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Edited December 22, 2023
at 11:41 PM
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Product Details:
The Portable Propane Generator from Power Joe, by Sun Joe®. No more struggling with bulky, smelly gas generators. If you can start your BBQ, you can turn on Power Joe — just press one button! In a blackout, Power Joe gives you instant, reliable access to exclusive PRO POWER3X technology: PowerSTART, PowerCOOL, and PowerFUEL. PowerSTART features a 24V IONMAX lithium-ion battery to instantly turn on the motor the first time, every time, with up to 4,100 watts of power. And the included battery powers over 100 tools in the 24V IONMAX cordless tool system! PowerCOOL ensures superior air flow with an enhanced fan design to keep the motor running cooler, stronger, and longer than traditional generators. And PowerFUEL harnesses the pure power of greener, cleaner propane to eliminate carbon build-up in the motor, and it's virtually maintenance FREE!
Product Features:- Features exclusive PRO POWER3X technology: PowerSTART, PowerCOOL, PowerFUEL
- INCLUDED: Propane Generator, Cover, Extension Cord, Dipstick, Battery & Charger
- Backed by our 3 Year Extended Warranty
- 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
- Integrated control panel w/ multiple outlets for devices, appliances, RVs & more
- Propane hose siphons fuel from the tank (tank not included) for cleaner energy
- Collapsible transport handle and onboard tank storage to easily wheel around
https://www.walmart.com/ip/Power-...2013771820
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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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$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.
As pointed out propane tanks (used) can be had for free or around $5-$10. So, I have 8 of them not counting the one in my grill.
Back around 15 years ago we were having outages that lasted up to 2 days. I bought a Coleman power mate 6500/5500w raw power generator for $250 new. We haven't had an outage lasting more than an hour since 😕.
So up to now I have just used one of my inverters for tailgating and I run all the generators under load every 6 months with oil changes just for preventive maintenance.
But I need to be prepared so I think the combination of the Coleman, 3 2200w inverters, 4 6gallon gas cans (2 are ethanol free) should get me through most anything, and the propane generator is for when I run out of gas ⛽️ and need to refill the gas cans. I have to refresh the ethanol gas cans every 6 months or so and I refresh the ethanol free cans every year by pouring into my car.
I'm guessing the propane power joe will be more or less useless in our super cold winter season.
I also have 5 portable propane heaters and 12 refillable 1# propane tanks, an 11# tank and a 5# tank.
Your review is good & detailed & yes there are good use cases for this, but this is NOT a slickdeal
(2) use the Sun Joe 12 ga L5 cable fitted with 3 x standard circuit breaker protected outlets. Install a box on the outside wall to store the cable to generator so it is always instantly available. A box on the inside can neatly store the 3 way terminus ii not feeding into a cabinet. That cable was recently front page at $25. Reduce the number of connections for simplicity and increased efficiency while saving money on parts.
(2) use the Sun Joe 12 ga L5 cable fitted with 3 x standard circuit breaker protected outlets. Install a box on the outside wall to store the cable to generator so it is always instantly available. A box on the inside can neatly store the 3 way terminus ii not feeding into a cabinet. That cable was recently front page at $25. Reduce the number of connections for simplicity and increased efficiency while saving money on parts.
That is a nice L5 cable, I already have the through the wall kit, however.
Anymore education need please feel free to reply.
Meanwhile almost every store in my area has propane tanks sitting outside, no power needed. Plus you can stock up and easily keep a week of propane on hand because it never goes bad. To do the same with gas you'd have to be constantly cycling it to keep it fresh.
Meanwhile almost every store in my area has propane tanks sitting outside, no power needed. Plus you can stock up and easily keep a week of propane on hand because it never goes bad. To do the same with gas you'd have to be constantly cycling it to keep it fresh.
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Meanwhile almost every store in my area has propane tanks sitting outside, no power needed. Plus you can stock up and easily keep a week of propane on hand because it never goes bad. To do the same with gas you'd have to be constantly cycling it to keep it fresh.
I'm been searching outdoor generator for long time. I choose this generator for several reasons:
$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.
Various marketplaces like Facebook, etc. Free for the taking. Usually need to be refilled or exchanged if expired.
Now $899
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