Reddit reviews DuroMax XP4400E 4400 watt 7-Hp RV Grade Gas Generator with Electric Start

I just plug my surround sound into this so I can roll it around the course:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001BMDFPS/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_4CFQybMH88Y8M

Also a food place to store your bag, way more convenient than a Zuca Cart.

There is such a wide range of options available that it is really hard to recommend something without having some background information. That being said, I use this and would recommend it or a similar (Honda) option. (please excuse the auto starting video... it's fucking annoying, I know).

To explain how I arrived at that decision, and how one would go about picking a generator in general you need to ask yourself a couple questions in order to narrow down your field of options:

1. What am I going to power?
   
2. How much power do (does) ____ devices draw?
   
3. What fuel sources are available for the generator?
   
4. How much money am I willing to spend?
   
   Basically, home and small business generators break down into two catagories: portable (such as this and this) and standby (such as this and this). The main difference between the two is pretty obvious: stanby generators are designed to be installed permanently in one location and wired directly into a control panel, while portable generators can be carried/wheeled around and have loads plugged directly into them. (sorry if this all seems really elementary... not really sure of your familiarity with the subject).
   
   The other main difference between portable and standby is what type of fuel they use and how that fuel is delivered to the engine. Generally speaking, standby generators are usually plumbed into a natural gas line that feeds your house (if you have natural gas) or a line from a (generally large, fixed location) propane tank. Pros and cons of this type of setup:
   
   Pros:
   
   

• Virtually limitless supply (NG) as long as you have natural gas service you can run your generator and have electricity
  
  
• Cheap: NG is currently the cheapest and most abundant of fossil fuels, propane is a close second
  
  
• Storage: propane (as long as it is stored properly) is safe, will not leak, does not emit fumes, and does not go bad as quickly as gasoline or diesel.
  
  
• Designed for continuous operation. Most standby generators are able to be left running for extended periods of time before needing serving, and will have an overall longer lifespan than their portable counterparts.
  
  
• Larger alternators: since these gensets are designed for whole house backup, they will have load ratings in the 8,000-20,000 Watt range which is more than enough power to run anything in the average American home (including a 5 ton central A/C)
  
  cons:
  
  
• Somewhat grid reliant: if the NG gas supply network shuts down, you're pretty much screwed. Also, NG service is generally not available in remote locations. (NB: a local power outage does not mean your NG service will stop. Gas lines are pressurized at various points in the system and almost all compressor stations will have their own backup systems in case of power failure in that area as well).
  
  
• NG Gensets are (generally) more expensive than their LP equivalents... which are in turn more expensive then their gasoline portable alternatives.
  
  In contrast, portable generators are usually either powered by gasoline or diesel, from smaller tanks mounted on the unit that need to be refilled, typically every 8-12 hours. Additionally, gensets in this category can further be divided into two groups based on their electricity generating technology: Traditional and Inverter. In the Land of the Portable Generator the Honda EU Series Inverter Generator is King. Indisputably, the quietest, sturdiest, most reliable, most fuel efficient, most advanced generator on the market. Seriously. Google and read reviews, I've go two EU2000i generators and they are awesome. The Yamaha EF Series Inverter are probably 99% as good as the Honda EU, and they tend to be a little bit cheaper as a result.
  
  
  OK, this is turning into a seriously long post, so TL;DR of why i chose the generator in the first link: it is a Yamaha EF4500iSE fitted with a tri-fuel kit. The Yamaha starts life as gasoline only, but the company I linked to will sell you the generator with a kit that will allow you to select between gasoline, LP and NG fuel. This is the ultimate in versatility and preparedness IMHO. For short duration power outages i simply wheel it outside, disconnect my BBQ (also NG) from the quick-connect and plug in the generator. Because it is only 4500 Watts it won't power the whole house, but I don't need it to. I have my critical loads planned out (fridge, freezer, comm gear, tv, etc) and that is all i need to run. Also, because it is still portable I can take it up to my off-grid cabin in the summer, where I run it off a 40lb LP tank (and then gasoline if the propane tank is empty and I don't feel like going into town and filling it). Lastly, I chose the Yamaha simply because Honda does not have an inverter genset in the 4500W range, otherwise I would have gone with the Honda as I already have a Honda EU2000i (gasoline only)
  
  I hope this has been some help to you... let me know if you want me to keep going... expanding on the difference between inverter and traditional portable gensets, or you have questions on tying it into your house electrical system, etc.
  
  DISCLAIMER: I have linked to Central Maine Diesel several times in the post. I am not personally affiliated with this company, but I've corresponded with their representatives both on the phone and via email, and they have been nothing but helpful in providing the information I needed, and helping to guide my decision making process. Also, due to the intricacies of international trade agreements, I was unable to buy a preinstalled tri-fuel generator from them. I ended up purchasing my generator here in Canada, picking up the tri-fuel kit from a receiving company in WA, and installing it myself.

... You realize that you can get a gas generator for $400 that will do all of that right?

This one allows for a 3500w continuous draw: http://www.amazon.com/DuroMax-XP4400E-Portable-Generator-Electric/dp/B001BMDFPS/ref=pd_ts_zgc_lg_348967011_1?ie=UTF8&s=lawn-garden&pf_rd_p=1365061542&pf_rd_s=right-4&pf_rd_t=1401&pf_rd_i=1000422531&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=0TT67CD9JHVWYS44ZR2P

I mean ya, you could build something yourself, but if you're buying a battery that's probably 80-100 anyway. Redoing all your wiring I have no idea, but it might save you in the long run.

If anyone is interested in a generator, new in box. Let me know.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001BMDFPS/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Just do your homework. The advertised wattage on the generator is usually a 'peak' or 'surge' wattage. The wattage it can put out on a continuous basis is usually considerably lower. So, if you want 4000 watts continuously, you'll likely end up buying a generator that advertises 5000 or more.

Random example I found ... It advertises 4,400, but actually supplies 3500 continuous.