FIRMAN Dual Fuel Generator, Extended Run Time Portable Generator

This generator is fantastic. After installing my solar system and wanting to hook up a generator to a manual transfer box, I researched all the dual fuel generators I could find and found this one to be the biggest bang for the buck. I had some questions when I first got my generator and contacted Firman who is located in Arizona. They were extremely responsive on email and also answered the phone. Yes, you can get a human to talk to at the company which is amazing these days with everyone dumping phone service for chat and email. The generate runs a solid 13 hours on a full 20lb tank of propane and equally as long with a full tank of gas. Unpacking and putting together the wheels and tow bar were super easy. They give you all the tools you need to do it meaning you don't have to pull out your toolbox to get this all set up. Starting this was so easy. Press button start fired up IMMEDIATELY on both gas and propane. TIP: When it fires up, immediately move the choke to the running position as you only need the choke for literally the first few seconds and that's it. This runs very clean at 60hz solid on the display and I have had no fluctuations. This really cranks out the power and had all the plugs you would need for just about any type of hookup. I am using the 30amp twist lock to connect to the house. The noise level is at a level where you don't have to wear ear plugs and you can talk to someone around you when it's running but it's not "quiet". However, I cannot hear it running when inside my house and neither can my neighbor so it's a win win!s

My generator started leaking oil from the crank case gasket after only one use (basically I tested it in my garage – then stored it). I called warranty/tech support – the rep <Daniel A> seemed friendly and helpful. He asked me to email him some pictures of the problem, which I promptly did that same day. Four weeks passed with no response. I emailed twice asking for an update – again no response. After six weeks I called back – I was told that that the support analyst who helped me the first time would call me back that day. Guess what? He didn’t call me back. A week later I try again – after waiting on hold for several minutes they inform me that I will have to take the unit to local shop for repair. I have to take the 240 pound generator that is leaking oil to the shop myself – at my own expense. Ok I say, which repair shop? The first one they name is 40 miles from my house. The rep <Tristan> said he will find a closer repair facility and contact me when the work order is approved. Guess what – that was two weeks ago. I’ve emailed twice and gotten zero response. Firman customer support: you FAILED.

Easy to assemble. Starts easily on propane with half choke. I use it to backfeed my spa power feed #6 wire into my distribution panel. I installed a 30 Amp 240 volt outdoor receptacle that feeds into the spa breaker panel. I can run the spa 6KW heaters plus one 2KW pump at the same time. The heaters only go on momentarily but the generator does not stall. I installed a Reliance double wattmeter next to my home distribution panel. The CT doughnuts fit easily over the #6 wires. Running off the generator , I’m only pulling 1KW with my refrigerator, freezer, gas furnace and wine cellar on. Microwave pulls 2KW. TVs and electronics work perfectly. I have a gas water heater and gas dryer. Oven is 2KW. It is clear that 5700 Watts continuous power will be plenty to run my entire house in the winter with no problem. Generator is 150 ft from the house so I hardly hear it. When summer comes, I’ll try the AC, but we rarely use it in Northern California. Sorry for the long review but I answered many questions I had about the generator. Addition: I installed a Sure Start soft start in my 3.5 ton AC unit. The generator now can start and run my AC unit and the entire house.

We have had a few prolonged power outages at our house, so I finally bought a stand-by generator. These were my requirements: - Minimum 5500 Watts - Dual fuel (gas & propane) - Electric start (try starting a pull-start engine in -10F !) There was minor assembly involved - I had to attach the wheels, which are absolutely essential - this thing is heavy, and carting it around without wheels is impossible for one person. I tested it three times so far - it works fine. Pros: - Works well on both gasoline and propane - Well written instructions - Idiot-proof interlock system for propane and gasoline selector - Comes with all the propane fittings, hoses, and regulators - all you need to supply is the tank - Very sturdy construction - Solid cranking power - Runs smoothly - Heavy, but easy to wheel around by a strong person - Includes a carburetor drain plug to prevent fouling between uses - I run it every 2 months for testing - no problems so far on 2 runs Cons: - Expensive - that is a function of the dual fuel and electric start - Not deafening, but still very loud - The panel display in propane mode is not intuitively obvious - it requires a read of the instructions to understand what is going on. - I was surprised how much gasoline I had to add to the tank before the unit would start. Once started, it uses the gasoline right to the bottom, but would not start until there were 2 inches of gasoline in the tank. I have only used it on gasoline once, so maybe that was a first-use issue. - The propane will rush out the hose if you disconnect the hose from the generator without first closing the tank valve. The instructions warn against doing that, but you don't consult the manual before every use.