I believe they are rated at 8750 surge and either 6500 or 6000 running watts. Priced at $999 with a 13 HP Honda engine and electric start.

Has anyone had any experience with them? Is this a relatively good buy? They have been carrying them for years, at least in the two Georgia stores I use, so there must be a bunch of them out there.

I need it for backup to keep freezer/refrig charged during outages, to occasionally run a table saw or skil saw or grinder, and to provide power for a very small cabin/outbuilding. Not for day in and day out running, but for emergencies and convenience.

Tell me something . . . . .
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Georgia On My Mind

I bought one a few years ago and had problems with it, not the Honda motor but it would not produce electricity. I ended up buying a real Honda generator for twice as much money (it is 3000 watts) and am hoping to get the "BlackMax" fixed some day....
So, I guess I am saying save your money and buy a real HONDA generator.

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"Life is short, hunt hard"

Its been my experience with Sams or Wal Mart that if it dont work they will take it back and refund money. Jeff

No but have had Honda Gens in the past - ditto to what Rangerpat said. I just took it to the next level and installed a 25KW Generac Quiet Source. They dont make the 25KW anymore.....now its a 22 or 27KW or larger.

I've not owned that one, but I've owned several generators. Those appear to be built in China for Coleman. Honda engine is a plus, electric start is icing on the cake. The Coleman setup will be good for what you describe IF you take proper care of it. Store it somewhere dry. Run it, under half load or better, for half an hour or more several times a year. Don't leave gas in it. Etc, etc. You know all that stuff already.

The price seems to be decent for comparable generators, too.

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The only concern I would have would be with fuel consumption.My 5600/8600 with 10HP uses around a 1/2 gal/hr at 1/2 load or a little more. I talked with a guy that had that 13HP and it used about 1 gal/hr with the same load. This might not seem too bad till you have to supply gas for more than a short time [hurricane]. My good buddy replaced his old Coleman with a new Honda 3000 watt, man you talk about quiet and efficient to run! I think that will be my next one to buy if this one craters, the quietness would be worth the extra money to me.

P.S.-Flyfisherman-is yours natural gas or LP?