Generators for home use

1000 Watts Electric Generator

Price: $109.00

Product Details Gasoline Tank Frequency: 60 Hz Voltage: 120 Vlt

All Power America APG3014 2,000 Watt 4-Stroke Gas Powered Portable Generator

List Price: $199.99 Price: $199.99

Product Details Non-CARB Compliant/Not For Sale In California 2,000 Watts Surge/1,400 Watts Continuous Runs 9.5 hours at 50% load

Customer Reviews

All-Power America APG3014 Test Results
The All-Power America APG3014 generator with 3 Hp, JF156 engine performs OK for the price but the output power is less than advertised. Using accurate meters, an oscilloscope, and some resistive loads, I measured several output factors: 1.) voltage was 122.5 Volts. 2). reliable current was only 10 Amps (1225 watts) -- 11 Amps (1348 watts) caused the engine to slow way down and 12 Amps (1470 watts) caused the engine to stop. 3.) waveform was sinusoidal without anything plugged in but turned somewhat triangular under load. 4.) frequency was 60 Hz except while the engine throttle was adjusting to different appliance loads. When looking at the manufacturer (Jiangsu Jiangdong Group) specifications web page for their JD 1500 unit, I noticed that they rate their JF156 engine, 60 Hz unit at only 1.3 kVA (1300 watts -- not 1400 watts as advertised for the All-Power America version and with a peak output of...

December 16, 2010 (North Chili, N.Y.) | Helpful Votes: 166 | Rating: 3

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Good little machine
I bought this generator for power outages and it works well for light use. I really like the light weight. It can be moved around easily. It's good on gas too. I like the charging cables that come with it for charging batteries, they plug right in the front panel. It also has a fuel guage built into the fuel tank. I found the drain on the carb very convenient for storage. The air filter has easy access wing nuts for easy cleaning. The rubber feet on the bottom keep it from "walking" across the floor when running. The only thing I didn't care for was the light on the front panel that indicates there is 120 volt power present, it is very dim, making it hard to see in the daylight, but I can live with that. I bought a second one just to have two around. If you're looking for a small generator, this is a winner!

October 24, 2009 (Everett, Wa) | Helpful Votes: 113 | Rating: 5

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Good choice for a small generator
If you're looking for one of the smallest/cheapest generators that can still run nearly any 120V item, this is a good choice. It's got enough power to handle starting a motor like your fridge in a power outage (which is something most would want) and one like this is the minimum size I'd trust for that job having at least ~1500 watts (but beware that their "2000 watt" main label is the surge rating and not the "continuous" number which a lot of ads do). This isn't into the $300+ category or ones that are so big you need wheels on them to save your back while moving it (but it is over 50lbs as you should expect with such equipment). With it having a 4 stroke engine you don't need deal with mixing gas/oil like some other small units need. I actually ordered this thru northern tools and when it was shipped (probably from OEM) it was double boxed to help minimize chances of damage. I've had no problems with it, but have been careful with what I run knowing it doesn't have that...

November 6, 2009 | Helpful Votes: 71 | Rating: 5

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DuroMax XP4400E 4,400 Watt 7.0 HP OHV 4-Cycle Gas Powered Portable Generator With Wheel Kit And Electric Start

List Price: $449.99 Price: $439.99 You Save: $10.00 (2%)

Product Details 4 Gallon Gas Tank/8 Hour Run Time Automatic Low Oil Shut Off 4400 Watt Surge/3500 Watt Continuous

Customer Reviews

Good performance, excellent value
We live in Southern Louisiana, smack-dab in the middle of hurricane alley, and decided to purchase a backup generator to deal with power outages in the event of an emergency. I wanted sufficient power capacity to run our refrigerator, a small portable AC, a few lights, a small TV, charge our cell-phones, and occasionally charge laptop batteries. We figured that around 3000 continuous watts and 4000 surge watts would be sufficient for our needs.There are several generators sold by the hardware chains (Lowe's, Home Depot) that fit this description, but they're priced around $600 - $700. After some research on the internet, we decided that the PowerMax XP4400 would match our needs, and suit our budget...

February 7, 2009 (New Orleans, LA United States) | Helpful Votes: 314 | Rating: 5

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XP4400E generator
Overall, I'm very pleased with this generator. It is definitely a good value for the money. The FedEx guy delivered it in good condition. The packaging was excellent. I pulled it out of the box, installed the wheel kit (5-10 minutes), filled it with fuel and oil and it started right up. It is fairly quiet for a generator, but keep in mind quiet is a relative thing. I would say it is definitely quieter than a lawn mower or a typical Briggs&Stratton generator with a lawnmower type muffler (this generator has an automotive type muffler which helps keep the noise down). It seems to be pretty well built and I expect it to hold up just fine. I bought it as an emergency backup generator and I feel it really is perfect for that use. I think if you are looking for a generator that will get a ton of regular use, you would probably be better off to spend the extra money and get a Honda. But for something that will only see occasional use, this genny really fits the ticket...

November 9, 2008 (Dallas, TX) | Helpful Votes: 93 | Rating: 4

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Power Max XP4400E & XP4400 Generator
By Ernie, Retired Journeyman Lineman. The XP4400E is well worth the extra cost over the XP4400, as starter rope must be pulled out at an angle. This is an excellent generator for the money. The voltage regulation is excellent. Amazing output for it's size along with being very quite for the output that it has. The discription Amazon has for it is great, so many items are not discribed well enough. There is a couple points I want to share with present owners and would be owners. (1) The voltage selector switch not only changes the voltage monitor 120 to 240 but it's main function is tap changing, this being the reason it must not be switched unless breaker is off (open) or generator shut down. It parallels the two power windings when set for 120 to the 120 sockets and the 120-240 socket. You can draw full capacity fron the 120 sockets or at the 120-240 socket from terminals Bu & R, the W terminal has no voltage so 240 is not available now. (Refer to owners manual...

