Walmart has Power Joe Power Joe 4100W Peak / 3300W Portable Propane Generator w/ 2.0Ah Battery & Charger (SJG4100LP-TV1) on sale for $298. Shipping is free.
Thanks to Community Member JD713 for sharing this deal.
About this Item:
Includes a 2.0Ah 24V IONMAX lithium-ion battery to instantly turn on the motor
4100 Starting Watts/3300 Running Watts of power to run appliances for up to 9hrs (20lb propane tank at 50% load)
8 HP 223cc 4 Stroke OHV Engine
Outputs: 120 V RV Receptacle, 120 V AC Twist Lock Receptacle, 2 x 120 V AC Receptacle, 5 V USB Receptacle, Multi-Voltage USB Type-C USB Receptacle
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Walmart has Power Joe Power Joe 4100W Peak / 3300W Portable Propane Generator w/ 2.0Ah Battery & Charger (SJG4100LP-TV1) on sale for $298. Shipping is free.
Thanks to Community Member JD713 for sharing this deal.
About this Item:
Includes a 2.0Ah 24V IONMAX lithium-ion battery to instantly turn on the motor
4100 Starting Watts/3300 Running Watts of power to run appliances for up to 9hrs (20lb propane tank at 50% load)
8 HP 223cc 4 Stroke OHV Engine
Outputs: 120 V RV Receptacle, 120 V AC Twist Lock Receptacle, 2 x 120 V AC Receptacle, 5 V USB Receptacle, Multi-Voltage USB Type-C USB Receptacle
Model: Portable Generator, Liquid Propane, 3,300 W Rated, 4,100 W Surge, Electric, Recoil Start, 120V AC
Deal HistoryÂ
Deal History includes data from multiple reputable stores, such as Best Buy, Target, and Walmart. The lowest price among stores for a given day is selected as the "Sale Price".
Sale Price does not include sale prices at Amazon unless a deal was posted by a community member.
Take a chill pill. This generator is perfect for a cabin or backup generator. Throw a $20 solar battery charger on it and it will fire up instantly, every time, whenever you want as the propane doesn't go bad and the battery is charged.
An inverter generator this size is at least $500 to $1000 with electric start.
Dirty power is so overrated. Almost every device that has a power brick won't be affected. But it's not going to kill any electronics running it for a weekend while the power is out. worst case if you run your house on it for a month you might burn out an led light bulb or find some things don't work right (furnace control boards, mini splits). but, almost nothing is permanently damaged by dirty power (except LEDs like the one in your microwave display)
What you can do is run a switch into the cabin and with a push of a button your generator turns on (every time) when you want power for lights or an old fridge or whatever.
If you've got a $8000 fridge and home theatre system your worried about being damaged by dirty power, you're not the type to buy the cheapest Genny you can find, buy the inverter.
I bought this propane Power Joe for the case where I run out of gas for my 3 x 2200w inverters and 1 x 5500w raw power gennie. I have 8 x 20# propane tanks. I tried a dual fuel inverter and while it was nice, it was hard to start and ran about 20% less power on propane, IIRC. I'll be receiving this one in a couple days. $298 plus tax = $321 with tax @ Walmart. Really a great deal.
There are only 7 nuts and bolts and assembly was a breeze. Tools needed:
19mm socket and ratchet
17mm wrench or crescent wrench
10mm socket and ratchet
10mm wrench or crescent wrench
wire cutter, knife or scissors to cut the zip tie on the propane hose
crescent wrench for the handle release mechanism
Note that in the video, the front feet are angled UP slightly. The 2 feet are NOT THE SAME. One is for the left side and the other the right side. You need to put the correct one on the correct side as they are not marked.
Start charging the battery before you start assembly and the battery will be ready when you are done. The battery has 3 LEDs indicating charge level with a button on the battery to display the battery's charge level.
The 24v battery is a GREAT IDEA and differentiates this generator from others that require a trickle charger or a jump starter on a typical 12v AGM battery. This battery can be charged in your house with the included battery and charger and be ready to start the generator when you need it. This is a huge advantage.
INCLUDED $180 worth of accessories (plus free shipping $70):
Included 2.0-Ah lithium-ion battery starts unit up to 400x on a single charge
4100 Starting Watts/3300 Running Watts of power to run appliances for up to 9hrs... for a dual-fuel generator this equates to 5125 Starting Watts /4125 Running Watts on propane (~20% power loss on propane)
Integrated control panel w/ multiple outlets for devices, appliances, RVs & more
Propane hose siphons fuel from the tank (tank not included) for cleaner energy
TIPS:
1) the box is big and heavy. I tipped the box onto a heavy duty dolly to move it around. It's over 115# so be prepared for that. Slide the box off the dolly onto a piece of cardboard or moving blanket to protect it. Cut open the box from the bottom, lay the box down and simply lift the box up revealing the contents. Navigating the box was the hardest part of the assembly process.
2) the two front feet have a slight angle to them... follow the video and install with them angled UP
3) the hubcaps snapped in place easily on the left wheel, but not on the right, so I opted to just leave them off. I think they are ugly and just get in the way should I need to access the wheels. The generator looks better from the side without them.
4) I plan on using a 25' 30a Southwire generator cord https://www.lowes.com/pd/Southwir...1002945674 with the Reliance Through The Wall kit https://www.zoro.com/reliance-con...lsrc=aw.ds
5) Add oil ... the instructions say 10w30 or 10w40. It gets real cold here this time of year, so I put in 10w30. In summer I'll go with a heavier weight.
6) When a cumulative run time of 20 hours has been reached, replace the engine lubrication. After the first time of replacing lubricant, replace the lubricant every 100 hours.
