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42 of 42 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Good performance, excellent value, February 7, 2009
This review is from: DuroMax XP4400E 4,400 Watt 6.5 HP OHV 4-Cycle Gas Powered Portable Generator With Wheel Kit And Electric Start (Lawn & Patio)
PowerMax XP4400E 4,400 Watt 6.5 HP OHV Gas Powered Generator With Wheel Kit And Electric Start (CARB Compliant)
We live in Southern Louisiana, smack-dab in the middle of hurricane alley, and decided to purchase a backup generator to deal with power outages in the event of an emergency. I wanted sufficient power capacity to run our refrigerator, a small portable AC, a few lights, a small TV, charge our cell-phones, and occasionally charge laptop batteries. We figured that around 3000 continuous watts and 4000 surge watts would be sufficient for our needs.
There are several generators sold by the hardware chains (Lowe's, Home Depot) that fit this description, but they're priced around $600 - $700. After some research on the internet, we decided that the PowerMax XP4400 would match our needs, and suit our budget. Just before purchasing it, on an impulse I decided to get the model with the battery powered electric starter, instead of the one that has a rip-cord. Our purchase price (on eBay - from MaxTool - the same company selling them on Amazon) was $469.99, including a cover for the generator, and shipping.
The generator was shipped Fedex Ground and took about a week to arrive. The external cardboard box showed signs of rough handling during transportation, but the generator was well packed in foam, and not damaged during shipping. The whole box weighs about 130 lbs, and it helped me considerably that the Fedex driver wheeled it right into our garage. Unpacking took about 20 minutes. There are a couple of shipping braces that support the engine during shipment that take a little while to remove.
The first thing I did was to flip the generator upside-down on a mat to install the wheel-kit. There are tools provided with the generator to get the wheels and handles on. As shipped, the tires were sufficiently inflated to bear the weight of the generator.
After flipping the generator right way up again, I filled it with SAE30 oil. We live in a relatively warm climate, so I chose 10W30. If you use generator oil, make sure you chose oil made for a four-stroke engine. The oil-fill tube is awkwardly placed - I have a funnel with a tube at the end out it, and found that I had to use it to avoid spilling oil. It takes about 20 oz of oil. To condition the engine, I would suggest changing the oil after 6 hours of run-time, then twice after 8 hours, and every 20 - 30 hours beyond that.
After filling it with gas (there is a mesh fuel-filter underneath the gas cap, I turned the fuel valve on, and started the generator. The engine turned right away, but wouldn't start. This turned out to be an error on my part - it dark, and what I thought was the fully-off position for the choke was instead the fully-on position. After moving the choke to the correct position(fully-off), the engine started up. It is pretty smoky and sputters until the choke is opened. After that it runs very smoothly,with no visible smoke in the exhaust. I don't know what the noise level is, but it is sufficiently low that it doesn't bother me when the generator is running outside the house, and I am on the inside.
The control panel has two 120V outlets (20 Amp), and one 30 Amp outlet that is switchable between 120V and 240V. There is also a 12V outlet to charge a car battery. There is a circuit breaker and a voltmeter. During my initial tests, between 60 watts and 2400 watts of load the voltage stayed at 115 volts, and didn't drop. I haven't tested higher loads yet.
So far, we are quite satisfied. The PowerMax XP4400E is built well, works well, and is less polluting that more expensive Honda, Subaru, and Yamaha powered units sold at the hardware chains.
And a little tip - for any small engine that is run infrequently. Make sure you mix the fuel with some anti-oxidant such as Stabil before putting it in the tank. Gas mixed with anti-oxidant should last for about one year.
Six month update (August 2009) - the generator still works like a champ. Some of the bolts worked themselves loose through the vibrations, so I've tightened them. No other major problems.
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61 of 65 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Power Max XP4400E & XP4400 Generator, September 28, 2008
This review is from: DuroMax XP4400E 4,400 Watt 6.5 HP OHV 4-Cycle Gas Powered Portable Generator With Wheel Kit And Electric Start (Lawn & Patio)
By Ernie, Retired Journeyman Lineman. The XP4400E is well worth the extra cost over the XP4400, as starter rope must be pulled out at an angle.
