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.
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Top Comments
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.
161 Comments
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also would a small solar station be better to get as a first setup ?
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.
For people who run it every few months, there arent much hoops to get this to work. Its people like me who have this to use in an emergency or extended power failure, which may occur once a year or 2 and dont want to start it up every 2-3 months nor trickle charge it all the time that I did the external battery mod. My experience with SLA batteries is that they last about 3-4 years before needing to be replaced. Since I use SLA batteries in my UPS and always have a spare, keeping a fresh one for emergencies to hook up is very easy,
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You must check on the PG&E website:
https://www.pge.com/en/outages-an...ogram.html
Start the application and enter your PG&E account number and your address. It will tell you if you qualify. before some know it all rude responder says it is only if you live in a fire area, that is not true. Just follow this. You need to buy it before Dec 31 to qualify, and there are other requirements as well on the web site. I suggest you read it and not flood SD with questions for people to read it for you. The firman WHO2942 and WH03242 are on the qualified list. It also must be purchased new and not refurb and purchased within 12 months of submission date. That is the quick summary of key requirements.
The only confusing aspect is that Costco online ad shows a picture with a different part number WH03200 and the description says WH02942. It is important what the receipt says since the WH02942 is eligible but the WH03200 is not eligible.
also would a small solar station be better to get as a first setup ?
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