How to Avoid 3 Frequent Portable Generator Complaints
Author: Sam Streubel
You can learn a lot by reading portable generator reviews, I know I did. While the majority of the complaints voiced by reviewers are legitimate, others are just plain nit picking. Of the legitimate complaints, the following three issues seem to surface most often.
If you search online for best selling portable generators it should come as no surprise when you discover they're also the least expensive models in the 0 price range. Unfortunately, the term best selling generator is commonly mistaken to mean best overall generator. The quality and reliability of generators in this price range vary not so much by manufacturer, but from generator to generator. For mysterious reasons, some just work better than others.
One way to get around this problem is buying an established brand with a history of reliability. It will cost you a bit more upfront, maybe 0 or 0, but will pay you back over the long run.
Complaint #2: Not Enough Power
Quality issues aside, generators in the best selling category have an output of around 3,500 watts. Now there's nothing wrong with a 3,500 watt generator. 3,500 watts is enough to power most of your basic appliances, but not as many, at the same time, as you might have hoped for. For example:
A refrigerator/freezer might need only 800 watts to run, but it requires roughly 3 times that amount, or 2,400 watts, every time it cycles on. This doesn't leave much wiggle room for additional appliances like a 1,200 watt coffee maker and small window air conditioner or space heater.
Even though generators have additional surge power to compensate for the extra load some appliances draw when they start up, you have to be careful not to have too many appliances plugged in at the same time when a watt killer like the fridge comes on. If the refrigerator is constantly starved for power on start up, the compressor motor will eventually burn out.
You can avoid disappointing performance by determining which appliances you deem to be essential and sizing the generator to match their power requirements. If you plan on running motor driven devices like well pumps, furnace fans, or garage door openers you'll also need to install a transfer switch since these devices cannot be plugged directly into the generator.
Complaint #3: My New Generator Arrived In Pieces
On any given day, just as many people complain about the condition of their generator when it arrived as anything else. You can reduce the potential for breakage by specifying truck delivery instead of a parcel service. Although parcel services are automated to some degree, the packages still require frequent handling by people - and people drop things.
Trucking companies work differently. Large heavy boxes are put on a pallet; the pallet is loaded on the truck with a fork lift and then off-loaded with a hand jack and lift gate (which you must specify when making shipping arrangements).
I'm not saying truck shipping is foolproof, but it should increase the odds in your favor.
Over the years I've read hundreds of portable generator reviews. The complaints cover a wide variety of issues but my all time favorite is noise. On one hand it's like complaining about the saltiness of salt, on the other hand I understand how it would drive some people crazy. If noise is an issue you could look into a battery back up system for short term power outages.
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Are Multipower portable generators usually a reliable brand?
I’m thinking about investing in the 3500watt portable contractor generator. HomeDepot had only 2 reviews, which were good, but I’d like to hear a few more people’s opinions about the brand in general.
Thanks!
On the side of the engine is says Made in China. Based on that alone my advice would be to turn and run. Contractor grade doesn’t mean anything without the term being defined somewhere.
It may look pretty and work for now, but you could expect to have a heavy paperweight if repairs are ever needed. Ask the sales people at Home Depot where warranty repairs are performed. If the generator has to be shipped halfway across the continent to a service depot you may want to reconsider. If it’s somewhere nearby visit the repair shop and talk to the owner for advice.
I would personally look for something from a reputable manufacturer. Briggs and Stratton has a large parts and maintenance network and you’d be assured of finding someone familiar with the engine almost everywhere.
There are used generators available at reasonable prices online. Check Kijiji and Craigslist as well as your local classified ads.
A couple of years ago, a severe ice storm knocked out power in my area for almost two weeks. We were prepared with a generator a lot like yours. While we has natural gas for heat, we had to use the generator to power the forced air blower in the furnace as well as power the refrigerator and freezer. It was a pain, but we came through it a lot better than out neighbors. No loss of food, no frozen pipes, and no stay in a motel. Just a couple of days of missed work because the roads were impassible.
I agree with the other answers. Do not run it in your garage. Carbon monoxide fumes will find their way into your house.
You have bought a decent generator at a competitive price. Now you need to know how to use it.
Do not try to connect your generator to your electrical service panel. It can be done, but requires special equipment and should only be done by a licensed electrician.