When a cumulative time of 50 hours is reached, clean the air filter.
When a cumulative time of 100 hours is reached, clean the spark plug.
7) I didn't measure but it looked to me like it took about 3/4 quart of oil. It ships without oil.
8) I ran it for about 1/2 hour with a light load on it. I'll run a breakin with 2 x 1500w heaters soon and then change the oil again.
9) I installed the magnetic dipstick. I use these on all my generators except the Coleman PM0525202.03 which doesn't have one available.
CONS:
1) Weight, as mentioned above, I won't be lifting this into my SUV like the small inverters
2) Noise, @ 70db it's about 10-12db louder than my inverters, but not as loud as my 6250w/5500w Coleman @ around 90db
3) Digital display–The display shows the amount of time the generator has run since being started. It will automatically reset when reached the Max. number it can show. My Westinghouse inverter shows fuel level, watts, etc. This display is a real let-down by comparison, but it's better than nothing.
58 Comments
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I was interested in this thing until I saw it could run "up to 9 hours" on a tankful of propane. Then looked at the control panel for a "Low" or "Eco" mode switch/setting without seeing anything like that. Filling a 20lb tank costs around $20 in my area, so that would be a lot more than I'd be interested to spend just keeping my fridge and a few lights running…
I bought this propane Power Joe for the case where I run out of gas for my 3 x 2200w inverters and 1 x 5500w raw power gennie. I have 8 x 20# propane tanks. I tried a dual fuel inverter and while it was nice, it was hard to start and ran about 20% less power on propane, IIRC. I'll be receiving this one in a couple days. $298 plus tax = $321 with tax @ Walmart. Really a great deal.
There are only 7 nuts and bolts and assembly was a breeze. Tools needed:
19mm socket and ratchet
17mm wrench or crescent wrench
10mm socket and ratchet
10mm wrench or crescent wrench
wire cutter, knife or scissors to cut the zip tie on the propane hose
crescent wrench for the handle release mechanism
Note that in the video, the front feet are angled UP slightly. The 2 feet are NOT THE SAME. One is for the left side and the other the right side. You need to put the correct one on the correct side as they are not marked.
Start charging the battery before you start assembly and the battery will be ready when you are done. The battery has 3 LEDs indicating charge level with a button on the battery to display the battery's charge level.
The 24v battery is a GREAT IDEA and differentiates this generator from others that require a trickle charger or a jump starter on a typical 12v AGM battery. This battery can be charged in your house with the included battery and charger and be ready to start the generator when you need it. This is a huge advantage.
INCLUDED $180 worth of accessories (plus free shipping $70):
Included 2.0-Ah lithium-ion battery starts unit up to 400x on a single charge
4100 Starting Watts/3300 Running Watts of power to run appliances for up to 9hrs... for a dual-fuel generator this equates to 5125 Starting Watts /4125 Running Watts on propane (~20% power loss on propane)
Integrated control panel w/ multiple outlets for devices, appliances, RVs & more
Propane hose siphons fuel from the tank (tank not included) for cleaner energy
TIPS:
1) the box is big and heavy. I tipped the box onto a heavy duty dolly to move it around. It's over 115# so be prepared for that. Slide the box off the dolly onto a piece of cardboard or moving blanket to protect it. Cut open the box from the bottom, lay the box down and simply lift the box up revealing the contents. Navigating the box was the hardest part of the assembly process.
2) the two front feet have a slight angle to them... follow the video and install with them angled UP
3) the hubcaps snapped in place easily on the left wheel, but not on the right, so I opted to just leave them off. I think they are ugly and just get in the way should I need to access the wheels. The generator looks better from the side without them.
4) I plan on using a 25' 30a Southwire generator cord https://www.lowes.com/pd/Southwir...1002945674[lowes.com] with the Reliance Through The Wall kit https://www.zoro.com/reliance-con...lsrc=aw.ds[zoro.com]
5) Add oil ... the instructions say 10w30 or 10w40. It gets real cold here this time of year, so I put in 10w30. In summer I'll go with a heavier weight.
6) When a cumulative run time of 20 hours has been reached, replace the engine lubrication. After the first time of replacing lubricant, replace the lubricant every 100 hours.
When a cumulative time of 50 hours is reached, clean the air filter.
When a cumulative time of 100 hours is reached, clean the spark plug.
7) I didn't measure but it looked to me like it took about 3/4 quart of oil. It ships without oil.
8) I ran it for about 1/2 hour with a light load on it. I'll run a breakin with 2 x 1500w heaters soon and then change the oil again.
9) I installed the magnetic dipstick. I use these on all my generators except the Coleman PM0525202.03 which doesn't have one available.
CONS:
1) Weight, as mentioned above, I won't be lifting this into my SUV like the small inverters
2) Noise, @ 70db it's about 10-12db louder than my inverters, but not as loud as my 6250w/5500w Coleman @ around 90db
3) Digital display–The display shows the amount of time the generator has run since being started. It will automatically reset when reached the Max. number it can show. My Westinghouse inverter shows fuel level, watts, etc. This display is a real let-down by comparison, but it's better than nothing.
This isn't great deal all things considered. It's "a deal". You are basically saying its "good" for the price. This is a 2.5 out of 5 at best.
Your review is good & detailed & yes there are good use cases for this, but this is NOT a slickdeal
Remember propane can be harder to find and it has less btus
Huh, propane is everywhere; outdoor grills use propane (Lowes, Home Depot, Blue Rhino spots). Not to mention, the last time we had a large-scale outage in my area, even the gas stations couldn't pump gas due to no electricity!
