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expiredearthdogmonster posted Dec 07, 2025 11:41 AM
expiredearthdogmonster posted Dec 07, 2025 11:41 AM

Costco Members: Firman 2900W / 3200W Peak Electric Start Dual Fuel Inverter Generator

+ Free Shipping

$300

$600

50% off
Costco Wholesale
162 Comments 39,213 Views
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Deal Details
Costco Wholesale has for Members: Firman 2900W Running / 3200W Peak Electric Start Dual Fuel Powered Inverter Generator (WH02942F) for $299.99. Shipping is free.

Thanks to community member Cwhomer for finding this deal.
  • Note: Please see the original post for additional deals & give the WIKI and additional forum comments a read for helpful discussion.
Product Details:
  • The Firman WH02942 is a portable, RV-ready generator designed for quiet, efficient power on the go. With 3,200 starting watts and 2,900 running watts on gasoline, or 2,900 starting watts and 2,600 running watts on propane, it gives you flexibility and reliability in any situation.
  • 171 cc dual fuel engine with low oil shut off and cast iron sleeve
  • 1.8 gallon tank provides 9 hours of runtime. Propane tank not included
  • RV ready multi feature control panel with covered outlets
  • 5.5" Heavy Duty Never-Flat wheels and High Leverage U-shape Folding Handle
  • Largest tank in industry with extended run-time (less re-fueling).
  • Quiet muffler (Whisper Series) with USDA FS certified spark arrester.
  • 3-in-1 Data-Minder monitors running hours, voltage and frequency in conjunction.
  • Bonus accessories including engine oil, oil funnel, tool kit, battery float charger, LPG regulator/hose and battery charge cable.
  • Included battery for your convenience.
  • Limited lifetime warranty.

Editor's Notes

Written by RevOne | Staff
  • Offer valid from 12/7/25 through 12/13/25, while supplies last.
  • If you don't have a Costco Warehouse Membership, you can sign-up here.
  • Our research indicates that this deal is $150 less (33% savings) than the next best available price from a reputable merchant with prices starting from $449.99 for Certified Refurbished units at the time of this posting.

Original Post

Written by earthdogmonster
Community Notes
About the Poster
Deal Details
Community Notes
About the Poster
Costco Wholesale has for Members: Firman 2900W Running / 3200W Peak Electric Start Dual Fuel Powered Inverter Generator (WH02942F) for $299.99. Shipping is free.

Thanks to community member Cwhomer for finding this deal.
  • Note: Please see the original post for additional deals & give the WIKI and additional forum comments a read for helpful discussion.
Product Details:
  • The Firman WH02942 is a portable, RV-ready generator designed for quiet, efficient power on the go. With 3,200 starting watts and 2,900 running watts on gasoline, or 2,900 starting watts and 2,600 running watts on propane, it gives you flexibility and reliability in any situation.
  • 171 cc dual fuel engine with low oil shut off and cast iron sleeve
  • 1.8 gallon tank provides 9 hours of runtime. Propane tank not included
  • RV ready multi feature control panel with covered outlets
  • 5.5" Heavy Duty Never-Flat wheels and High Leverage U-shape Folding Handle
  • Largest tank in industry with extended run-time (less re-fueling).
  • Quiet muffler (Whisper Series) with USDA FS certified spark arrester.
  • 3-in-1 Data-Minder monitors running hours, voltage and frequency in conjunction.
  • Bonus accessories including engine oil, oil funnel, tool kit, battery float charger, LPG regulator/hose and battery charge cable.
  • Included battery for your convenience.
  • Limited lifetime warranty.

Editor's Notes

Written by RevOne | Staff
  • Offer valid from 12/7/25 through 12/13/25, while supplies last.
  • If you don't have a Costco Warehouse Membership, you can sign-up here.
  • Our research indicates that this deal is $150 less (33% savings) than the next best available price from a reputable merchant with prices starting from $449.99 for Certified Refurbished units at the time of this posting.

Original Post

Written by earthdogmonster

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Top Comments

whodiini
1677 Posts
387 Reputation
I have owned this for several years. The positive is that it is extremely reliable and works well. The negative is that it is tricky to start, so it took me some time to figure out the subtleties of starting. I suspect the negative reviews all have to do with people who havent spent the time to understand this part. For those people, I would recommend a battery supply. I use propane because it runs cleaner. I dont use it except for extended power failures.

