A generator is a much needed appliance in a power hungry world, as the local power company might not have a little socket waiting for you at your favorite camp site. A portable generator is a great choice for outdoor usage, and here we are looking at the ETQ TG32P12.
ETQ TG32P12
Good for the Money
The ETQ TG32P12 retails for about 400 dollars, and that’s not a bad price for a portable generator, so I picked it up and created myself a little review about it here. I have gone through a large amount of generators, I use them and I recommend them, and I know what makes a good generator, also for what uses exactly.
First for the simple things, this unit comes with a fold able bar handle that drops down and remain out of sight for until you want to haul it somewhere else, this don’t mean much to me but I guess its bonus for those planning more versatility, and referring to mobility you are also provided with wheels typical of any large portable generator. The whole setup, wheel, frame and handles are self assembled, and the nuts and bolts weren’t top grade, they felt like department store offers, those that never have a 100% fit, but nothing much of a concern since it won’t affect your generators performance.
No High Powered Stuff
So now the technicalities that one should be concerned of before buying a generator, the watts produced are 3250, given the two sockets that’s a good amount for about 3 hair dryers going on high, or maybe 30 desktop computers. The 4000 watts highlighted refers to the surge watts produced.
There is no regulator or any sort of converter that can change the volts produced, it’s a standard 120V output, and at its best 33.33 amps over the regular 27.08, so that means you have to start reading the appliances you will be using this on, anything over 30 amp is not recommended just to be safe, but for all your camping needs it should not be a problem (no high powered hair dryers).
Shocking electrical terms aside, let’s give it a run shall we? So after using this I have found so much more to talk about, let’s go through this step by step from the filing of the gasoline.
Simple and Basic
Filling the gasoline is a real no-brainer to be writing about it, well maybe I should state that you should only use gasoline, I pour a little additive to make the engine run better, this also prolongs the life of the engine, and increases efficiency. The pull start is basic, just flip the on switch to “ON” obviously, and pull it like you would a weed whacker, not straight but at an angle that would cause the rope to rub against the hole, and I am always expecting to have to open up the recoil starter to replace the rope thanks to this. There is a low oil shut off function which will cut the generator off when the engine oil runs close to empty, this stops your engine from destroying itself and possibly the entire unit.
The generator is not that loud, it’s a humming sound typical of generators, reminds me of an old AC unit I used to have that makes a rumble and buzzing noise. The oil reservoir for the engine is a pain; you need to use a funnel, not to mention a really narrow and long one at that.
So overall I would say this ETQ TG32P12 generator is a definite buy if you are using it for camping or anything that is “on the go”. A 4 gallon tank will last you more than 13 hours of continuous usage, those who need light in a dim garage, or power tool users who are far from civilization would find this a handy tool.
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Since most portable and non-portable generators feed on gasoline, there is often a gasoline shortage when there is a major power outage. That is why some people are more inclined to buy a multi-fuel unit. And for this kind of portable generator they are best made by Northern Tool and Equipment; the NorthStar Trifuel 165938.
NorthStar Trifuel Generator - 390cc, 8000 Surge Watts, 6600 Rated Watts
Well Designed
The people at NorthStar have put a lot of thought into the design of the portable generator. To prolong the lifespan of the portable generator, the interlocking V-mounts have a rubber isolation mount, so that the engine would not wear as quickly as it can by dampening and isolating the vibration. There is also a base underneath the generator which prevents any grass, dirt and other debris from getting sucked into the engine and alternator. The feature of the design that I like most is that the controls and outlet panel are very accessible.
Many Fuel Type Options
As the name suggested, the NorthStar Trifuel 165938 can not only run on gasoline, but also on propane and natural gas. However, do keep in mind that the portable generator is rated differently according to the type of fuel used; 6600 watts, 6200 watts, and 5200 watts respectively from its 6.5 gallon tank. Oh, and you don’t need to power down the generator when switching the fuel from gasoline to any other options.