BTUs are a moot point; the generator is rated based on running on propane, so you'll get the 3300W running on propane.
I was interested in this thing until I saw it could run "up to 9 hours" on a tankful of propane. Then looked at the control panel for a "Low" or "Eco" mode switch/setting without seeing anything like that. Filling a 20lb tank costs around $20 in my area, so that would be a lot more than I'd be interested to spend just keeping my fridge and a few lights running…
Non inverter gas generators this size use around .4-.8 gph under load. Or $$1.50 to $3 per hour for gas.
$20 tank over 9 hours is $2.2 per hour.
Obviously inverter generators will be way more efficient, but propane and gas non inverter generators cost similar. Nice thing is can pickup free propane tanks and fill them up and use them years later. Gas will go bad if you don't cycle it every few months. or you can add a quick connect into your house tank or pickup a 100lb tank and get 4 days constant power or about a week running it 12 hours a day to keep your food cold enough and power when you need it.
Non inverter gas generators this size use around .4-.8 gph under load. Or $$1.50 to $3 per hour for gas.
$20 tank over 9 hours is $2.2 per hour.
Obviously inverter generators will be way more efficient, but propane and gas non inverter generators cost similar. Nice thing is can pickup free propane tanks and fill them up and use them years later. Gas will go bad if you don't cycle it every few months. or you can add a quick connect into your house tank or pickup a 100lb tank and get 4 days constant power or about a week running it 12 hours a day to keep your food cold enough and power when you need it.
My 2500W Champion gas inverter generator runs about 9 hours in eco-mode on 1.1 gallons of gas, keeping my fridge happy as well as a few lights. That's about $3.80 in ethanol-free gas, plus I bet it's way quieter than this thing. I do have to (shudder) pull the rope start on it to get going. Typically no more than twice!
My 2500W Champion gas inverter generator runs about 9 hours in eco-mode on 1.1 gallons of gas, keeping my fridge happy as well as a few lights. That's about $3.80 in ethanol-free gas, plus I bet it's way quieter than this thing. I do have to (shudder) pull the rope start on it to get going. Typically no more than twice!
Your comparing a truck to a hybrid. Different technology and different purposes. My inverter generator uses 1 gallon in 11 hours on Eco mode. But, it only puts out 600-800 watts on, which is good enough for a fridge.
This is a 3300 watt generator, 4000 peak. It'll power your whole house while sucking away $40 a day in fuel if running it full bore. But if you want to run a water heater, fridge, TV, lights, electric stove, electric heaters, natural gas furnace, washer, dryer, A/C unit, well/sump pump, or whatever else is connected to your house. This is it. Powers usually back in less than a week. Couple hundred in propane and your living exactly like you were before. Most places don't have regular storm blackouts, maybe every few years.
An inverter generator is great, and paying $500-1000 for one this size might be worth it to some. But this isn't a generator you run a lot, it's something you'd use at a night on a weekend cabin trip or in an emergency.
I bought an inverter generator because I use it while camping. Each has their place and use
The electric start benefit is starting it from 100 feet away by running a wire to the switch. Or using any of the Amazon remote starter kits for generators. Or using an "all in one" solar charger inverter that has a smart switch for the generator. Then when your batteries are low, or it detects loss of grid power, it can automatically turn your generator on.
This isn't a generator you bring camping. It's something you wire into an off grid setup/cabin. Or that you leave it in the garage and wheel outside when the power goes off. A quick push of a button, plug in the death cord and turn off your main breaker and you're up and running.
Ps, non inverter generators have been the norm for like 80 years. Google what they damage. The only permanent damage I found is to LEDs. You will not burn out circuit boards using this. some electronics won't work right with dirty power until you get clean grid power, but they aren't damaged permanently they just require a low thd. People act like snow storms didn't happen in 1990 and 2000 and 2010 where people run these for weeks without issue.
If it works for you then buy it but don't mislead others on its capabilities and limitations. Sun Joe is doing a good enough job there without your help. This generator is NOT for back-up house power. It is 120 not 240. Can't connect to the generator inlet on utility meters which many utility companies are now providing. Not for a manual transfer switch either but can be jerry-rigged to run only one side of the panel. You describe an integrated system with batteries and an inverter which is NOT what most people have. Those cost thousands of dollars. Deadman's power cord? GLOT.
No automatic electric choke on this means that remote control is a fantasy. Sun Joe built this thing for people like yourself who mistakenly think that push button ( is there another kind ?) electric start is a feature when it is completely unnecessary here and with zero practical benefit.
AC loads must be disconnected when starting or stopping to prevent damage to the generator and loads but you just ignored that. It's in the user manual to every generator sold. I was an authorized Onan dealer
and service station for years. Expensive repairs were common for RV customers who did not follow directions. We live in a remote are where grid failure is common so plenty of real life generator use here. I have never once used the remote. Start a generator with speed control and just let it run until it's time to re-fuel.
You didn't read a word I said about damage from sag-surge voltage which is typical on low horsepower generators like this and not related to THD. Your reference to the past is not relevant. WINCO and other American made conventional generators from the past do not burn circuit boards and motors because of the way they are made. The alternator is completely different. Unfortunately this is not true with cheap China generators which is why they tell you not to connect electronics. I can absolutely hear motors and compressors struggling with poor quality power. An old fridge can handle it but not these days. You are gambling big time on an expensive repair. Damage is progressive. Contractors buy quality generators to prevent heavily used power tools from burning up.
