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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
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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 09:34 PM
137 Posts
Joined Nov 2014
bskousenDec 07, 2025 09:34 PM
137 Posts
Quote from Stunner2xx :
Is there a reason why people here are on propane instead of gas?
Propane doesn't gum up the carburetor. However, propane is more expensive and the running wattage is only 2,600.
Dec 07, 2025 09:37 PM
383 Posts
Joined May 2013
wwglenDec 07, 2025 09:37 PM
383 Posts
Quote from bskousen :
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.
At least it was before the CO cutoff was mandated.
Dec 07, 2025 09:39 PM
137 Posts
Joined Nov 2014
bskousenDec 07, 2025 09:39 PM
137 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.
It's not hard to start. I've had mine for five years and it usually starts on the first pull.
Dec 07, 2025 09:40 PM
137 Posts
Joined Nov 2014
bskousenDec 07, 2025 09:40 PM
137 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 has a small battery that's included.
Dec 07, 2025 09:42 PM
137 Posts
Joined Nov 2014
bskousenDec 07, 2025 09:42 PM
137 Posts
Quote from SociableCable2143 :
One of the top Costco reviews says it's 78dB with no load. That's super loud.
That's incorrect. It's rated at 57 decibels. Mine is very quiet.
Dec 07, 2025 09:43 PM
137 Posts
Joined Nov 2014
bskousenDec 07, 2025 09:43 PM
137 Posts
Quote from thriftshopdelux :
Is this any good? Looking to use for a trailer while camping
It's very good, but you better hurry. They will sell out very soon.
Dec 07, 2025 09:44 PM
137 Posts
Joined Nov 2014
bskousenDec 07, 2025 09:44 PM
137 Posts
Quote from whodiini :
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.
I've edited this because originally I didn't think it had an electric start. Pull starting should work whether the battery is charged or dead.

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Dec 07, 2025 09:47 PM
137 Posts
Joined Nov 2014
bskousenDec 07, 2025 09:47 PM
137 Posts
Quote from somdave2005 :
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.
I personally haven't seen a 3,000 watt generator weighing 50-60 lbs, but I do see a couple posted at Costco.com weighing 55-60 lbs with electric start. I find that hard to believe. Honda's 3,000 watt inverter generators weigh well over 100 lbs.
Dec 07, 2025 09:50 PM
137 Posts
Joined Nov 2014
bskousenDec 07, 2025 09:50 PM
137 Posts
I stand corrected! I've been stating that this is the pull-start only version. I didn't read it carefully. It does have electric start, which makes it an even better deal. I ordered one this morning not realizing that it had the electric start. The only downside is that it's a little heavier.
Dec 07, 2025 10:06 PM
6,136 Posts
Joined Dec 2004
CaleoDec 07, 2025 10:06 PM
6,136 Posts
Quote from LGNF :
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.
Did you read what the person you quoted said? They weren't saying you have to use the electric starter, the safety valve in the propane adapter is what needs power.

Quote from bskousen :
This one doesn't have electric start, so no battery.
It absolutely does have electric start. It's in the frickin title!
Dec 07, 2025 10:16 PM
19 Posts
Joined Dec 2016
Sleek777Dec 07, 2025 10:16 PM
19 Posts
Can you run 2 refrigerators on this during a power outage?
Dec 07, 2025 10:18 PM
19 Posts
Joined Dec 2016
Sleek777Dec 07, 2025 10:18 PM
19 Posts
Quote from dztt :
Have one of these this is a super good deal. Have kept my fridge and freezer running during power outages
Can you run 2 full size refrigerators on this during a power outage? How long does it last?
Dec 07, 2025 10:34 PM
732 Posts
Joined Oct 2007
lastusernameDec 07, 2025 10:34 PM
732 Posts
Quote from Sleek777 :
Can you run 2 refrigerators on this during a power outage?
Yes you can
Dec 07, 2025 10:41 PM
19 Posts
Joined Dec 2016
Sleek777Dec 07, 2025 10:41 PM
19 Posts
Quote from lastusername :
Yes you can
If you convert it ti use natural gas and plug into a gas stub like videos shown here, how long can you technically run this?

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Dec 07, 2025 11:04 PM
383 Posts
Joined May 2013
wwglenDec 07, 2025 11:04 PM
383 Posts
Quote from Sleek777 :
If you convert it ti use natural gas and plug into a gas stub like videos shown here, how long can you technically run this?
As long as you replace the oil every 3-4 days, you should be able to run it as long as you need.

That said, I have some LiFePO4 power stations and will only use mine to charge them and run a few temporary higher power items using propane and then gas.

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