According to the reviews I’ve read, the portable generator have been working well for them during disasters that would leave them out of any power supplies. In addition to powering up their homes, they can also make the generator work on their well-pumps without much effort. On the other hand, professional reviewers did mention that since this unit is pricey, only get it if only you would need a multi fuel engine instead of a normal one.
I would definitely say that the NorthStar Trifuel 165938 is worth to invest in if you have the budget for it according to the 4.7 stars out of 5 it gets from existing owners. It’s a great addition to your emergency kit if you live anywhere in the hurricane alley.
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An inverter generator from Honeywell, this little thing costs a lot, and I have been hearing a lot of bad things about this Honeywell HW2000i, and I decided to try my best to brush aside the myth from the truth. As you should know the Honeywell is a small portable generator pretty much like the Hyundai HY ad Yamaha EF, it runs the same inverter system for the motor and produces roughly about the same power, one noticeable difference is that this generator weighs more than the Yamaha I have.
Honeywell HW2000i Portable Inverter Generator, 2000W Rated, 2100W Max Output (CARB and 50 State Compliant)
The outside is alright, it’s like any other regular portable inverter generator, it has the large grip for easy carrying, and the motor is sealed up inside. There are three lights on the front panel which are used as indicators. The first one would be the power overload which lets you know if the generator is running more than it can handle, the second is a green power or AC indicator that lets you know if your generator is ready to accept use, and the third one is a low oil indicator, this however does not work both ways as it only tells you if the oil is too much, well at least it stops me from guessing weather to drain or fill the reserve.
Small but Good Enough
There are also regular buttons and knobs that you would expect; Honeywell HW2000i has an efficiency mode which will allow the engine to adjust itself to provide for the amount of power needed, for example if you turn the efficiency mode on, and nothing is plugged in the generator will only burn enough fuel to keep the engine running on idle, and when you plug something in it will burn a little bit more fuel to provide for that.
The choke is located at the back of the unit, and I really do not like the way they made it, as the lever could have been a little bit longer, or better yet they could have made a button instead.
The engine uses 4-stroke engine oil, and a 1 quart bottle can last you for about 2 complete fills. As usual you need a funnel, alike most small inverter generators there is no indicator or dipstick, but you can stick your finger into the hole and if you manage to get some oil on your finger tip then that means it has enough. It has a 1.5 gallon gas tank and this is a good thing, this means less time filling and more time using.
Takes Time to Start
I finished all the necessary oil and gas filling, and then it was time to run the generator, but wait, if you look near the bottom of the generator there is a little orange ball like thing, apparently this is a primer which you have to pump about 30 to 50 times for the first time or if you haven’t run it for quite some time, so there I was pumping the primer, and only after that was I able to start the generator, and the worst part is, it take at least 3 to 4 pulls to start it.
Kinda Loud
So Honeywell HW2000i runs pretty well and produces stable and good power about 2100 watts, I guess that’s the only important thing, it is quite loud, and I would prefer my Yamaha over this if I was out in the woods. Currently am using it to power my tools when I am working at an inhospitable place like my roof, so I would recommend this to those who wouldn’t mind the extra weight, maybe portable handy men?
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Have you been annoyed by the sound that your regular generator makes? Well I have, especially those old ones which sound like a motor bike every time you turn it on, it may not be much of a problem for some but when it comes to situations where communication needs to be as clear as possible and even the slightest sound can interfere with what you are doing it would be best to look for a generator that does a little more about its muffler. DuroMax XP4400E really should be the best quiet and portable generator around.
DuroMax XP4400E 4,400 Watt 6.5 HP OHV 4-Cycle Gas Powered Portable Generator With Wheel Kit And Electric Start (CARB Compliant)
What do You Get?
The unit gave a first impression on Amazon that it is entirely sturdy; the kind of look that gets me thinking I could give it a good knock around and not worrying about it having any serious damage, and when I got it out of the box I was not disappointed. Like a few other portable generators the wheel and handle kit are not attached and require you to manually assemble it to the generator, it’s kind of that something I look forward to since I won’t have anything much to do with the generator aside the regular use, fuel filling and oil changing.