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If it works for you then buy it but don't mislead others on its capabilities and limitations. Sun Joe is doing a good enough job there without your help. This generator is NOT for back-up house power. It is 120 not 240. Can't connect to the generator inlet on utility meters which many utility companies are now providing. Not for a manual transfer switch either but can be jerry-rigged to run only one side of the panel. You describe an integrated system with batteries and an inverter which is NOT what most people have. Those cost thousands of dollars. Deadman's power cord? GLOT.
No automatic electric choke on this means that remote control is a fantasy. Sun Joe built this thing for people like yourself who mistakenly think that push button ( is there another kind ?) electric start is a feature when it is completely unnecessary here and with zero practical benefit.
AC loads must be disconnected when starting or stopping to prevent damage to the generator and loads but you just ignored that. It's in the user manual to every generator sold. I was an authorized Onan dealer
and service station for years. Expensive repairs were common for RV customers who did not follow directions. We live in a remote are where grid failure is common so plenty of real life generator use here. I have never once used the remote. Start a generator with speed control and just let it run until it's time to re-fuel.
You didn't read a word I said about damage from sag-surge voltage which is typical on low horsepower generators like this and not related to THD. Your reference to the past is not relevant. WINCO and other American made conventional generators from the past do not burn circuit boards and motors because of the way they are made. The alternator is completely different. Unfortunately this is not true with cheap China generators which is why they tell you not to connect electronics. I can absolutely hear motors and compressors struggling with poor quality power. An old fridge can handle it but not these days. You are gambling big time on an expensive repair. Damage is progressive. Contractors buy quality generators to prevent heavily used power tools from burning up.
I can flip off my breaker box, plug in the suicide cord and run everything in my house but the washer with the push of a button.
Like I said earlier, this isn't a generator you take camping or run super expensive stuff on. I've ran my deep freeze on a dirty power, it buzes more but that's it.
In my opinion, this is a great backup option for those who's power rarely goes out. And often that power is back within 24 hours. Leave it in the garage with a full tank + whatever is in your bbq tank and you've got power for a day.
You should buy an inverter generator as your power regularly goes out. Personally, my power has gone out 2 times in like 10 years. Once for a 48 ish hours and once overnight.
Not misleading people. 300 for a propane Genny that you use once every 3 years is sometimes all you need.
ps, an automatic transfer smart switch that turns on a gen is like $100. every all in one worth a damn has a generator start, eg victron, growatt, mpp solar. pretty much every off grid cabin setup made past 2010 will have an AIO unit with an automatic transfer switch.
Last edited by tasmanian December 25, 2023 at 06:30 PM.
Darwin will solve every problem in America. Eventually.
And people will worry about the smallest of things.
Ps, Simply turn off your breaker mains and the mains on the power pole box and it's totally safe. lots of idiots out there though who might forget that step and end up hurting someone. there's also a bunch of people who drive drunk and kill people. stupid is as stupid does.
But just keep living in your scared world
Last edited by tasmanian December 25, 2023 at 08:46 PM.
I bought this propane Power Joe for the case where I run out of gas for my 3 x 2200w inverters and 1 x 5500w raw power gennie. I have 8 x 20# propane tanks. I tried a dual fuel inverter and while it was nice, it was hard to start and ran about 20% less power on propane, IIRC. I'll be receiving this one in a couple days. $298 plus tax = $321 with tax @ Walmart. Really a great deal.
There are only 7 nuts and bolts and assembly was a breeze. Tools needed:
19mm socket and ratchet
17mm wrench or crescent wrench
10mm socket and ratchet
10mm wrench or crescent wrench
wire cutter, knife or scissors to cut the zip tie on the propane hose
crescent wrench for the handle release mechanism
Note that in the video, the front feet are angled UP slightly. The 2 feet are NOT THE SAME. One is for the left side and the other the right side. You need to put the correct one on the correct side as they are not marked.
Start charging the battery before you start assembly and the battery will be ready when you are done. The battery has 3 LEDs indicating charge level with a button on the battery to display the battery's charge level.
The 24v battery is a GREAT IDEA and differentiates this generator from others that require a trickle charger or a jump starter on a typical 12v AGM battery. This battery can be charged in your house with the included battery and charger and be ready to start the generator when you need it. This is a huge advantage.
INCLUDED $180 worth of accessories (plus free shipping $70):
Included 2.0-Ah lithium-ion battery starts unit up to 400x on a single charge
4100 Starting Watts/3300 Running Watts of power to run appliances for up to 9hrs... for a dual-fuel generator this equates to 5125 Starting Watts /4125 Running Watts on propane (~20% power loss on propane)
Integrated control panel w/ multiple outlets for devices, appliances, RVs & more
Propane hose siphons fuel from the tank (tank not included) for cleaner energy
TIPS:
1) the box is big and heavy. I tipped the box onto a heavy duty dolly to move it around. It's over 115# so be prepared for that. Slide the box off the dolly onto a piece of cardboard or moving blanket to protect it. Cut open the box from the bottom, lay the box down and simply lift the box up revealing the contents. Navigating the box was the hardest part of the assembly process.
2) the two front feet have a slight angle to them... follow the video and install with them angled UP
3) the hubcaps snapped in place easily on the left wheel, but not on the right, so I opted to just leave them off. I think they are ugly and just get in the way should I need to access the wheels. The generator looks better from the side without them.
4) I plan on using a 25' 30a Southwire generator cord https://www.lowes.com/pd/Southwir...1002945674 with the Reliance Through The Wall kit https://www.zoro.com/reliance-con...lsrc=aw.ds
5) Add oil ... the instructions say 10w30 or 10w40. It gets real cold here this time of year, so I put in 10w30. In summer I'll go with a heavier weight.
6) When a cumulative run time of 20 hours has been reached, replace the engine lubrication. After the first time of replacing lubricant, replace the lubricant every 100 hours.