Plan ahead for a disaster. You will be limited with the number of electrical appliances you can plug into the generator. Calculate the load of each appliance you plan to plug into the generator so you don’t overload it. Plan to run your freezer and refregerator sporadically and do not open them unless absolutely necessary. The same goes for any other appliances. Make sure you have enough heavy duty extension cords to reach all of the equipment you plan to power. I would buy a Coleman stove for cooking instead of burdening the generator with the task of powering an electric range. I would also heat water on the Coleman stove for “rat baths” instead of powering an electric water heater. If you are getting the picture that food preservation is the priority, you are right. Keep in mind that your generator will use a lot of gasoline and you must keep an eye on the oil. Plenty of both is essential.
Storage of gasoline is a problem. It is best to use metal gasoline cans designed for the safe (fume free) storage of gasoline. They are pricey, but worth the investment. I would have at least fifty gallons available for an extended emergency. If you fill the containers in anticipation of a hurricane, and the storm does not materialize, use the gas in your automobile and buy fresh gasoline when the next storm is predicted.
The owner’s manual for your generator should give you a pretty good idea as to the safe number of appliances you can safely power with your generator. Best practice is to only run what you absolutely have to.
I hope this information helps.
Good luck this storm season.
A generator is probably the best solution. There are small generators out there that are surprisingly quiet. You can use an extension cord to move it aways from the crowd and if necessary use a 3 sided enclosure to reflect the sound away. Don’t enclose it too much as it may overheat. Renting a generator is a good idea. You can listen to it before renting it to see how much noise it makes.
Blender and generator question, please help!?
Hi Everyone, I am throwing a party at a park. I want to make smoothies/juice drinks for everyone. But I need power for my Blender. Should I buy a portable blender which I have a hard time finding (and the ones I do find have horrible reviews and they die out quickly) OR What I was thinking is to buy a mini generator. But don’t these things make a huge amount of noise? We are going to be at the park into the night and I want to know if simply getting a generator for my blender is a good idea. My biggest thing is the noise. Do you have any suggestions on what I can do to pull this off? I want to be able to go 10 hours and make smoothies all day without a lot of noise or none at all? Is this possible? Please help.
Blender and generator question. Please help.?
Hi Everyone, I am throwing a party at a park. I want to make smoothies/juice drinks for everyone. But I need power for my Blender. Should I buy a portable blender which I have a hard time finding (and the ones I do find have horrible reviews and they die out quickly) OR What I was thinking is to buy a mini generator. But don’t these things make a huge amount of noise? We are going to be at the park into the night and I want to know if simply getting a generator for my blender is a good idea. My biggest thing is the noise. Do you have any suggestions on what I can do to pull this off? I want to be able to go 10 hours and make smoothies all day without a lot of noise or none at all? Is this possible? Please help.
You can get quieter generators, but any will make at least a low hum. If you’d be within range of a power outlet you could do extension cords (just try to place them so people won’t trip) or if you will have a vehicle close by you could use a power inverter. Either way, I wouldn’t go with a portable blender because that will just not have good results… I would check into a quieter generator. I’ve included a link to quiet Honda generators but I’m sure most places that carry generators will be able to help you. Hope it helps!
Blender and Generator questions and I need help please.?
Hi Everyone, I am throwing a party at a park. I want to make smoothies/juice drinks for everyone. But I need power for my Blender. Should I buy a portable blender which I have a hard time finding (and the ones I do find have horrible reviews and they die out quickly) OR What I was thinking is to buy a mini generator. But don’t these things make a huge amount of noise? We are going to be at the park into the night and I want to know if simply getting a generator for my blender is a good idea. My biggest thing is the noise. Do you have any suggestions on what I can do to pull this off? I want to be able to go 10 hours and make smoothies all day without a lot of noise or none at all? Is this possible? Please help.
Try finding a car power inverter!
Coleman Powermate Premium 6250-Watt Portable Generator?
My husband & I jusr ordered this generator. We live in South Floirda & are tired of no power whenever a hurricane hits. It was a bit costly. Any reviews out there ? Did we get a good deal ? We paid $547. We also have never used a generator in our lives. Any safety tips ? We were thinking of putting it in the garage (with the garage door open) if we lose power, is that smart ? We really are looking for review both positive & negative & safety tips. Is it really noisy ? Thanks !!!