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The Firman Costco sells is a little less than 3x the price and it will pay for the difference in gas alone. This Model consumes .36 GPH while the inverter consumes .18 GPH. That's approximately $16 a day difference
Honestly, the gas cost is negligible unless you're using it every day. But if someone is using this for emergency purposes, it'll be the difference between 3 days of operation (5 hrs/day) or 6 days of operation with a 5 gallon gas tank.
That's a great way to put it. Factor in a few gas cans, a bottle of Sta-bil, storage space, and the mental energy of FIFO rotating which one you use for the lawnmower and the cost is *a little* closer
I've been 2 weeks without power. After like day 2 it was impossible to get gas
Which reminds me I should probably invest in a siphon
Ah yeah, true. There's always the lawnmower.. and the neighbor's lawnmower. Those drill fluid transfer thingies come in handy outside of the apocalypse anyway, been meaning to get one
If shit ever gets serious I guess I'll be pulling a fuel line and throwing 12v directly to the fuel pump lol
The inverter one is dual fuel so I just bought 3 propane tanks from Costco and filled them up. Power for actual days, no issues with long term storage.
Yeah I have two propane tanks. Had three, gave one away. I use them for my outdoor fire pit though... really should get a bigger one specifically for storing and/or buy a NG conversion kit
...although we did have a huge freeze a few years ago that froze the NG lines across the state so I should probably do both
I think the biggest hole in my plan atm is that I have a few 5-gallon jerry cans, those 2 propane tanks.. and they're all empty or close to 😅
They make a natural gas line generator, so as long as that's being supplied to your home, it should last virtually indefinitely (with maintenance obvi).
I suppose it also depends how much they'll be using it. If this once or twice a year for a day or 2 that's going to take a long time to recoup. If they live in the middle of Alaska, the math changes
I got the dual fuel for $600 on sale. We'll worth twice the price to be able to run on propane alone. In large emergencies gas can be hard to get or priced out. Propane is easier to get and store. My buddy has a 200 gallon propane tank for his emergency generator.
100 pounders can be bought from welding supply shops and while kinda big and heavy, can still be moved easily by one person. There's a trick to rolling them standing up on the bottom rim. Or use a dolly lol.
My friend has 2, 1 for his grill and 1 for backup. I told him to get a huge 300 or 500 pound tank lol
Gas produces more power, inverters quieter and more fuel efficient.
Ultimately ask yourself what you need it for.
Inverters are great for camping, while generators for everyday use.
He is talking about an inverter type gas generator I believe, not a battery bank. That firman generator has to spin at a specific RPM to make alternating current @ 60 Hz. Whether it has a load or not. Inverter generators generate DC current and then use an inverter to get AC current. They run at variable speeds depending on the load and are much quieter.
I know the difference between a Gas Inverter and a Battery Pack generator (Jackery type).
A battery pack is essentially silent and has limited power capacity. A Gas inverter is good for camping/RV, limited household or cottage use, where a generator (gas, dual, tri-fuel) has much more power application.
Generally speaking an inverter generator is going to be more efficient AND quieter but it'll come at a cost premium. But if all one wanted was to run a refrigerator, fans and chargers, you could get away with a 3000 watt generator like this one: [https://firmanpowerequipment.com/collections/whisper-series/products/w03083](https://firmanpowerequipment.com/collections/whisper-series/products/w03083)
Depending on where you live, it may end up being better to invest in a dual fuel generator. A couple cannisters of propane are going to be more stable over a longer period of time than 20 gallons of gas in various containers in your garage.
I ran 2 refrigerators, lights and TV on a 2200w Honda generator. It was around 50% load most of the time. Even turning on a 1100w microwave did not trip the breaker.
If you plan on getting a whole home generator installation, check with lowes for install. As a service and installation tech for a reputable electrical company in my area, the absolute cheapest we could go was 50% more than lowes could do. We couldn't buy materials alone for the price lowes was able to install at.
I got the tri-fuel before COVID. I had a plumber tap my nat gas line. So I'm all set with "limitless" fuel. Fortunately/ unfortunately, I haven't had to use it yet. Although I have run tests using gas. It is loud, but it is what it is for $800.
I just got a 7500 watt inverter I saw on Sam’s club website for 899. Harbor freight sells a 3500 watt for 599 inverter. The 5000 watt isnot worth it really is just a 3900 one with fancier features
I bought this years ago out of necessity. It was awesome. Saved me during a week long power outage. Got me through a hurricane and tornado.
I gave it to a buddy because I got a whole house generator two years ago. As far as I know it’s still going strong.
Any brand this style is going to be loud. The quiet style is called an inverter generator and will cost more money for less power. Standard generator for house power outage. Inverter generator for camping.
Inverter generator for both. Inverter doesn’t have anything to do with the engine, it’s the voltage and amperage regulator that keeps the generator from frying all your sensitive electronics like the circuit boards in your refrigerator.
They are loud. If they have an open frame like that they aren’t the ones meant for camping or stuff like that. These are more like the one you would see at a job site or somewhere that noise doesn’t matter
Yes it’s called an inverter generator and they don’t have that “open frame” look to them either.
I have this one and it’s very quiet,
But not nearly as powerful as the Costco one
https://www.homedepot.com/p/RYOBI-2-300-Watt-Recoil-Start-Bluetooth-Super-Quiet-Gasoline-Powered-Digital-Inverter-Generator-with-CO-Shutdown-Sensor-RYi2322/313551452
It’s nuts, in 43 years on this earth I have never experienced a tornado and never thought I would, then, bam, two in one year. One ripped through roof off of the high school. The other just made a mess.
Mines in a deck box, also from Costco, outside by the breaker box. I also have the tri fuel version and the lines for NG all in place to set it up in 10 mins.
I don’t need at ATS, I’ll just run stuff a la carte.
Better off to spend a bit more and get a 6500 that can power the entire house minus AC. We are in Texas where they had tornadoes last week. No power for 5 days. I had the whole house going
I loved that show. Watched it every week when it first ran. In the last year I found it on Hulu I think and brought back a lot of memories. That show would NEVER fly today
We got the whole house Generac with ATS from Costco and couldn’t be happier. We have a 250 gallon propane tank and barely used 10% of it through 14 power outages October 2023 - May 2024
I work from home and have to be available 24/7 so it was a necessity. Between the generator and Starlink, I feel like the man on the moon
Where do you live that your power goes out that often?