September 28, 2008 (Mt. Vernon, Oh. USA) | Helpful Votes: 117 | Rating: 5

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Schumacher PP-2200 Portable Outdoor Power Unit

List Price: $90.00 Price: $84.95 You Save: $5.05 (6%)

Product Details 12 volt accessory outlet with overload and short-circuit protection 22 Amp hour battery LED lights for internal battery status charged and charging

Customer Reviews

Great Battery
This is a great product. Do yourself a favor, don't bother with the included charger. Buy a BatteryMinder desulphating conditioning charger with a cigerette adapter. You can leave it plugged in continuously and the battery will be maintained in peak condition. Also, the "hum" mentioned by another reviewer is the cooling fan for the inverter which comes on during high loads. _____________ Update: I've been using this battery to run astronomy equipment regularly for the last year - primarily via 12 volt plug. I've charged it exclusively with the BatteryMinder and it's always 13.6 volts when I disconnect it for use. No complaints with the battery. However, when I use it, the the alarm on the inverter seems to sound well before voltage is critically low - somewhere around 12 volts on my digital meter.

June 18, 2010 | Helpful Votes: 26 | Rating: 5

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Works great
I am able to power my telescope, laptop, and Canon Eos for hours, and have still never gone below 3/4 charge. I have learned the key to success though, is the unit must remain on the charger when stored. They clearly warn you to charge at least monthly. Only negative is recharge takes a very long time (normally overnight. Wish it had 1 more cigarette adapter.

February 17, 2010 | Helpful Votes: 25 | Rating: 4

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Great Product
I use this unit to power my laptop, printer, wireless router, etc. I use it mainly for business because I always need a power outlet where one is not available. I bought two of these and will probably buy more!

April 28, 2010 | Helpful Votes: 16 | Rating: 5

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Yamaha EF2000iS 2,000 Watt 79cc OHV 4-Stroke Gas Powered Portable Inverter Generator (CARB Compliant)

List Price: $1,099.00 Price: $988.95 You Save: $110.05 (10%)

Product Details 2,000 Watt Maximum AC Output/1,600 Watt Rated AC Output CARB Compliant Super-quiet muffler with USFS-approved Spark Arrestor

Customer Reviews

EF2000is review - high quality and very quiet
I have had this for about a month. This is a very high quality unit, nicely designed. I chose it over the Honda Eu2000i because it has a fuel gage and is a hair lighter (2 pounds), and liked the styling better. Specs are so close it's a tie... the Yamaha unit specs a bit quieter in "eco" throttle but the Honda specs a bit quieter at full power. Prior to this purchase I had bought a Honeywell inverter generator (a much less expensive Chinese-made knock-off) from Costco which I returned, because I was unimpressed with the Honeywell unit's quality and noise level. While the price difference is major, you get what you pay for in this case. Anyone looking at the cheaper knock-offs should really consider that a 5db increase in noise level is about twice as loud, the way humans perceive it. The most impressive thing about this unit is how quiet it is. Even at full engine speed you can stand about 6 feet away and have a normal conversation without raising your voice, or...

November 14, 2009 (CT, USA) | Helpful Votes: 291 | Rating: 5

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Awesome Quiet Little Inverter-Generator!
I purchased the EF2000iS 2,000 watt inverter-generator for extended fishing trips for charging 12 volt marine batteries and for running corded power tools in remote areas. At first I wasn't sure if the 2,000 watt model would be enough power to meet my needs, but I decieded to take a chance with it because of the price, and boy am I glad I did. It easily powers drills, grinders, skill saws, table saws, sawzalls, and portable cement mixers - pretty much anything that draws under 16.7 Amps. Most power tools draw up to and under 15 Amps. My industrial right-angle concrete drill only draws 8 Amps, and that thing is rugged. It's more than enough for my needs for working in the woods where I can't just "Plug In." Another thing that's slick about it is it also charges marine batteries and has its own special DC receptical and comes with the included cable. You just fire it up, hook up the terminals to your battery, then plug in the cord. It doesn't have a charge...

June 13, 2010 (Dover-Foxcroft, ME) | Helpful Votes: 91 | Rating: 5

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Super quiet and CARB compliant
This generator is super quiet and the engine runs really smoothly. It instantly changes it's operating speed just as fast as I can move the speed switch on a 1850 watt hair dryer I used to test it. It doesn't include oil and the angle of the oil fill hole is nearly horizontal, making it a little difficult to fill even with a funnel, but they did put a nice little drip tray right below the opening so it doesn't go everywhere. The gas gauge is really nice. Made in Japan. Their competitor (Honda) has some nice videos on their website demonstrating the sound level of actual generators running and the equivalent size Honda generator is very close in noise level to this one. Yamaha should do the same but until then, check out the Honda website. Yamaha says this is CARB compliant on their website so I'm not sure why Amazon says it isn't. The label on the generator says it is a 3 on the 10 point California emission scale. Yamaha simply isn't making a big deal of it like...

March 6, 2010 (Redmond, WA) | Helpful Votes: 87 | Rating: 5

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