Generac GP2200i

[Midnightmoon]

Finally bit the bullet and purchased a new inverter generator today after months of looking. I picked up a Generac GP2200i from our local dealer. It actually wasn't an intentional purchase. I stopped in to pick up a new lawn mower battery and they had a sale display with these marked down to $449.99. I couldn't pass up the price.

Pretty nice basic unit. 2200w peak 1700w continuous. 12 volt outlet on the front panel as well as a USB charger and 2 standard 120v outlets. Parallel capability and Eco mode.

The manual doesn't have a specific break in procedure listed. Just to change the oil after 30 hours.

Crossing my fingers that it will be a good unit, but for the price, I couldn't pass it up.

http://www.generac.com/all-products/generators/portable-generators/gp-series/gp2200i

 

[TCNashville]

Nice buy and good price. My 4 year old Champion 2000w inverter genny hasn't missed a beat but if it does I'll take a serious look the the Generac. Heard great things about them. Everyone touts the Honda/Yamaha gennys and for good reason but for the price I'd take my chances buying 2 of these for the price of one Honda. Tech with gennys have come a long way.

 

[Midnightmoon]

Thanks. I ran it for a good while yesterday. So much quieter than our previous open frame generator.

Not a true test since it was only in the mid 70's yesterday (and we are only approx 1900 ft elevation here) but it did start and run our Colman 13.5K AC without going in to overload. That's not what I intend to use it for, but I was curious if it could.

 

[norty1]

I think i'll send my wife for the next lawn mower blade!

Nice unit. I'm happy to see those big generator companies realize the market for smaller gennys.

 

[robkelly]

Didn't realize Generac made a portable model, bit if it's anything like big one we have for the stick & brick I think you'll be very pleased.

For that price I may have to look into one for myself.

 

[Midnightmoon]

Thanks guys. I'm pretty happy with the purchase. I don't have any grand illusions that this thing will compete long term with the industry standard Honda or Yamaha. However, at the price point, I'm certainly willing to take a shot with it. In addition, having a local Generac dealer 10 min from the house makes me feel a little better if I would have a warranty issue down the road.

 

[merlinhomeauto]

I have 2 with the parallel kit they work great. Just make sure you do not store with gas in them or you will need a new carb, don't ask how I know.

 

[Midnightmoon]

I have 2 with the parallel kit they work great. Just make sure you do not store with gas in them or you will need a new carb, don't ask how I know.

How long do you consider too long? I hate this ethanol gas by the way.

 

[merlinhomeauto]

How long do you consider too long? I hate this ethanol gas by the way.

I only stored it for about a month. $65 for carb. Now I dump extra gas back into can and run them out of gas before storage, no problems for two years now.

 

[Midnightmoon]

I only stored it for about a month. $65 for carb. Now I dump extra gas back into can and run them out of gas before storage, no problems for two years now.

Thanks. I'll make sure to be careful with that. I appreciate the help.

 

[ALJO]

Ever wondered who made the Champion engines, it has an Yamaha engine in it. Don't get fooled by a different make of generator it might have the Yamaha engine in it. Honda and Yamaha owners claim they have the best according to their wallet. Lucky for the ones who spend less and have the same.

 

[Pfflyer]

I only stored it for about a month. $65 for carb. Now I dump extra gas back into can and run them out of gas before storage, no problems for two years now.

X2. Except I never store fuel in mine. I thought about adding a fuel shutoff for my Powerhorse suitcase generators similar to the Generac but dumping extra fuel back in the can and running them dry has worked for 4 or 5 years now.

 

[Duke4857]

It is better if you can get non-ethanol gas. If a gas station does not have it a lot of boat docks will have it.

 

[Randyeng]

Watch the inverter. Mine went out after 2 years. Cost $700 to repair on a $600 generator. Went with a Champion.

 

[gymracer]

My motorhome has a Diesel 5500 Onan but for a backup and to just have in the race trailer if I pull to local races with the pickup I have a Harbor Freight Inverter 3500 with electric start and a 30A RV plug. I know first thing you think is that it's junk. I've had it 2 years and starts every time and very quite. It was only $699. on sale. Not just me but a number of people I race with have them and use them lots more than me. I figure I can buy 3 and throw them away for the price of one Honda.

 

[JimD]

Rather than draining the gas and risk spilling it all over the place, why not just add a fuel stabilizer additive? That is suppose to keep the gas from going bad for an extended period of time.

What about the fuel in the big generator in the coach? They say to run it under load once a month but that doesn't address the gas sitting in the tank for an extended period.

I have a Ryobi 2200 small generator which I absolutely love. Bought it mainly to reduce the hours put on the big genny and also to keep the batteries fully charged before nightly shutdown. Very little fuel usage and somewhat quiet. Favorite feature is the bluetooth feature which allows full monitoring of gas level and load PLUS allows remote shutdown. That way I don't have to drag my lazy bones out there to shut the thing down.

 

[freetime58]

Rather than draining the gas and risk spilling it all over the place, why not just add a fuel stabilizer additive? That is suppose to keep the gas from going bad for an extended period of time.

Important to add stabilizer to the gas right when you buy it, the chemical is meant to stabilize new gas for 6 months or more, if you stabilize old gas (say adding stabilizer to the tank when you realize/expect to store something) you are actually stabilizing it at that point when it's already begun to breakdown and/or separate.

I add stabilizer to the gas can while at the pump, fill it up, good to go.

 

[DNelson-JAY]

Not sure a stabilizer adds much if using ethanol gasoline. Take a look at this video:

 

[freetime58]

Not sure a stabilizer adds much if using ethanol gasoline. Take a look at this video:

Easy solution..............then don't use gas with Ethanol in it!!!! I don't, all my small engines use Premium Fuel with no Ethanol. I don't expect stabilizer to anything to combat damage do to Ethanol. I depend on stabilizer to prolong storage by not allowing the build up of varnish in fuel systems/carburetor and by not allowing the fuel to break down over time and separate. Up here in Canada there are several companies whose premium fuels do not contain Ethanol, most indicate so right at the pump. I also do not use fuel containing Ethanol in my boat, Ethanol attracts moisture, moisture not a good thing in a marine environment, Shell V-Power is great...........

 

[Camper_bob]

If there was ethanol-free fuel available at a pump near me, I would use it. But unfortunately that's not my reality.

I do purchase it in small quantities for my small engines, but the price is stupid. I only use it in those small engines because one can will last an entire season, and the difference is staggering. E-10 and I can hardly get the engine started at all. Made the switch to canned ethanol-free, and all problems eliminated immediately. Engine starts on the first pull every time.

But for my motorhome, it's E10-15 and stabilizer before storage. It's the best I can do...

You couldn't pay me to put E-85 in anything.

But I just remembered there is one pump out near the Interstate that has 100 octane ethanol-free race gas. I haven't bothered to try that yet...

What surprised me the most is how much ethanol-free was available in "fly-over" country on our trip to South Dakota this year. Driving through millions of acres of corn (I'm looking at YOU, Nebraska), and there's no corn-gas... I thought it was quite ironic!