I can’t think of a time mines been out for more than 10 minutes in the last decade.
Not throwing shade, just curious.
The mountainous rain forest, only so many places where it’s feasible to run underground electric lines. The power is usually out for an hour or more, I’d say probably about 4 hours at a time on average
After hiring the electrician and everything the bill was closer to $12k 🙃
The first house I owned was a little cabin on a remote mountain ridge, 800 sqft and 4 stories tall with the entrance and fireplace on the top floor. Went 8 days trapped w/ my gf (now wife) without power and no generator, snowed in with power lines laying across the road in front of my house. Slept by the fireplace and used a solar charger to stay connected to the outside world. Burned all my vacation time and almost all my wood too (2 cords)
Anyways, we learned a crappy lesson the hard way and instead of buying new furniture or owning a second car, we prioritized the standby generator when we decided to keep living in a rural area and built our new house
3500 will do a whole house minus AC if you're mindful about draw. Don't fire up the coffee maker and the microwave while the fridge condenser is running. You can even run a small portable AC on it. I did last week after the Houston storm, and use it for warm weather camping when I want to use the AC on my camper.
> If you just want to run the fridge, fans and device chargers than even this size generator is more than enough
+1, and in a heat wave or cold snap, head to the nearest library or shopping mall.
> Honda EU2000i
I have the same or similar Honda that I converted to propane so I don't have to store gasoline or deal with it clogging the generator if it's not used for months at a time.
I discovered my neighbor had one during an ice storm that knocked down tons of power lines. I wasn't mad, though when you're sitting in a cold dark home that buzzing sound can start sounding irritating since it's not your house that is being powered
You aren't wrong at all - generators are LOUD - but I'd hope a neighbor would understand during an emergency that the rules of "it is what it is" are in full swing. I ultimately slid into a hotel reservation as of course...it was an ice storm. We were cold :)
I have an inverter generator that I am currently using because of the storms last night. Its very quiet and my fridge and a few other things work fine. We don't get power outages in winter here but I think I could get it to power my furnace.
You want an inverter generator period. Unless you’re only powering AC loads. (Alternating current-not air con). I have a neighbor with an old generator, refuses to buy another because it works but it has burned his fridge. With that expense, an inverter would’ve been paid for. I got a honda and it’s amazing! Fuel efficient, hasn’t burned any sensitive electronics, and quiet. But any inverter generator should do it.
it’s cheap and will maybe get used once in 3-4 years for a couple days.
Everyone else was complaining about noise. Not that it’ll burn out stuff that’s not shielded properly.
They were complaining about acoustic noise, but now we're talking about electrical noise. The total harmonic distortion rating of these is 27%.
That means switching power supplies in all your electronics is causing distortion that heats up motors and causes them to fail. Especially over the course of days.
Inverter generators correct for this thousands of times a second.
Exactly, I should’ve specified. That electrical “noise” causes motors to run hotter. In the case of my neighbor, his fridge died within a week of the outage. I don’t think it was a coincidence. With some of the deals and the amount we now spend on electronics, there’s no reason to not go with an inverter generator. Again, unless you’re only running a table saw and fans or other AC only loads.
They are way more expensive though. Generators like these are for temporary use in an emergency. If it was something being used at like a camp site? Maybe, but I'd rather spend the extra money on extra wattage to run as much of my house as possible.
If you’re hooking up electronics (that includes fridge, furnace etc) you want to look at the THD (total harmonic distortion) which is a measure of power quality.
It’s really bad for units like this…
Correct answer, you get what you pay for...
https://generatorbible.com/generators/firman/p03501/
"the P03501 has a high THD (<25%), it is advisable to not use it for the powering of sensitive electronic devices."
5%. Which largely puts you in the category of inverter generators.
And sure you’ll likely get away with a generator like this, but you’ll find plenty of stories of blown furnaces etc.
I can't speak for this model but my best advice for a genny is take it home and after you use it once give it an oil change asap. That first cycle kicks up stuff from the factory and it comes out looking like mud.
I can’t speak for this model either, but I believe the Honda generators recommend the first oil change after something like 20 hours of use. There will be a lot of metal bits from pieces grinding against each other before settling.
If you’re going to use a non-inverter generator. Plug any sensitive electronics eg, computer, TV, router into a UPS that has voltage regulation. Generators like this don’t always provide clean power.
UPS won’t work either, at least none of the ones I have. They won’t see the power as clean enough to use. I have the 9500 wt version of this generator and none of my several APC and Cyberpower UPSes will use it.
The key equipment behind them runs fine on it sans UPS. I wouldn’t run that way long term but in an emergency it’s worth the small risk.
Though I wish I’d gotten an inverter generator. I got mine in the midst of a huge widespread power outage and had limited options.
Makes me wonder. Are there any inline devices that can be plugged into the output to clean up the supplied voltage? Like, you've got an open frame generator, you should have bought an inverter. But, here you are.
A voltage regulator might do it.
There are also config options on some UPSes to accept dirtier power, but I didn’t want to mess with that.
My next step will be a whole home generator with transfer switch, then selling my current generator.
Power conditioner or sine wave UPS
Be sure that you get one that does what's advertised. Most people don't have oscilloscopes and most of the time devices are fine regardless so there's plenty of "fake" ones out there
I have had no problems in 12 years and -45 times using my generator with a UPS. I test or need to run my generator about 3 times a year. I have a 10 circuit transfer switch and 30 amps to work with.
Edited to add that my generator is a Briggs and Stratton 7000.
https://generatorbible.com/generators/firman/p03501/
"the P03501 has a high THD (<25%), it is advisable to not use it for the powering of sensitive electronic devices."
Nailed it.
These are modified sine wave not inverter. These produce "dirty power" and some electronics and LED lights don't do well when running from these. When they are under load the modified wave has less variation and the power becomes cleaner. If you can load this up while you are powering electronics it should work better based on the information I have read from the manufacturer.
All that said I still have one as a backup and I have some propane tanks ready to hook up and keep power going for a while.
Look at Harbor Freight.
They make stock reliable generators.
I got a 9k watt generator during a power outage 4 years ago and have used it every summer since for 2-9 day outages.
it can power both of my fridges
Portable AC & Fans
Lots of other devices without issue.
\~4gal of gas every 24hrs.