After a few minutes of assembly I noticed that the tires were air filled, and I for one like that because it gives me something else to do; fill the tire with air when it needs it. So the entire setup wheel kit and all looks great, the bars have a good foot grip ant the bottom, they seem very solid and hold a firm grip in my garage.
Silent Engine
It comes with a 4 gallon tank which is a lot and sufficient for regular usage, a few drops of fuel additive will lengthen the running time. Looking around I noticed that this is no regular lawn mower stile muffler system, and I guess it looks like those on a regular family sedan, I guess this is what contributes to it being silent? The engine is an isolated 4 stroke engine, which uses engine oil for a four stroke obviously, so I just took my car engine oil and gave it a good drink, with a funnel of course since it has that weird curve.
Through the entire time from filling fuel to looking at the muffler system this generator has got me thinking of it as a car, what’s next? Key start ignition? Well I was slapping myself the moment I realized the two little keys that came with the generator weren’t for security purposes. With my right hand gripping a stick as if to put the gears in neutral I turned the keys and my foot outstretched pretending to rev the throttle the generator started with ease. And guess what? It’s not noisy compared to the others I have.
Medium Power for Household Use
So begins the inspection on the important thing about any generator, the power and output levels. As usual the numbers on the side and in the manual are just estimates, the best way to determine the output is by using a watt meter (I use Kill’O’Watt). Here are my results, on idle it produces a stable 120V, with 60Hz, it maintained this up until I plugged in my espresso machine which took up 2600watts (I like coffee especially during my work) then after that it drops to 110V, after that I plugged in a hair dryer which is about 1200 watts and it really dropped (I got 90V with my espresso machine turning off).
So DuroMax-XP4400E is a good silent generator but not a really strong one, Duromax did really well with the noise reduction, the power is average, just like any other portable generator, perfect for once in a while usage, and for those times when less noise is better. So this is for household use and outdoor musicians.
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Looking for something small? Something you can carry around, especially during those camping trips deep in the woods where your local power company can’t provide for you? Well do not fear, because in this day and age portable generators are abundant and can even be used to power most of your important household needs, well the Yamaha EF2000is is one of those generators, it’s like carrying a mini home power supply with you.
First of all the thing you should know about top quality portable generators is that it will cost you, and expect to spend about a thousand bucks on one because that’s how much this Yamaha costs (you can however get more deals on Amazon), but prices aside let’s take a look at this generator.
Yamaha EF2400iS 2,400 Watt 171cc OHV 4-Stroke Gas Powered Portable Inverter Generator (CARB Compliant)
User Friendly
Yamaha EF2000is comes in a nice bold blue color, and really stands out, and when they said portable, they really mean it, because at 44 pounds I know some kids who have no problem moving this thing around. The unit is ready to be filled out of the box, no assembly means less messing up but also less to be done, which leaves me with nothing to do but fill the oil and fuel.
So I poured in a quart of 4 stroke engine oil and a funnel and gave the engine the much needed drink, there was no knowing how much to put in it, it was guessing all the way, I sure wished there was a dip stick or some kind of measuring device to let me know if I have poured the right amount of engine oil or not. So after the engine oil I poured in some gas, this generator uses about a gallon of gas.
Lacking a Dipstick
The buttons and light up indicators were on the front section next to the rip cord, all the basics that you would expect from a user friendly generator like this, it comes with three indicator lights, the first one is oil indicator which lets you know if you have too much or too little oil, and earlier I was wishing for a dipstick? Well because the overload oil indicator only goes on when the generator is running and it is very annoying to have to turn it off and drain it again.
The second light is a green AC light which lets you know if the generator is producing power. Third light is power overload to let you know if you are running the little guy way over what it’s built for. The regular switches are present like the choke and turn on switch, but there is one called the “economy” switch, this lets the engine adjusts its speed automatically to cater for the power needed.
Comparatively Less Noisy
So I turned on the generator (pull choke, economy switched off, and engine switched on) the generator started with a single pull, after I returned the choke and pressed the economy switch on, the generator made less noise and was considerably less noisy than other generators, I could barely hear it at 25 feet away.
