DuroMax XP4400E 4,400 Watt 7.0 HP OHV 4-Cycle Gas Powered Portable Generator With Wheel Kit And Electric Start
by Power Max
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List Price: Our Price: $439.99 You Save: $10.00 (2%) Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours Category: Lawn & Patio See more product details |
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Tools and Hardware Reviews of DuroMax XP4400E 4,400 Watt 7.0 HP OHV 4-Cycle Gas Powered Portable Generator With Wheel Kit And Electric Start
Customer Review: First & Second impressions not good nor is 10 months of usage
Summary: 1 Stars
BUYERS BEWARE!!!
I just received this via UPS. The box was damaged and when I opened it, I can see that the arm bracket is bent. I decided not to even take the generator out of the box. As this product is listed as "non-returnable" by Amazon, let's see how the return/exchange process works... I posted a packaging feedback photo to show the condition of the carton upon arrival.
Update: Amazon arranged for pickup and shipped a new one out promptly. Thank you Amazon. However, after assembly and filling with gas, I moved it outside to start it up. I was disappointed to find that the gas tank leaks badly at the gas gauge when the generator is tilted to move it on its wheels. Now that it is filled with gas, let's see what the manufacturer will do for me. Stay tuned...
Maxtool (the manufacturer)shipped the "new" gauge quickly and it arrived today. The one that arrived was rusty and did not include the decal (empty full) but works better than the old one.
FYI, when I removed the old one, it appears that the gauge was damaged in assembly. The plastic part that the screws go thru was cracked by both screws and the glass window was loose. It would appear that to much torque was applied to the screws cracking the plastic part and allowing the glass to be loose and the gas to leak. I will update again when I use it shortly.
Update 2: I used it and it worked well albeit a little noisier than I'd hoped. It did the job though and as such would move the rating up to 2 stars or higher pending more usage/testing.
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4/16/2010
After 10 months of usage, note the following:
1) Have had to replace the solenoid for the electric starter twice as it has failed twice. My warranty is up in less than 2 months...you can bet I'll be testing solenoid replacement #2. I wonder if lemon laws apply to generators?
2) Changed the spark plug to find out that the OEM plug & gap does not match either plug listed in the manual. Makes you wonder what plug/gap works best in the generator.
3) After the solenoid failed and waiting for replacement #2, the generator failed to start with pull starter. Checked the air filter to find it was saturated with oil. Removed the head cover to find oil in the head. Note, oil was changed and level was maintained correctly. Cleaned head and will monitor oil leak.
4) An extended warranty would be helpful given the amount of problems we have had during the warranty period. However, an extended warranty is not available.
The one thing I will say in MaxTool's favor is that MaxTool does have a good customer service person and he replies promptly and clearly to inquiries. However, if you are not handy with basic engine skills, stay away from this generator or plan to pay for repairs.
Customer Review: Great Product and Performance
Summary: 5 Stars
I live in Western Washington state and up in the mountains. The UPS delivered the generator right to my door (and I live 2 miles from the nearest public road), and immediately opened it. Everything was in excellent shape, no damage whatsoever. After removing the safety shipping stuff, I lugged it up uphill to my upper shed (whew!)which contains my water system (I never used the wheel kit because it is permanently mounted on the large piece of foam that came in the box. It was perfect in size and thickness.
Next, I put the oil in and overfilled it and paid the price. It really messed up my wooden floor because I had to pull the funnel as it still had oil in it. I used a "bulb" to suck the excess oil out of the generator and next filled it it with gas. I also had to provide a 12" of #10 wire from the neg side of the battery to the grounded frame. I added terminal lugs on both ends. That worked great. Make sure you also ground the generator to a close by main ground rod.
I didn't have to charge the battery and it started right up after choking it. It is very quiet for its size. I then dug a 40' ditch to my house and installed four #8 wires through 3/4" PVC conduit to an "LB" conduit to my main panel. Before that though, I went into the house and removed the main panel cover, turned off the 200A breaker and punched an existing 3/4" knockout in the rear of the panel to the outside of the house and then installed the "LB" PVC and nipple. Then I installed a 30amp breaker with a "lockout" device (so you dont kill someone on the other end of the power pole). Leave the main 200A breaker off until the generator is off and the new 30a breaker locked out).
Next, I did a dry run after turning off the breakers I didn't want that I knew would overload the generator (heat, HW tank, etc.). I then turned on the generator, came back into the house and turned on the new 30A breaker and "bingo" all was well. It was just as though the power was never off.
All my lighting is fluorescent bulbs, so that leaves much more power for the freezer, frig, TV, and the fan for my propane stove (We cook with propane).
I forgot to mention, that you need to purchase the generator power cord and it is expensive. I bought a plug and 4 wire cable and made my own, and it still cost$50. I did that so I could hook the other end into a junction box. However, after all was said and done, I would highly recommend this generator for anyone with basic power needs when a storm hits. The cost to run it for 10 hours is about $12. thats why I didn't purchase a larger one.
Customer Review: XP4400E generator
Summary: 4 Stars
Overall, I'm very pleased with this generator. It is definitely a good value for the money. The FedEx guy delivered it in good condition. The packaging was excellent. I pulled it out of the box, installed the wheel kit (5-10 minutes), filled it with fuel and oil and it started right up. It is fairly quiet for a generator, but keep in mind quiet is a relative thing. I would say it is definitely quieter than a lawn mower or a typical Briggs&Stratton generator with a lawnmower type muffler (this generator has an automotive type muffler which helps keep the noise down).
