Generac 5791 iX800 800 Watt 38cc 4-Stroke OHV Gas Powered Portable Inverter Generator

by Generac

• Inverter technology passes energy through an electronic microprocessor to provide clean, stable power
• Ideal for for camping, tailgating, and recreational use; built-in handle for easy transport
• 800-watt power supply; 850 surge watts
• FlexPower adjustable engine speed (Eco and High modes); full enclosure for quiet, campground-friendly use
• Non-CARB Compliant/Not For Sale In California

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 10 x 18 x 15 inches ; 27.5 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 37 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S. and to APO/FPO addresses. For APO/FPO shipments, please check with the manufacturer regarding warranty and support issues.
• Shipping Advisory: This item must be shipped separately from other items in your order. Additional shipping charges will not apply.
• ASIN: B002NKMG5M
• Item model number: 5791
• Average Customer Review: 2.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (24 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #11,194 in Patio, Lawn & Garden (See Top 100 in Patio, Lawn & Garden)
  • #35 in Automotive > RV Parts & Accessories > Power & Electrical > Generators
  • #41 in Patio, Lawn & Garden > Generators & Portable Power > Generators

Product Description

From the Manufacturer

Generac's iX Series inverter technology takes the raw power produced by the generator and passes it through a special electronic microprocessor to provide clean and stable power, safe for computers and other sensitive electronic devices. Designed for life on the road, its durable, lightweight, compact design with built-in handle offers portable power for camping, tailgating, and recreational use. Inverter generators utilize a different type of alternator than standard generators to generate AC power. The raw power produced by the generator is converted into AC power by a digital inverter module. The inverter technology reduces the generator's size and weight. But more importantly, it allows the engine to run at varying speeds, significantly reducing noise and fuel consumption levels. The Generac iX Series has clean consistent output power with less than 3% total harmonic distortion especially important with sensitive electronic devices such as computers and DVD players.

Product Description

Compact in design, the Generac iX800 gas-powered portable inverter generator (model 5791) is designed for life on the road. Its durable, lightweight design with built-in handle offers portable power for camping, tailgating, and recreational use. The iX800 features inverter technology that reduces the size, weight, and noise of the generator and allows for the engine to run at varying speeds, significantly reducing the noise and fuel consumption levels. And its special electronic microprocessor can also provide safe, stable power for sensitive electronic devices such as computers.

800 watts of clean power to safely power sensitive electronics (see larger image).

The iX800 provides a reliable 800-watt power supply wherever you need it and a maximum power output of 850 watts, and yet it's 40 percent lighter than a standard generator of equal wattage output. It features Generac's FlexPower technology, which provides two modes of operation: High Mode for large loads or battery charging, and an Eco Mode to save fuel and reduce noise.

Note for California residents: This model is not CARB-compliant. Units sold to California must be CARB-compliant.

Ideal for recreational use (ix2000 model shown;
see larger image).

To determine your requirements for a portable generator, see this wattage chart sample.

The case is fully enclosed for quiet operation--making it campground friendly--and its integrated handle makes it easy to move from car to camp site. It's equipped with a 4-stroke, 38-cc OHV (overhead valve) engine, which features a low-oil shutdown system to prevent engine damage and keep the generator in good shape for long-term use.

This generator's 0.5-gallon resin tank will give you up to 3.6 hours of operation at a 50-percent load. Other features include splash lubrication and electronic overload protection. It's backed by a 2-year residential warranty, and a 6-month warranty when used for commercial purposes.

How Inverter Technology Works

Inverter generators utilize a different type of alternator than standard generators to generate AC power. The raw power produced is converted from DC to AC power by a computer-controlled inverter module. The engine speed varies depending on the electrical demand, which significantly reduces noise and fuel consumption compared to a standard portable generator. The end result is a portable generator with reduced weight and size, and power that is ultra-clean and capable of safely powering sensitive electronics.

What's in the Box

Generac iX800-5791 gas-powered portable inverter generator (Non-CARB Compliant), first oil supply, funnel, spark plug wrench, screwdriver, and manual.

Compare the Generac iX Series Portable Generators
Model #	iX800	iX1400	iX1600	iX2000
Compliance	49 State	CARB	49 State	49 State
Running/starting watts	800 / 850	1400 / 1450	1600 / 1650	2000 / 2200
Engine displacement	38cc	80cc	99cc	126cc
Fuel tank size (gallons)	0.5	0.7	0.8	1.0
Approx. run time @ 50% (hours)	3.6	5	4.9	4.7
Fuel tank	Resin	Steel	Resin	Resin
Circuit breaker protection	6.6 Amps AC	12.5 Amps AC 5 Amps DC	13.3 Amps AC 5 Amps DC	16.7 Amps AC 5 Amps DC
DC charging cable	No	Yes	Yes	Yes
Outlets	2 x 5-15R	2 x 5-15R 1 x 12V DC	2 x 5-15R 1 x 12V DC	2 x 5-20R 1 x 12V DC
Dimensions (LxWxH, inches)	18 x 10 x 15	21 x 11 x 18	21 x 11 x 18	22 x 11 x 18
Weight (pounds)	29	46	43.5	49.6

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

41 of 44 people found the following review helpful

1.0 out of 5 stars Do not buy July 23, 2010

By ThreeFootDraft

Amazon Verified Purchase

Follow up - August 23rd, 2010:

Generac finally replaced my leaking unit. Hours of work on my part. The new unit idles quite different. On normal mode it idles significantly lower and flucuates up and down. In the economy mode, it simply idles even lower. The first unit seemed to idle normal (who knows) or high. In economy mode it flucuated up and down as stated in the manual. The electrical outlets are different. The first unit had commercial 120v outlets - one plug vertical, one horizontal. I spent $50 for a commercial extension cord. The new unit has regular (parallel) plugs. Therefore I'll need to buy an adaptor. Unbelievable. If there are any more problems I simply will pay someone who knows what they are doing (Generac's service people do not) or throw the unit out. Stay away from this unit. And stay away from Generac.

