All Power America APG3014 2,000 Watt 4-Stroke Gas Powered Portable GeneratorFollowing is the email I sent to All Power America a week ago. I haven't heard anything back from them. This is a 1000W generator at best, and I'm out $200!
Dear Allpoweramerica:
I just got my electric back after being out for 3 days due to the Halloween snowstorm here in New York. I purchased the generator (Ser. JD15611U060719), thru Amazon on 9/21/11 (after having no power for 6 days after the hurricane). This was my first opportunity to use it.
I was very disappointed!
Using a 25' length of 12 gauge extension cord, I tried to power my 120V/9.0A (max) shallow well pump. The generator stalled out repeatedly. I then tried the 120V/8.0A (max) oil burner. Same results. I was finally able to run the 120V/4.5A refrigerator, but the generator stuttered every time the compressor came on (drawing 6.0A). I have a wattmeter and verified that every time the draw exceeded 900 watts, the generator quit.
You advertised and sold the APG3014 to me as a 2000W generator. I would have been happy if could supply 1500W. Right now I feel that I have been ripped-off for $216!
I expect you to make this right, and will wait to hear from you before I contact Amazon.
PS: The engine starts easily and run quietly. Now if only it would generate electricity.
11/10/11 I sent the letter to the Calif. BBB, and got this reply from All-Power:
This customer is simply overloading the unit. His focus is on the wattage but when it comes to hooking up the unit to things like a refrigerator, compressor, pump, those are things that simply are too much for this unit. This unit runs at 8.3amps when running something, it is known that you need to allow double the ampage to run it or else the unit will die when it surges. For example, if you have something that is 4.5 amps then you would need a unit that would run at least 9 amps or more or else the unit will start to die. The specifications on the unit are in the manual. We unfortunately do not cover something that is being overloaded.
11/14/11 I sent my rebuttal of All-Power's claims to the BBB:
I am NOT overloading the advertised rating for this generator! All-Power's response makes no sense electrically, nor grammatically. The examples I gave were start-up amps for the motors. The running amps are approx. half that. I carefully researched those requirements before ordering the APG3014, based on All-Power's published specifications. Page 15 of the APG3014 Owners Manual states that the generator is rated for 1400W continuous output at 11.6A/120V. Also, that it is rated for 2000W peak surges. It doesn't even approach that output! All-Power's admission that the unit is only capable of 8.3A is another way of saying it is a 1000W (8.3A x 120V) generator, not 2000W. When I purchase a gallon of gasoline, I expect to get a gallon, not a quart. All-Power substituted a 1000W generator after I paid for an advertised 2000W unit, and now they expect me to ignore their deception. It is significant that All-Power has not even offered to investigate whether my generator is defective. They already know that it cannot generate the wattage described in their specs!
I'll keep you posted!
11/21/11 All-Power responded to the Los Angeles, CA BBB:
"We stand by our response but we are not trying to have someone keep a product which they are not satisfied with in regards to its performance. We will as a one-time courtesy do a return on the unit. The paperwork will be submitted today. Please let the customer know that it takes 7-12 business days for it to process at which time the Returns Department will contact him to provide him with the next step in receiving his credit for the unit. We will consider the matter closed after this Return. Thank you". I wonder how many one-time courtesies they get forced to make?
Meanwhile, I was able to chat with an Amazon rep, and they agreed to allow me to return the generator free-of-charge, even sending the UPS guy to pick it up. Today, however, I received an email from Amazon:
We're writing to let you know we processed your refund of $175.99 for your Order 103-3574387-6082604.
This refund is for the following item(s):
Item: All Power America APG3014 2,000 Watt 4-Stroke Gas Powered Portable Generator
Quantity: 1
ASIN: B00265M9TM
Reason for refund: Customer return
Here's the breakdown of your refund for this item:
Item Refund: $199.99
Item Tax Refund: $16.00
Shipping Refund: $40.39
Shipping Tax Refund: $3.23
Shipping Promotion Deduction*: ($40.39)
Shipping Promotion Tax Deduction*: ($3.23)
Partial Refund Deduction: ($40.00)
While I appreciate any refund, I don't think I should have been charged $40 for the privilege of discovering that All-Power misrepresented their product. I'm disputing the Refund Deduction with Amazon.
Keep you posted.
11/21/11 Within 1/2 hour of emailing Amazon I got this response:
"I'm so sorry there was a problem with your refund.
I'd like to make this right for you, so I've requested an additional refund of $40.00, to bring the total to $215.99. You'll see a credit on your card within 2 to 3 business days."
Thank you Amazon. You're great folks to do business with! I wish I could say the same for All-Power.