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How to Avoid 3 Frequent Portable Generator Complaints

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.

Complaint #1: Breakdowns

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 $300 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 $100 or $150, 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.

About the Author

Find the portable generator no one complains about at Alternative-Heating-Info.com

Generator $9.49 Generator

WEN 3500-watt Gas Generator $638.3 Brand: WENModel: 56352Dimensions: 24.4 inches long x 17.7 inches wide x 18.5 inches highWeight: 111 poundsMaterials: Metal, rubber, plasticColor: YellowStyle: PortableStability: Stand alone portable unitOutput: 3500 wattsEPA/CARB approved: EPA/No CarbPackage includes: Generator, spark plug wrench, wheel kit and manualUses: Portable powerLanguages: English, Spanish and english on product boxInstructions: Manual includedPower: 6.5-horsepower engine3500 surge watts, 3000 running watts4gallon fuel tankLow-oil automatic shutdownTwo 120-volt receptaclesOne 240/120 V NEMA L14-30 receptacleVoltage indicator lightsVoltage selector switchDC outletDigital hour meterSafety: Spark arrestor

DPP19 Rotary Ignitor Spark Generator and Collector Box $30.6 Broilmaster DPP19 Rotary Ignitor Spark Generator and Collector Box Kit

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Hardware Express 660056 Automatic Transfer Switch for Generator Ready Loadcenter $470.92 100A. For Automatic Standby Generators. Operates Automatically When Connected To Generator. Transfers Load From Utility To Generator And Back To Utility.

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12-kilowatt Steam Shower Generator $2096.79 Steam generator combines convenience and comfort in one packageGenerator creates a steam sauna helping you feel pamperedA luxurious addition to your home, sauna features a microcomputer control systemGS08A, 1 Phase Unit is elaborately designed and appealingHelps remove the physical signs of fatigue and stressIncludes a Water Scale Inhibitor water filterComputer panel can be mounted inside or outside the shower room220-240V50/60HzModel number 12 Kw Steam BoxImported

Broilmaster DPP20 Electronic Ignitor Spark Generator and Collector Box Kit $48.6 Electronic ignitor kit. Fits P Series D Series 200001. Includes electronic spark generator with button wires gas collector box electrode assembly and hardware.

Bronze Switch Box $71 - Features a Hi-Low-Off switch.

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Shure A15tg Tone Generator $119.99 The Shure A15TG has a recessed on/off switch and 3-pin XLR audio connector. Removable end cap allows easy battery installation and removal. Can also tolerate phantom power or a short circuit in the line it is driving. Built-in short-circuit protection allows normal operation to resume after a short is removed.The A15TG tone generator can operate continuously for approximately 1000 hours on one 1.5V alkaline battery. To conserve battery power, make sure the on/off switch is in the off position when the A15TG is not in use.Battery-powered 700Hz signal sourceUsed to troubleshoot low-impedance, balanced-line mic inputsRecessed on/off switch3-pin XLR audio connectorEasy battery installation and removalCan tolerate phantom power or a short circuitBuilt-in short-circuit protection1,000 hours continuous operation on one 1.5V alkaline battery

Connecticut Electric Connecticut Electric 30a Power Inlet Box EGSRT30 $55.35 30a power inlet box The raintight NEMA 3R power inlet box is designed for the use with manual transfer switches and generator-ready load centers May be installed indoors, or outdoors in an open area where the generator is being used 4 combination 1/2? and 3/4? knockouts for easy wiring directly to the transfer switch or panel Max generator input: 7500W - 30A @ 125/250VAC Dimensions: 6? H. x 4? W. x 2.63? D UL listed Brand #: Connecticut Electric EGSRT30 UPC: 094925030921 Keywords: generator pwer inlet box raintight power

Briggs and Stratton 40303B-46 15kW Automatic Standby Generator System Package with 200 Amp House Managing Transfer Switch $4289.99 15kW Automatic Standby Home Generator System - 40303B. 200 Amp House Management Transfer Switch - 71046. Hour Meter. Battery Charger. Polymer Installation Pad

Briggs and Stratton 40305B-46 20kW Automatic Standby Generator System Package with 200 Amp House Managing Transfer Switch $4789.99 20kW Air Cooled Automatic Standby Home Generator System - 40305B. 200 Amp House Management Transfer Switch - 71046. Hour Meter. Battery Charger. Polymer Installation Pad

Briggs and Stratton 40325-46 10kW Automatic Standby Generator System Package with 200 Amp House Managing Transfer Switch $3489.99 10kW Automatic Standby Home Generator System - 40325. 200 Amp House Management Transfer Switch - 71046. Hour Meter. Battery Charger. Polymer Installation Pad

