.
I've asked Amazon for a refund and return! The Best-Selling Generac 6000 LP3250 3,750 Watt 212cc OHV Liquid Propane Powered Portable Generator With Tank Holder then to sell out very fast, if this is a must have product, be sure to order now to avoid disappointment.
