Costco Tri-Fuel generator $700

[Mike007]

I assisted a relative in purchasing this Firman generator and hooking it up to natural gas a while back. It's Chinese made, but is quite nice for the price. I spent some time researching Firman prior and their generators get good reviews. I'm considering buying one myself.

Price is good until 7/23.

 

[Shocker]

We bought one last year to replace a 15 year old Coleman (Subaru Robin engine). I wanted to go propane. Didn't even bust it out yet.

 

[Fatboy148!]

Smart people will get extras before the panic:

https://freebeacon.com/energy/not-j...ld-outlaw-nearly-all-portable-gas-generators/

 

[P0234]

Smart people will get extras before the panic:

https://freebeacon.com/energy/not-j...ld-outlaw-nearly-all-portable-gas-generators/

That's just so they can sell backup batteries to help keep the frail grid up.

 

[Jakemedic]

Like most things, there are mixed reviews of these generators. One thing I noticed, and it maybe all tri fuel for all I know, much less output on fuel other than gasoline. Numerous folks reporting the units not working well on fuel other than gasoline. Too bad, I almost jumped on one of them at that price. Maybe a case of buyer beware?

 

[Chuckster in NJ]

Save your money and buy a Honda generator……… You will thank me later!

 

[wvurhino]

Like most things, there are mixed reviews of these generators. One thing I noticed, and it maybe all tri fuel for all I know, much less output on fuel other than gasoline. Numerous folks reporting the units not working well on fuel other than gasoline. Too bad, I almost jumped on one of them at that price. Maybe a case of buyer beware?

Gasoline gallon equivalent - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

There isn't much better than gasoline when it comes to energy per gallon. The only thing better is diesel and jet fuel.

I do like the idea of tri fuel in case you can't get gas for some reason. Also, propane lasts a long time compared to gas.

 

[pbon]

Save your money and buy a Honda generator……… You will thank me later!

Have to save for quite a while to buy one.

 

[Mike007]

Like most things, there are mixed reviews of these generators. One thing I noticed, and it maybe all tri fuel for all I know, much less output on fuel other than gasoline. Numerous folks reporting the units not working well on fuel other than gasoline. Too bad, I almost jumped on one of them at that price. Maybe a case of buyer beware?

How much power do you need? It's rated for 5500 watts on NG. I ran 3 homes on my old 4500 watt Generac for several days after Hurricane Sandy. 3 refrigerators, 3 gas furnaces, sump pumps, lighting and whatever else the neighbors plugged in. I watched the amperage. It was usually well under 20 amps. Obviously if everything came on at once I might have had an issue.

 

[P0234]

How much power do you need? It's rated for 5500 watts on NG. I ran 3 homes on my old 4500 watt Generac for several days after Hurricane Sandy. 3 refrigerators, 3 gas furnaces, sump pumps, lighting and whatever else the neighbors plugged in. I watched the amperage. It was usually well under 20 amps. Obviously if everything came on at once I might have had an issue.

Yup, people go nuts thinking they need a ridiculous amount of power. Look at your power bill, do some simple math and you'll see you probably don't need a 10kw generator unless you want to run your HVAC. And then you have to worry about fuel, big generators drink a lot of gas.

 

[Madjik Man]

Can this unit be hooked up to your already in place natural gas supply?

 

[mike93lx]

Can this unit be hooked up to your already in place natural gas supply?

You need an outlet for the hookup and your meter has to be able to supply enough volume

 

[Mike007]

You need an outlet for the hookup and your meter has to be able to supply enough volume

When I was powering the 3 homes with my old generator, out of curiosity I clocked the gas meter. The generator was using around 38 CFH as I recall. Which is roughly the same as a typical gas dryer. Not a lot really.

 

[mike93lx]

When I was powering the 3 homes with my old generator, out of curiosity I clocked the gas meter. The generator was using around 38 CFH as I recall. Which is roughly the same as a typical gas dryer. Not a lot really.

A 13hp generator is going to need around 35kbtu at full load. No, it isn't a ton, but it's enough to check on. I'm not worried about running the dryer in an outage, but definitely want enough to run the furnaces and water heater.

 

[Farmall450]

Like most things, there are mixed reviews of these generators. One thing I noticed, and it maybe all tri fuel for all I know, much less output on fuel other than gasoline. Numerous folks reporting the units not working well on fuel other than gasoline. Too bad, I almost jumped on one of them at that price. Maybe a case of buyer beware?

That's just the nature of a dual fuel engine.

 

[Shocker]

Exactly. Gasoline has more BTUs available that propane or natural gas. Propane will last nearly forever in a tank waiting to be used and leaves no residue in the carb and engine. Much cleaner so the generator will last much longer.

I don't see an actual Honda built Tri Fuel generator on their website. There are several Honda powered Tri Fuel generators from Pulsar and others.

 

[Mike007]

Deal is extended to 8/7.