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Customer reviews for GP5500 5500-Watt Gasoline Powered Portable Generator
GP5500 5500-Watt Gasoline Powered Portable Generator
Reliable portable power for every use. Power the fun stuff or cover an emergency. Affordable reliability and features not usually found on basic portable models make these a favorite for home emergency use, camping, job sites or outdoor events. Circuit breaker protected outlets guard against circuit overload. Hour meter tracks usage between maintenance sessions. Fold down handles and never-flat wheels for portability. New, covered circuit breaker protected outlets provide added protection from the environment and rugged working conditions. Compact design provides unparalleled power-to-weight ratio.
Overall rating:
(336 reviews) 336
Rating breakdown 336 reviews
5 stars
256
4 stars
61
3 stars
10
2 stars
3
1 star
6
320 out of 329(97%)reviewers recommend this product.
Customer reviews for GP5500 5500-Watt Gasoline Powered Portable Generator
Review 1 for GP5500 5500-Watt Gasoline Powered Portable Generator
Overall rating
A solid mid-level size generator for emergency use
,PostedNovember 14, 2012
Quality
4
/
5
Value
4
/
5
Images for this Review
(click to see full-size image)
This generator arrived 2 days after Superstorm Sandy hit and left me without power. It took 30 minutes to unwrap it and put it together (attach the wheels, fill it with oil and gas). It fired right up on the first pull.
With ease, it runs my refrigerator, a handful of lights, TV, cable box, modem, space heater and an occasional microwave use. It was averaging 12 hours of run time before needing to be refueled for the 96 straight hours of use before our power came back.
With ease, it runs my refrigerator, a handful of lights, TV, cable box, modem, space heater and an occasional microwave use. It was averaging 12 hours of run time before needing to be refueled for the 96 straight hours of use before our power came back.
It appears to be solidly built with high quality materials. Nothing felt flimsy. Changing the oil was a breeze.
As others have noted, it is loud. For example, it is far louder than my 2 stage snow blower, and I quickly learned to wear ear protection when I am near it. But that's a small inconvenience compared with it's usefulness.
Pros: Clear Instructions, Nice Design
Cons: loud
Yes, I recommend this product.
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+28points
28out of 28found this review helpful.
Review 2 for GP5500 5500-Watt Gasoline Powered Portable Generator
Overall rating
OUTSTANDING
,PostedNovember 20, 2012
Quality
5
/
5
Value
5
/
5
Images for this Review
(click to see full-size image)
I bought this generator on the advice of Consumer Reports. I am not disappointed. Yes, it's noisier than similar Honda's but nowhere near the price. You can convert a small shed to enclose the generator.
Pros: Easy to Use, Compact
Yes, I recommend this product.
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+8points
8out of 8found this review helpful.
Review 3 for GP5500 5500-Watt Gasoline Powered Portable Generator
Overall rating
RAN FLAWLESSLY 24/7 FOR 10 STRAIGHT DAYS AFTER SANDY
,PostedNovember 7, 2012
BATMAN
Quality
5
/
5
Value
5
/
5
EASY TO START. PLENTY OF POWER. HAD REFRIGERATOR, FURNACE, TV W/ CABLE BOX AND MODEM, A FEW LAMPS , TWO SUMP PUMPS AND RAN A LINE TO EACH OF MY NEIGHBORS FOR THEIR SUMP PUMPS. IT RAN 24/7 (EXCEPT TO GAS AND DO 2 OIL CHANGES) FOR 10 STRAIGHT DAYS FOLLOWING HURRICANE SANDY. GOT ABOUT 10 HRS ON A FULL TANK. SUMPS PUMPS FILLED EVERY TEN MINUTES SO I COULDN'T EVEN COOL IT DOWN FOR LONG. THIS GENERATOR SAVED 3 HOMES , BLOCKS FROM THE RARITAN BAY ON THE JERSEY SHORE FROM FLOODING. KEPT US WARM AND MY MILK COLD. I CAN'T GIVE A LONG TERM REVIEW BEING I PICKED IT UP THE DAY OF THE HURRICANE. IT ALL READY PAID FOR ITSELF AS
Yes, I recommend this product.
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+27points
27out of 27found this review helpful.
Review 4 for GP5500 5500-Watt Gasoline Powered Portable Generator
Overall rating
Great product
,PostedAugust 28, 2012
Golfpro
Age:65 or over
Gender:Male
Home improvement profile:DIYer
Level of expertise:Intermediate
Length of ownership:1 week
Easy to move around. Motor started with first pull.