It seems to be pretty well built and I expect it to hold up just fine. I bought it as an emergency backup generator and I feel it really is perfect for that use. I think if you are looking for a generator that will get a ton of regular use, you would probably be better off to spend the extra money and get a Honda. But for something that will only see occasional use, this genny really fits the ticket.
I plugged a Killowatt into it to monitor the voltage and load and found that it puts out 120V at 60HZ with no draw. As you start to increase the load, it holds the 60HZ very well right up to the top end of what it can deliver. The voltage starts to drop some as you significantly increase the load, but still manages about 110V or so.
The published numbers are not really too realistic but that is pretty common for small portable generators. It is supposed to handle 3500 watts continuous and 4400 watts surge. In actual testing here is what I found it able to do:
0-2500 watts: it works really well. The voltage and frequency are fine and its seems to be perfectly happy in this range.
2500-3000 watts: frequency holds steady at 60HZ but the voltage starts to drop to 110V. You can tell is is starting to struggle as the load approaches 3000 watts.
3000-3300 watts: you are at the top of its capability here. It does handle it but the voltage drops more and the frequency starts to drop below 60HZ. I would personally operate in this range only for short periods of time.
>3300 watts: it really bogs down significantly and any additional load causes the engine to quit.
So, overall I do highly recommend this generator, especially if you are looking for an emergency backup generator. Just keep in mind that its published wattage numbers are a bit overstated. If you are expecting it to be a Honda, you will be disappointed, but considering what it costs I think it is a very good deal for the money.
Customer Review: Just another customer review as of spring 2010
Summary: 4 Stars
I think all the other customer reviews I have read as of today (29 I think), have helped me in my decision, so thank you.
My objective where I live on the Cumberland Plateau in Tennessee is just to have an emergency backup to keep my refrigerator and freezer going when public electricity goes out. Now not too long ago, we went 8 days without public electricity because of weather problems. Now, since I have buried the wires about 1000 feet from the public highway hookup, my guess is that 8 days may get reduced to like 2 days or less.
In the meantime up here I have a wood stove and hydraulic ram (1879 design) so I don't think I will starve or freeze to death when times get hard.
To continue, I used to be in the Marines in the deserts of like Saudi Arabia and Kuwait. I have used both gasoline and diseal generators, much to my satisfaction. Hence, which way to go in 2010 on the Cumberland Plateau.
This piece of gear is OK. It works out of the box, kinda. My only problem was that the negative battery connection was not made at the factory, and I had to figure it out and connect it, which I did just fine (after a few minutes of aggrevation). In the meantime, I had to start it with the pull-starter, and that worked just fine. After all, one must reherse all this if given the time.
I did check it out to make sure it makes electricity, like to power my leaf blower, as an example, and it did just fine. I did have to make sure to turn the circuit breaker on, by the way. That is a good problem, also.
The "box" arrived via UPS in very good condition. I was especially impressed with all the foam packing materials, vice styrofoam packing materials we more usually see. And all the directions sure helped, too. Somebody did a good job. In fact, in my opinion, the foam packing was as good on better than what I would get out of ammo boxes, for example, to use as padding in Humvees back in my time.
Last, in my situation, I used to have to maintain two houses, one for me and one for my caretakers. In their case, and they are now gone, I actually bought and hooked up a "transfer box' to give them priority over me. As part of this whole hookup, I included a cable to make all this happen, and you know what, this widget has the proper connection to keep this going. Now I have not reheresed this yet.
By the way, a "transfer box" is just a widget to protect the generator from the public electricity when it comes back on. It is kind of a switch, so to speak.
Customer Review: Poor Quality Generator and the Worst Customer Service!
Summary: 1 Stars
I received this generator in good condition, followed the set-up instructions, and it started with one pull. Notice how I said "pull". The electric start on this generator won't turn the unit over fast enough to get it to fire. Even when the battery has been fully charged. We bought this unit to run one tool and one tool only. A brand new 1 3/4" Milwaukee Rotary Hammer rated at 14 amps. I plugged the tool into the three prong 120v outlet and after 10 seconds of use the breaker trips. Ok, maybe the 14 amp tool is a little to strong for the 15 amp breaker.. I thought. I then converted the extension cord male end to the 4 prong twist connector which is supposed to be rated at 30 amps. I set everything back up and after 10 seconds of use, the breaker trips again. Hmmmm...time to call Max Tool!
Here's where the trouble started. It took 5 phone calls, 2 voicemails, 2 emails, and two days to get a response from Max Tool's service dept. "Andrew" is the service manager over there. He's a treat to deal with. "It's the tool's problem. It's to big for the 15 amp breaker." He says. Ok...we've converted it over to the 30amp twist lock. Andrew and I even went over the proper procedure for the conversion and everything was correct. Still no luck. "The tool's starting and running wattage must be too high for this generator." He now says. Ok, I called the tech dept over at Milwaukee tool to get the tools rating. 1800w running and 2800w starting(surge). Well within this generators stated 3500w/4400w operating capacity. So I called old Andrew back. "It must be a wave shape problem." He now says condescendingly. Really?! What a bunch of BS... After a week of research and arguing with Max Tool, Amazon refunded my money(thanks Amazon).
I then went out and bought a very comparable generator from a local vendor and everything works beautifully!
Moral of the story;
-The electric start is junk.
-The generator wattage rating is BS. Max Tool sells a generator with a highly overstated wattage rating and when confronted, will come up with any kind of excuse to tell you it's not their problem.
-Max Tool's customer service dept is TERRIBLE.
Don't buy this generator. There's a high probability you'll end up with more of a headache than you bargained for!