DIDN'T FIRE UP ON IT'S MAIDEN VOYAGE DESPITE FOLLOWING DIRECTIONS. WAS HARD TO LOCATE A UNIT DURING THE PANDEMIC AND HAD TO TRAVEL 4 HOURS ROUND TRIP TO GET IT. BOUGHT IT, THOROUGHLY READ THE MANUAL, DID EVERYTHING TO THE "T" OF RUNNING NON ETHANOL GAS, HOOKING IT UP TO TRICKLE CHARGER, ETC ETC. I TEST RAN IT EVERY WEEK. LAST NIGHT WE GOT HIT WITH A 2 FOOT PLUS STORM AND SHE DIDN'T FIRE. VERY, VERY VERY VERY VERY UNHAPPY AND NOT WHAT I EXPECT FROM GENERAC. SHAME ON YOU. I EXPECT A CALL FROM GENERAC INFORMING ME HOW THEY ARE GOING TO MAKE THIS RIGHT. THANKS.

This 8Kw machine was purchased to replace a Coleman 4Kw machine because, like many users, we initially underestimated our power needs. A sparsely used cabin in the woods, off the grid, but enjoyable getaway doesn't warrant air conditioning or television, but a water pump and a hot water heater alone quickly outstripped the 4Kw output of the previous generator. We had to choose between 1)pumping/heating water and 2) lights, computer, power tool, or battery chargers. It was a tolerable choice for a couple of years, but purchase of a KillAWatt device quickly demonstrated the actual consumption of power we were using at the cabin. The 8Kw output now affords us the luxury of hot water and lighting simultaneously, so we are now considering an upgrade to a small refrigerator. The Generac product line is seen all over the north woods up here in upstate New York, often as standby generators, but a few portables as well. This one is very heavy, and is not liftable to put into the vehicle to take to another site for a hunting trip or other event, so it needs to stay put. After using it for two weeks, a few bolts and nuts had vibrated apart and were sitting on the ground, so it prompted us to go around the entire unit, tightening all accessible bolts, nuts, screws, etc. The loose ones were limited to the frame and housing area. The motor/generator components were well manufactured, and we were reluctant to over-tighten any mechanical systems. Hooking the machine up to our house was straight-forward, because we had already set up the previous system with an electrician. The larger capacity Generac did require a 240 volt / 30 amp connector plug to upgrade the milder plug used by the previous generator. Also unforeseen is the simple fact that an 8Kw generator can use twice as much gas as a 4Kw generator. We're not saying the Generac is less efficient, but having the power available whets the appetite of the user. We are still re-thinking our power needs daily because of the reality of gas prices. 24 hours of full-out use will cost $15 per day, but miserly use can cost only $5 per day. The choice is up to the appetite of the user. What's the difference? Running the water pump and water heater all day and all night pulls a lot of watts. Replacing incandescent light bulbs with efficient LED bulbs makes a small but noticeable difference. Chilly nights sometimes tempt one to plug in the electric heater, but power costs money. It's better to use extra blankets if you have them. It is comforting having the power when you really need it, and this machine has it if you want it. Given the cost of fuel over the course of the summer, and looking to the future of several summers ahead, we plan to supplement our electrical generator with solar and wind to manage the cost and reduce the carbon foot print.

This looks like a good unit. Easy to assemble and started up with no problems but ran very rough and stalled. Needed to call for service to come tune it up. Im sure its something minor like bad gaps in the plugs or something like that but a brand new unit should run for a few years before giving you problems. Don't know what this means for long term reliability.

One reason I purchased this generator was for the ease of starting it with the electric starter when the power goes out. The first week I had it, it started right up, but once I removed the trickle charger that came with it for a couple days it wouldn't start. I figured it had a bad battery or a short in the system, so I took it to a Generac authorized repair shop to have it checked out and they said the battery was bad and replaced it. Sad to say the new battery was also dead after sitting a couple of days. I did some research on the internet and discovered that this Generac Model had issues of shorting out and causing the battery to drain and die. I installed an on/off toggle switch to isolate the battery when not in use and that fixed the shorting out issue. One other issue that I've ran into, is that this CO sensor is almost too sensitive, if the wind blows the exhaust back towards the generators CO sensor it will shut down unexpectedly, so I have to position the exhaust pipe towards the same direction as the wind is blowing. Now that I know what it takes to get this generator started and keep it going it's actually a really good generator and it performs well, it's just not user friendly.

[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] Works great. Took it on our latest camping trip it ran our site and our neighbors site with power to boot. Quieter than I expected! I liked the idea of never flat wheels but they seemed a little bent. Handy fold up handle that was well balanced and easy to maneuver was a bonus.

Not my first experience with Generac products as I purchased a GP7000E in 2009. It still runs but I have outgrown it and the GP17500E will meet all of my needs for the several different uses I have it for. Excellent product, highly reliable and all of the people I have talked to that work at Generac and the people at the dealers have been absolutely a pleasure to deal with on every level. More companies need to follow Generac's lead with product quality, reliability, affordability and, above all, the quality of the people they hire to represent their company. Absolutely first rate, Generac! Well done!

The generator is being used to charge batteries and run a small cottage at the same time. No complaints about weight and size as it's expected. It fired right up and started going to work. The only problem we have encountered is the 30AMP breaker keeps tripping if we run small window air conditioners (5AMP) or anything at 1,500 watts=12.5AMPs for a brief 5 min. The offgrid includes four banks of 48V AGM batteries. We set the Magnum inverter down to 80% and AMPs down to 38. This seems to be helping but we can't put a larger load on. So we installing a 50AMP plug on the house with a cut off and bipass, essentially we will be running the 30AMP plug to charge the batteries and the 50AMP to run the house. Typical charge on those batteries is around 4 hours. If you plug an appliance at 12.5 AMPs direct to the generator - there's no difference in load sound. As a building contractor we designed our own off grid system and will be writing a book with as much detail as possible.

Best value for price. Easy assembly. Started right up. Ran my pool pump, kegerator, deep well cooler, 1 window ac unit, 1 in wall ac unit with ease. It didn't even strain. Refrigerator and house lights are on solar, battery backup system. I did not try running central ac, stove, although it probably would if other loads were shut off. Connected my oscilloscope while under load. Voltage and frequency right on. Very clean pattern. More than happy with power output, quality.

I am very impressed with my model of Generac. I purchased this model after seeing my neighbors in use and I was impressed. Used for home backup and miscellaneous jobs. The electric start makes simple for my family to get running with no assistance if I am away from home. Very easy to set up and use. Good design for storage.

It was a gift from a son-in-law. I have started it but have not used it as we are still trying to get our house wired for it. One complaint was that the manual with it was not very good so I had to down load one from the web site. Also it arrived without the axle but when I called Generac they shipped one right away.Since it is so heavy I had to get help in installing the wheels and axle. The Generac people(Power Solutions ) in Jasper, GA did send a man over and he did the work for me and made all the proper assembly needed and was very friendly. This generator is to be used in case of power outages that we have often..