Troy-Bilt Generator powered by Briggs&Stratton

[OnlyStihl]

I've had this 5500 Watt Gas Powered Generator for over 20 years. I've been considering replacing it for a couple of years now. Thinking to get twice the output, electric push button start, dual fuel, etc.

We had a big storm blow thru here a few weeks ago. Lots and lots of tree damage, one house got hit, power out, phone lines caput, and it was multi-county wide,,, a vast area was hit. Luckily I had 5 gallons of gas to last me thru the 40+ hours of outage. I'm actually surprised we got power back that fast. It was nice to keep the deep freezer going every 4 to 5 hours, shower, flush the toilet, do the dishes, keep the hot water hot, and the rest of the first world conveniences. Would have been nice to take the warnings a bit more seriously and had on hand another 10 to 15 gallons of fuel.

I've been looking hard at the Predator from Harbor Freight, and the DuroMax sold by Home Depot. While researching I've been playing with the Troy-Bilt, new tires and wheels, the resets need replacing in the spring, fuel gauge is broken, but when used, say in the last week or two it starts with one pull, even in freezing temps.

I don't use it often, maybe once a year, sometimes two, and only for a few hours. But when the power goes down, it is a luxury.

It's a keeper, and I will save myself a grand.

 

[Jusgunn3]

I have one as well but it will not run the whole house so I bought one if these off Amazon. I have a bunch of propane tanks so i run that instead of gasoline. Runs clean and has good power.

https://www.duromaxpower.com/products/duromax-xp13000eh-13000-watt-portable-hybrid-gas-propane-generator?variant=41452692865201&country=US¤cy=USD&utm_medium=product_sync&utm_source=google&utm_content=sag_organic&utm_campaign=sag_organic&tw_source=google&tw_adid=671633841062&tw_campaign=20497796801&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=20497796801&gbraid=0AAAAAD_kiJfAuKOQ694hcnwfD7a_aFmfD&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIxpn3gfbjkQMVXyKtBh28gCMBEAQYAiABEgKvTPD_BwE

 

[OnlyStihl]

I have one as well but it will not run the whole house so I bought one if these off Amazon. I have a bunch of propane tanks so i run that instead of gasoline. Runs clean and has good power.

https://www.duromaxpower.com/products/duromax-xp13000eh-13000-watt-portable-hybrid-gas-propane-generator?variant=41452692865201&country=US¤cy=USD&utm_medium=product_sync&utm_source=google&utm_content=sag_organic&utm_campaign=sag_organic&tw_source=google&tw_adid=671633841062&tw_campaign=20497796801&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=20497796801&gbraid=0AAAAAD_kiJfAuKOQ694hcnwfD7a_aFmfD&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIxpn3gfbjkQMVXyKtBh28gCMBEAQYAiABEgKvTPD_BwE

Yup, that 13000 Watt is a beast and not all that expensive. Luckily for me, I live in a tiny cabin and my 5500 Watt generator does run the cabin. I'm not running around turning on all appliances, but seems to run those items that keep a house functioning normally. The Turkey, laundry&dryer, welding projects, etc. can wait for main power.

 

[Bill G]

If I remember correctly you have 60 amp service.. ..is that correct?

 

[Jusgunn3]

If I remember correctly you have 60 amp service.. ..is that correct?

I have a 50amp that we installed that runs everything minus the oven and the heat pump, water heater is usd only when needed. Unfortunately we are all electric on this property

 

[MtnHaul]

If you want to go to a 10k generator and stick with Briggs then you might keep an eye out for a Briggs & Stratton Elite 10000, video link here

. I bought a used one with a bunch of spare parts a few years back and it has been great except this year I noticed the voltage was a bit low so I tested the capacitors and they were out of spec--only $35 for 3 new capacitors including shipping. Even with the 18hp Vanguard v-twin it isn't terrible on gas unless you really load it up. At minimum load we were burning about 1/2 gal/hour, maybe a bit less. There are two of these Elite 10k for sale a few hours away from me at $400 and $600 each--great deal for a non-chinese generator.

 

[OnlyStihl]

Flat tires, fixed. Fuel gauge, fixed. Breakers, fixed. After 20 years this is the most maintenance I have ever done. I changed the oil a few years ago. Never even pulled the spark plug. Amazing how well this runs. Even started on one pull this morning at 24 degrees.

I almost placed an order for a new Home Depot 2250W Wen Generator yesterday for under $300. To be used sparingly for essentials and with only an extension cord. Reading that the smaller gens are much quieter, easier to start, and sip gas, such that they are as much as 10x more fuel efficient (10 hours per gal, vs 1 hour per gallon). Since I use this Troy-Bilt once or twice a year, it will serve me well for maybe another 10 to 20 years.

