Customer Reviews

ETQ TG28P41 3,500 Watt 7 HP 208cc 4-Cycle OHV Gas Powered Portable Generator

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

 

 

Review of ETQ TG28P. After looking at several models the TG28P seamed like it would best suit my purpes for an emergency backup generator. I chose it over the ETQ TG32P12, witch appears to be a more popular model.

The TG32P12 is advertised as having 3200 watts continuous output but if you look at the wiring diagram this is accomplished with 2 120-volt circuits each rated for 13amps 120volts. It will produce 240volts if you need that feature. I have a large furnace blower and was afraid 13amps may not be enough to start it up.

The TG28P is a single pole design rated for 2800 watts continuous, which is 23amps on a single circuit, more then enough to start my furnace or my large 120volt window AC.

Shipping was free with "super saver" and I got the gen in about 5 days. It was not double boxed but the box was in good shape when received. I opened and inspected the gen and found no problems. The wheels and handle needed assembly; I first thought some of the hardware was missing. I found the missing hardware packaged in a separate plastic bag hidden/tucked between the engine and generator. Once I found all the hardware assembly was easy.

When I removed the oil fill cap it did have a dipstick, but it really isn't used anyway. To get the proper amount of oil in the engine you need to fill it all the way to the top of the fill neck, which is common on a lot of small engines. The oil fill area is hard to get to even with my curved funnel I managed to spill a lot. Gas was easy and there is a fine screen over the gas fill to protect from any sediment getting into the gas tank. There is also a simple float type gas gage.

To start the engine you do need to pull the rope at quite an angle due to the design of the front panel. The pull is easy due to auto compression release (works the same as Honda). You could cut/modify the front panel if you wanted. This thing starts first or second pull with very little effort. It comes with one 15/20 amp duplex receptacle protected with a 20-amp breaker. One 30amp twist lock protected with a 23amp breaker; this is a single circuit so 23amps is max continuous draw possible. There is also a 12volt plug with an 8amp breaker untested by me. There is also an hour meter that will help with oil changes. I have had good luck with inexpensive engines simple by changing the oil frequently. I recommend oil changes at 1, 5, 10, 25, 50, then every 50 hours. It uses less then one quart of oil so this isn't expensive to do

I haven't made a disconnect for the furnace yet but the generator does run/start my air compressor and window AC just fine (only one at a time of course). I only have about 2 hours use but so far it works exactly how I expected. I realize it is not a high-end generator but hopefully it will not see as much use as one needed on a daily bases.

I got this little generator 4w ago. I added oil, filled with gas, slid over choke lever and it started on the first pull. I did some break-in running for about 1 hr with no load and then started testing at home with coffee maker, air compressor starting and a few other items. Then, I moved up to A/C on Camper in the garage. I seems to do just fine with A/C, but with just coffee maker, initially it seems to hunt to get speed right, but after about 5-10 seconds it seems to settle into a constant speed. Power was clean enough to run the laptop computer. Computer was plugged into Starcraft camper, not directly to generator. I don't think the camper does anything to clean up the power, but not positive.

We just used it for about 15 hrs over the weekend with my Pop-up Camper in the gravel parking lot in the National Forest. Muffler keeps edge off the noise, but it is not as quiet as the Honda EU3000I. I bought a 25 ft 12 gauge extension cord to get it further off into the woods. While in the camper I cannot hear the generator outside over the A/C blower inside. It did run empty once, but I was able to refill tank and it took several pulls to get carb primed again. I had to turn on choke even though it was warmed up, but it did finally restart (probably better off not letting it run empty). I had read about other value price (aka. low end) generators with gravity feed that get air in the fuel line and are difficult to re-start after running dry, so this was not unexpected. Restarts on first pull after that run-empty event.

I ran my A/C on the camper along with my automatic coffee maker without a problem in the morning. Volume goes up slightly with load. I like that it came with 12V charging wire, adapter for 220V screw ($15-$25), wheel kit, handle, a little tool kit. Manual could be a little more detailed on capacities and maintanance items, but if you are familiar with maintaining power equipment, its not a big deal.

I will have to wait and see how it holds up long term. Few quality issues: gasket on gas cap does stay on bayonet tabs of cap because the inside diameter is too large, 1 of 4 gas tank screws was loose because it came stripped in the frame (I bought nuts to secure from the underside too), plastic cover on backside of electrical panel does fit well and had fallen off out of the box. (I had to remount the panel, but haven't check to see if still mounted on clips securely after 15 hrs).


It keeps starting (20 starts) on the 1st or second pull when I used the choke. Overall, for $320 delivered, if it holds up over a couple of years, it will have been an excellent value. If not, the next one will need to be the Honda.

This generator is everything avertized and more. Used it camping last week for our RV. Ran it all weekend using AC, coffee maker, hairdryer, microwave, it handled it all. no problems ...runs very quite...starts on the 1st pull ...very consertive on gas use.

My new generator ran for 2.5 hours before developing a large fuel leak. I am a fanatic about draining the gas and removing any gas from the bulb at the carb, so it isn't an "old fuel" issue. It is a poorly built product. The worst part is that I have attempted to contact the company for replacement parts and I have never heard back. When it did run it was loud and the exhaust was smelly. You get what you pay for. Save up for a Honda and don't mess with ETQ.

Box arrived damaged however the generator was not damaged. The first time we used it for a camping trip; it worked great for about 3 hours and now does not work. It's currently been sitting in a repair shop for 3 weeks waiting on parts from Eastern Tools for the repair under warranty. I will never buy another generator from Eastern Tools again!!

When i first got generator i put oil and gas in, it ran for about two hours and never ran again. Had the carb. worked on and it ran for 20 min. I took it back to the mechanic and he replace the carb. so far so good, ran it at the race track all day, it ran my 13,000 btu air conditioner in my travel trailer .

BEWARE!!!! Despite the implication in the positive review that this generator has 220V, IT DOES NOT AND CANNOT BE CONVERTED! That plug on the side is an RV PLUG, not a 220 plug. AND THIS ITEM CANNOT BE RETURNED EITHER THROUGH AMAZON OR THE VENDOR. So, if it's so great, why won't anyone take it back?
We needed this generator to run our pump when the power goes out. We now have a USELESS $320 doorstop!
Since Costco is also selling another version of this same generator for $250 delivered, we have no chance selling it for what we paid for it.

So, be SURE it meets your needs and that you don't want the option of returning it before ordering it.

CAME IN DAMAGED, AMAZON MADE VERY GOOD ON THE PROCESS OF EXCHANGE, ALL GOOD HERE

do not buy from amazon .. buy from a more respectable company, like homedepot ..ect.. amazon will not return item even if its unopened unused and only a day old... homedepot and lowes and such will return after or before 90 days....this company could care less, only cares if it has your money!!! I could see if it was used or gas in it..... think before you buy...!!!