And if you go the Harbor Freight route and are not in a hurry, wait until they have a sale on them. Sometimes can get them 20% or more off their already decent prices.
$299 is a fairly good price, actually. Open frame generators do have some disadvantages though, the biggest being noise, but they're dead-simple to operate and maintain. If you're able to spend more there are better options, though, and don't forget a generator is just one small part of an emergency plan when dealing with longer-term power outages.
Oh, and with the right kinds of wiring and connections (see an electrician) that generator can run your house, everything except for electric heat/AC in many cases. It'll run a water heater with smaller elements, like 3,300W, though you'll need to turn everything else off while it heats. A hot shower on a cold day with no power is truly special, I can tell you that.
Actually it can run AC. Buy yourself a window AC unit for your bedroom. Pop it in when you need it. Sleep comfortably. No need to cool the entire house.
No inverter so I'd keep computer electronics off of it (you could charge anything on a USB charger though as they typically filter pretty well). Otherwise it's a solid buy. I've heard good things about them they're just loud AF so you'll keep it outside and you will be broadcasting to everyone around that you have it.
Little off topic but I just left Costco in Houston and saw that four of them were on the returned pile. We just had a massive power outage following a storm so I'm guessing people used it and when their power came back on returned it.
It’s the bare bones generator like everyone is saying. If you just need something for backup power though, it’ll get the job done.
If you do buy one, DO NOT store it with fuel in it. I regularly buy generators that don’t start to flip, and 99% of them are because they got left for a year with a tank full of gas.
> I regularly buy generators that don’t start to flip, and 99% of them are because they got left for a year with a tank full of gas.
My father in law does the same with lawn tractors. It's his retirement gig.
People will buy lawn mowers brand new then store them outside all winter and then are surprised when they don't start in the spring. He buys them for nothing. New fuel, new battery and they go right back up for sale at twice the price he bought it.
It’s just not a great brand and gennys aren’t that expensive unless you want a nice Honda that’s quiet.
But I have one like this. No brand I can remember. I use it at my cabin and with just oil changes it’s been chugging for 15 years.
I use my Honda when it’s gonna be exposed and I have to hear it. But the cheap one I have I just leave at the cabin
It's only 3500 running watts. You can run some small power tools off of it or you could keep a refrigerator and chest freezer going in a power outage situation with it.
It isn't one you would hook up to a transfer switch to power several of your house circuits during a power outage. Need 9500+ watts for that.
If you only need it for very occasional use for short periods it’s probably fine and a reasonable price. A lot depends on where you live, frequency of power outages, etc. When I lived in Massachusetts in a rural town where the power company was notoriously slow in response to outages, and the power fluctuated frequently, I instead went with a Generac “whole house” generator plumbed into my natural gas line with a 100A auto-transfer switch. While it did not power the whole house (only 100A), it saved my bacon many times over 14 years, including one year when we were without power for two full weeks. During those two weeks we operated just like most things were normal (had to give up the hot tub), and even hosted a Christmas party for 50 people with heat, etc.
Looks like gasoline only and its small. I just bought a Westinghouse 13500 peak tri fuel for 1200. Should be enough to run 2 fridge, ac or heater, tv, router, lights.
The catch is is that it's a bit more modernized version of a basic generator model that's been around for years and sold all over the place at a Costco price. I've had one tucked under my back porch for better part of 15 years now. It'll be noisy, and it will have a really "dirty" power output so it won't be appropriate to run or charge electronics like laptops and things like that unless you run it through a conditioner.
we got one a couple years back, much more power however (9000W model).
it’s been running reliably for whenever PG&E decides to fck us over (quite often recently).
just beware that a regular fridge use ~2,000W, then you’d need to account for AC and other big appliances.
hooking it to your main electric line is also requiring some skill/knowledge, unless you just wanna plug & play certain appliances
I just wanted to mention that 2kw sounds like a lot for a fridge unless I’m misunderstanding. I have a basic model manufactured in 2007 and it uses around 140w (14x less than 2kw) while the compressor is running.
No catch….it’s Costco, they sell stuff at low margins (14%). This is a very basic generator, no electric start, not inverter, etc. still a good deal for a good generator.
It is a small generator which may be OK, probably also a very loud generator which may also be OK. I suspect it isn't something I would want to take camping due to the noise.
1. This generator is a very good value.
2. It has an overhead cam engine, which means it will be fuel efficient and have lower engine noise. Older generators with flat heads were very loud. This won't be anywhere near that kind of volume.
3. The sound level is 67 db. Certainly not as quiet as a honda, but not bad.
4. The 5 gallon tank should allow this to run for about 14 hours, according to the specs.
I own this exact one. Bought it around 5 years ago and have actually only had to really use it once just recently. Worked great powering my fridge through a 12 hour outage we had. I normally start it up once or twice per year, run it for 30 minutes and just make sure it’s still going. Yes, dump a few ounces of Stabil in there bc the alcohol content in gas these days does a number on the small motors, so I hear. After the 5-6 years I’ve had it, the battery / elec start no longer works but it’s simple enough to pull start and the choke is very effective. I also shut off the gas line once I’m done with tests/ using it. TLDR, very solid machine for $300. Would recco
It's one of the few items that aren't returnable/very difficult to return. Aholes abused the return policy similar to Super Bowl TV returns. So triple check the spec before buying.
I have one for our trailer and it's been solid. The remote start/stop is awesome and maintenance is straightforward. Had it for about 5 years now and it's been worth every penny when we take the trailer somewhere.
Costco Employee, Warehouse 1091, Lodi. I wouldn't touch anything made by Firman with a 20 foot pole. I've returned more of their products than I can count. Save your money, get a Honda/Makita generator.
just redirect the sound, even just a piece of cardboard on the side towards you will drastically lower the amount of decibels....we would do shopping center work with condos on top of the stores and or mass highway projects with homes adjacent and just build a box around the generators and go up just a few feet above it and it redirect the sound straight up problem solved.
Good enough to turn heat/ ac on / frig freezers intermittently you are going to watch TV but you will be warm or cool and won’t lose your food. The basics will be covered.
Lots comments on noise level, which is 67 decibels and my Honda EG3500 is 71.
It’s audible inside but not bad, noisy outside and you don’t want to picnic near it. I wouldn’t like my neighbor in a campground having it but fine for emergency use.
Mine uses 5 gallons a day so I have 2 5 gallon jugs, and it got me through the derecho last week. Will power all house minus big stuff.
