Best Portable Generators?

[redrockranger]

I bought the 3500 predator inverter, didn’t run the first tank of gas out (after proper break in) before it quit. Took it back for a replacement, this one ran almost a day and started surging terribly so another 3 hour drive to return it for a refund. I had read the thousands of great reviews on these but that was not my experience, back to generac for me.

Te reviews come from q boiler room shop in Beijing ,keep those customers coming Hop Sing.

 

[Chiquita]

Are we "FORCED" to buy Chicom products? I think we are.

As it turns out my local HONDA dealer is not stocking Honda anymore, neither are the rest of California dealers. Our great state of Comifonia has put another Environmental restrictions on gas powered equipment. Until Honda complies with those restrictions they can not sell in CA anymore.

So the local "Honda dealer" sells Generac which I believe is Chicom made at half the price.

 

[DirtySteve]

Buy a couple in 2 years California is doing a way with all small gas engines.. From what I hear.

 

[littlebuddybr]

I see folks having good luck from the chicom copy of the honda from harbor freight- predator. Just a tad bit louder but works good

This

 

[redrockranger]

Are we "FORCED" to buy Chicom products? I think we are.

As it turns out my local HONDA dealer is not stocking Honda anymore, neither are the rest of California dealers. Our great state of Comifonia has put another Environmental restrictions on gas powered equipment. Until Honda complies with those restrictions they can not sell in CA anymore.

So the local "Honda dealer" sells Generac which I believe is Chicom made at half the price.

And the CEO's that took our manufacturing base overseas and south of the border were and are compensated with million$$$$$$

 

[DogBuster]

Currently have two Gen/Inverters

First & oldest @ 16 years now a Yamaha 2800I...weighs 68# ish

Great solid unit...new now around $1400-1500 I'd guess

Most recently picked up (pic) a Wen 2000 for $400 & weighs 45# wet

It's quiet...has fuel shut off & light....Started first pull...now $365 at Amazon or Wen direct

Wouldn't be afraid of the Predator series either

 

[SEGARE]

The small multi-branded inverter gens are mostly the same underneath the hood.

I've spent over 10 years around the baseball fields in SEGA/NEFL where inverter gens are very common, trying to keep the baseball moms cool while they scream at the umps for ringing Little Johnny up on third strikes. I can't say that I've ever heard anyone complain about the off-brands, and I've never noticed any difference in their loudness.

I believe that Generac is built in the US...may not be the whole line.

I have an 8K Generac that has worked perfectly and has gotten us through several hurricane-related outages. It is electric start, but the battery failed and I've never bothered to replace it. I keep Stabil in it, and run the carb dry when putting it away. I gas it up, and it starts on the second or third pull after months of storage.

 

[HenWinter]

Any updates here? I'm thinking about buying a biolite portable generator. Did anyone try it?
Of course, I'll address the biolite customer service (found contacts here) for details, but it would be great to learn from people who have already used this generator and can share their experiences.

 

[FNSafari]

Besides Honda generators what other brands have you had success with?

Portable units and it will be used for camping purposes only.

Thanks for youre input.

We have had a 6.6 KwH Yamaha for nearly 30 years. Works a good now as then. I have a 2 year old Honda 5 KwH unit. I like the Yamaha better. Honda has no lifting hook and no battery tray where you can replace the pathetic little lawn mower battery with a robust sized car battery. I shoulda bought another Yamaha!!

 

[Kevin57]

I have a Yamaha that is a beast. Quiet and puts out way more than the 5KW it is rated for.
I have a 2000 watt Honda. Great also, The Yamaha is over 12 years old.

 

[Chiquita]

We have had a 6.6 KwH Yamaha for nearly 30 years. Works a good now as then. I have a 2 year old Honda 5 KwH unit. I like the Yamaha better. Honda has no lifting hook and no battery tray where you can replace the pathetic little lawn mower battery with a robust sized car battery. I shoulda bought another Yamaha!!

Do you think YAMAHA'S quality is the same now as it was 30 years ago?

 

[Tesoro]

Just buy a Honda and get on with life!

 

[chop house]

Buy a couple in 2 years California is doing a way with all small gas engines.. From what I hear.

so the camping generators will be, what, electric run on batteries? hahaha

 

[chop house]

somewhere... maybe youtube channel project farm... was a comparison of the suitcase gens. (yes i know this thread asked the question long ago) the executive summary was that the pred and wen and maybe one other in that class had a smaller engine and less surge (and locked rotor current) capability. my preds don't run one of my skill saws but will run a small window a/c, 1100 watt uwave, and various other power tools.

 

[MSS]

I bought this recently for $899.

Westinghouse 4500 Peak Watt Recoil Start, Gas Powered Portable Inverter Generator with CO Sensor.​

I will let you folks know how it runs. I really wanted a Honda but just way too expensive at $2500 to not try this first. I plan to run it a whole bit and return if it craps out in the Walmart 30 day return Window. Then I will buy once cry once on the Honda.

 

[NateHaler]

I've had decent results choosing various products based on Popular Mechanics comparisons. Check this out: https://www.popularmechanics.com/home/tools/a39528638/best-portable-generators/

 

[CJ6]

Just a heads up on Generac brand....They have a recall on some models from 2014-2022. Best to check their website for more info.

 

[Chiquita]

so the camping generators will be, what, electric run on batteries? hahaha

The way CA tree huggers & environmentalist think, "yes, it will save the planet and the sea water will not rise if your generator is electric"

 

[DogBuster]

Had a guy talk me outta my Yamaha 2800I

Replaced it with another Wen product...3800 w/electric start

Runs great........quiet yes.......biggest gripe.......

Would be all the plastic covers to get to the plug...oil access etc

Buy direct from Wen's website......free shipping

WEN 56380i Super Quiet 3800-Watt RV-Ready Portable Inverter Generator with Fuel Shut-Off and Electric Start

Extremely quiet operation minimizes noise; EPA III and CARB Compliant 212cc 4-stroke OHV engine produces 3800 surge watts and 3400 rated watts with a half-load runtime of up to 8.5 hours Fuel shutoff maximizes the generator’s lifespan by using up the remaining fuel in the carburetor before...

wenproducts.com

 

[Pres100]

I have a Predator 3500 inverter from HF and the gas tank completely rusted inside in 6 months. Junked that tank and converted to a portable external tank with 3x capacity.

Who ever designed the external case for that should be shot. You practically need to disassemble every part to get all of the covers off ....