Costco Members: Firman 1600W Running / 2000W Peak Gasoline Powered Inverter Generator - $349.99 Sale Valid March 10 - April 4, 2021

Firman is known as a pretty solid brand. They have been aggressive in getting decent products out, and their customer service is generally good. I am gonna repeat some of the info that I shared on another thread, as it is still pretty relevant here.

I managed to score one of the Pulsar-made, Aldi-branded 'Workzone' 2000w generators a couple of years back. The 2000 Pulsar and the 2000 Workzone are identical. Pulsar is not Honda, but it seems to be a pretty reputable "cheaper" brand (costing 1/3 the price of a Honda).

For mine, I opted to install a magnetic oil plug / dipstick (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product...F8&psc=1), and I also added an on / off inline switch for the fuel line. It wasn't easy to do... but I managed. Yes, I have to remove the side panel, but I would normally check the oil before storing, so it's not a big deal.

I also did a pretty aggressive break in (started and ran for about 15 minutes, changed oil, started and ran for about an hour, changed oil, started and ran again for a couple hours, changed oil). Probably overdid it, but whatever. I only use synthetic oil and ethanol free gas, which I feel also helps to better maintain the unit. FYI - I have a large portable Generac, and I tend to follow the same 'rules'. This unit has pressurized lubrication and an automotive style oil filter, but aside from that, an engine is an engine. I also tent run both of these often, including plugging things in to make sure they are generating power.

If you are unsure of the brand, I would say you have an above average chance of having a decent unit at a good price. There are lemons in everything... and this is echoed by the negative reviews. But I would not hesitate if you need an inverter of this size. Not to mention, Costco is known for having a great return policy, so what do you have to lose? I would suggest a good break in, and do not wait until the power is out... start it with some regularity! Take gas out of it unless there is a true fuel shut off, or if you could add one. These little things will give you the best chance for success.

For those who don't know, these smaller 'suitcase style' inverters are much quieter than the traditional open frame generators... making them a decent option when noise is a concern, like camping. They are not completely 'quiet', but from any distance, the noise is not too much to tolerate - the noise level drops considerably as you move away. Also, inverters feature lower THD (total harmonic distortion), often making them a safer option for very sensitive electronics.

This item, with this price point, and having the included parallel cables would make it a no brainer for me if I was in the market.

Are there brands you can leave gas in? The maintenance is what always kills me. Great review !

Are there brands you can leave gas in? The maintenance is what always kills me. Great review !

Thank you for the input. I tend to use ethanol free gas. It is available near me (though only in premium, so its certainly more costly). However, even with ethanol free gas and using a stabilizer, I wouldn't suggest leaving gasoline in the carb.

I do agree with what you were saying... and I totally get it. You really just want to be able to shut it off, instead of run something for another hour, or 2, or more... just to run out the fuel. I would look for a model that has a dedicated fuel on / off switch. In my cheapie 'Workzone' unit... I cut the fuel line and put one in. I didnt do a disassembly to get access, so it was a little bit of a challenge. In the attached photo, you see a very similar unit... in the upper left hand corner, you see a rubber hose that is 'bent' 90 degrees. Just beyond that, you will see the fuel line, with an inline filter which is the red circular housing. You can likely add a small piece of fuel line to put a switch in there. Like I said, it wasn't the easiest thing to access, but it is possible. You could of course purchase something if you find a great deal, and take it to a local small engine shop.

Some similar sized units claim to have a 'fuel off' position in the 'on / off' dial that runs the unit (like this: https://wenproducts.com/collectio...-compliant [wenproducts.com]) . If it were me, I would likely be OCD and still put in my own... but this one is a killer deal, particularly if you have no sales tax and possibly get free shipping... making it very similar to the deal for this Firman.

Larger and open frame style generators will more commonly have the dedicated on / off switch... so that is an option, too. Ultimately, figure out your intended usage (is a small unit like this good enough? If so - get the WEN, or add the switch if you are so inclined… or get a larger unit which will likely have the on / off, and just give it some extra care)!

That is great information. I have killed a generator before by bad maintenance, so I will look for one with a fuel switch! If you run it until the gas is gone, do you still have to do any maintenance / stabilizer? In Houston so have sales tx, but trying to get something cheaper than the $12K whole-house Generac but knowing my bad habits on maintenance....

damn thought it was dual fuel