Customer Reviews

All Power America APG3560 6,000 Watt 13 HP OHV Propane Powered Generator with Electric Start & Wheel Kit

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(6)

 

 

This is the second review I've done on this generator. The first one was somewhat positive, but now that I have more experience with it, I'm doing a re-write:

First, don't be fooled by the name of this generator, there's nothing "American" about it, but these days, what is? However, I do object to the blatant attempt to mislead buyers.

This generator is made by the Jiangdong Co. of China. Jiangdong is a large manufacturer of small engines and they attach those engines to any number of items e.g., pumps, generators etc.

The generator seen here recently underwent a name change from Gentron (still being sold at various outlets e.g. [...]) to 'All Power America'. I suspect this could be a re-branding due to image and on-going customer complaints. I purchased this generator from [...]. As stated above, mine is a Gentron, but it is the exact unit sold here.

First, this generator is shipped in an inferior container. The box that it comes in is literally the same dimensions as the generator itself. Any hit the box may take is transferred directly to the contents with negative results. Mine arrived with a dented panel, but the box showed no signs of damage. By the way, the driver of the delivery truck would not let me inspect the contents ON the truck. I had to remove the box from the truck in order to inspect it. (Once you do that, it cannot go back on the truck. Catch-22.) So, if you see any dent in the box, no matter how small, refuse the delivery.

The dented panel didn't prevent me from testing the generator, so I filled it with oil (they make it clear it has no oil upon delivery), attached a 5-gallon propane bottle and hit the starter. It fired up immediately with no issues. I called the service number (displayed on the generator) and after some unnecessary haggling about the responsibilities of the shipping company, they agreed to send a new panel. It took over 30 days to arrive.

The first thing you notice about this generator is that it is LOUD. If you think you're going to put this in your backyard and power your house during an outage, forget it. Your neighbors will be climbing your back.

Next is the manual. In a word: Terrible. Although it's not rife with 'Chinglish', it is very incomplete and lacks detailed information that an owner requires. Example: No information on spark plug cross-references and no information on how to change the oil. This manual needs a complete review and overhaul by a competent technical writer.

On to more serious problems. I installed this unit in my shop and vented the exhaust outside. I than proceeded to connect it to my 100 gallon shop propane tank. Note: A 5 gallon propane bottle, the one they recommend, will only run this unit for 6 hours. So, you either need to have many of these on hand or connect it to a larger source. Sound reasonable? One would think so. But, I encountered issues with my gas pressure (the generator wouldn't run properly) so I called the service number for advice. Before I continue, a word about the service center. This group (they give no name when they answer the phone) is an independent company that handles warranty and service calls for several manufacturers. As a result, they have little insight to technical questions about this generator and are working from scripts. You know where this is going....

Back to my call. After explaining my issue and asking how much gas pressure the regulator on my generator required to run properly, they could not help me. In a word: clueless. I ended up calling my propane provider for assistance. They installed a higher pressure regulator at my tank which supplied the proper amount of pressure to the generator. After the repair, the generator ran as it should

Another issue: After reading an on-line comment from another user about his factory (Chinese) spark plug failing, I decided to change mine to an NGK or other popular brand. I referred to the user's manual, but no luck. After several confusing calls to the service center I was completely frustrated with their inability to answer even the simplest question. I finally got an answer for an NGK plug. When I bought it, it was obviously the wrong one. I started the process all over again, and was finally told that "after consulting an outside source" they had found the correct plug. (They later admitted to me that their 'source' was the internet.) I bought it and it seems to work correctly. Whether it's the correct heat range or not, I'll never know until it fails. I bought several.

My next problem was the hour meter. This digital meter would not register the amount of time the generator was running. I called (several times with no call back) and finally got a new one delivered. It did not work out of the box. I decided to buy a $35 mechanical unit from Northern Tool. I installed it myself and it worked.

Next, the generator quit and would not restart while in the middle of a 20 minute by-weekly maintenance run (to exercise the unit). I checked everything with no luck. It would start, run for 2 seconds, then quit. Again, several calls to the service department with no call backs. Finally, a live Rep. took my call and advised me to, "Take it to your nearest repair facility." When I asked her where that was, she could not find one. I told her it didn't matter as I had no intention of transporting a 300 pound, still under warranty, generator anywhere. I said I expected someone to pick it up or repair it on site. She then asked me for the serial number, did some research, then said, "Disconnect the yellow wire to the left of the oil fill cap and try to start it." It worked. The yellow wire was to the 'low oil' sensor which was malfunctioning. She said to leave it disconnected, run the generator for awhile, then reconnect it and "it should be fine". This was done, but it still didn't work. She then asked me to provide proof of purchase and she would look for a repair center. To date (one week) I've still not received a call back.

I've had this generator for 6 months and it has only 2.4 hours of run time. In those two hours, I've had 3 issues that required service calls which have been less than satisfactory. As a result of the dubious re-branding, the poor manual, the unacceptable 'after sale' service and the maintenance issues, I've no choice but to rate this generator as unacceptable and I would not recommend it under any circumstances. I'll update this review as my current problems unfold.

