What is the decibel level of a portable generator?
We measure sound levels of our PowerSmart Series™ inverter generators and our QuietPower™ Series inverter generator running at ¼ load at 7 meters from the control panel side. At that load and distance:
Our P2200 is 59dB(A)*
Our P3000 is 58 dB(A)*
Our Q6500 is 66 dB(A)*
Compared to traditional camping generators, these inverter generators are quieter and offer a more consistent smooth power output making them safe for sensitive electronics.
Can I use synthetic oil in my equipment?
Our engines are developed, tested and certified with petroleum based motor oils as a lubricant. Any motor oil used in our engines must meet or exceed all oil requirements as stated in the owners manual to include the recommended oil change intervals.
What kind of fuel should I use in my equipment?
Our equipment is certified and designed to run on regular unleaded gasoline.
Gasoline is allowed, by regulation, to contain a variety of additives. The same regulation limits how much of some additives, such as alcohol, can be included in the fuel and still be sold as gasoline. Our equipment is designed for good performance and efficient operation using gasoline containing from 0 to 10% ethanol.Always refer to your owner's manual for a list of recommended fuel and the current approved additives.
How can I avoid fuel related issues?
Specific guidelines vary by model. However, in general, following these steps will help to prevent most fuel-related problems:
Do not use gasoline containing more than 10% ethanol in your power equipment.
Store your gasoline in a clean, plastic, sealed container approved for fuel storage. Close the vent (if equipped) when not in use and store the container away from direct sunlight. If it takes more than 3 months to consume the fuel in the container, we suggest adding a fuel stabilizer to the fuel when you fill the container.
Keep your engine's air filter properly serviced. Check it before each use.
If you don't plan to use your equipment for more than 30 days, follow the storage guidelines in your owner's manual.
How long can I leave gas in the tank?
The length of time that gasoline can be left in your fuel tank and carburetor without causing functional problems will vary depending on a variety of factors.
Fuel formulations vary by region. Depending on where you operate your engine, fuel may deteriorate and oxidize more rapidly (in as little as 15 days). Please check with your servicing dealer for storage recommendations and precautions specific to your region.
Other factors include:
The air volume in a partially filled fuel tank promotes fuel deterioration.
Very warm storage, high humidity, and variable temperatures accelerate fuel deterioration.
Fuel deterioration problems may occur in less than 30 days, particularly if the gasoline was stored in your portable fuel container for an extended period of time. We recommend that you purchase fresh fuel from a busy, reputable gas station in a volume that will be used in less than 3 months.
What kind of problems can occur from old gasoline?
In storage, gasoline immediately starts to naturally oxidize and deteriorate. The older it gets the more it deteriorates and the more likely it will cause hard starting and other performance issues that result from sticky deposits that clog the tiny passages in the fuel system.
In addition, ethanol in the gasoline attracts water. Initially it mixes with the ethanol, but at higher concentrations it separates and settles to the lowest point, which leads to corrosion and starting and running problems. The lower the fuel level in the tank, the more likely you will experience water contamination.
If the gasoline in your fuel tank and carburetor has significantly deteriorated during storage, you may need to have the carburetor and other fuel system components serviced or replaced.
What fuel should I use in my equipment ?
Our engines are designed and certified to run on regular unleaded gasoline containing no more than 10% ethanol (E10).
Gasoline is allowed, by regulation, to contain a variety of additives. The same regulation limits how much of some additives, such as alcohol, can be included in the fuel and still allow it to be sold as gasoline. A maximum of 10% ethanol is allowed in gasoline (other oxygenates are also listed). Our engines are designed for good performance and efficient operation using gasoline containing from 0 to 10% ethanol.
Always refer to your owner's manual for the recommended fuel and the currently approved additives.
Was there oil or gas in my generator before I bought it?
Every single one of our units are tested before they leave our factories. The oil and gas are drained, however this means that trace amounts of oil and gasoline will be found inside the generator. Our quality control process ensures you are not disappointed with your generator.
How Do Inverter Generators Work?
To explain what an inverter generator is and how it works, let’s begin with a brief overview of how all generators produce power. Generators have two main parts – an engine and an alternator. The engine consumes a fuel, like gasoline or propane, and turns a shaft. The alternator has two main components – a rotor and a stator. The engine shaft turns the rotor, which induces power in the stator. This power goes to the control panel, where it is used to power whatever you need – power tools, appliances, and more.
In a traditional generator, the power produced by the alternator is fed (more or less) straight to the control panel. It may go through a voltage regulator or other protective devices, but the power is not necessarily “cleaned up”. Therefore, the power produced by a traditional generator has a higher total harmonic distortion (THD) than the power produced by an inverter generator. THD is a measure of how clean the power is – more on that in a moment.
An inverter generator works differently. The alternating current (AC) power produced by the alternator is sent to a rectifier, which is a device that converts the AC power to direct current (DC). This DC power is then inverted back to AC power by the computer inside the generator before it is sent to the control panel. This is where the name “inverter” comes from. Because the power to the control panel is controlled by the computer, inverter generators offer much lower THD than standard generators. THD is an important consideration when powering sensitive devices, like smartphones, tablets, computers, and televisions. These devices expect “clean” power (power that has low THD, like the wall power in your home), and can be damaged if they receive high-THD power. All our inverter generators use pure-sine-wave inverters, and as such, limit THD to under 1% in most cases. Traditional generators can produce THD as high as 25% in some cases.
Inverter generators are generally more compact than traditional generators, and are much quieter, but have lower maximum power outputs and are more expensive. There are two main sub-types of inverter generators: closed-frame and open-frame. Closed-frames are the most compact type of inverter generator, as well as the quietest. Their protective shell contains noise-absorbing insulation, significantly reducing their acoustic impact. They are usually portable and suitable for powering small loads. Open-frame inverter generators have no such insulation, and therefore are louder than closed-frames, but are still quieter than standard generators – usually about 50% quieter. Open-frame inverter generators produce power that is just as clean as closed-frame inverters, and may be capable of handling larger loads.
Why the Generator Won't Start ?
1) It’s low on oil 2) It’s out of gas 3) The choke lever is in the wrong position 4) The fuel valve is closed or clogged 5) The carburetor is clogged or air locked 6) The spark plug needs to be replaced 7) The low-oil sensor isn’t working properly 8) The battery is dead 9) Electronics are plugged in during startup 10) Check the air filter
How often do I need to do maintenance?
We recommends that the oil is changed after the first 20 hours of use. Then every subsequent 50 hours of use. See the Manual.