June, 2010 - Unit was defective out of box. Significant oil leak from engine even when not running. Took to 2 authorized Generac service shops. Still leaks. Leak is where 2 aluminum machine surfaces come together. Still trying to get resolution. Generac customer service fair at best. Takes considerable time to reach a human being. The unit already looks 2 years old due to the handling by the repair people and I've never used it. Generac has still not offered to replace. They "don't make the motors". A great excuse. I will contact Amazon corporate office if necessary to tell them not to sell this company's products and file in small claims court if necessary against Generac. Please consider other manufacturers' if you are looking for a small generator. I may be contacted at nfre at comcast dot net for photos of leak. Thank you.

23 of 24 people found the following review helpful

2.0 out of 5 stars not what I had hoped for January 5, 2011

By Ken H

Amazon Verified Purchase

I bought the generator to use on my boat to occasounally keep the batteries up when camped away from the marina. I was very disappointed in the loud noise level. It is advertised and also marked on the box as "ultra quiet"; well it is as loud as a lawn mower under load, and I wouldn't want to listen to that noise for hours at a time, nor subject that to fellow boaters nearby. I had expected maybe something that wouldn't be a nuissance and may be nearly as quiet as a Honda. No way, this is unacceptable to have to listen to.

24 of 26 people found the following review helpful

1.0 out of 5 stars Real junk, no warranty coverage March 9, 2011

By Russgary

I bought this generator to use for charging a battery bank on an RV. I never got it to run for even 10 minutes, when I took it to the factory authorized repair depot they said it had water in the gas, they told Me this before working on it? The tank I fill My equipment with is used on 7 engines none of which had problems. The so called repair I had to pay for and accomplisehed nothing, I still cannot use the generator, and the factory refuses to warranty it. I have two other generators a 6 kw and a 1 kw both constant speed type one of which cost 99 dollars and puts this one to shame. Very poor showing and no warranty beware.

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful

1.0 out of 5 stars ok but April 16, 2011

By David C. Martin

Got this unit for a very low price through Amazon.com. Cranked it up and worked ok. Next day it would not hold voltage. took to authorized dealer. 4 weeks later told me the carborator was dirty and not covered by warranty. male bovineshit! the nit needed adjusting. a warranty charge. but why wait for the manufacture to come up with the payment when you can hit the owner with a $75 "clean carburetor" charge. What a rip off.

10 of 12 people found the following review helpful

1.0 out of 5 stars JUNK! July 18, 2011

By Bird Man

Amazon Verified Purchase

Poor repair service. In the 7 months the repair company has had the thing it hasn't been touched. Generac won't approve the repair of a generator that didn't work right out of the box. Worst customer service i have ever seen. DO NOT BUY!!!

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful

2.0 out of 5 stars Did not run for long - known problems with product line July 30, 2011

By kris

Amazon Verified Purchase

Purchased it as on open box item from Amazon.
Lesson learnt - If you wanted it by a certain date, tell Amazon to NOT use UPS. Their supply chain sucks.
They cannot intercept a parcel and hold at their office for pickup on the same day of supposed delivery.
It will only be available the next day. So beware. Have them ship by Fedex instead. Fedex can even
contact their truck drivers by radio on delivery day.

I puchased the generator to go camping and to power a laptop and a fan at 90F weather.
The generator ran for 15 minutes and died. The load was most likely less than 400W, just charging the
laptop and running a small box fan. The generator was supposed to supply 800W continuous.

It turns out the inverter board is bad. A known problem with this product line. I later saw reviews of the
1600W model not able to keep up more than 800W.

STAY AWAY FROM THIS GENERAC PRODUCT LINE.

However, Amazon is great to make good my loss, but is not without headaches.

14 of 18 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Pretty good, could be better October 22, 2010

By Allen Leonard

The price, $285, was good. IT'S NOT as good as the small Yamaha I had but it is definitely worth the price.
It's a little noisy and not well-wired. If you look at the jumble of wires inside the case you'll see a lot of chintzy consumer electronics connectors made for very light indoor duty. The engine and inverter look well-made.
The ECO throttle is not steady, it wavers up and down with a steady load and it does not even come into play outside a narrow load range in the middle of the generators power, about 100 watts either side of mid-range 400 watts.
It starts easily. The oil level shutoff switch was coming on too early, even when the oil level was fine. It also came on whenever the genset was tilted at all. The factory said there's no adjustment so I disconnected the switch. I plan on using this genset on a Personal UltraLight Dirigible and I can't have it shutting off just because it's not perfectly level flight.
I put a tachometer/time log on it which rings every five hours and warns me to check the oil. This would've been a good original equipment item.
The mufflers not much good and I want to add a pipe to the output to quieten the high frequency noise coming from the exhaust valve clattering as it closes and opens.

I wanted to build my test airship as Cheeply! as possible or I would've used the Yammy or the Honda. This is about a third their price so I'm not surprized it ain't great. But it works fairly well.