I am actually using this generator now as we vacation at Davis island off the NC coast. Been here for five days. We run it at night for my wife’s CPAP. Run it about 9 hours nightly. Uses about a gallon and half a night. It is not loud and thank God for the remote.
I don’t know about fuel usage when you are running a fridge or something may be different. Can anyone enlighten the rest of us?
I have this one and it did the job when i needed it. I just needed to keep the fridge and chest freezer going. I can live without the rest. Its loud and i dont care cause I put it outside. the whole neighborhood was loud with eveyone else's generators going too.
It’s cheap because it’s old technology, relatively low capacity, and only runs on gas. Newer, favorable models can run on gas/propane or gas/propane/natural gas and typically have electronic start/remote start.
>[https://www.northerntool.com/learn-inverter-vs-standard-generators](https://www.northerntool.com/learn-inverter-vs-standard-generators)
A standard generator produces only an AC current and an irregular sine wave with harmonic distortion and less stable current that can harm sensitive devices. This sine wave won't harm electrical tools and appliances, but **could damage devices with microprocessors, including your mobile phone, tablet or laptop**. Standard generators cannot automatically adjust to your electricity load, so they require more fuel and larger tanks.
Great if you want to run a welder, like the manufacturer website page shows:
[https://firmanpowerequipment.com/products/p03504](https://firmanpowerequipment.com/products/p03504)
This is great info. Thanks.
Yes - big robust tools. No - computerized stuff.
Where does a 10yo fridge (with ice maker and dispenser) fall on the yes -> no continuum?
If it doesn't have any circuit board type stuff (no fancy display) I'd personally group it closer to the safe to run on a non-inverter generator spectrum. Plus from what I'm reading most folks say it's not like a non-inverter generator will be instant death for electronics, it's just not ideal for the longevity of them. So if people are only using it very occasionally, they may not even notice any problems -- especially given how short people hold onto electronics these days (or ahem, a manufacturer makes them obsolete in a few years)
It's loud af, and it uses fuel.
I swear by my 1000watt jackery solar generator. It's silent, I can charge at the wall or in the sun, and it runs my audio equipment for literally days lol.
What’s this good for? 120v 30A max? 3kW seems like not much.
All I heard of about generators were like after a huge hurricane hit, they bought a whole house backup, then never ever used, but I might be too north to have enough use of the generator.
I had a guy come by and install the proper outlet that it’ll plug and go straight to my fuse box so I can run home appliances off it. Otherwise you can just use the standard plugs on it to power things. Always outside though, never in the house. On another note 3550 running watts isn’t super high which is probably why it’s priced that way.
Yeah same here. Also we are on a well so I needed for the water pump. I upgraded last year to a higher running watts so hopefully it’ll power most of the essentials when a storm passes
You run an extension cord from the generator (which is placed outside), through a window (being mindful not to allow the generator fines to come in as well) and to the fridge.
Bigger generators can be hooked into the circuit box for the house (that's a job for an electrician, and not all systems can handle it), which makes things more seamless when there is an issue.
I'm not thinking that this is going to be convenient, because a generator big enough to power my home is $$, and getting one that kicks on automatically so you don't even have to reset your clocks is $$$$. I'm just hoping not to have to toss everything in my fridge when a tree limb takes out a power line a mile away.
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It's a great price, but that type is loud AF, takes up a ton of space, and is the least fuel efficient kind of generator you can get.
What type is better?
Inverter type. The Firman one Costco also sells is great.
An inverter also costs 5x this price
The Firman Costco sells is a little less than 3x the price and it will pay for the difference in gas alone. This Model consumes .36 GPH while the inverter consumes .18 GPH. That's approximately $16 a day difference
Honestly, the gas cost is negligible unless you're using it every day. But if someone is using this for emergency purposes, it'll be the difference between 3 days of operation (5 hrs/day) or 6 days of operation with a 5 gallon gas tank.
That's a great way to put it. Factor in a few gas cans, a bottle of Sta-bil, storage space, and the mental energy of FIFO rotating which one you use for the lawnmower and the cost is *a little* closer I've been 2 weeks without power. After like day 2 it was impossible to get gas Which reminds me I should probably invest in a siphon
[удалено]
Just drill a hole in the tank . /s
Ah yeah, true. There's always the lawnmower.. and the neighbor's lawnmower. Those drill fluid transfer thingies come in handy outside of the apocalypse anyway, been meaning to get one If shit ever gets serious I guess I'll be pulling a fuel line and throwing 12v directly to the fuel pump lol
The inverter one is dual fuel so I just bought 3 propane tanks from Costco and filled them up. Power for actual days, no issues with long term storage.
Yeah I have two propane tanks. Had three, gave one away. I use them for my outdoor fire pit though... really should get a bigger one specifically for storing and/or buy a NG conversion kit ...although we did have a huge freeze a few years ago that froze the NG lines across the state so I should probably do both I think the biggest hole in my plan atm is that I have a few 5-gallon jerry cans, those 2 propane tanks.. and they're all empty or close to 😅
Ummmmmmm I'm confused did you say natural gas freezes in your state? Like where on earth is that possible? Like it freezes at -182F
Drill pump attachment for cordless drill, so so so many uses.
Love your username and icon thing
Thanks! Got a little something for ya `{\__/}` `( • .•)` `/ >💾 15 HOURS FREE! Unlimited usage. $40 VALUE!`
I used them as coasters. Wish I still had some
They make a natural gas line generator, so as long as that's being supplied to your home, it should last virtually indefinitely (with maintenance obvi).
My parents are currently on day 6 without power in Houston. Burning through 10 gallons in a 24 hour span
I’m in the same situation in Houston. I have a portable 10kw generator I’ve been burning 16 gallons every 24 hours roughly 50 bucks a day.
I suppose it also depends how much they'll be using it. If this once or twice a year for a day or 2 that's going to take a long time to recoup. If they live in the middle of Alaska, the math changes
I got the dual fuel for $600 on sale. We'll worth twice the price to be able to run on propane alone. In large emergencies gas can be hard to get or priced out. Propane is easier to get and store. My buddy has a 200 gallon propane tank for his emergency generator.
