ETQ?? Eastern Tools and Equipment??

[Casey in Ky]

I'm still looking for a portable generator before winter(just for back up power). Northern Tool, Home Depot, and Menards all carry ETQ generators. Price seems right, 7250 rated, 8250 surge for less than $800 depending on where you buy. I just can't find much out about this company. Is this Chinese junk? If this one doesn't work out I'm probably just gonna buy a Troybuilt or Briggs. Any suggestions?? Thanks,

Casey

 

[MarkB_MI]

Do you suppose there's a reason Honda is able to get three times as much money for their generators as their competitors?

 

[Ron Anderson]

I'll second Marks advice. Buy Honda it costs more but it is worth it.

 

[Cas]

After blowing up a few generators over several
years, I bought a used Honda. It starts easy
does not run wide open, does better on power
surges, and it is quieter. If I could do it
over, I would have bought a Honda from the get
go. In the long rum I think it would have been
cheaper and less frustrating.
Mine is electric start and this is the first
generator my wife will use even if the battery
is dead and she has to pull start it. Also, my
power goes out frequently.

 

[BDT/NWMN]

Jian Su - China...........is the origination.........of a diesel unit I tracked down out of curiousity..

I would call their bluff on warranty and service and see what happens:::::: call the store that sells that "chinerator" and tell them you need a head gasket immediately...... Their reply may be very interesting!! Any product that you buy is NO better that the parts and service that back it.

 

[Casey in Ky]

Thanks. That's what I was looking for. We don't lose power very often, actually have very good service. But I was caught with my pants down last during the ice storm and I said never again. I've also got power pretty much everywhere I need it on the farm, with the exception of maybe a field weld ever now and then. The parents bought a 3500 watt Honda last year during the storm, $1400. It's nice, but I can't justify that kinda cost for that small of a generator. I'm probably just gonna get a Briggs, either there 5500 watt or 6200 watt, $799 and $899. Although I am curious where the Briggs gen set is made. I just don't want to buy Chinese crap. Again, thanks for the info.

 

[ncBrad]

Hi Casey, I have had some experience running on generator for extended periods. I live in the frozen north and we have had power outages that lasted two weeks.
I ran a 5500 watt homelite gen for two weeks straight 24 hours with no problems.
One thing I learned is that when the power goes out the gas stations can't pump either. I went through 260 gals of fuel, mostly pumped at a station with a tractor-powered gen.
One thing to consider....how much power do you need? 5500 watts is more than enough for a typical home if power is managed ie. not using an electric stove, water heater and dryer at the same time.
I have a 3250 watt chinese-made gen that more than powers my home, is very quiet and uses a fraction of the fuel of the larger unit.
Purchased from BJ's club for $199.
just for the sake of argument:]
Brad