The knob that has a gas icon (pretty much like your car does) is for turning off the gas, while running if you switch it off you can run the entire bowl dry and not waste any gas from the main tank. Another feature is that if you have 2 of these, you can hook them up and increase the power output, talk about nifty.
Thumbs Up for Campers
This Yamaha EF2400iS is definitely coming with me this autumn during trout season, as this generator has a spark protector at the muffler, so no worries about causing a forest fire thanks to some blow offs. I highly recommend this for campers and outdoor enthusiast who want to bring a little power on their trips.
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Briggs & Stratton Elite 30242 is by far the most well known midsized portable generator; many have said that this is the generator to ward off those cold winter days when their regular power supply grid fails them. I myself couldn’t resist the temptations to look up this generator online and even at local stores to find out what makes this generator so renowned.
Briggs & Stratton Elite Series 8,750 Watt 11 HP OHV Gas Powered Portable Generator With Electric Start (Non-CARB Compliant) #030242
Price and Package
Online they were selling it at Amazon for roughly under $800, and at the store it was slightly above $800, so I got the generator shipped in to me anyway and it came in a few days later, I impatiently unpacked the generator and it looks great, black and red sure go well with each other. The simple assembly was always present with the generators I bought, all you have to do with this one is slide the wheel bar through, place the wheels and lock them in with a knee brace. And after the wheels are on, you need to attach the bracket that lifts the front up. Another thing about the wheels is that they are air filled, and the seller online says they are never going to lose air, not a surprise because these wheels won’t find themselves on any road.
Socket Guard and Buttons
So with a quick look around I found the following cosmetics and outside accessories that are worth mentioning about. The sockets and plug in box has a flap which you can lift up to protect it from rain or snow, this is pretty good but it would have been better if they had individual rubber flaps like the craftsman version. Another thing that this didn’t have that the craftsman did was the “Searsstation” power indicator, so I just have to do the math’s myself then.
About the motor, as you would expect from Briggs and Stratton, you get an adjustable cap which you can rotate to adjust the motors timing, this will affect the torque by making giving it a more “retard” or “Advance”, of course they only let you turn towards the Advance side which will increase fuel consumption and provide more power.
1 Pull Kick Start
So fuel and motor oil filling time, for the motor oil everything was just like the regular, get a funnel and pour in a whole bottle of engine oil (the small 1 Quart or 946ml bottle of course). Then for gas just pour in as much as you want, add additives or you can use the fuel cap saver drip, this generator needs about 7 gallons.
So now to the running, it is with no question that Briggs & Stratton Elite 30242 will start with only one pull, make sure the choke and switch are on.
Handles Plenty
All that aside, we will now take a look at the electrical terms and jargon which will define a good generator from a bad one, this is a 10hp generator so you will be expecting a lot of power, and this does give you power, at 5550 stable output this generator is enough for most of your household necessities, and it even works well for handy men like me, with a 8550 watts to start up all my power tools. Plug in is easy and tight, the board even has a circuit breaker just in case.
Great Value for Money
There is nothing more I can say about power and usability that Briggs and Stratton have not stated out clearly themselves. The only thing which I would want to complain about is that I wish the price was a little lower, but overall this Briggs & Stratton Elite 30242 is a beast among all portable generators, use it to power your winters, garage work in the summer, or even as a life support for a sick relative when the grid fails. It’s a good buy and is worth investing in.
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If you want a portable generator from a well known name in the market, Generac would be the brand to look out for. So, if you need a basic portable generator, the Generac 5724 GP3250 would be best for the job.
Generac 5724 GP3250 3,750 Watt 206cc OHV Portable Gas Powered Generator
Very Portable
I bought this medium sized portable generator for my parents just in case of emergencies. It’s easy to start and not that very loud. A plus for my parents is that the portable generator have wheels and handle so it’s very easy for them to move the machine around.