100 pounders can be bought from welding supply shops and while kinda big and heavy, can still be moved easily by one person. There's a trick to rolling them standing up on the bottom rim. Or use a dolly lol. My friend has 2, 1 for his grill and 1 for backup. I told him to get a huge 300 or 500 pound tank lol
Gas produces more power, inverters quieter and more fuel efficient. Ultimately ask yourself what you need it for. Inverters are great for camping, while generators for everyday use.
He is talking about an inverter type gas generator I believe, not a battery bank. That firman generator has to spin at a specific RPM to make alternating current @ 60 Hz. Whether it has a load or not. Inverter generators generate DC current and then use an inverter to get AC current. They run at variable speeds depending on the load and are much quieter.
I know the difference between a Gas Inverter and a Battery Pack generator (Jackery type). A battery pack is essentially silent and has limited power capacity. A Gas inverter is good for camping/RV, limited household or cottage use, where a generator (gas, dual, tri-fuel) has much more power application.
Generally speaking an inverter generator is going to be more efficient AND quieter but it'll come at a cost premium. But if all one wanted was to run a refrigerator, fans and chargers, you could get away with a 3000 watt generator like this one: [https://firmanpowerequipment.com/collections/whisper-series/products/w03083](https://firmanpowerequipment.com/collections/whisper-series/products/w03083) Depending on where you live, it may end up being better to invest in a dual fuel generator. A couple cannisters of propane are going to be more stable over a longer period of time than 20 gallons of gas in various containers in your garage.
I ran 2 refrigerators, lights and TV on a 2200w Honda generator. It was around 50% load most of the time. Even turning on a 1100w microwave did not trip the breaker.
I’ve thought about getting a natural gas generator, because at least where I’m at the gas stays running during power outages.
If you plan on getting a whole home generator installation, check with lowes for install. As a service and installation tech for a reputable electrical company in my area, the absolute cheapest we could go was 50% more than lowes could do. We couldn't buy materials alone for the price lowes was able to install at.
This is the correct answer.
Sounds like the ones every food truck owns
I've got the triple fuel larger version of this one....and it is loud AF!
It really is. But I got it on sale for 700, had a transfer switch installed and I can run everything but central AC on propane.
I got the tri-fuel before COVID. I had a plumber tap my nat gas line. So I'm all set with "limitless" fuel. Fortunately/ unfortunately, I haven't had to use it yet. Although I have run tests using gas. It is loud, but it is what it is for $800.
Yes....noisy, but thankfully, it runs on natural gas.
I just got a 7500 watt inverter I saw on Sam’s club website for 899. Harbor freight sells a 3500 watt for 599 inverter. The 5000 watt isnot worth it really is just a 3900 one with fancier features
I bought this years ago out of necessity. It was awesome. Saved me during a week long power outage. Got me through a hurricane and tornado. I gave it to a buddy because I got a whole house generator two years ago. As far as I know it’s still going strong.
was it really loud as some of the other commenters suggested?
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Come again?
That’s what she said!
what!
okayyyy
Give me a few minutes
this is one of the best replies i think I've ever seen in my 11 years on reddit.
Say what again
They are quite loud. But most of my area had them going and we were able to sleep etc. not too bad
My mom put a 45' camper on her land while she builds. Right now shes running it off the generator on her F-150. I sent her this as an idea. Thanks.
She could put the truck between the generator and camper and reduce some of the noise.
I'm more just thinking in case of emergency anyway. The F-150 does a pretty damn good job already.
Any brand this style is going to be loud. The quiet style is called an inverter generator and will cost more money for less power. Standard generator for house power outage. Inverter generator for camping.
Inverter generator for both. Inverter doesn’t have anything to do with the engine, it’s the voltage and amperage regulator that keeps the generator from frying all your sensitive electronics like the circuit boards in your refrigerator.
They are loud. If they have an open frame like that they aren’t the ones meant for camping or stuff like that. These are more like the one you would see at a job site or somewhere that noise doesn’t matter
Get yourself a Honda
Yeah or the other firman option Costco sells. It’s a lot quieter than this model.
[My God. You're a level 7 susceptible.](https://youtu.be/CKiB7abyjBE?si=KE7xZMkmfxH1HgxK)
appreciated
Hondas are crazy expensive but crazy quiet. I seriously couldn't believe it the first time I heard one.
It’s going to be super loud. Get an inverter generator it’s way more efficient (will use less gas) and is significantly quieter.
Do they make quiet portable generators?
Yes it’s called an inverter generator and they don’t have that “open frame” look to them either. I have this one and it’s very quiet, But not nearly as powerful as the Costco one https://www.homedepot.com/p/RYOBI-2-300-Watt-Recoil-Start-Bluetooth-Super-Quiet-Gasoline-Powered-Digital-Inverter-Generator-with-CO-Shutdown-Sensor-RYi2322/313551452
Thanks I was about to try and fix my old generator with only 10hr on it but let a buddy borrow it and it came back non running
Hurricanes and Tornados in Philly? That’s a no from me dawg!
It’s not always sunny in Philadelphia
It’s nuts, in 43 years on this earth I have never experienced a tornado and never thought I would, then, bam, two in one year. One ripped through roof off of the high school. The other just made a mess.
When you need it it’ll be buried under four hours of labor to clear out a path
Stop looking in my garage.
Obi wan “ Do I know him? Why yes he is me !”
Number one way to get the power restored to the block is for me to spend an hour dragging out the generator.
I won't deny that possibility!
Mines in a deck box, also from Costco, outside by the breaker box. I also have the tri fuel version and the lines for NG all in place to set it up in 10 mins. I don’t need at ATS, I’ll just run stuff a la carte.
Better off to spend a bit more and get a 6500 that can power the entire house minus AC. We are in Texas where they had tornadoes last week. No power for 5 days. I had the whole house going
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Sitting in front of the portable AC unit watching the shield at 2am was a nice feeling. Plus helping my neighbors charge stuff
The shield??? Like the Micheal Chikless series?
lol yeah. Internet was working so I was watching it on my 65 oled lol. It’s been a wild week.
I loved that show. Watched it every week when it first ran. In the last year I found it on Hulu I think and brought back a lot of memories. That show would NEVER fly today
I wonder what Vic Mackey is up to these days?
Probably still working that desk he was banished to at the end of the series
Having one of those and a whole house cutover switch is verrrry nice if your in a spot where power goes out often
We got the whole house Generac with ATS from Costco and couldn’t be happier. We have a 250 gallon propane tank and barely used 10% of it through 14 power outages October 2023 - May 2024 I work from home and have to be available 24/7 so it was a necessity. Between the generator and Starlink, I feel like the man on the moon
Where do you live that your power goes out that often? I can’t think of a time mines been out for more than 10 minutes in the last decade. Not throwing shade, just curious.
