Lion hunter
Lieutenant Commander
- Joined
- Apr 9, 2005
- Messages
- 1,529
So if your like me and hate dragging out the big generator when you only want to run a few lights or TV then read on. I'm at the auto parts store and see a 1K watt made in china generator for $100. I've been wanting a smaller gen. so I don't have to drag along my big one when I'm by myself and only want to power some lights or watch a movie. So I decide what the heck and bought it.
1st glance out of the box and the old adage that you get you what you pay for is confirmed. Mix the gas up at 40:1 and it starts on the 1st pull. Smokes for about 30 sec.. then calms dowm and runs pretty well but you can tell it's rich and there is no adjustment. Put a 500W halogen light on it and it smooths right out under load. I run it for 10 hrs and it never failed. All the reviews I read of these things say that the spark plug is junk. So the store only has a compatible Auto lite in stock. I figure I'll put a good plug on before anything, I try and pull the boot and it just falls apart. Some cheap spring thing that is just pushed into the wire. I have some screw in type NGK boots for motorcycles so I replace that. The autolite plug would fire it but trying to restart was tough, put the original plug back in and it worked great with the new boot.
So I just leave the thing running through 2 tanks of fuel thinking it has a 2 year warranty, might as well try and blow it up the 1st day. No chance, this is a dead simple 2 stroke motor that is driving an alternator. I have to say for $100 I am impressed. I wouldn't count on it in an emergeny but if your looking for something smaller and can't justify or afford a honda then it seems like a good deal. It is louder than the small Honda's for sure but it is sure quiter than my 3500 watt honda generator. This is a good item for tailgating or running a few lights at camp when you don't wan't to drag out the big boy. I got it a Checker/shucks/kragen and it's a powerstar plus. I think I would trust this one more than I would trust a cheap side valve 4 stroke. If you want a 4 stroke I say get a good one. If you want a cheap one this little 2 stroke may be for you.
My thoughts were I buy cheap weed eaters every 4-5 years for a $100 a throw and when their shot I strip the good parts and get another. Actually I've been through 2 in the last 15 years. So I figure what's the difference? If it lasts 4-5 years I'll get another, if it doesn't It will be a $100 lesson.
1st glance out of the box and the old adage that you get you what you pay for is confirmed. Mix the gas up at 40:1 and it starts on the 1st pull. Smokes for about 30 sec.. then calms dowm and runs pretty well but you can tell it's rich and there is no adjustment. Put a 500W halogen light on it and it smooths right out under load. I run it for 10 hrs and it never failed. All the reviews I read of these things say that the spark plug is junk. So the store only has a compatible Auto lite in stock. I figure I'll put a good plug on before anything, I try and pull the boot and it just falls apart. Some cheap spring thing that is just pushed into the wire. I have some screw in type NGK boots for motorcycles so I replace that. The autolite plug would fire it but trying to restart was tough, put the original plug back in and it worked great with the new boot.
So I just leave the thing running through 2 tanks of fuel thinking it has a 2 year warranty, might as well try and blow it up the 1st day. No chance, this is a dead simple 2 stroke motor that is driving an alternator. I have to say for $100 I am impressed. I wouldn't count on it in an emergeny but if your looking for something smaller and can't justify or afford a honda then it seems like a good deal. It is louder than the small Honda's for sure but it is sure quiter than my 3500 watt honda generator. This is a good item for tailgating or running a few lights at camp when you don't wan't to drag out the big boy. I got it a Checker/shucks/kragen and it's a powerstar plus. I think I would trust this one more than I would trust a cheap side valve 4 stroke. If you want a 4 stroke I say get a good one. If you want a cheap one this little 2 stroke may be for you.
My thoughts were I buy cheap weed eaters every 4-5 years for a $100 a throw and when their shot I strip the good parts and get another. Actually I've been through 2 in the last 15 years. So I figure what's the difference? If it lasts 4-5 years I'll get another, if it doesn't It will be a $100 lesson.