This is an excellent generator for the money. The voltage regulation is excellent. Amazing output for it's size along with being very quite for the output that it has. The discription Amazon has for it is great, so many items are not discribed well enough. There is a couple points I want to share with present owners and would be owners.
(1) The voltage selector switch not only changes the voltage monitor 120 to 240 but it's main function is tap changing, this being the reason it must not be switched unless breaker is off (open) or generator shut down. It parallels the two power windings when set for 120 to the 120 sockets and the 120-240 socket. You can draw full capacity fron the 120 sockets or at the 120-240 socket from terminals Bu & R, the W terminal has no voltage so 240 is not available now. (Refer to owners manual wiring diagram page 23 or 24)
Set for 240 the switch series the two power windings and now the 120 sockets have only one power winding applied and so half capacity is available here, 1750 watts from either one but only 875 watts each if both are used. The 120-240 socket now has both windings in series and now has 240 from terminal W to Terminal R and will have two 120 circuits, one from terminal W to terminal Bu and the other 120 circuit from Bu to R. Full capacity is available with the 240 voltage and half capacity from each of the 120 circuits. (Bu is the common terminal to both sockets)
(2)It isn't specified the engine has a steel cyinder sleeve and I don't think it does as I run it for 6 hrs. and changed oil and the oil in the drain pan was pretty well loaded with aluminum and silicon swirling around. I will change again after 12-14 hrs. and then every 20 then on. A filter would have been a boon for engine life, but be diligent and change oil often and it will run a long time.
I think some have gotten generators and done them in early because they didn't change oil in time. Very, Very important because the cyinder is aluminum and no oil filter. More power to all, Ernie Wireman
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33 of 33 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
XP4400E generator, November 9, 2008
This review is from: DuroMax XP4400E 4,400 Watt 6.5 HP OHV 4-Cycle Gas Powered Portable Generator With Wheel Kit And Electric Start (Lawn & Patio)
Overall, I'm very pleased with this generator. It is definitely a good value for the money. The FedEx guy delivered it in good condition. The packaging was excellent. I pulled it out of the box, installed the wheel kit (5-10 minutes), filled it with fuel and oil and it started right up. It is fairly quiet for a generator, but keep in mind quiet is a relative thing. I would say it is definitely quieter than a lawn mower or a typical Briggs&Stratton generator with a lawnmower type muffler (this generator has an automotive type muffler which helps keep the noise down).
It seems to be pretty well built and I expect it to hold up just fine. I bought it as an emergency backup generator and I feel it really is perfect for that use. I think if you are looking for a generator that will get a ton of regular use, you would probably be better off to spend the extra money and get a Honda. But for something that will only see occasional use, this genny really fits the ticket.
I plugged a Killowatt into it to monitor the voltage and load and found that it puts out 120V at 60HZ with no draw. As you start to increase the load, it holds the 60HZ very well right up to the top end of what it can deliver. The voltage starts to drop some as you significantly increase the load, but still manages about 110V or so.
The published numbers are not really too realistic but that is pretty common for small portable generators. It is supposed to handle 3500 watts continuous and 4400 watts surge. In actual testing here is what I found it able to do:
0-2500 watts: it works really well. The voltage and frequency are fine and its seems to be perfectly happy in this range.
2500-3000 watts: frequency holds steady at 60HZ but the voltage starts to drop to 110V. You can tell is is starting to struggle as the load approaches 3000 watts.
3000-3300 watts: you are at the top of its capability here. It does handle it but the voltage drops more and the frequency starts to drop below 60HZ. I would personally operate in this range only for short periods of time.
>3300 watts: it really bogs down significantly and any additional load causes the engine to quit.
So, overall I do highly recommend this generator, especially if you are looking for an emergency backup generator. Just keep in mind that its published wattage numbers are a bit overstated. If you are expecting it to be a Honda, you will be disappointed, but considering what it costs I think it is a very good deal for the money.
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