Comprehensive Review: Firman Tri-Fuel 7500 Watt Generator - 3 Year Problems!
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- čas přidán 23. 07. 2023
- In this video I am doing a review of the Firman 7500 watt generator. Model T07571. Originally bough from Costco 3 years ago. I go through all the features and I get into the good, bad and ugly unexpected problems that developed after 3 years of owning this unit. Don't know if yours will be the same story, but this is what happened to mine.
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I bought mine in 2020 for the hurricane season. I got to use it for the first time for the Texas Freeze, again later when we lost power from over 2000 lightning strikes hitting the grid in the Houston area and a few more times. I run it on NG. I installed a Propane Elbow Adapter at the generator 3/8" POL fitting. It is a 3/8" Female Flare Swivel x 3/8" Male Flare (Item # 204163) that I purchased from etrailer. Then I installed the 3/8" Female x 1/2" Male brass adapter there. Now it is easy to store the 1/2" NG hose on top of the tank. I connect power to the panel and am able to use my 4-ton A/C unit. I installed is a Micro-Air EasyStart 368 (4-ton) Soft Starter on the outside unit. My A/C unit now has a Start Peak of 33 to 36 Amps.
Yes excellent! I need to get one of those soft start kits. I haven't measured the "in rush" current of my unit, but I suspect its 80+ amps and that won't cut the mustard with this generator. If you can run a 4 ton unit thats great.. mines only 2 1/2, should be no problem.
Thanks for the info! I live in Lafayette La and I need one with propane as a back up generator.
Excellent! It should make a great back up.. 😀
You can also look at the specs of your AC and the “inrush” amps is listed as LRA, if I remember correctly.
The LRA on my compressor is listed as 109.0
I'm super happy with this generator. It's carried us through two power outages in the Houston area that lasted 5 days and 6 days long. The generator has run for over 200hrs at this point. I change the oil even sooner than recommended. I have only run the generator on natural gas. I probably should run some gasoline through it, but never have. I have the ability to connect the generator to my house power panel. The generator has enough power to drive my lights, freezer, refrigerator, small kitchen appliances, a 100gal fish tank, two AC window units, the washer and a 2ton AC condenser and blower. Wish the generator had a wattage reader to know how much load is connected. 👍👍
That's excellent! So glad to hear that... I've only run mine on propane, but still haven't put more than 2-3 hours on it... I've moved it into the garage so hopefully the rust problem will calm down... 😂. (it was in a closed trailer before). Youre right about the wattage meter. I know it would cost a few extra dollars but it should be a requirement that all generators have that so you don't wind up overloading it and damaging the coils ....
You just sold it to me! I am going to use it for power tools. Regarding the rusty hardware I always "paint" the bare metal with Teflon grease to keep it looking good . Thanks.
Oh cool! Great tip. Thanks for the info. 😀
Great video, straight to the point. Job well done!!
TYSM for the great feedback... 😀
Thanks! Decent review. Try brushing on some automotive rust preventive, like Fluid Film or Woolwax on any parts that may experience rust. ALSO: get a MAGNETIC oil dipstick! It will catch all the metal shavings, powder, metal chips in the oil:
Genexhaust Magnetic Dipstick - GE-132 -Oil Change Tube - GE-104- will fit Firman
Oh cool! That's a good idea. I guess they come in a generic length and then you just duplicate what the factory length was..?
Nice! Thanks man!
lOVE YOUR VIDEOS VERY EASY TO UNDERSTAND
Awesome, thank you!
Trying to line up the cable plug with the inlet at night? Take a marker or white-out and make a line on the plug & socket to line up the two before you twist it. Keep battery charged. Install emergency lights that come on when power goes out. Install them where you set up the generator and at the panel. Have an extra spark plug.
Thanks for the great tips!
This video is super helpful.
Excellent! Glad I could help... 😀
The one downside to the included cover - mice love the soft side! Fortunately I caught this before they took up a more permanent residence and wreaked havoc on the wiring!
Good grief! Good to know.... Thank you.
I have the same unit. It was running non-stop for a solid 3 days on natural gas. Loves it!
I do find that in really cold weather, it's better to start the generator on regular gas and let it warm up and then switch it over to natural gas.