When a cumulative time of 50 hours is reached, clean the air filter.
When a cumulative time of 100 hours is reached, clean the spark plug.
7) I didn't measure but it looked to me like it took about 3/4 quart of oil. It ships without oil.
8) I ran it for about 1/2 hour with a light load on it. I'll run a breakin with 2 x 1500w heaters soon and then change the oil again.
9) I installed the magnetic dipstick. I use these on all my generators except the Coleman PM0525202.03 which doesn't have one available.
CONS:
1) Weight, as mentioned above, I won't be lifting this into my SUV like the small inverters
2) Noise, @ 70db it's about 10-12db louder than my inverters, but not as loud as my 6250w/5500w Coleman @ around 90db
3) Digital display–The display shows the amount of time the generator has run since being started. It will automatically reset when reached the Max. number it can show. My Westinghouse inverter shows fuel level, watts, etc. This display is a real let-down by comparison, but it's better than nothing.
"instructions say 10w30 or 10w40. It gets real cold here this time of year, so I put in 10w30. In summer I'll go with a heavier weight" Correct me if I am wrong but there is no difference between 10w30 & 10w40 in the winter time. The first number on oil is the viscosity when cold & the other is viscosity when hot. If it really is that cold where you live 5w or 0w may be a better option.
"instructions say 10w30 or 10w40. It gets real cold here this time of year, so I put in 10w30. In summer I'll go with a heavier weight" Correct me if I am wrong but there is no difference between 10w30 & 10w40 in the winter time. The first number on oil is the viscosity when cold & the other is viscosity when hot. If it really is that cold where you live 5w or 0w may be a better option.
There's no difference when both are up to operating temp. The w# is thickness while cold.
Some people run 10w20 in there stuff if it's constantly below freezing. Leave a bottle in the garage, open up it, and pour a bit into a cup. If it's thicker than honey, get a lower weight
It doesn't. LOL, Run away today and thank yourself tomorrow. A 223 cc engine does not need electric start, the main "selling feature".
Run away as fast as you can. A quiet hand carry clean power 2500 watt inverter is what you want for electronics. It will serve most households better even if it is gasoline only. 1 gallon will support a fridge and basics for up to 10 hours.
Suppose I already have 3 gas inverters and want a propane-only generator ... why is that such a crime?
"instructions say 10w30 or 10w40. It gets real cold here this time of year, so I put in 10w30. In summer I'll go with a heavier weight" Correct me if I am wrong but there is no difference between 10w30 & 10w40 in the winter time. The first number on oil is the viscosity when cold & the other is viscosity when hot. If it really is that cold where you live 5w or 0w may be a better option.
good point, I should go with 5w30 full synthetic in the winter
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Suppose I already have 3 gas inverters and want a propane-only generator ... why is that such a crime?
Buy it because it fits your application or because you just want it for no particular reason. I challenge misrepresentations nothing more.
BTW, your project list includes an L14-30 twist lock generator cord which will not fit the outlet on the generator which is L5-30R. The Reliance house inlet which you list is also L14-30. One of my points is that this is not a back-up generator. You can use it with your project but you'll want an L5-30 house inlet with an L5-30 generator cord. Just use a standard work box and receptacle on the inside connecting the two with romex. Parts cost will be much less.
Last edited by timbertop December 26, 2023 at 11:21 PM.
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Top Comments
An inverter generator this size is at least $500 to $1000 with electric start.
Dirty power is so overrated. Almost every device that has a power brick won't be affected. But it's not going to kill any electronics running it for a weekend while the power is out. worst case if you run your house on it for a month you might burn out an led light bulb or find some things don't work right (furnace control boards, mini splits). but, almost nothing is permanently damaged by dirty power (except LEDs like the one in your microwave display)
What you can do is run a switch into the cabin and with a push of a button your generator turns on (every time) when you want power for lights or an old fridge or whatever.
If you've got a $8000 fridge and home theatre system your worried about being damaged by dirty power, you're not the type to buy the cheapest Genny you can find, buy the inverter.
UPDATE 12/14/23
I followed the steps in the unboxing video step by step: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GfIVVdV
Setup couldn't be much easier.
There are only 7 nuts and bolts and assembly was a breeze. Tools needed:
19mm socket and ratchet
17mm wrench or crescent wrench
10mm socket and ratchet
10mm wrench or crescent wrench
wire cutter, knife or scissors to cut the zip tie on the propane hose
crescent wrench for the handle release mechanism
Note that in the video, the front feet are angled UP slightly. The 2 feet are NOT THE SAME. One is for the left side and the other the right side. You need to put the correct one on the correct side as they are not marked.
Start charging the battery before you start assembly and the battery will be ready when you are done. The battery has 3 LEDs indicating charge level with a button on the battery to display the battery's charge level.
The 24v battery is a GREAT IDEA and differentiates this generator from others that require a trickle charger or a jump starter on a typical 12v AGM battery. This battery can be charged in your house with the included battery and charger and be ready to start the generator when you need it. This is a huge advantage.