Stores easily in a smaller space than anticipated
Stores easily in a smaller space than anticipated
Pros: Easy to Use, Great Sound Quality, Compact, Lots of Features, Eco-Friendly, Nice Design
Yes, I recommend this product.
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+16points
16out of 16found this review helpful.
Review 5 for GP5500 5500-Watt Gasoline Powered Portable Generator
Overall rating
Generac will not honor warranty
,PostedAugust 26, 2012
Jerry
Age:55 to 64
Gender:Male
Home improvement profile:DIYer
Level of expertise:Intermediate
Length of ownership:6 months
Quality
1
/
5
Value
1
/
5
Less than one year old, my generator started leaking gas. Local authorized repair shop warned me that Generac will not honor two year warranty, claimed it was my fault that I used gas with 10% ethanol though this is the recommendation in owner's manual. Generac customer service would not let me speak to technican-DO NOT BUY GENERAC PRODUCTS unless you want to end up paying for repair bills
Cons: warranty is worthless
No, I do not recommend this product.
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+43points
59out of 75found this review helpful.
Review 6 for GP5500 5500-Watt Gasoline Powered Portable Generator
Overall rating
AVOID!
,PostedOctober 29, 2012
Quality
1
/
5
Value
1
/
5
I bought this in 2011. Out of the box it started right up for the Halloween freak storm, however, 20 minutes into running it the gas tank starts leaking through the seems. The tank is a poorly welded steel stamped envelope. It took Generac 3 months to get a new tank out to me. It's now 2012 and a day in advance of Hurricane Sandy, I tried to start it and it won't. Since it will not cycle through the pull, hanging at one spot the small engine guy thinks it's a bad motor - "broken rod" was tossed at me. Under warranty I've been calling Generac only to wait on the message/recording system for 5 minutes to get a busy signal hang up. Three calls, voice mail, and counting. This item is simply not supported - sales guy picks right up though. Try going on to the website and you'll find broken links to "a warranty", no easy access to the manual, or anyone addressing your issues with this awful piece of junk. My advice - if you want to see this thing sitting in your garage, non functional, while the lights are out in a Hurricane - this is for you!
Cons: trouble from the start
No, I do not recommend this product.
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+27points
51out of 75found this review helpful.
Review 7 for GP5500 5500-Watt Gasoline Powered Portable Generator
Overall rating
Generally a fair product.
,PostedAugust 7, 2012
Magneto
Age:45 to 54
Gender:Male
Home improvement profile:DIYer
Level of expertise:Advanced
Length of ownership:3 months
Quality
3
/
5
Value
3
/
5
Delivery was outstanding.
Assembly was easy and instructions were satisfactory.
Muffler is a tad bit on the noisy side. Wish they would charge a few $$ more and design a muffler like Honda.
Pull handle broke the third time I started the generator.
Generator works fine other than that.
Assembly was easy and instructions were satisfactory.
Muffler is a tad bit on the noisy side. Wish they would charge a few $$ more and design a muffler like Honda.
Pull handle broke the third time I started the generator.
Generator works fine other than that.
Pros: Clear Instructions, Easy Installation
Cons: Quality
Yes, I recommend this product.
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+14points
16out of 18found this review helpful.
Review 8 for GP5500 5500-Watt Gasoline Powered Portable Generator
Overall rating
Excellent Product
,PostedApril 30, 2011
I wanted a 7000 Watt Generator, but when this became available at a GREAT PRICE? Sold!! With a 3 Bedroom Condo and living in the Hurricane Area of the Gulf Coast This will more than do the job of powering several items in the house. With 4 - 120v plugs and a 240v plug This will more than do the job!! Easy to store, easy to assemble (minimal assembly) and fired up the first time. During IKE we got lucky not having power for only 60 hours. Not taking that chance again. If even one use saves freezer and refrigerator food? This Generator paid for itself and then some. At least next time I can still enjoy my coffee!!
Yes, I recommend this product.
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+13points
13out of 13found this review helpful.
Review 9 for GP5500 5500-Watt Gasoline Powered Portable Generator
Overall rating
My hero!
,PostedJuly 24, 2012
Tayo
Age:45 to 54
Gender:Female
Home improvement profile:DIYer
Level of expertise:Intermediate
Length of ownership:1 month
Quality
4
/
5
Value
4
/
5
I purchased this on-line and it was delivered June 8. The Derecho wind storm came through on June 29 and knocked power out to us and about a million other folks. Boy was I happy we had this! Started up real easy and kept the food in the fridge and freezer from going bad, water running (we have a well pump) and a few fans and lights going. Ran like a champ! Louder than I had hoped for, but knowing I had power, it became music to my ears. Made surviving 4 days without power and 100+ degree weather, just a little more bearable.
