Slickdeals is community-supported.  We may get paid by brands for deals, including promoted items.
Heads up, this deal has expired. Want to create a deal alert for this item?
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 39,240 Views
Visit Retailer
Good Deal
Save
Share
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

Community Voting

Deal Score
+154
Good Deal
Visit Retailer

Leave a Comment

Unregistered (You)

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

Sign up for a Slickdeals account to remove this ad.

Dec 07, 2025 07:53 PM
5 Posts
Joined Nov 2019
Smgfan1224Dec 07, 2025 07:53 PM
5 Posts
We bought one a couple years ago for our camper. Was great and reliable. Only sold it cause we got power on the property.
Dec 07, 2025 07:55 PM
732 Posts
Joined Oct 2007
lastusernameDec 07, 2025 07:55 PM
732 Posts
Quote from siddmon :
Would this also run with natural gas?
Not without a NG conversion kit
Dec 07, 2025 08:05 PM
72 Posts
Joined Nov 2017
sloth911Dec 07, 2025 08:05 PM
72 Posts
Quote from Cpshell1 :
Damn, this is a great deal and would be an awesome power backup should my trailer batteries need a top off while boondocking. Unfortunately, it' about 2 inches too high to fit in my trailer pass thru. The search continues.
This is where I put mine.... https://a.co/d/eY5eqwC
Dec 07, 2025 08:31 PM
4,826 Posts
Joined Jul 2015
hinnyDec 07, 2025 08:31 PM
4,826 Posts
Quote from luckydog97 :
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.
If the battery were dead, do you think a car jump starter would work to start it up?
Dec 07, 2025 09:10 PM
5 Posts
Joined Jul 2025
VioletHeat6711Dec 07, 2025 09:10 PM
5 Posts
3 years warranty not lifetime that's what Costco app said
Dec 07, 2025 09:13 PM
137 Posts
Joined Nov 2014
bskousenDec 07, 2025 09:13 PM
137 Posts
Quote from jeba9999 :
Repost..... Sort the reviews on Costco website by date.... The reviews are not promising
I've had the gas-only version for 5 years. It is very reliable. I'd take some of those reviews with a grain of salt. This is a fantastic deal, so I had to order one.
Dec 07, 2025 09:15 PM
137 Posts
Joined Nov 2014
bskousenDec 07, 2025 09:15 PM
137 Posts
Quote from TruongKy :
is it low noise?
About 57 decibels if I remember correctly. I have the gas-only version. It is very quiet.

Sign up for a Slickdeals account to remove this ad.

Dec 07, 2025 09:17 PM
137 Posts
Joined Nov 2014
bskousenDec 07, 2025 09:17 PM
137 Posts
Quote from pthomas11 :
Does anyone have this? Was going to bite but recent reviews make it seem like they are 3-4 year old units with reliability issues.
I have the gas-only version. I bought it from Costco five years ago on sale for $499. I just ordered one of these too. I'd take the ratings with a grain of salt. Some of the 1stars are for ridiculous things.
Dec 07, 2025 09:20 PM
137 Posts
Joined Nov 2014
bskousenDec 07, 2025 09:20 PM
137 Posts
Quote from Smoothsl :
Thanks, thought Firman was a solid product at one time. Guess not.. Will avoid.
It is a solid product. I've had one for 5 years. It starts on the first pull. I just ordered one of these too. Some of the low ratings are for really stupid things. It's Costco....The return policy is very generous.
Dec 07, 2025 09:24 PM
383 Posts
Joined May 2013
wwglenDec 07, 2025 09:24 PM
383 Posts
Quote from lastusername :
Not without a NG conversion kit
YouTube has some examples and tell how to do it.

If I remember right, you can get about 1200-1600 watts without making modifications.
Dec 07, 2025 09:24 PM
137 Posts
Joined Nov 2014
bskousenDec 07, 2025 09:24 PM
137 Posts
Quote from DadMaster5k :
Most recently reviews are concerning. Most says these are NOS (2021 build date) and dead batteries which is not the worst, but oil leaks makes me want to continue my search.
Obviously some of the ratings are for a different model. There is no battery in this model. I've had my gas-only 3200/2900 for five years and it has been very reliable. If you read the reviews, many of them are for ridiculous reasons. This is a solid generator. I just ordered this dual-fuel version; the $299 price is too low to pass up.
Dec 07, 2025 09:26 PM
137 Posts
Joined Nov 2014
bskousenDec 07, 2025 09:26 PM
137 Posts
Quote from ralyk4 :
Old model with lots of bad reviews. It is a great price compared to the current model if you are up for the risk and the possibility of having to contact the company for parts.Current model:https://www.costco.com/p/-/firman...ue&nf=true
Read the reviews. Most of the bad reviews are for stupid things.
Dec 07, 2025 09:27 PM
137 Posts
Joined Nov 2014
bskousenDec 07, 2025 09:27 PM
137 Posts
Quote from iLikeMild :
Good when the battery isn't dead. I got it started with a spare UPS battery with the similar specs to get it started but won't fit into the battery compartment so I eventually should get a replacement. I only use propane so I don't have to deal with the extra maintenance when using gas. Great price.
This one doesn't have electric start, so no battery.
2
Dec 07, 2025 09:28 PM
383 Posts
Joined May 2013
wwglenDec 07, 2025 09:28 PM
383 Posts
Last edited by wwglen December 7, 2025 at 02:32 PM.

Sign up for a Slickdeals account to remove this ad.

Dec 07, 2025 09:32 PM
137 Posts
Joined Nov 2014
bskousenDec 07, 2025 09:32 PM
137 Posts
Quote from WooHoo2You :
I did see two reviews complained they received a 2021 unit (which makes me wonder if that is the last model revision, not date of manufacturer) however nice thing about Costco is they have an absurdly open ended return policy.
Who cares if it was manufactured in 2021? If it's brand new, that shouldn't be an issue anyway. I've had my 3200/2900 Firman for at least five years and it's been great.

Leave a Comment

Unregistered (You)

Popular Deals

Trending Deals