INCLUDED $180 worth of accessories (plus free shipping $70):
Propane Generator unit $118
Propane Hose, $20 https://snowjoe.com/products/sun-...-generator
Cover, $40 https://snowjoe.com/products/sun-...4500-watts
Extension Cord, $50 https://snowjoe.com/products/sun-...ty-25-foot
Dipstick, $20 https://snowjoe.com/products/sun-...-sjg4100lp (NOTE: these are only $10 on Amazon)
Battery & Charger $50 https://www.amazon.com/Snow-Joe-2...36&sr=8-16
Included 2.0-Ah lithium-ion battery starts unit up to 400x on a single charge
4100 Starting Watts/3300 Running Watts of power to run appliances for up to 9hrs... for a dual-fuel generator this equates to 5125 Starting Watts /4125 Running Watts on propane (~20% power loss on propane)
Integrated control panel w/ multiple outlets for devices, appliances, RVs & more
Propane hose siphons fuel from the tank (tank not included) for cleaner energy
TIPS:
1) the box is big and heavy. I tipped the box onto a heavy duty dolly to move it around. It's over 115# so be prepared for that. Slide the box off the dolly onto a piece of cardboard or moving blanket to protect it. Cut open the box from the bottom, lay the box down and simply lift the box up revealing the contents. Navigating the box was the hardest part of the assembly process.
2) the two front feet have a slight angle to them... follow the video and install with them angled UP
3) the hubcaps snapped in place easily on the left wheel, but not on the right, so I opted to just leave them off. I think they are ugly and just get in the way should I need to access the wheels. The generator looks better from the side without them.
4) I plan on using a 25' 30a Southwire generator cord https://www.lowes.com/pd/Southwir...1002
5) Add oil ... the instructions say 10w30 or 10w40. It gets real cold here this time of year, so I put in 10w30. In summer I'll go with a heavier weight.
6) When a cumulative run time of 20 hours has been reached, replace the engine lubrication. After the first time of replacing lubricant, replace the lubricant every 100 hours.
When a cumulative time of 50 hours is reached, clean the air filter.
When a cumulative time of 100 hours is reached, clean the spark plug.
7) I didn't measure but it looked to me like it took about 3/4 quart of oil. It ships without oil.
8) I ran it for about 1/2 hour with a light load on it. I'll run a breakin with 2 x 1500w heaters soon and then change the oil again.
9) I installed the magnetic dipstick. I use these on all my generators except the Coleman PM0525202.03 which doesn't have one available.
CONS:
1) Weight, as mentioned above, I won't be lifting this into my SUV like the small inverters
2) Noise, @ 70db it's about 10-12db louder than my inverters, but not as loud as my 6250w/5500w Coleman @ around 90db
3) Digital display–The display shows the amount of time the generator has run since being started. It will automatically reset when reached the Max. number it can show. My Westinghouse inverter shows fuel level, watts, etc. This display is a real let-down by comparison, but it's better than nothing.
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UPDATE 12/14/23
I followed the steps in the unboxing video step by step: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GfIVVdV
Setup couldn't be much easier.
There are only 7 nuts and bolts and assembly was a breeze. Tools needed:
19mm socket and ratchet
17mm wrench or crescent wrench
10mm socket and ratchet
10mm wrench or crescent wrench
wire cutter, knife or scissors to cut the zip tie on the propane hose
crescent wrench for the handle release mechanism
Note that in the video, the front feet are angled UP slightly. The 2 feet are NOT THE SAME. One is for the left side and the other the right side. You need to put the correct one on the correct side as they are not marked.
Start charging the battery before you start assembly and the battery will be ready when you are done. The battery has 3 LEDs indicating charge level with a button on the battery to display the battery's charge level.
The 24v battery is a GREAT IDEA and differentiates this generator from others that require a trickle charger or a jump starter on a typical 12v AGM battery. This battery can be charged in your house with the included battery and charger and be ready to start the generator when you need it. This is a huge advantage.
INCLUDED $180 worth of accessories (plus free shipping $70):
Propane Generator unit $118
Propane Hose, $20 https://snowjoe.com/products/sun-...-generator [snowjoe.com]
Cover, $40 https://snowjoe.com/products/sun-...4500-watts [snowjoe.com]
Extension Cord, $50 https://snowjoe.com/products/sun-...ty-25-foot [snowjoe.com]
Dipstick, $20 https://snowjoe.com/products/sun-...-sjg4100lp [snowjoe.com] (NOTE: these are only $10 on Amazon)
Battery & Charger $50 https://www.amazon.com/Snow-Joe-2...36&sr=8-16 [amazon.com]
Included 2.0-Ah lithium-ion battery starts unit up to 400x on a single charge
4100 Starting Watts/3300 Running Watts of power to run appliances for up to 9hrs... for a dual-fuel generator this equates to 5125 Starting Watts /4125 Running Watts on propane (~20% power loss on propane)
Integrated control panel w/ multiple outlets for devices, appliances, RVs & more
Propane hose siphons fuel from the tank (tank not included) for cleaner energy
TIPS:
1) the box is big and heavy. I tipped the box onto a heavy duty dolly to move it around. It's over 115# so be prepared for that. Slide the box off the dolly onto a piece of cardboard or moving blanket to protect it. Cut open the box from the bottom, lay the box down and simply lift the box up revealing the contents. Navigating the box was the hardest part of the assembly process.
2) the two front feet have a slight angle to them... follow the video and install with them angled UP
3) the hubcaps snapped in place easily on the left wheel, but not on the right, so I opted to just leave them off. I think they are ugly and just get in the way should I need to access the wheels. The generator looks better from the side without them.
4) I plan on using a 25' 30a Southwire generator cord https://www.lowes.com/pd/Southwir...1002945674 [lowes.com] with the Reliance Through The Wall kit https://www.zoro.com/reliance-con...lsrc=aw.ds [zoro.com]
5) Add oil ... the instructions say 10w30 or 10w40. It gets real cold here this time of year, so I put in 10w30. In summer I'll go with a heavier weight.
6) When a cumulative run time of 20 hours has been reached, replace the engine lubrication. After the first time of replacing lubricant, replace the lubricant every 100 hours.
