DON'T BUY A GENERAC

The generator is a PIECE OF JUNK. After the first 8 hours of use the voltage regulator went out. It cost me $150.00 to fix. I used it two more times about two hours each time. The third time I ran it for about an hour and it quit producing electricty. I took it to the shop and they told me that the Stator assembly is defective....cost to replace with labor about $680.00. I paid about $1200.00 new!!!

I called Generac and they wouldn't help me because the unit is over 2 years old. They wouldn't even sell me the part at a discount. I even told them that the generator had less than 20 hours on it. They didn't care.

GENERAC doesn't value repeat customers. They take your money and run. DON'T BUY A GENERAC.

I LEARNED THE HARD WAY :(

Phil

I bought a generac 4000XL from the local Home Depot. It was a 'used' unit and was labeled by Home Depot as 'reconditioned'.

Needless to say, Home Depot did not do any kind of reconditioning at all. When I brought it back to the shop and filled it with gas, the gas started to pour from the air filter box.

A quick and easy disassembly of the float chamber revealed a small piece of plastic that made its way into the float valve and kept it open.

With that removed it fired right up and runs GREAT. Upon further inspection.. it appears it's original owner had never been able to start it.

So, I got a brand new generator with full factory warranty for $350!!!

I sent a e-mail to Generac Portables and mentioned that the generator did not come with the power plugs & manuals. They called me back ( by phone ) within 2 hours! And were happy to offer free replacement of the 30A 125 plug, 20A 220 Plug, DC charging plug, manuals, tune up kit, video and gas cap/gauge ( I mentioned the plastic top was a little faded )

So far I am very happy with Generac for stepping up to the plate when their dealer failed. I have a 2 year warranty on the unit.. And frankly, if it does fail after this time I still won't be unhappy as $15 a month for a generator is not a bad deal at all..

This mirrors my experience with Generac. Their distributor tried to charge me over $200 for a proprietary (sealed and potted) voltage controller that had less than $10 worth of parts inside. I finally complained loud enough that the factory sold me one for around $90. Still a rip off when you consider that a solid state device like this should NEVER fail under normal use. If it is going to fail, then it should be servicable, not potted. This whole transaction left me with absolutely no respect for Generac machines, the employees or their agents.

Someone on the Tool Forum recently said they were preferred by rental yards, so they must be good. I disagree. I believe Generac is used by rental companies because they can get them cheap in quantity. Most rental yards employ the 1)rent it out, 2)try to make the renter pay when it fails, 3)then replace it theory of operation. Product quality, life and service are not important issues.

Next time I will get a Honda. My neighbor has one. Minimal problems, and both the dealer and distributor have really helped out. They even replaced a part for free that was clearly out of warranty, without even being asked. Maybe a foreign company, and a little more money, but they know how to treat their customers.

JerryB

I'm trying to post this info on as many message boards as possible. The the only way to get Generac's attention is to effect their sales. Maybe this way they won't just take our money and run after the sale. Thank's for your input.