So here are the subtleties in starting it. First the battery dies if connected up and unused for a while. You need to connect it up to test it at the beginning and it requires you to open the front panel. So what I did was to remove the battery and replace the leads with RV type leads. Then make a connector with RV type leads to the spade leads of a battery, which I keep charged by using it in a UPS. You absolutely need a live battery to start with propane because the valve on the propane gas connection is electrically powered, which you need to plug into the front panel once the battery is connected. Second, the manual pull start only works with gas and not propane WITH A DEAD BATTERY, so there is no other option if you want to run with propane and your battery is dead. As a poster pointed out, pull start works if your battery is not dead, but electric start also works if your battery is not dead. Once I did that, it starts like a champ whenever I need it. BTW, removing the battery and replacing it is a pain, which is why I used the external connection - dont need to remove the front panel to connect and disconnect the battery between uses.

My extended backup plan for now is a battery backup to run a refrigerator and microwave, network and computer, plus TV and a few lights for several hours. Then if it goes beyond that, use the generator to recharge the battery backups, since that only takes an hour to recharge then.. In the future, I may just get a transfer switch for a few circuits in the house and the heater. My current strategy works fine in the summer and around a day in the winter. After a day in winter, it starts getting pretty chilly at night, which is why a transfer switch is in the future.
FloridaKevin
590 Posts
177 Reputation
Seriously, read those reviews. Those people seem very incompetent, one review says they "hired two guys to unpack it, set it up and get it started and NOTHING!" I feel sorry for this company since they are getting a bad representation of this generator. The main issues seem to be with the units arriving with dead batteries or an oil leak. While those are very important issues, it seems the complainers are simply used to everything working 100% when in reality, a generator that is this mass produced is bound to ha e some issues, that's what the warranty is for.
beckfiveoh
63 Posts
26 Reputation
Propane is stable indefinitely and it doesn't carry the same issue of potentially gunking up a carburetor if fuel is left in the generator for extended periods of time. There is a reduction of output power with propane however, as it's labeled on the generator as to what to roughly expect on gasoline vs. propane.

161 Comments

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Dec 07, 2025 05:05 PM
591 Posts
Joined Aug 2014
LGNFDec 07, 2025 05:05 PM
591 Posts
Quote from whodiini :
I have owned this for several years. The positive is that it is extremely reliable and works well. The negative is that it is tricky to start, so it took me some time to figure out the subtleties of starting. I suspect the negative reviews all have to do with people who havent spent the time to understand this part. For those people, I would recommend a battery supply. I use propane because it runs cleaner. I dont use it except for extended power failures.

So here are the subtleties in starting it. First the battery dies if connected up and unused for a while. You need to connect it up to test it at the beginning and it requires you to open the front panel. So what I did was to remove the battery and replace the leads with RV type leads. Then make a connector with RV type leads to the spade leads of a battery, which I keep charged by using it in a UPS. You absolutely need a live battery to start with propane because the valve on the propane gas connection is electrically powered, which you need to plug into the front panel once the battery is connected. Second, the manual pull start only works with gas and not propane, so there is no other option if you want to run with propane. Once I did that, it starts like a champ whenever I need it. BTW, removing the battery and replacing it is a pain, which is why I used the external connection - dont need to remove the front panel to connect and disconnect the battery between uses.

My extended backup plan for now is a battery backup to run a refrigerator and microwave, network and computer, plus TV and a few lights for several hours. Then if it goes beyond that, use the generator to recharge the battery backups, since that only takes an hour to recharge then.. In the future, I may just get a transfer switch for a few circuits in the house and the heater. My current strategy works fine in the summer and around a day in the winter. After a day in winter, it starts getting pretty chilly at night, which is why a transfer switch is in the future.
First, if a company were to design a product that is such a PITA to maintain and use on propane, it has failed miserably.

Second, I have this product and I run only on propane and I use pull start only. That proves your whole statement about propane start wrong. I do nothing aside from following the instructions printed on top of the generator.

I follow the steps according to instructions and has not failed as long as the device works. I also make sure I run it every 2 to 3 months even when I run it with propane only.

On the other hand, I bought mine (3242) refurbished by Firman, which doesn't come with battery charger, the first one did fail when I wanted to run it the second time. Went through the whole troubleshooting process with Firman tech, took it to local service center to confirm it's dead and got a replacement from Firman.

So there's certain truth about the questionable reliability of this brand, but it should work if one follows the instructions.
Dec 07, 2025 05:08 PM
4,826 Posts
Joined Jul 2015
hinnyDec 07, 2025 05:08 PM
4,826 Posts
Quote from whodiini :
I have owned this for several years. The positive is that it is extremely reliable and works well. The negative is that it is tricky to start, so it took me some time to figure out the subtleties of starting. I suspect the negative reviews all have to do with people who havent spent the time to understand this part. For those people, I would recommend a battery supply. I use propane because it runs cleaner. I dont use it except for extended power failures.
Is it a 12V battery source that is needed?
Would a portable car jump starter work to provide the power to start it?
Dec 07, 2025 05:13 PM
4,522 Posts
Joined Nov 2013
luckydog97Dec 07, 2025 05:13 PM
4,522 Posts
Quote from hinny :
Is it a 12V battery source that is needed?
Would a portable car jump starter work to provide the power to start it?
It takes a small 12V battery that anchors inside, and I believe it charges as it runs so no real maintenance of it...if memory serves.