Briggs and Stratton 40326-47 12kW Automatic Standby Home Generator System with 100 Amp 16 Circuit Transfer Switch $3489.99 12kW Automatic Standby Home Generator System - 40326. 100 Amp 16 Circuit Transfer Switch - 71047. Hour Meter. Battery Charger. Polymer Installation Pad

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Briggs and Stratton 40325-47 10kW Automatic Standby Home Generator System with 100 Amp 16 Circuit Transfer Switch $3289.99 10kW Automatic Standby Home Generator System - 40325. 100 Amp 16 Circuit Transfer Switch - 71047. Hour Meter. Battery Charger. Polymer Installation Pad

Briggs and Stratton 40301A-18 7kW Automatic Standby Home Generator System with 50 Amp 10 Circuit Transfer Switch $2319.99 7kW Automatic Standby Home Generator System - 40301A. 50 Amp 10 Circuit Transfer Switch - 1918. Hour Meter. Battery Charger. Polymer Installation Pad

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Artec 93459 AT Hand Crank Power Generator with Output Control Switch $1328.34 Easily switch between standard and regulated output. When connected to a miniature bulb current in the circuit will be controlled by the resistor in the generator to prevent damage to the bulb Output:MAX voltage approx. 15V at no load. Cord: 1m (with insulated alligator clips). Dimensions: 152 x 110 x 40 mm. Materials: (Main body) Transparent PC (Handle) ABS. MAX output voltage 15V. Change in polarity according to the direction of revolution of the handle. Cord integrated to the main bodyno connection mistakes. Easy connection using insulated alligator clips. Handle shaped for a good grip.

Portable 2000-watt Generator $383.6 Ensure you have plenty of back-up with the Buffalo Tools GEN154 2000 watt portable generatorIdeal for camping or workshopEasy to carry generator utilizes a 4-stroke 87cc gasoline engineLow oil shutoff switch prevents damage1.5 gallon fuel tank has the capacity to run for 9 hours at 50 percent loadTube frame for protection and easy transportationSufficient power for small appliances or power toolsEPA approvedSpecifications:Running watts: 1500Starting watts: 2000Engine: 87cc engineEngine Noise Level: 80DBFuel tank: 1.5 gallonsFuel type: gasolineRun time at half load: 9 hoursOutlets: 2Voltage: 1-120v A/C, 1-12v D/C Weight: 55 poundsNote: This model cannot be shipped to California

Charles David Men's Generator Boot $172.5 You'll be the Generator of the great style in this boot from Charles David. The distressed leather upper gives you a well-worn look right out of the box, while the full lace-up closure and side zipper ensures a snug fit. Plus, the leather sole allows your foot to comfortably breathe all day.

Earlex SS77USSG SS77USSG Steam Generator $104.4 Bring your new ideas to life and create new furniture designs and woodworking projects with bended wood. The Steam Generator works great for many wood bending projects. This compact electric steamer runs on a standard current with built in thermal protection and also includes instructions on how to build your steam box.

DuroMax Elite MX4500 Generator $1005.39 Keep things running with a DuroMax Elite MX4500 generatorDurable generator features a durable 7.0 horsepower air-cooled engine with low-oil shut-offSuper-quiet muffler on generator reduces engine noise Heavy-duty steel frameFully isolated, 4-point engine mounts for smooth and quiet operation All-steel, 4-gallon fuel tank with EZ-Read gaugeEstimated 8-hour run timeAutomatic idle control maintains RPM under varying loads to maximize fuel efficiency and minimize noiseFull-power panel includes RV switch, engine shutoff switch, volt meter, circuit breaker and fully protected power outletsTwo (2) 120vAC OutletsOne (1) 120/240vAC Twist-Lock OutletOne (1) 12vDC Battery Charging OutletSpecifications: Easy-starting quiet running 4-stroke motorEight-hour run time on a single tank of fuelFull Power Panel with 12v, 120v, and 240v OutputMax AC Output: 4500 wattsRated AC Output: 3500 wattsCurrent: 120/240vAC and 12vDCTwo (2) 120vAC 20A 3-prong outlets Standard household plugOne (1) 120/240vAC 30A twist lockFully isolated steel roll cageLow-oil shutoffEPA-approved engineSuper quiet exhaust with spark arrestorEZ-START recoil7.0 Hp air cooled engineFuel Tank Capacity: 4 gallonsDecibel: 69 dBARun-Time (@ 50-percent max output): 8.0 hoursNew improved all-terrain never flat tiresNote: This model cannot be shipped to California