When a cumulative time of 50 hours is reached, clean the air filter.
When a cumulative time of 100 hours is reached, clean the spark plug.
7) I didn't measure but it looked to me like it took about 3/4 quart of oil. It ships without oil.
8) I ran it for about 1/2 hour with a light load on it. I'll run a breakin with 2 x 1500w heaters soon and then change the oil again.
9) I installed the magnetic dipstick. I use these on all my generators except the Coleman PM0525202.03 which doesn't have one available.
CONS:
1) Weight, as mentioned above, I won't be lifting this into my SUV like the small inverters
2) Noise, @ 70db it's about 10-12db louder than my inverters, but not as loud as my 6250w/5500w Coleman @ around 90db
3) Digital display–The display shows the amount of time the generator has run since being started. It will automatically reset when reached the Max. number it can show. My Westinghouse inverter shows fuel level, watts, etc. This display is a real let-down by comparison, but it's better than nothing.
Your review is good & detailed & yes there are good use cases for this, but this is NOT a slickdeal
BTUs are a moot point; the generator is rated based on running on propane, so you'll get the 3300W running on propane.
$20 tank over 9 hours is $2.2 per hour.
Obviously inverter generators will be way more efficient, but propane and gas non inverter generators cost similar. Nice thing is can pickup free propane tanks and fill them up and use them years later. Gas will go bad if you don't cycle it every few months. or you can add a quick connect into your house tank or pickup a 100lb tank and get 4 days constant power or about a week running it 12 hours a day to keep your food cold enough and power when you need it.
$20 tank over 9 hours is $2.2 per hour.
Obviously inverter generators will be way more efficient, but propane and gas non inverter generators cost similar. Nice thing is can pickup free propane tanks and fill them up and use them years later. Gas will go bad if you don't cycle it every few months. or you can add a quick connect into your house tank or pickup a 100lb tank and get 4 days constant power or about a week running it 12 hours a day to keep your food cold enough and power when you need it.
This is a 3300 watt generator, 4000 peak. It'll power your whole house while sucking away $40 a day in fuel if running it full bore. But if you want to run a water heater, fridge, TV, lights, electric stove, electric heaters, natural gas furnace, washer, dryer, A/C unit, well/sump pump, or whatever else is connected to your house. This is it. Powers usually back in less than a week. Couple hundred in propane and your living exactly like you were before. Most places don't have regular storm blackouts, maybe every few years.
An inverter generator is great, and paying $500-1000 for one this size might be worth it to some. But this isn't a generator you run a lot, it's something you'd use at a night on a weekend cabin trip or in an emergency.
I bought an inverter generator because I use it while camping. Each has their place and use
This isn't a generator you bring camping. It's something you wire into an off grid setup/cabin. Or that you leave it in the garage and wheel outside when the power goes off. A quick push of a button, plug in the death cord and turn off your main breaker and you're up and running.
Ps, non inverter generators have been the norm for like 80 years. Google what they damage. The only permanent damage I found is to LEDs. You will not burn out circuit boards using this. some electronics won't work right with dirty power until you get clean grid power, but they aren't damaged permanently they just require a low thd. People act like snow storms didn't happen in 1990 and 2000 and 2010 where people run these for weeks without issue.
No automatic electric choke on this means that remote control is a fantasy. Sun Joe built this thing for people like yourself who mistakenly think that push button ( is there another kind ?) electric start is a feature when it is completely unnecessary here and with zero practical benefit.
AC loads must be disconnected when starting or stopping to prevent damage to the generator and loads but you just ignored that. It's in the user manual to every generator sold. I was an authorized Onan dealer
and service station for years. Expensive repairs were common for RV customers who did not follow directions. We live in a remote are where grid failure is common so plenty of real life generator use here. I have never once used the remote. Start a generator with speed control and just let it run until it's time to re-fuel.
You didn't read a word I said about damage from sag-surge voltage which is typical on low horsepower generators like this and not related to THD. Your reference to the past is not relevant. WINCO and other American made conventional generators from the past do not burn circuit boards and motors because of the way they are made. The alternator is completely different. Unfortunately this is not true with cheap China generators which is why they tell you not to connect electronics. I can absolutely hear motors and compressors struggling with poor quality power. An old fridge can handle it but not these days. You are gambling big time on an expensive repair. Damage is progressive. Contractors buy quality generators to prevent heavily used power tools from burning up.
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No automatic electric choke on this means that remote control is a fantasy. Sun Joe built this thing for people like yourself who mistakenly think that push button ( is there another kind ?) electric start is a feature when it is completely unnecessary here and with zero practical benefit.
AC loads must be disconnected when starting or stopping to prevent damage to the generator and loads but you just ignored that. It's in the user manual to every generator sold. I was an authorized Onan dealer
and service station for years. Expensive repairs were common for RV customers who did not follow directions. We live in a remote are where grid failure is common so plenty of real life generator use here. I have never once used the remote. Start a generator with speed control and just let it run until it's time to re-fuel.
You didn't read a word I said about damage from sag-surge voltage which is typical on low horsepower generators like this and not related to THD. Your reference to the past is not relevant. WINCO and other American made conventional generators from the past do not burn circuit boards and motors because of the way they are made. The alternator is completely different. Unfortunately this is not true with cheap China generators which is why they tell you not to connect electronics. I can absolutely hear motors and compressors struggling with poor quality power. An old fridge can handle it but not these days. You are gambling big time on an expensive repair. Damage is progressive. Contractors buy quality generators to prevent heavily used power tools from burning up.
Like I said earlier, this isn't a generator you take camping or run super expensive stuff on. I've ran my deep freeze on a dirty power, it buzes more but that's it.