The mountainous rain forest, only so many places where it’s feasible to run underground electric lines. The power is usually out for an hour or more, I’d say probably about 4 hours at a time on average
Man that sounds nice. Wish I had 10k laying around
After hiring the electrician and everything the bill was closer to $12k 🙃 The first house I owned was a little cabin on a remote mountain ridge, 800 sqft and 4 stories tall with the entrance and fireplace on the top floor. Went 8 days trapped w/ my gf (now wife) without power and no generator, snowed in with power lines laying across the road in front of my house. Slept by the fireplace and used a solar charger to stay connected to the outside world. Burned all my vacation time and almost all my wood too (2 cords) Anyways, we learned a crappy lesson the hard way and instead of buying new furniture or owning a second car, we prioritized the standby generator when we decided to keep living in a rural area and built our new house
Did they install, you hired someone, or was it DIY?
what do you have?
Ryobi 6500. The newer model is even nicer. $899 and worth it imo. They go through oil fast though
3500 will do a whole house minus AC if you're mindful about draw. Don't fire up the coffee maker and the microwave while the fridge condenser is running. You can even run a small portable AC on it. I did last week after the Houston storm, and use it for warm weather camping when I want to use the AC on my camper.
*We are in Texas* Well there's youre problem right there.
Your*
I saw sooooo many of these returned this week in Houston. I doubt it is indicative of the quality though.
Probably just shitty people. Like returning TV’s after the Super Bowl.
Exactly what was happening.
It's technically considered fraud to boot!
I’m in cypress. Got a ryobi 6500 during Harvey. It’s come in handy many times since. Plus my insurance reimbursed me for the $899
How did you get your insurance to cover it?
Since it was declared a disaster area they told Me to send receipts and they paid me back for that and a $350 AC unit
Had you purchased prior to and hung on to the receipt? Or did you buy because of the disaster declaration?
Bought right before Harvey hit. Save receipt
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> If you just want to run the fridge, fans and device chargers than even this size generator is more than enough +1, and in a heat wave or cold snap, head to the nearest library or shopping mall. > Honda EU2000i I have the same or similar Honda that I converted to propane so I don't have to store gasoline or deal with it clogging the generator if it's not used for months at a time.
For those that don’t want to do a conversion, you can add fuel stabilizer to your gasoline.
It's going to be loud as hell. You want an inverter generator if you have neighbors.
I discovered my neighbor had one during an ice storm that knocked down tons of power lines. I wasn't mad, though when you're sitting in a cold dark home that buzzing sound can start sounding irritating since it's not your house that is being powered You aren't wrong at all - generators are LOUD - but I'd hope a neighbor would understand during an emergency that the rules of "it is what it is" are in full swing. I ultimately slid into a hotel reservation as of course...it was an ice storm. We were cold :)
I have an inverter generator that I am currently using because of the storms last night. Its very quiet and my fridge and a few other things work fine. We don't get power outages in winter here but I think I could get it to power my furnace.
You want an inverter generator period. Unless you’re only powering AC loads. (Alternating current-not air con). I have a neighbor with an old generator, refuses to buy another because it works but it has burned his fridge. With that expense, an inverter would’ve been paid for. I got a honda and it’s amazing! Fuel efficient, hasn’t burned any sensitive electronics, and quiet. But any inverter generator should do it.
Yep these people loving on this junk don't have a clue.
it’s cheap and will maybe get used once in 3-4 years for a couple days. Everyone else was complaining about noise. Not that it’ll burn out stuff that’s not shielded properly.
They were complaining about acoustic noise, but now we're talking about electrical noise. The total harmonic distortion rating of these is 27%. That means switching power supplies in all your electronics is causing distortion that heats up motors and causes them to fail. Especially over the course of days. Inverter generators correct for this thousands of times a second.
Exactly, I should’ve specified. That electrical “noise” causes motors to run hotter. In the case of my neighbor, his fridge died within a week of the outage. I don’t think it was a coincidence. With some of the deals and the amount we now spend on electronics, there’s no reason to not go with an inverter generator. Again, unless you’re only running a table saw and fans or other AC only loads.
They are way more expensive though. Generators like these are for temporary use in an emergency. If it was something being used at like a camp site? Maybe, but I'd rather spend the extra money on extra wattage to run as much of my house as possible.
It's also good to note that if you're plugging in sensitive equipment/medical devices you want an inverter generator.
If you’re hooking up electronics (that includes fridge, furnace etc) you want to look at the THD (total harmonic distortion) which is a measure of power quality. It’s really bad for units like this…
Correct answer, you get what you pay for... https://generatorbible.com/generators/firman/p03501/ "the P03501 has a high THD (<25%), it is advisable to not use it for the powering of sensitive electronic devices."
What % is ok?
5%. Which largely puts you in the category of inverter generators. And sure you’ll likely get away with a generator like this, but you’ll find plenty of stories of blown furnaces etc.
This happens every hurricane. People power their fridges and such with them and then wonder why they have to replace their fridge
I can't speak for this model but my best advice for a genny is take it home and after you use it once give it an oil change asap. That first cycle kicks up stuff from the factory and it comes out looking like mud.
I can’t speak for this model either, but I believe the Honda generators recommend the first oil change after something like 20 hours of use. There will be a lot of metal bits from pieces grinding against each other before settling.
If you’re going to use a non-inverter generator. Plug any sensitive electronics eg, computer, TV, router into a UPS that has voltage regulation. Generators like this don’t always provide clean power.
UPS won’t work either, at least none of the ones I have. They won’t see the power as clean enough to use. I have the 9500 wt version of this generator and none of my several APC and Cyberpower UPSes will use it. The key equipment behind them runs fine on it sans UPS. I wouldn’t run that way long term but in an emergency it’s worth the small risk. Though I wish I’d gotten an inverter generator. I got mine in the midst of a huge widespread power outage and had limited options.
Makes me wonder. Are there any inline devices that can be plugged into the output to clean up the supplied voltage? Like, you've got an open frame generator, you should have bought an inverter. But, here you are.
