They seem to be the cheapest for like $450-500 for a 5 KW with Tecumseh motor. It would be for a power outage at the home (doesn't happen often) not camping.

 

I've had a Coleman 4500 for 12 yrs and have been happy w/ it. Usually starts on first/second pull. It helps a lot if you turn off the fuel and run the carb dry when you get done using it. If you haven't already you might think about installing a transfer switch in your house so you can't backfeed the power grid.

Keep an eye on Craigslist, my buddy just got a good deal there.

Bob

 

Fine for home. But way to loud for camping.

 

We had a 5000 watt model with a 10HP Tecumseh on it, purchased from Walmart about 5 years ago.

It worked ok for the first while then after a couple months and maybe 3 hours of run time it wouldn't generate any electricity.

Called Coleman, had to take it to a repair shop in the city, took a couple months and never heard back from anyone. After enough complaining we got a new replacement generator.
It has worked fine, but like it has been said they are VERY noisy.

 

My neighbor has one. He used to use it quite a bit. It died twice on him. The governor failed and the alternator failed. I helped him work on it. I was not impressed with the quality. I would call it an occasional use consumer product at best.

 

I have had really good luck with mine for home use. As noted above, too noisy for camping. Dont store it for long term with fuel in the tank. Pull the line off the tank and drain it, than (as noted above) run until the carb is dry. You can store it for years than put fuel in it and it will start every time.

 

I've had a 3500 for years (10+) and used the heck out of it (Commecially). Only trouble I've had was running a large compressor with it. It is loud though.

 

Thanks. Yeah I am guilty of leaving fuel in my tiny carbs. I have never been a small gas equipment owner until this year. Woops

I never did get around to it on my leaf blower, lawnmower or snowblower this past year. If only everything were diesel.

 

I bought a 5500watt 10hp B&S motor version about a year and a half ago, Home Depot had the display on clearance. $599 retail and I got it for $425. I haven't used it other that starting it up just to let it run, but my friend used it last winter for about 24 hours straight when his powerlines got knocked down by wind. It usually starts right up. Like everyone else said, it isn't quiet, but get the job done and is a lot cheaper than those 2000 watt Honda EU series.

So I think it is a great choice for backup power for the emergency items. I would recommend the transfer switch. I don't have one as I am moving next year and didn't want to spend the money here. They are about $300, but they will allow you to power your gas furnace fan. It will also let you use some other outlets without running extension cords.

 

Yeah I have got some electrical work to do, so this is why I was thinking about it. While I do it I will throw in a transfer switch for fridge and furnace... not sure what else. We really do not get power outages very often but hopefully when we do we'll be staying warm/cool whatever.

 

I have a Black Max I think it is called. Has a Coleman Generator and a GX390 13hp Honda engine. I bought it for the Honda engine not knowing it was a Coleman gen. Works really good. I think its 8200 watts. I use it alot and its very reliable.

We have a 5000 Watt Coleman with a Tecumseh engine at work. Great little unit, but we don't use it much more than for lights on a job site.

 

The plug that is the weird 220 plug with 3 prongs that would hook up to transfer switch is only 20 amps but the generator is 5500 watts.... how does that work???

 

for the house you would use the 4 prong 120/220v twistlock plug(probably 30 amp). no offence but by asking this question you may want to get help wireing the xfer switch.
Clark

 

I just purchased a Boliy, 3000w, surges to 3300w. Took it out camping for 5 days in the desert. This has been the quietess generator I have ever had. It ran my air conditioner with no poblem. I picked it up on ebay for $875. At one point we had it behind my truck, had to mute the tv and listen hard to hear it.
Any how not bad when comparing to Honda's and Yamaha's for price.

 

What I was asking is if the twist lock is only 20 amps, how am I going to use more than 20 amps in my house. 5500 watts should be 45 amps??

From the manual:

B. 120/240 V, 20 Ampere Twistlock Receptacle
A maximum of 20 amps may be drawn from the 120/240
volt receptacle, provided it is the only receptacle used.