There’s probably a few temporary power outages in my parents’ area during the winter. And since I think it would be a shame to let the mass amount of food in the refrigerator go bad (we usually visit my parents during the winter because we don’t have snow where we live), I decided to get them the Generac 5724 GP3250.
Multiple Power Ups
The portable generator works great, powering the big refrigerator and some other small appliances i.e. coffee maker, TV and a portable heater that follows us to whichever room that we’ve decided to congregate. The portable generator was a trooper, lasting between 4 to 6 hours during the couple of times we had to use it while I was there. There were some grunts coming out from it but it worked well.
However, I did encounter one common complaint among owners when I was doing my research on this portable generator. According to J. Peters, he would have bought “the biggest portable generator to run my 1/2 HP sump pump. The instructions inside said different and this machine handles the job with room to spare” if he depended on the Generac brochure. This was also highlighted by other owners that the store display literature tends to mislead buyers.
I do feel that this is a minor complaint despite that it’s highlighted by many people but the Generac 5724 GP3250 is a good buy if you only need it as a temporary substitute. Get it for $399.99 at Amazon and it’s shipped for free. Plus, it has earned a Good Housekeeping Seal which means that the portable generator is covered by a two-year refund-or-replace warranty from Good Housekeeping on top of Generac’s two-year warranty.
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As with any appliances or tools, I always believe that making sure that you are safe while operating the machine should be your top priority. This goes the same with portable generators. While having the best portable generator to assist you is beneficial, there are some hazards that comes with it. There is always the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning, electrical shocks and fire.
I’ve listed some DOs and DON’Ts that you should be aware of while handling a portable generator.
Danger #1: Carbon Monoxide (CO)
- DON’T attempt to operate a portable generator in a closed or semi-closed space. Portable generators, even the small ones, produce CO rapidly even when there is ventilation. REMEMBER, you cannot smell or see CO.
- DO follow the instruction manual of the portable generator. Set up the portable generator outdoors and away from any openings (doors, windows, ventilation shafts) that could allow CO to drift indoors.
- DO install a CO alarm in your home and make sure that the model that you bought is has the certification to show that it meets safety standards. DO also remember to test the batteries monthly.
- If you feel dizzy or weak while the generator is running, go outside and get fresh air quickly.
Danger #2: Electrical Shock
- DO keep the portable generator away from any kind moisture. Operate your portable generators under a canopy-like open structure and mount it on a high surface to keep it dry from any sources of water. Again, always construct the instruction manual for grounding purposes.
- DO dry your hands before handling the portable generator.
- DO use heavy-duty extension cords to connect appliances to the portable generator. Make sure that the cords are long enough to ensure that the portable generator is placed away from your house or building. DO make sure that the total wattage of the appliances do not exceeds the wattage rating of the extension cord.
- DON’T attempt any “back-feeding”. This is when you’re trying to power your house wiring by plugging in the portable generator into a wall outlet. Even the best portable generators will not lessen the electrocution risk it poses to utility workers and neighbours served by the same utility transformer.
- DO make sure that the portable generator is kept away from children.
Danger #3: Fire Hazard
- DON’T store any fuel inside your home. Gasoline, propane and any other kind of fuel that you’re using for your portable generator should be kept outside and away from fuel-burning appliances such as water heaters in the garage. DO label them properly and store these flam able liquids in a glass container.
- DO turn off the portable generator and let it cool down before pouring more fuel into it. The hot surface of the portable generator may ignite fire if there is a fuel spill.
- DO have a fire extinguisher ready near the generator and in the area where you store the fuel. DO check if the fire extinguisher is fully charged and make sure you know how to properly use it.
- DO make sure to leave some room for fuel expansion in the fuel tank. This is to make sure that the fuel does not overflow onto the hot surface of the portable generator.
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For someone who loves bringing himself and/ or his family on an RV trip around the country, a portable generator comes in handy when I need to have some sort of electrical energy despite finding myself in the middle of nowhere. There are many things that I did not know about portable generators prior to writing this blog. One of those things is the types of usages of portable generators. They are basically divided into three types of usage: emergency, professional and recreational.