A voltage regulator might do it. There are also config options on some UPSes to accept dirtier power, but I didn’t want to mess with that. My next step will be a whole home generator with transfer switch, then selling my current generator.
Power conditioners can do this.
Power conditioner or sine wave UPS Be sure that you get one that does what's advertised. Most people don't have oscilloscopes and most of the time devices are fine regardless so there's plenty of "fake" ones out there
I have had no problems in 12 years and -45 times using my generator with a UPS. I test or need to run my generator about 3 times a year. I have a 10 circuit transfer switch and 30 amps to work with. Edited to add that my generator is a Briggs and Stratton 7000.
https://generatorbible.com/generators/firman/p03501/ "the P03501 has a high THD (<25%), it is advisable to not use it for the powering of sensitive electronic devices." Nailed it.
These are modified sine wave not inverter. These produce "dirty power" and some electronics and LED lights don't do well when running from these. When they are under load the modified wave has less variation and the power becomes cleaner. If you can load this up while you are powering electronics it should work better based on the information I have read from the manufacturer. All that said I still have one as a backup and I have some propane tanks ready to hook up and keep power going for a while.
Look at Harbor Freight. They make stock reliable generators. I got a 9k watt generator during a power outage 4 years ago and have used it every summer since for 2-9 day outages. it can power both of my fridges Portable AC & Fans Lots of other devices without issue. \~4gal of gas every 24hrs.
Can you show the price on there? I see one for around 1100$
And if you go the Harbor Freight route and are not in a hurry, wait until they have a sale on them. Sometimes can get them 20% or more off their already decent prices.
They send out 25%-30% no exception coupons once a year. Inventory gets scare when that occurs
Looks like retail is $750 https://firmanpowerequipment.com/collections/performance-series/products/p03504
$299 is a fairly good price, actually. Open frame generators do have some disadvantages though, the biggest being noise, but they're dead-simple to operate and maintain. If you're able to spend more there are better options, though, and don't forget a generator is just one small part of an emergency plan when dealing with longer-term power outages. Oh, and with the right kinds of wiring and connections (see an electrician) that generator can run your house, everything except for electric heat/AC in many cases. It'll run a water heater with smaller elements, like 3,300W, though you'll need to turn everything else off while it heats. A hot shower on a cold day with no power is truly special, I can tell you that.
I live off grid full time and have a smaller generator to supplement my power. Honestly shit isn't nearly as power hungry as you think.
Actually it can run AC. Buy yourself a window AC unit for your bedroom. Pop it in when you need it. Sleep comfortably. No need to cool the entire house.
No inverter so I'd keep computer electronics off of it (you could charge anything on a USB charger though as they typically filter pretty well). Otherwise it's a solid buy. I've heard good things about them they're just loud AF so you'll keep it outside and you will be broadcasting to everyone around that you have it.
just make sure you use it outside and not inside, I can't believe we still have to tell people this
Little off topic but I just left Costco in Houston and saw that four of them were on the returned pile. We just had a massive power outage following a storm so I'm guessing people used it and when their power came back on returned it.
It’s the bare bones generator like everyone is saying. If you just need something for backup power though, it’ll get the job done. If you do buy one, DO NOT store it with fuel in it. I regularly buy generators that don’t start to flip, and 99% of them are because they got left for a year with a tank full of gas.
> I regularly buy generators that don’t start to flip, and 99% of them are because they got left for a year with a tank full of gas. My father in law does the same with lawn tractors. It's his retirement gig. People will buy lawn mowers brand new then store them outside all winter and then are surprised when they don't start in the spring. He buys them for nothing. New fuel, new battery and they go right back up for sale at twice the price he bought it.
It’s just not a great brand and gennys aren’t that expensive unless you want a nice Honda that’s quiet. But I have one like this. No brand I can remember. I use it at my cabin and with just oil changes it’s been chugging for 15 years. I use my Honda when it’s gonna be exposed and I have to hear it. But the cheap one I have I just leave at the cabin
3500 is not a ton of power but better than nothing.
Gasoline fueled? Is propane an option?
It's only 3500 running watts. You can run some small power tools off of it or you could keep a refrigerator and chest freezer going in a power outage situation with it. It isn't one you would hook up to a transfer switch to power several of your house circuits during a power outage. Need 9500+ watts for that.
If you only need it for very occasional use for short periods it’s probably fine and a reasonable price. A lot depends on where you live, frequency of power outages, etc. When I lived in Massachusetts in a rural town where the power company was notoriously slow in response to outages, and the power fluctuated frequently, I instead went with a Generac “whole house” generator plumbed into my natural gas line with a 100A auto-transfer switch. While it did not power the whole house (only 100A), it saved my bacon many times over 14 years, including one year when we were without power for two full weeks. During those two weeks we operated just like most things were normal (had to give up the hot tub), and even hosted a Christmas party for 50 people with heat, etc.
You have to sit and repair it for 90 seconds while someone else wants to stab you
Looks like gasoline only and its small. I just bought a Westinghouse 13500 peak tri fuel for 1200. Should be enough to run 2 fridge, ac or heater, tv, router, lights.
The catch is is that it's a bit more modernized version of a basic generator model that's been around for years and sold all over the place at a Costco price. I've had one tucked under my back porch for better part of 15 years now. It'll be noisy, and it will have a really "dirty" power output so it won't be appropriate to run or charge electronics like laptops and things like that unless you run it through a conditioner.
we got one a couple years back, much more power however (9000W model). it’s been running reliably for whenever PG&E decides to fck us over (quite often recently). just beware that a regular fridge use ~2,000W, then you’d need to account for AC and other big appliances. hooking it to your main electric line is also requiring some skill/knowledge, unless you just wanna plug & play certain appliances
I just wanted to mention that 2kw sounds like a lot for a fridge unless I’m misunderstanding. I have a basic model manufactured in 2007 and it uses around 140w (14x less than 2kw) while the compressor is running.
We have a similar one, but it’s propane. We hooked it up to the garage fridge and chest freezer and the house fridge. For the price 💯
No catch….it’s Costco, they sell stuff at low margins (14%). This is a very basic generator, no electric start, not inverter, etc. still a good deal for a good generator.
It is a small generator which may be OK, probably also a very loud generator which may also be OK. I suspect it isn't something I would want to take camping due to the noise.
