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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 39,237 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 11:18 PM
8,857 Posts
Joined Mar 2018
WooHoo2YouDec 07, 2025 11:18 PM
8,857 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.
I don't know to be honest and I decided not to attempt to dissuade them from caring about -if- it was. Sitting in a box, the generator likely would perform exactly the same way if it was mfg'ed yesterday or in 2020.
Pro
Dec 07, 2025 11:34 PM
807 Posts
Joined Nov 2015
speedy777
Pro
Dec 07, 2025 11:34 PM
807 Posts
This is good deal. However, the battery require recharge every month to keep it functional.
Dec 07, 2025 11:34 PM
24 Posts
Joined Feb 2019
TonyforyouDec 07, 2025 11:34 PM
24 Posts
I had the 4000W Firman, which I highly recommend. I had the generator for 2 years, and it started every time I needed it, most of the bad reviews that I read are operator incompetence.
Dec 07, 2025 11:36 PM
227 Posts
Joined Jun 2011
sctrojan26Dec 07, 2025 11:36 PM
227 Posts
Quote from lastusername :
Yes you can
I ran my whole house includin 2 fridges, a deep freezer and fans on this. With the notable exception of no AC usage. I thought I would need to ration the fridges, but it all just worked.
Dec 07, 2025 11:47 PM
19 Posts
Joined Dec 2016
Sleek777Dec 07, 2025 11:47 PM
19 Posts
Quote from sctrojan26 :
I ran my whole house includin 2 fridges, a deep freezer and fans on this. With the notable exception of no AC usage. I thought I would need to ration the fridges, but it all just worked.
How do you run the whole house? Does into plug into the breaker box panel with some kind of a set up?
Dec 08, 2025 12:17 AM
6,136 Posts
Joined Dec 2004
CaleoDec 08, 2025 12:17 AM
6,136 Posts
Quote from Sleek777 :
How do you run the whole house? Does into plug into the breaker box panel with some kind of a set up?
This isn't a 240V split-phase generator so it can't really 'run the whole house', but it could be used with a generator inlet into a transfer switch to run a number of circuits.

Other way would be a 'generator interlock' (google that for more info) to feed this directly into your panel, but only half of your breakers (left or right side) will be powered in that case.
Dec 08, 2025 01:50 AM
74 Posts
Joined Sep 2017
dannycoreDec 08, 2025 01:50 AM
74 Posts
Quote from Mobstr :
I have this and it is great for our camper will run A/C no problem but not A/C and microwave same time
You're almost definitely not supposed to run both of those at the same time if you only have a 30a hookup. Like you shouldn't do that plugged into a 30a receptacle either. My campers manual specifically says not to run both at the same time.

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Dec 08, 2025 03:24 AM
488 Posts
Joined Nov 2009
drslumsDec 08, 2025 03:24 AM
488 Posts
Quote from Hkxyz :
Mine has been solid, only running it with propane
Have you tried it with natural gas? TIA
Dec 08, 2025 03:25 AM
514 Posts
Joined Dec 2007
bazza36Dec 08, 2025 03:25 AM
514 Posts
For using this in parallel, does it have to be with the exact same model? I. E. If I get one now, planning to get another in the future, would the second one need to be the exact same model?
Dec 08, 2025 03:31 AM
4,104 Posts
Joined Oct 2004
mrstangblbDec 08, 2025 03:31 AM
4,104 Posts
Quote from MAK1981 :
I have the 3242 model of this Firman, and it's been great. I only use propane because I don't want to deal with the stall gasoline and gumming up the internals like what killed my last one. But yeah, been happy with it for the past few years, and I leave it trickle charging so I don't get any surprises when I need to actually use it.
Same for me - 3242F refurb that I bought last year, and I am very glad I bought it. I trickle charge it as well. I truly think I got a new engine with mine.
Dec 08, 2025 03:36 AM
664 Posts
Joined Jul 2013
coronalForceDec 08, 2025 03:36 AM
664 Posts
Quote from mrstangblb :
Same for me - 3242F refurb that I bought last year, and I am very glad I bought it. I trickle charge it as well. I truly think I got a new engine with mine.
Whats trickle charging? Im guessing you mean the battery for the electric starter?
Dec 08, 2025 03:41 AM
4,104 Posts
Joined Oct 2004
mrstangblbDec 08, 2025 03:41 AM
4,104 Posts
Quote from coronalForce :

Whats trickle charging? Im guessing you mean the battery for the electric starter?
Yes - mine didn't come with the charger because it was a refurb, but I read articles showing what kind of connection to buy to allow a battery tender to trickle charge the battery. I also bought a magnetic oil plug to pick up any metal particles from initial break in
Dec 08, 2025 03:48 AM
9 Posts
Joined Sep 2019
BoastfulTerrier438Dec 08, 2025 03:48 AM
9 Posts
There is a 2400 watt on sale for $250 . Picked one up because they ship this one to Hawaii for $7 . Won't ship the firman to Hawaii, and I already had to return one firman after less than 100 hours.
https://www.costco.com/p/-/diehar...ue&nf=true
Dec 08, 2025 03:53 AM
2,932 Posts
Joined Nov 2010
smarttDec 08, 2025 03:53 AM
2,932 Posts
Quote from fongch :
What's the intended use of this?
Off grid or after a storm. As an inverter, it's also good at keeping noise to a minimum at a camp ground

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Dec 08, 2025 04:41 AM
17 Posts
Joined Jan 2023
FeistyFluxDec 08, 2025 04:41 AM
17 Posts
Quote from mrstangblb :
Yes - mine didn't come with the charger because it was a refurb, but I read articles showing what kind of connection to buy to allow a battery tender to trickle charge the battery. I also bought a magnetic oil plug to pick up any metal particles from initial break in
what battery tender did you get?

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