Emergency
If you tell my kids that there were no electricity centuries ago, they would be mortified to know that children did not watch Sunday morning cartoons or have the luxury of opening up the fridge to get a Popsicle. It goes to show that the modern world is very much powered by electricity.
Supposed that there is no electricity in your area due to some disaster. The unavailability of electricity will cause you a lot of problems; food would get spoiled, the security system is inactivated and if you rely on a well pump, water would be limited. That is why an emergency portable generator is good to have in your home all the time.
Depending on how much electricity you would need during the electricity outage, the best portable generator size would range from medium (3000 to 6000 watts) to large (10000+ watts). If you need to power a few appliances during the power outage, a medium portable generator will do the trick. A 7000 to 9000 watts generator will be required if you need to actuate several rooms in the house. However, this will not support a centralized AC unit. You would need a much powerful portable generator for that.
Professional
You would often see these kind of portable generators on construction sites. Depending on the size of the work, the best portable generator for professional use would be very much like the ones used for emergencies. However, they are in general much more durable than their home emergency counterparts so that they can withstand the rough environment associated with construction sites.
Recreational
Recreational portable generators are small, have low power consumption level and do not produce a lot of noise as compared to the types of portable generators used for the situations above. They are usually around 1000 to 2000 watts, which will allow you to use a couple of appliances at most. If you think you would need to power up a few more, a slightly larger one would suffice.
I personally use this when I go out on the RV for a tour across some states or camping with my kids. These portable generators allow me to bring a little home comfort while being on the road while being respectful to mother nature. It keeps my kids sane by allowing them to watch some TV shows while at the same time being quiet and do not use a lot of fuel.
Personally, I think each home would need to have the best portable generator they can afford in hand, especially if you live in a place where it is more likely to get blackouts at night. It will ensure that you are kept warm in your home and keep you safe by ensuring the the security system is working alright. Click here to find out how to find the best portable generator for you.
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There are four factors that you should think about before you can determine the best portable generator for your needs. A bad judgment on any of these four factors may cost you hundreds or maybe thousands of dollars on the wrong one; you may end up with one that consumes too much fuel (which you can’t afford) or one that will fizzle out in an instant (if you buy one that is too incompetent for your needs).
Below is the list of four important factors in choosing the best portable generator for yourself:
1. The Power Needed
Portable generators come in a wide range of power capacity so it is wise for you to get something that adequately fit with your wattage needs. You can determine the wattage requirement easily by going online and search for a wattage calculator. Add up the power usage of every appliances and lights so that you can determine how much of power your generator would need to generate at maximum usage.
For our house, we can get by with a 1000 watt generator when the electricity is down. Turning on the television set, a laptop and printer, and a few incandescent bulb would total up to about 300 watts during the night.
2. The Cost of Fuel to Run It
If you’re using gasoline, propane or diesel to run the generator engine, figuring out what the fueling cost would be like is important. Do also remember that fuel usage is closely related to the run time of your portable generator. Make sure to check the load size of the fuel tank to estimate the approximate run time of the portable generator. You would want to aim to use 12 – 18 gallons of fuel daily.
3. Price
When you already determine the perfect combination of the two factors above, do a little bit of market research and compare all portable generators available online and in the stores near you. The best portable generator would always generate you the needed amount of power, allows you optimum usage of fuel and also be economically priced.
4. Noise Factor
Now, noise pollution may seem to be a bit trivial, but believe me, it does matter. Take me as an example. Before I was married, I lived in an apartment building where it is prone to blackouts. And since I could not live in the heat without a fan, I bought myself a small portable generator – which was way too loud for its size. Yes, I was able to stand the heat but I could not even shut my eyes to sleep with that thing on. I bet you can just imagine how many complaints I got from my neighbours.
On the other hand, if you live in a neighborhood where the houses is at least a few feet apart, noise would not be a big factor. Or if you would only be using your best portable generator during emergencies like during hurricanes and snow storms, I would think that the neighbours would have other things to worry about than the noise coming from your generator.
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