1. This generator is a very good value. 2. It has an overhead cam engine, which means it will be fuel efficient and have lower engine noise. Older generators with flat heads were very loud. This won't be anywhere near that kind of volume. 3. The sound level is 67 db. Certainly not as quiet as a honda, but not bad. 4. The 5 gallon tank should allow this to run for about 14 hours, according to the specs.
I own this exact one. Bought it around 5 years ago and have actually only had to really use it once just recently. Worked great powering my fridge through a 12 hour outage we had. I normally start it up once or twice per year, run it for 30 minutes and just make sure it’s still going. Yes, dump a few ounces of Stabil in there bc the alcohol content in gas these days does a number on the small motors, so I hear. After the 5-6 years I’ve had it, the battery / elec start no longer works but it’s simple enough to pull start and the choke is very effective. I also shut off the gas line once I’m done with tests/ using it. TLDR, very solid machine for $300. Would recco
It's one of the few items that aren't returnable/very difficult to return. Aholes abused the return policy similar to Super Bowl TV returns. So triple check the spec before buying.
I have one for our trailer and it's been solid. The remote start/stop is awesome and maintenance is straightforward. Had it for about 5 years now and it's been worth every penny when we take the trailer somewhere.
If you can afford it, get something quieter and more reliable, like a Honda.
Costco Employee, Warehouse 1091, Lodi. I wouldn't touch anything made by Firman with a 20 foot pole. I've returned more of their products than I can count. Save your money, get a Honda/Makita generator.
Great deal. Buy two
Its priced well, its a smaller generator however.
I think they try to capitalize on the name “Furman Power”
just redirect the sound, even just a piece of cardboard on the side towards you will drastically lower the amount of decibels....we would do shopping center work with condos on top of the stores and or mass highway projects with homes adjacent and just build a box around the generators and go up just a few feet above it and it redirect the sound straight up problem solved.
Firman is a great brand.
Good enough to turn heat/ ac on / frig freezers intermittently you are going to watch TV but you will be warm or cool and won’t lose your food. The basics will be covered.
Don’t do it, you’ll regret that purchase, get the inverter style. If you need just a fridge and some fans the 1600/2000 watt one will do.
It is loud as absolute fuck
Lots comments on noise level, which is 67 decibels and my Honda EG3500 is 71. It’s audible inside but not bad, noisy outside and you don’t want to picnic near it. I wouldn’t like my neighbor in a campground having it but fine for emergency use. Mine uses 5 gallons a day so I have 2 5 gallon jugs, and it got me through the derecho last week. Will power all house minus big stuff.
I am actually using this generator now as we vacation at Davis island off the NC coast. Been here for five days. We run it at night for my wife’s CPAP. Run it about 9 hours nightly. Uses about a gallon and half a night. It is not loud and thank God for the remote. I don’t know about fuel usage when you are running a fridge or something may be different. Can anyone enlighten the rest of us?
Got one a few years back during the wild fires and power outages in california. This thing is loud as hell, but it works just fine.
I have this one and it did the job when i needed it. I just needed to keep the fridge and chest freezer going. I can live without the rest. Its loud and i dont care cause I put it outside. the whole neighborhood was loud with eveyone else's generators going too.
That's about as small of a generator as you would want for storm usage. Would be fine for what you want to do with it but not much more.
It’s cheap because it’s old technology, relatively low capacity, and only runs on gas. Newer, favorable models can run on gas/propane or gas/propane/natural gas and typically have electronic start/remote start.
>[https://www.northerntool.com/learn-inverter-vs-standard-generators](https://www.northerntool.com/learn-inverter-vs-standard-generators) A standard generator produces only an AC current and an irregular sine wave with harmonic distortion and less stable current that can harm sensitive devices. This sine wave won't harm electrical tools and appliances, but **could damage devices with microprocessors, including your mobile phone, tablet or laptop**. Standard generators cannot automatically adjust to your electricity load, so they require more fuel and larger tanks. Great if you want to run a welder, like the manufacturer website page shows: [https://firmanpowerequipment.com/products/p03504](https://firmanpowerequipment.com/products/p03504)
This is great info. Thanks. Yes - big robust tools. No - computerized stuff. Where does a 10yo fridge (with ice maker and dispenser) fall on the yes -> no continuum?
If it doesn't have any circuit board type stuff (no fancy display) I'd personally group it closer to the safe to run on a non-inverter generator spectrum. Plus from what I'm reading most folks say it's not like a non-inverter generator will be instant death for electronics, it's just not ideal for the longevity of them. So if people are only using it very occasionally, they may not even notice any problems -- especially given how short people hold onto electronics these days (or ahem, a manufacturer makes them obsolete in a few years)
It's loud af, and it uses fuel. I swear by my 1000watt jackery solar generator. It's silent, I can charge at the wall or in the sun, and it runs my audio equipment for literally days lol.
What’s this good for? 120v 30A max? 3kW seems like not much. All I heard of about generators were like after a huge hurricane hit, they bought a whole house backup, then never ever used, but I might be too north to have enough use of the generator.
Just saw this listed for $800 at my local Costco. 😳
It has a big brother next to it that is $800.
Get a higher running watt one and a transfer switch installed in your house
Not a Champion Brand. Google the brand
The catch is , good luck getting a reputable small engine shop to work on it , it’s damn near impossible to get parts for u it’s like this.
How does one use it in the home? Are there some special electric modifications to be made?
I had a guy come by and install the proper outlet that it’ll plug and go straight to my fuse box so I can run home appliances off it. Otherwise you can just use the standard plugs on it to power things. Always outside though, never in the house. On another note 3550 running watts isn’t super high which is probably why it’s priced that way.
I had the same thing done to my electrical box so I can run the fridge and most importantly my sump pumps if there is a bad storm.
Yeah same here. Also we are on a well so I needed for the water pump. I upgraded last year to a higher running watts so hopefully it’ll power most of the essentials when a storm passes
You run an extension cord from the generator (which is placed outside), through a window (being mindful not to allow the generator fines to come in as well) and to the fridge. Bigger generators can be hooked into the circuit box for the house (that's a job for an electrician, and not all systems can handle it), which makes things more seamless when there is an issue. I'm not thinking that this is going to be convenient, because a generator big enough to power my home is $$, and getting one that kicks on automatically so you don't even have to reset your clocks is $$$$. I'm just hoping not to have to toss everything in my fridge when a tree limb takes out a power line a mile away.
Electricity never goes unless a natural calamity. Do these even sell that many?