In my opinion, this is a great backup option for those who's power rarely goes out. And often that power is back within 24 hours. Leave it in the garage with a full tank + whatever is in your bbq tank and you've got power for a day.
You should buy an inverter generator as your power regularly goes out. Personally, my power has gone out 2 times in like 10 years. Once for a 48 ish hours and once overnight.
Not misleading people. 300 for a propane Genny that you use once every 3 years is sometimes all you need.
ps, an automatic transfer smart switch that turns on a gen is like $100. every all in one worth a damn has a generator start, eg victron, growatt, mpp solar. pretty much every off grid cabin setup made past 2010 will have an AIO unit with an automatic transfer switch.
Ps, Simply turn off your breaker mains and the mains on the power pole box and it's totally safe. lots of idiots out there though who might forget that step and end up hurting someone. there's also a bunch of people who drive drunk and kill people. stupid is as stupid does.
But just keep living in your scared world
UPDATE 12/14/23
I followed the steps in the unboxing video step by step: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GfIVVdV
Setup couldn't be much easier.
There are only 7 nuts and bolts and assembly was a breeze. Tools needed:
19mm socket and ratchet
17mm wrench or crescent wrench
10mm socket and ratchet
10mm wrench or crescent wrench
wire cutter, knife or scissors to cut the zip tie on the propane hose
crescent wrench for the handle release mechanism
Note that in the video, the front feet are angled UP slightly. The 2 feet are NOT THE SAME. One is for the left side and the other the right side. You need to put the correct one on the correct side as they are not marked.
Start charging the battery before you start assembly and the battery will be ready when you are done. The battery has 3 LEDs indicating charge level with a button on the battery to display the battery's charge level.
The 24v battery is a GREAT IDEA and differentiates this generator from others that require a trickle charger or a jump starter on a typical 12v AGM battery. This battery can be charged in your house with the included battery and charger and be ready to start the generator when you need it. This is a huge advantage.
INCLUDED $180 worth of accessories (plus free shipping $70):
Propane Generator unit $118
Propane Hose, $20 https://snowjoe.com/products/sun-...-generator
Cover, $40 https://snowjoe.com/products/sun-...4500-watts
Extension Cord, $50 https://snowjoe.com/products/sun-...ty-25-foot
Dipstick, $20 https://snowjoe.com/products/sun-...-sjg4100lp (NOTE: these are only $10 on Amazon)
Battery & Charger $50 https://www.amazon.com/Snow-Joe-2...36&sr=8-16
Included 2.0-Ah lithium-ion battery starts unit up to 400x on a single charge
4100 Starting Watts/3300 Running Watts of power to run appliances for up to 9hrs... for a dual-fuel generator this equates to 5125 Starting Watts /4125 Running Watts on propane (~20% power loss on propane)
Integrated control panel w/ multiple outlets for devices, appliances, RVs & more
Propane hose siphons fuel from the tank (tank not included) for cleaner energy
TIPS:
1) the box is big and heavy. I tipped the box onto a heavy duty dolly to move it around. It's over 115# so be prepared for that. Slide the box off the dolly onto a piece of cardboard or moving blanket to protect it. Cut open the box from the bottom, lay the box down and simply lift the box up revealing the contents. Navigating the box was the hardest part of the assembly process.
2) the two front feet have a slight angle to them... follow the video and install with them angled UP
3) the hubcaps snapped in place easily on the left wheel, but not on the right, so I opted to just leave them off. I think they are ugly and just get in the way should I need to access the wheels. The generator looks better from the side without them.
4) I plan on using a 25' 30a Southwire generator cord https://www.lowes.com/pd/Southwir...1002
5) Add oil ... the instructions say 10w30 or 10w40. It gets real cold here this time of year, so I put in 10w30. In summer I'll go with a heavier weight.
6) When a cumulative run time of 20 hours has been reached, replace the engine lubrication. After the first time of replacing lubricant, replace the lubricant every 100 hours.
When a cumulative time of 50 hours is reached, clean the air filter.
When a cumulative time of 100 hours is reached, clean the spark plug.
7) I didn't measure but it looked to me like it took about 3/4 quart of oil. It ships without oil.
8) I ran it for about 1/2 hour with a light load on it. I'll run a breakin with 2 x 1500w heaters soon and then change the oil again.
9) I installed the magnetic dipstick. I use these on all my generators except the Coleman PM0525202.03 which doesn't have one available.
CONS:
1) Weight, as mentioned above, I won't be lifting this into my SUV like the small inverters
2) Noise, @ 70db it's about 10-12db louder than my inverters, but not as loud as my 6250w/5500w Coleman @ around 90db
3) Digital display–The display shows the amount of time the generator has run since being started. It will automatically reset when reached the Max. number it can show. My Westinghouse inverter shows fuel level, watts, etc. This display is a real let-down by comparison, but it's better than nothing.
Some people run 10w20 in there stuff if it's constantly below freezing. Leave a bottle in the garage, open up it, and pour a bit into a cup. If it's thicker than honey, get a lower weight
Run away as fast as you can. A quiet hand carry clean power 2500 watt inverter is what you want for electronics. It will serve most households better even if it is gasoline only. 1 gallon will support a fridge and basics for up to 10 hours.
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BTW, your project list includes an L14-30 twist lock generator cord which will not fit the outlet on the generator which is L5-30R. The Reliance house inlet which you list is also L14-30. One of my points is that this is not a back-up generator. You can use it with your project but you'll want an L5-30 house inlet with an L5-30 generator cord. Just use a standard work box and receptacle on the inside connecting the two with romex. Parts cost will be much less.
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