With electric start it is a breeze to start and its runs admirably quietly.
1
Dec 07, 2025 05:13 PM
6 Posts
Joined Aug 2020
SociableCable2143Dec 07, 2025 05:13 PM
6 Posts
Quote from TruongKy :
is it low noise?
One of the top Costco reviews says it's 78dB with no load. That's super loud.
1
1
Dec 07, 2025 05:24 PM
154 Posts
Joined Nov 2015
edroedroDec 07, 2025 05:24 PM
154 Posts
Thanks for the reminder to charge my battery...
Dec 07, 2025 05:44 PM
766 Posts
Joined Jul 2016
lotrbfmeDec 07, 2025 05:44 PM
766 Posts
Costco week of deal. Really good price for dual fuel inverter

https://www.costco.com/p/-/firman...ue&nf=true
Dec 07, 2025 05:53 PM
1,154 Posts
Joined May 2018
Oil_BurnerDec 07, 2025 05:53 PM
1,154 Posts
Quote from GreedyDealGuy :
Power!!
In my case its an 150ft extension cord replacement.

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Dec 07, 2025 05:54 PM
1,154 Posts
Joined May 2018
Oil_BurnerDec 07, 2025 05:54 PM
1,154 Posts
Worth every penny. Grab it while you can!
Dec 07, 2025 05:54 PM
79 Posts
Joined Jan 2008
thriftshopdeluxDec 07, 2025 05:54 PM
79 Posts
Is this any good? Looking to use for a trailer while camping
Dec 07, 2025 05:58 PM
1,677 Posts
Joined Jan 2006
whodiiniDec 07, 2025 05:58 PM
1,677 Posts
Quote from LGNF :
First, if a company were to design a product that is such a PITA to maintain and use on propane, it has failed miserably.

Second, I have this product and I run only on propane and I use pull start only. That proves your whole statement about propane start wrong. I do nothing aside from following the instructions printed on top of the generator.

I follow the steps according to instructions and has not failed as long as the device works. I also make sure I run it every 2 to 3 months even when I run it with propane only.

On the other hand, I bought mine (3242) refurbished by Firman, which doesn't come with battery charger, the first one did fail when I wanted to run it the second time. Went through the whole troubleshooting process with Firman tech, took it to local service center to confirm it's dead and got a replacement from Firman.

So there's certain truth about the questionable reliability of this brand, but it should work if one follows the instructions.
So you can pull start on propane with a dead battery? It will pull start and electric start with a live battery on propane, but not on a dead battery because there isnt the juice to enable the solenoid valve on the propane connection. I clarified my post to say this.
Dec 07, 2025 05:59 PM
792 Posts
Joined Oct 2004
somdave2005Dec 07, 2025 05:59 PM
792 Posts
The specs say this is 97 lbs compared to most inverter generators which are around 50-60 lbs. Not great if you intend to take it camping sometimes.
1
Dec 07, 2025 06:04 PM
1,677 Posts
Joined Jan 2006
whodiiniDec 07, 2025 06:04 PM
1,677 Posts
Quote from Rumast21 :
Do you have a picture or link on how to do this? Sounds like a good idea.
Just disconnect the battery and solder jumpers to the end of the wires. Then stick the wires through one of the vent slots on the side. Make another jumper to connect the battery posts (.25" spade) to mate with the connectors on the jumpers on the generator. You can use almost any kind of 12V SLA battery, Once the generator is running, it charges the battery, As some people say, you can charge up the battery occasionally every 3 months or so, or run the generator. I prefer just to take it inside and put it to good use elsewhere.
Dec 07, 2025 06:09 PM
6,177 Posts
Joined Feb 2004
armedmetallicaDec 07, 2025 06:09 PM
6,177 Posts
Quote from C17chief :
Not to mention supply. Maybe not so much propane, but natural gas on the tru fuel ones. For example if using for home backup and you have gas, and an outdoor tap for like say a grill or something or just put a dedicated on in, you can just attach a line to your gas service and run indefinitely vs storing or later finding gasoline to keep it going.
Can't convert this, right? Better to just get a tri fuel or lp?
Dec 07, 2025 06:10 PM
1,336 Posts
Joined Oct 2011
siddmonDec 07, 2025 06:10 PM
1,336 Posts
Would this also run with natural gas?

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Dec 07, 2025 07:47 PM
76 Posts
Joined May 2011
MastronardiDec 07, 2025 07:47 PM
76 Posts
Thanks OP!! Was searching for one to be ready for our next outage in Florida! This is perfect to keep my fridge, fans, internet and tv going.

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