REVIEW (Initial):
I recently purchased the XL4000 Briggs & Stratton generator from home
depot. It replaces the Generac XL4000 that they used to sell.
Model 30252
Store In-Stock SKU # 499054
I ended up purchasing it for occasional home power during power
outages. My decision was based on the fact that I might need to run in
some combination my boiler (natural gas power vented), sump pump 1/3rd
HP and the fridge, and maybe broker 1000watts or so to my neighbors for
gas. I also factored in runtime. So 4000 watts seemed like it might
be large enough, but not so large that it would consume extra gas. The
stats state 12 hours on 4.5 gal at 50% load or 0.375 gal/hour. I'll
believe these numbers when I see it for real.
Other significant benefits was that the engine has cast iron sleeves
and the alternator has voltage regulation (most cheap units only rely
on the engine rpm to dictate voltage). That with the hour meter,
GFCI's and the included power cord made the $699 price seem like a good
deal. I actually ended up paying $560 after two 10% discounts that I
had so that was the final deal maker. They shipped it with a
pre-measured bottle of oil and fuel stabilizer, not a big deal, but
still nice. The website also says it doesn't have a fuel gage, but it
actually has one on the tank.
I had also looked at the Lowe's 5500 watt Coleman Powermate with
Robins-Subru engine, but Coleman like many of the generators they sell
to large chains has zero information on there website. At least Briggs
& Stratton has full specs including wiring diagrams and engine diagrams
and parts lists.
I had also looked at the Honda and Yamaha inverter models, but as
awesome and nice as they are, I just couldn't afford the $1000+. Maybe
someday in the future. I just couldn't justify them for home backup
only. If I had an RV or wanted to use it for something else it would
make sense.
When I bought the generator my neighbor also bought one taking
advantage of the 20% off deal we were getting (I was actually piggy
backing on his deal). As soon as we got the two generators home we
took them out of the box and filled up the oil with the included oil,
which was exactly pre-measured at 18 ounces. We put a little gas in
pulled the cord and within one pull each one started. Absolutely nice
considering a month previous we purchased two pep-boys Powermate
specials and neither worked (both returned).
We immediately put a volt meter on the units and put 1500 watts load on
each phase. The voltage regulation is great. It does vary a little,
but it's very steady and never overshoots or undershoots even when
turning the load on and off. When it's running out of gas it does a
fairly nice job of keeping the voltage from going all over the place.
Though I think there is a lot of harmonic noise, because with my cheap
meter I could not get an accurate frequency reading even though on a
city power it works great.
We ran the units for about 10 minutes and parted ways. First
impressions are the units are very nice and rugged. They are very
heavy (about 150 lbs), so the included wheels and handle are essential.
It really takes two people to lift it in and out of a vehicle.
The other thing to note is that it's really loud. It's more on the
nature of a snow blower then a lawn mower (if that makes sense). Don't
expect to use it in the summer when you neighbors power is out and they
have there windows open. If you do be p repaired to share a few watts
with them in exchange for gas.
A few days later I figured I would burn it in a little. I put it
outside on the lawn and began running it with a 1500 watt load. A few
minutes in I heard the engine chugging and looked over to see sparks
coming out of the alternator, then everything was back to normal.
Initially I figured it might have been some piece of wire or other junk
from manufacturing (obviously not right). I put my power meter on it
and read 140volts. IT was running without any voltage regulation.
Yeiks. I shut it down and opened the cover to the alternator and found
the problem. When they built it, they mis-routed the voltage
regulators wires over the nut to the shaft spinning at 3600rpm and it
wore through. It takes about 15 minutes to do this before it melts the
wire in half.
We took apart my neighbors to verify that his was assembled right and
it was. I exchanged mine at home depot and opened the new one up as
soon as I got home. Yet a third way of routing the voltage regulator
wires, but still safe. I ran the new one for about 1/2 hour, drained
the fuel tank and called it a day.
My only advice after having 5 generators (combined with my neighbors)
in the last few months it to burn your generator in for a few hours to
make sure it works. We had 3 duds out of 5 across two brands (Chinese
import branded Powermate from PepBoys and Briggs & Stratton pro
models).
My plan is to run it for a full 5 hours through the initial engine oil
change. But in spite of my initial problems, this seems to be a well
built generator. It seems rugged and for the price has a lot of good
features (cast iron sleeves and voltage regulation). I think once it's
burnt in it will be fine. I would recommend buying one with the only
warning to run it for a few hours the day you bring it home. Also
expect it to be as loud as any of the other low end generators. Maybe
burn it in while you are already mowing your lawn so not as many people
will feel deprived of their silence.
Last note: 3 out of 5 failures means buy any generator local so you
can take it back. The only units I would consider buying mail order
are the Yamaha's or Hondas.
lowtech87501
XML site map