Pros: Easy to Use, Clear Instructions, starts up easy, low oil shut off, wheels
Cons: it shakes a lot., louder than expected
Yes, I recommend this product.
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+10points
13out of 16found this review helpful.
Review 10 for GP5500 5500-Watt Gasoline Powered Portable Generator
Overall rating
Great for the price!!!
,PostedJanuary 15, 2012
Slugworth
Age:35 to 44
Gender:Male
Home improvement profile:DIYer
Level of expertise:Advanced
Length of ownership:3 months
Quality
5
/
5
Value
5
/
5
I got this after the Oct. 29 power outage. I wasnt going through that again!!! So i looked around and this had the best reviews and great price. So i unboxed it put it together and fired it up on the first pull!! It ran great sounds great so far so good. It seems to "hunt" while there is not a load on it but once you put a load on it it smooths out fine..I run it every month for about 15min under load just to keep it up..Make sure you shut the gas flow valve off BEFORE you shut it down for storage. You want to run it out of gas till it shuts down on it's own. that way you ensure the carb is empty of gas...
Yes, I recommend this product.
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+10points
11out of 12found this review helpful.
Review 11 for GP5500 5500-Watt Gasoline Powered Portable Generator
Overall rating
Works well BUT Very limited uses. Better off with a higher wattage output unit.
,PostedMarch 10, 2013
wa55tt00
Age:45 to 54
Gender:Male
Home improvement profile:Professional
Level of expertise:Advanced
Length of ownership:3 months
Quality
2
/
5
Value
1
/
5
The specs for the rated VAC amperage and the max rated VAC apmerage are misleading.
The most amps this machine can cover is 30 AMPS ... and thats stretching it a bit.
This machine is good to run a freezer, frigerator and maybe a light or two. There is no need for a transfer switch or inter lock device. Use 10 gauge, waterproof extension cords and be done with this baloney.
Lastly you have to build a shelter for this machine.
The most amps this machine can cover is 30 AMPS ... and thats stretching it a bit.
This machine is good to run a freezer, frigerator and maybe a light or two. There is no need for a transfer switch or inter lock device. Use 10 gauge, waterproof extension cords and be done with this baloney.
Lastly you have to build a shelter for this machine.
If your going to use it as a permanent fixture then get a unit that does your entire house and have an electrician install it with an automatic transfer switch. Cost a fortune BUT you get what you pay for.
Took 2months to get it on back order . Not worth it.
Took 2months to get it on back order . Not worth it.
Pros: Easy to Use, Easy Installation
Cons: needs a shelter and limited uses.
No, I do not recommend this product.
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0points
0out of 0found this review helpful.
Review 12 for GP5500 5500-Watt Gasoline Powered Portable Generator
Overall rating
Lots of bang for the buck
,PostedFebruary 13, 2011
It's hard to beat this generator for the price. It is very easy to assemble. Install wheels and handles, add oil and gas, ground the frame, and crank it up.
It is easy to start and mine cranked on the first pull of the rope. I connected an air compessor to give it a load test. This gen worked like a charm.
My next project is to install a manual transfer switch.
Yes, I recommend this product.
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+16points
16out of 16found this review helpful.
Review 13 for GP5500 5500-Watt Gasoline Powered Portable Generator
Overall rating
Generac 4 stars, Home Depot 1 star
,PostedFebruary 4, 2013
JPersch
Unit works as advertised. Only problem is with the mounting feet/isolators. You need to loctite them on, otherwise the nuts will vibrate off.
Home Depot took 12 days in order and delivery.
Yes, I recommend this product.
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+1point
1out of 1found this review helpful.
Review 14 for GP5500 5500-Watt Gasoline Powered Portable Generator
Overall rating
MADE IN CHINA
,PostedDecember 5, 2012
jl55
Age:25 to 34
Gender:Male
Home improvement profile:DIYer
Level of expertise:Intermediate
Length of ownership:1 week
Value
2
/
5
I purchased it because i thought Generac made all the generators in USA, turns out all the GP line is made in china. I opened the box and all the paint was peeling off the frame, because they painted over rust. I am going to spend a little more and get an xg6500 because its made in Whitewater, Wisconsin and should be better quality.
Pros: Clear Instructions, Easy Installation, quite
Cons: Quality
No, I do not recommend this product.