For those looking or thinking about a small emergency, camping or small worksite generator, IMO this is the one to get.

https://www.homedepot.com/pep/WEN-2800-2250-Watt-Inverter-Recoil-Start-Gas-Powered-Generator-Quiet-and-Lightweight-with-Fuel-Shut-Off-and-CO-Watchdog-56280iX/332527200?mtc=SHOPPING-BF-CDP-BNG-D25P-028_007_POWER_GENERATION-NA-NA-NA-PLALIA-NA-NA-NA-NA-NBR-NA-NA-NA-Generators_SHP_2025&cm_mmc=SHOPPING-BF-CDP-BNG-D25P-028_007_POWER_GENERATION-NA-NA-NA-PLALIA-NA-NA-NA-NA-NBR-NA-NA-NA-Generators_SHP_2025-22393416150-175786106085-2411646325596&gclid=e6e9b9f62aca1ae34c7bd0949b88f9af&gclsrc=3p.ds&msclkid=e6e9b9f62aca1ae34c7bd0949b88f9af

 

[MtnHaul]

Pretty incredible price compared to what I paid 7 or 8 years ago for a Honda EU2200. The Honda does sip gas though and it's very quiet.

 

[OnlyStihl]

Pretty incredible price compared to what I paid 7 or 8 years ago for a Honda EU2200. The Honda does sip gas though and it's very quiet.

Honda was the standard for quiet operation for many years. Others are catching up.

 

[MtnHaul]

Honda was the standard for quiet operation for many years. Others are catching up.

One thing I noticed about the Yamaha quiet inverter generators is that they were pulling more watts out of a smaller engine which makes me wonder about longevity. I've always preferred to have a larger engine working modestly than a small engine working at its maximum.
I just looked at the specs on the Honda EU2200i, 1800w running/2200w surge with a 121cc engine. The comparable WEN model would be the 56225i with 1800w running/2250w surge with a 79.7cc engine. I'm certainly not an engineer but I would bet that pulling the same wattage out of an engine 33% smaller has a downside. I have seen the Yamaha inverter generators fail much sooner than a comparable Honda.

 

[OnlyStihl]

Same thoughts here. Larger displacement engine, longer life and reliability. But the Honda does cost 3x as much. For emergency power outage use, Wen. For onsite regular job useage, Honda.

And I see 98cc ->

 

[MtnHaul]

Same thoughts here. Larger displacement engine, longer life and reliability. But the Honda does cost 3x as much. For emergency power outage use, Wen. For onsite regular job useage, Honda.

And I see 98cc ->
View attachment 479399

I quoted the specs from a generator that was comparable to the Honda EU2200i. The specs you listed are for a generator that doesn't really have a Honda equivalent for comparison. I mentioned the WEN 56225i not the 56280ix which you listed.

I guess I see the choice in reverse--WEN for the job site due to harsh conditions, possibility of theft or damage, Honda for reliable emergency usage. You can buy 4 WEN 56280ix for the price of one Honda which is pretty amazing. I'd rather use the "throwaway" generator on the job site.

Edit: Honda made or makes, I can't tell if it's available anymore, the EB2800i which offers 2500 running watts and 2800 surge watts from a 186cc engine--so that model is somewhat comparable to the WEN and uses an engine about twice as big.

 

[SawAddictedFarmer]

https://www.electricgeneratorsdirect.com/Guardian-UltraSource-4582-Portable-Generator/p1264.html

If you really want a beast look for one of these. It'll run a inverter welder up to 180 amps before I start having a light come on on the welder telling me my voltage isn't clean enough.

 

[OnlyStihl]

I quoted the specs from a generator that was comparable to the Honda EU2200i. The specs you listed are for a generator that doesn't really have a Honda equivalent for comparison. I mentioned the WEN 56225i not the 56280ix which you listed.

I guess I see the choice in reverse--WEN for the job site due to harsh conditions, possibility of theft or damage, Honda for reliable emergency usage. You can buy 4 WEN 56280ix for the price of one Honda which is pretty amazing. I'd rather use the "throwaway" generator on the job site.

Edit: Honda made or makes, I can't tell if it's available anymore, the EB2800i which offers 2500 running watts and 2800 surge watts from a 186cc engine--so that model is somewhat comparable to the WEN and uses an engine about twice as big.

Lots of variables. Over thinking, maybe? Kinda scares me into sticking with what I have.

 

[MtnHaul]

Lots of variables. Over thinking, maybe? Kinda scares me into sticking with what I have.

Sometimes the cheap chinese stuff lasts a long time. We have a Champion generator with about 365 hours and it has lived outside in a small open air generator shed for 13-14 years and it fires up every time.