Mar 04
Posted by Mari,
It looks to me like Coleman (the lantern company) went out of the home generator business. Too bad because I liked their products and really need a good portable generator for emergencies around the house.
I’ve tried to review some of the latest generators that are made in China, but it’s hard to get some reliable data. It’s no good having a warranty if nobody will fix it for you.
A name that keeps popping up is Generac. They look pretty reputable and claim to have a special engine that they use that is unique to just them. Anybody out there have any experience with these guys? I think they’re located in Wisconsin.
Go standby and go kohler. Great machines and quiet and reliable. No need to fuss around with extension cords and it uses my propane hookup. Be prepared to spend a few bucks getting it installed professionally because you need that.
We’ve had so many power failures in our neck of the woods that I should probably be in the generator selling business. I’ve probably burned 300 hours of backup electricity since getting my Onan about 7 years ago. Doesn’t stop them from raising my electricity bill every few years though.
If you do tailgating like my family does then it’s a good idea to have a reliable portable. Sure makes it convenient to cook and also watch the game from outside the stadium if you want.
I tried to use my old RV generator when my house lights went out and it worked for about 10 minutes and then broke down. I probably should have kept my instruction book but it got misplaced quite sometime ago. Anyway, the lights came back on within a couple hours so no big deal.
Be careful with models made in China because I’ve heard some really bad stories about cheap engine parts that explode in your face. Made in America is what I want with a good guarantee to back it up.
I agree that Generac is really good. There’s something about their engines that make them last longer I guess although you have to pay a little bit more money than say a Kohler or Onan model.
Yeah, Coleman doesn’t make generators anymore, but Generac or Briggs and Stratton are both excellent options. Generac’s line of models is really big and their prices are pretty good. Take a look at buying from Amazon if you want to save about 10 to 15 percent.
I think Coleman went out of business for generators some months back. Guess it wasn’t profitable, but the lantern business seems to be okay.
Generac seems to be a pretty good alternative. It’s highly rated and claims to have an engine that is unique. They say most portable generators use something like a lawnmower engine that has limited life. Can’t say for sure because I don’t own one but it’s probably worth looking into.