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+2points
4out of 6found this review helpful.
Review 15 for GP5500 5500-Watt Gasoline Powered Portable Generator
Overall rating
Ruggedly built and quieter than I expected.
,PostedNovember 15, 2011
John
Age:65 or over
Gender:Male
Home improvement profile:Professional
Level of expertise:Advanced
Length of ownership:1 week
Quality
5
/
5
Value
5
/
5
Started on the first pull after I remembered to turn on the switch.
Being 80 years old I had originally intended to buy an electric start generator but this one starts with an easy pull.
Nicely designed.
Being 80 years old I had originally intended to buy an electric start generator but this one starts with an easy pull.
Nicely designed.
Yes, I recommend this product.
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+9points
9out of 9found this review helpful.
Review 16 for GP5500 5500-Watt Gasoline Powered Portable Generator
Overall rating
Easy to use, great price
,PostedMarch 28, 2013
MrPlok
Age:25 to 34
Gender:Male
Home improvement profile:DIYer
Level of expertise:Beginner
Length of ownership:1 month
Quality
5
/
5
Value
5
/
5
I just recently purchased this generator and prepped it for use. It started on the first pull with little to no sputtering and ran just fine. The real test will be if I have to use it for an extended period of time in a power outage. My dad and a coworker have the same model and have each used it several times with no problems.
Pros: Easy to Use, Compact, Clear Instructions, Nice Design
Yes, I recommend this product.
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0points
0out of 0found this review helpful.
Review 17 for GP5500 5500-Watt Gasoline Powered Portable Generator
Overall rating
Mostly good so far
,PostedSeptember 6, 2011
I had this united delivered by Home Depot. After minimal assembly, the unit started right up. After sitting one month, though, I attempted to start the unit and noted fuel was leaking through the carburetor. Had someone take the carburetor apart who fixed the float which had stuck in the open position. Unit then started. After another month, power was out due to Hurrican Irene, Unit would not start because the carburetor float was stuck in the closed positiion. Had someone take the carburetor apart who advised that the pin controlling the carburetor float had deteriorated, most likely due to ethanol in the gasoline. He advised shutting off the fuel supply to starve the engine when shutoff was desired (so that gas would not sit in the carbureator) and adding an additive to the gas to neutralize the ethonol. Ran the generator for 12 hours/day for 5 days with a direct hookup to the circuit breaker box. With judicious balancing of electric use, the generator ran most of the house including occasional use of the water pump and water heater. For some reason, though, the generator would not adequately power the dishwasher. We did not try to run the washer or electric range Overall, I am happy, but plan to be careful with the fuel and to run the unit for a few minutes each month in an attempt to forestall future problems with the carburetor.
Yes, I recommend this product.
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+14points
15out of 16found this review helpful.
Review 18 for GP5500 5500-Watt Gasoline Powered Portable Generator
Overall rating
Easy final setup and startup; ready for next BGE outage!
,PostedAugust 8, 2012
Quality
5
/
5
Value
5
/
5
reasonably clear owner's manual and quick setup guide;
gas gauge is a nice touch; four 120 VAC outlets offer convenience; as with most larger generators, wouldn't it be nice if better noise suppression were available.
gas gauge is a nice touch; four 120 VAC outlets offer convenience; as with most larger generators, wouldn't it be nice if better noise suppression were available.
Pros: Easy to Use, Clear Instructions, Easy Installation
Yes, I recommend this product.
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+5points
7out of 9found this review helpful.
Review 19 for GP5500 5500-Watt Gasoline Powered Portable Generator
Overall rating
Easy Start, Runs Reliably.
,PostedSeptember 7, 2011
After a recent tornado there was no power. I powered my two refrigerators and freezer and two neighbors refrigerators for 24 hrs without any difficulty. Easy installation of wheels. Be sure turn the gasoline shutoff valve to off when storing, or the unit may drip gasoline.
Yes, I recommend this product.
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+8points
8out of 8found this review helpful.
Review 20 for GP5500 5500-Watt Gasoline Powered Portable Generator
Overall rating
Sets up and stats fine.
,PostedMarch 20, 2013
Johnny
Age:55 to 64
Gender:Male
Level of expertise:Intermediate
Length of ownership:1 month
Quality
4
/
5
Value
5
/
5
Haven't Used It Under Load Yet (No Blackouts), But So Far It Tests Fine.
Pros: Easy to Use, Nice Design, Easy Installation
Yes, I recommend this product.
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0points
0out of 0found this review helpful.