Customer Reviews

Generac Portable Products 9798 6500 Watt Electric Start Extended Life Premium Generator

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

 

 

CHARLOTTE, NC: Just experienced the worst ice storm of my life in Charlotte, NC. Five days later and still no power. I bought the last Generac generator from Home Depot the day after the ice storm hit, and I was requried to sign a no return policy. The generator ran for 3 hours and then quit at 11:00 pm., not to run again that night. When I tried to return it the next day, I was told by Home Depot that was not possible. They had 50 generators returned the next day for repair. They tried to blame it on 'owner error', but the truth is that Generac has poorly designed the generator for cold weather. In cold and damp conditions (winter basically), the air intake pulls in cold, moist air which freezes after 1 hour or so, eventually choking out the carbeurator. It thaws within an hour after stopping, and then it will run for another 45 minutes or so (maybe). The air intake needs to come off of the exhaust manifold like most good models that are more expensive. This engine is built by Briggs and Straton, and is sold under Generac and Porter Cable (perhaps others too). Do not waste your money like I have, and do not sign a no return policy from anywhere. Home Depot knows this problem exists and won't do the right thing by taking returns for defective merchandise. They told me that Generac advised them to tell their customers to cut a hole in the shipping box, and put the box over the generator while running. While this seemed like a fire hazzard to me, I was desperate for heat and tried it. I did and it did not work either. Shame on Home Depot and Generac - they have just lost a customer for life.

This is supposed to be a premium product (the EXL stands for electric start, extended life and it cost about twice as much as the model with the ordinary engine). Well, it's shipped without a battery and it's a real nuisance figuring out which battery to buy (the type number given in the user's manual simply doesn't exist). It's also supposed to have an automatic no-load idle function but mine won't run at idle. I called the Generac hotline and they said that I had an "engine issue" and wouldn't talk to me. They said that the engine was manufactured by a different company and gave me a different number. The folks at that number wouldn't talk to me since I wasn't a dealer and referred me to a 1-800 number for a local authorized service center. I called the closest center and they said maybe they could get to it in a few weeks. I finally found a center who would look at the machine (cost me [price] roundtrip in shipping) and it still won't run at idle. Don't buy this generator if you are expecting a premium product.

I bought this generator primarily for use with my 29' travel trailer in primitive camping situations, and occasionally for use for home power outages. Primarily my review is related to the initial package and set up. Overall the package was drop shipped without problem and setup was easy. I was however disappointed that the generator DID NOT include a battery as this is and electric start equiped generator. The inclusion of a 25$ battery seems like it should be automatic to me. However the system starts very easily for a 13 horsepower engine manually and runs quiet for such a big engine and really compared to much smaller generators as well.---overall a good buy

From the first day of use the unit has developed a significant oil leak that sprays the entire unit with oil. Since we are a new home contractor we rely on this unit every day. After contacting a local service center they state it could take up to 2-months to receive any parts for the Generac. They contacted Generac to see if there was any product recall or any other problems like this, Generac states there isn't. But I know 2 other people with the same unit and same problem. I orginally ordered the Dewalt generator but couldn't wait any longer after 3 backorders so I settled for this unit. I guess it pays to wait.

Besides the oil problem the unit is very reliable, fuel efficient and is quiet.

It is not possible to ship a lead acid battery in a ready to use condition. The acid can spill and is very hazardous. Would you feel better if it had a battery but you had to take the battery to a service center to get the acid put in?
The only problem is that the information should be better. There should be a bold label stating the lack of a battery and why and also a list of various batteries that can be used. A garden tractor battery would most likely do fine and they are about 20 dollars and widely available .