Update 12-19-2010: So far, it's still running. I 'exercise' the generator every week for 20 minutes and have used it once for a recent 4 hour outage. It has started and run as it should.

This is a great generator. Starts quickly every time and runs quieter than other 5-6 KW units. I loaded it up using house load and a clip-on ammeter and it carried over 5 KW with no trouble for several hours. Propane is a great fuel for a home portable generator. Easy to handle, clean, and safer than gasoline. During Ike I could not get gasoline because of the power outages, but exchange propane tanks were available everywhere. I am using a 3-way change over valve so I can switch from one tank to the next under full load. It works great.

I was concerned about service until I saw the exact same generator at Sears and Sams Club web sites. I am sure I can get parts, and that is the important thing. Also Jiangsu Jiangdong is a very large and well established small engine manufacturer that sells the same generator in the US under the names Gentron and JD Tek and probably others.

Very satisfactory purchase.

*Edit after several years of use:

After several years of satisfactory use, I changed the oil. After the oil change the unit started as usual but would run for only 5 or 10 seconds. After considerable research, I disconnected the "yellow wire" as suggested by APA and the unit started and ran fine. I loaded the generator and ran it for about 30 minutes and plugged back in the "yellow wire". No more problems. Apparently the Lo oil protection was activated when the oil was changed and did not reset. This is the only problem I have had and I am very happy with the generator. However, this can be a big problem if you don't know what is going on.

I bought a 6,000-watt propane generator from this company. It worked for three minutes. Not only did the manual have no trouble-shooting section, but when I e-mailed their customer support address I got no response. When I called their toll free number several days later I was told a technician would call me. A week later there was still no call.

Stay away from this company--It offers no customer support whatsoever!

After one year, parts on this generator just fell apart. I used it twice. After weeks and multiple parts, it sits in pieces and I can't repair it myself. Too heavy to take in for service so I'am out a $1,000. Sorry I ever purchased this.

I took out the spark plug as I was getting ready to put this in service. Spark plug had been installed too tight at manufacturer. The rod that came with the spark plug wrench that was provided just bent when I attempted to loosen. Had to use my own tools to loosen plug. Pulled cord a few times to circulate a little oil then went to put plug back in. After hand inserting a few spins the spark plug binds. It is apparent the threads were damaged during manufacturing either because they overtightened, or had trouble and then got it in and overtightened them. I got it last week and this happened when I tried to get ready to put it in service on Saturday 1/31/09. I left message with all-power Saturday and called and sent e-mail today. Yet to speak with a non-recorded voice. I would not recommend buying one of these at this time. Stay tuned I will update my review when I get resolution. Feb 6. Was able to have local engine repair re-tap spark plug hole and I was re-imbursed for this cost by Amazon. Engine started fine after that and runs fine. I tested it with a few things and seems to work fine. One other item to watch out for. The version I received was cost reduced. The unit does not have engine hour meter or volt meter. Also gas connection is not on front panel as shown. Gas ties back to purge valve although you could disconnect there if needed. I am now satisfied with the generator after the initial problems.

I thought this was a good value. Propane being safer then storing gasoline or diesel. When I first got it set up it wouldn't start. I went and got a new "american" spark plug and it started first crank. The electic start is great. We live in the country and use it to run our well when the power is out. SO far it runs great, but get a new spark plug on the way home to avoid the hassle.

WORKS WELL. IF YOU HOOK TO A LARGE LP SOURCE YOU WILL NEED A HIGH PRESSURE REGULATOR. HARD STARTING IN VERY COLD WEATHER.

This generator is more than I expected.During the power outage it ran for 10hr.15min. on a 5gal. bottle of propane. It was not as noisey as everyone else's gas generators. No fumes to be smelled like the gas one's. I put a battery on it and it wouldn't even turn over twice and it started. Even if I would use the pull start it would start on the second pull. It is worth it's weight in GOLD. That 6,000 watt 13hp ran everything I needed to run. I love it because it is made in the U.S.A.. I'm one satisfied customer. W.Valdez keep up the good work

In two years the fuel hose, which was not left hooked up to fuel, totally disintegrated. Discovered that fact during a power outage, naturally. My bad, I suppose, not to have checked this unit more regularly. Their bad,too, as the fuel hose should have lasted. Engine will not start now with new hose. Tried disconnecting yellow low oil level sensor wire as suggested in another review here but that did not help. Will now try to find a small engine repair place to take it on. Total running time to date: five minutes. Total time trying to get it to run to date: four hours. Suggest you do not buy this item.

I have to agree with the person warning you away from this brand. I've had one for about 2 years now. It has a toal of 2 hours on it and now I can't get it to even run except with a blast of ether in the airfilter. Then it runs till the ether runs out (10 seconds). I regret not paying for something better like a Honda. Can't find any documentation on this beast and if I did I bet it would be useless. Stay as far away from this branc has humanly possible. Can't even find a shop in the area to look at much less repair it. I'm now shopping for a real generator that runs on propane. Something with a name brand I know and something I can expect to run when I need it. What a waste of money!