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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 08, 2025 05:58 AM
296 Posts
Joined Feb 2015
CamTechDec 08, 2025 05:58 AM
296 Posts
Got one myself, too good a deal to pass up and I specifically wanted a dual fuel to run on propane only. Emergency use only is my plan, to charge my 2k solar battery setup if there is no sun when needed. I may never need it, but after the last hurricanes 8 day power outage when I don't even live where hurricanes are even supposed to come it's now better safe than sorry! If I have it and never ever have to use it that's still a good thing in my book.

Now I gotta buy a couple 30 gallon propane tanks too I guess.
Dec 08, 2025 06:20 AM
592 Posts
Joined Sep 2018
ProtegeDec 08, 2025 06:20 AM
592 Posts
Quote from smartt :
Off grid or after a storm. As an inverter, it's also good at keeping noise to a minimum at a camp ground
It's even cheaper than paying for power in California especially if you are on time of use or ev plans. Albeit you go it to keep your usage below 2.9 kw
Dec 08, 2025 06:22 AM
592 Posts
Joined Sep 2018
ProtegeDec 08, 2025 06:22 AM
592 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.
My full size Samsung inverter fridge only consumes 120w.
Dec 08, 2025 06:31 AM
592 Posts
Joined Sep 2018
ProtegeDec 08, 2025 06:31 AM
592 Posts
Quote from CamTech :
Got one myself, too good a deal to pass up and I specifically wanted a dual fuel to run on propane only. Emergency use only is my plan, to charge my 2k solar battery setup if there is no sun when needed. I may never need it, but after the last hurricanes 8 day power outage when I don't even live where hurricanes are even supposed to come it's now better safe than sorry! If I have it and never ever have to use it that's still a good thing in my book.

Now I gotta buy a couple 30 gallon propane tanks too I guess.
Run it on nat gas.
Dec 08, 2025 07:52 AM
195 Posts
Joined Aug 2022
CrimsonIdea4025Dec 08, 2025 07:52 AM
195 Posts
Quote from whodiini :
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.
While it's nice to do upgrade, won't this void warranty?
Dec 08, 2025 08:12 AM
1,677 Posts
Joined Jan 2006
whodiiniDec 08, 2025 08:12 AM
1,677 Posts
Quote from CrimsonIdea4025 :
While it's nice to do upgrade, won't this void warranty?
Not at all. The jumpers go from a spade to RV connector. If it needs to go back to the original condition, all that is needed is to pull the jumper and connect and put the internal 12V battery back in place. For that reason, I did not cut the female spade connector to the battery, I just connected a jumper directly.
1
Pro
Dec 08, 2025 08:14 AM
2,249 Posts
Joined Nov 2006
JohnInNYC
Pro
Dec 08, 2025 08:14 AM
2,249 Posts
Great deal!

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Dec 08, 2025 08:54 AM
296 Posts
Joined Feb 2015
CamTechDec 08, 2025 08:54 AM
296 Posts
Quote from Protege :
Run it on nat gas.
I thought of that, will look into what's needed to convert it but I'd have to get a gas connection installed somewhere too so that would be a whole separate hassle to have done. Still for unlimited fuel might be worth it.
Dec 08, 2025 01:25 PM
43 Posts
Joined Jan 2022
SociableSeed594Dec 08, 2025 01:25 PM
43 Posts
Quote from FloridaKevin :
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.
You literally just cherry picked one review. Plenty of the bad reviews exactly describe the issues they are having. These units sound like 50/50 at best you get a decent one, lots of QC issues.
2
Dec 08, 2025 01:55 PM
590 Posts
Joined Dec 2014
FloridaKevinDec 08, 2025 01:55 PM
590 Posts
Quote from SociableSeed594 :
You literally just cherry picked one review. Plenty of the bad reviews exactly describe the issues they are having. These units sound like 50/50 at best you get a decent one, lots of QC issues.
I didn't cherry pick, I simply gave an example. Comprehension isn't your thing huh? 50/50 would be 2.5 stars. That isn't taking into account the fact that -out of every 100 people that have a good experience, and 100 people that have a bad experience, the bad experiences are more likely to voice their opinion. Like I said before, most bad reviews are related to the battery. I don't know if you have ever owned a propane generator before, but the starting procedure can be tricky, and if you dont understand it, you will think a perfectly good generator is broken.
Dec 08, 2025 01:57 PM
590 Posts
Joined Dec 2014
FloridaKevinDec 08, 2025 01:57 PM
590 Posts
Quote from CamTech :
Got one myself, too good a deal to pass up and I specifically wanted a dual fuel to run on propane only. Emergency use only is my plan, to charge my 2k solar battery setup if there is no sun when needed. I may never need it, but after the last hurricanes 8 day power outage when I don't even live where hurricanes are even supposed to come it's now better safe than sorry! If I have it and never ever have to use it that's still a good thing in my book.Now I gotta buy a couple 30 gallon propane tanks too I guess.
I think you mean 30lb lol. I find them on Craigslist or offer up or fb marketplace typically for $10. I have a bunch because the propane never goes bad. Exchange them out if they have rust, and you are good for another 10 years!
Dec 08, 2025 04:13 PM
591 Posts
Joined Aug 2014
LGNFDec 08, 2025 04:13 PM
591 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.
The new generator comes with a power adapter for charging the battery if needed.

Manufacturer refurbished generator does not come with the adapter. I bought an aftermarket one from Amazon.

I don't keep it plugged all the time, maybe charging it for an hour or two before the 'dry-run' during the normal maintenance just to make sure everything starts and runs.

However there are times (did that a week ago) that I just ran with pull start without charging.

I live at a place where temp rarely goes below zero, so maybe that's the case for you. If so you may as well remove the battery and store it inside to prolong the life.

If the charger that comes with the generator still can't get the solenoid to click, then it really doesn't matter how many hoops you jump through to maintain the battery - you can't resurrect something dead, and just get a new battery.
Dec 08, 2025 04:17 PM
855 Posts
Joined Jan 2009
HkxyzDec 08, 2025 04:17 PM
855 Posts
Quote from drslums :
Have you tried it with natural gas? TIA
you would need a tri fuel one for that, this is gas and propane only
Dec 08, 2025 04:21 PM
664 Posts
Joined Jul 2013
coronalForceDec 08, 2025 04:21 PM
664 Posts
Can someone summarize what all the complaints are with this model? Seems like it has solid youtube reviews?

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Dec 08, 2025 04:28 PM
42 Posts
Joined Sep 2022
DgsuarDec 08, 2025 04:28 PM
42 Posts
I'm getting it thanks!

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