Interesting! I don't have any natural gas available to me. It seems to like the propane just fine and have never put gas in the tank.. Thanks for the feedback.. 😀
On Natural Gas use half choke
Good review
TYSM!...
I got same generator which saved me and my wife when power went out last winter at -35F. Total harmonic distortion is proportional to the load. That 14% is rated at maximum load so if you dont run it at full capacity this will work for most electronic like what you did. I do got a higher end inverter generator as a backup in case needed.
Excellent info on the THD.... thanks for sharing that. I have a smaller inverter as well that's much better on gas if I just need to run small stuff... 😀
Only have beeping on my Fisher Paykel Dishdrawers (dishwasher) and one brand of LED bulb blinks. All of my important electronics (HDTVs, computers, routers, switchers, cable box, monitors) are plugged into UPS's. They have EMI/RFI filters an appear to help.
just bought from costco.....have heard nothing but good things, will put somw wd40 on these parts,,,,,,,,,,good review!
HI, I've heard a mixture of good and bad. This one is still working fine, but it doesn't have any hours to speak of. Thanks for the good feedback... 😀
Have you pulled and cleaned the air filter? I noticed in the large set of instructions, it mentions soaking the air filter in ENGINE OIL and then squeezing it out before putting it back in! That is totally new to me, but this is my first generator. Have you done that procedure or have you just washed with soap&water and let dry in the sun before reinstalling?
I haven't done that.... K&N makes an air filter that is supposed to be oiled. Oil attracts and catches dirt, but to me I would never do that to a paper air filter. Just me.
Ive had mine a couple years maybe? Always starts kinda hard finally would not start (have only test ran never needed yet) this time no spark I disconnected the yellow low oil wire still no spark next I disconnected a black wire with black connector and instantly had spark again and fired right up but I dont know WHY ...the one thread suggested black wire goes to a ground diode which I see that NOWHERE in parts list or schematic ...anyone have this issue? Know what part I need? Is it safe to run with it disconnected?
Does that black wire go to the coil?
I just bought this model! What preventative should I spray/apply to the rusted areas you mentioned? Thanks
That's a good idea! If you go to amazon you can type in spray on rust prevention / protection and that'll bring up a bunch of different ones.. I live in a very humid climate, so that certainly doesn't help... 😀
Try amsoil heavy metal protector.
If the breaker is 31 amps will it work on a 50amp rv?
HI, yes you can plug anything like that in as long as the total amperage draw doesn't exceed the rating. The 31 amps comes from the output rating being 7500 watts. 240 volts AC X 31.25 Amps = 7500 watts. Hope that helps... 😀
Bought this generator on sale at costco in february 2021. AVR died at 15 hours. Run for 5 seconds, no readout and die. Called the Firman service number on the tag and they sent a new one out in about 10 days. Easy to install and fired right up again. June 2021 at 115hrs the second AVR died. Called Firman again and they said they'd send another new AVR. Waited 4 weeks. Contacted again and they said the ticket was made but no one sent the box to the shipping desk. Waited another 4 weeks, still nothing. Contacted them again and they said they didnt have an address on file and that it would be sent immediately. Waited two weeks with nothing and then I returned to costco for a refund. I bought a used Yamaha EF7200DE that needed a carb clean for $700 and have put 600 trouble free hours on it. As a side note, the output ratings on this generator are BS. I run a tire machine and compressor from it. The 10kw Firman would bog down if the compressor kicked in while mounting a mud tire. The 7.2kw yamaha has never bogged even when adding an electric heater in the trailer.
That's interesting! Doesn't make me feel warm and fuzzy for sure... I guess there's a reason it's on the cheap side.. I got this on sale for like $600 and they were still making money at that...
What is an AVR? Mine had no spark I disconnected the yellow low oil wire still no spark I disconnected a black wire with black connector and instantly had spark again and fired right up but I dont know WHY one thread suggested it is a ground diode which I see NOWHERE in parts list or schematic ...could it be the "AVR"?
Should I keep the big cord connected to my home transfer box?
HI... I wouldn't keep it connected all the time. That means it'll stay out in the weather. I doubt if the connectors are made for that.
So in passing saw this review, not a generator guy etc not planning on it but if the 50amp plug in goes though the 30 amp fuse does that mean its not truly a 50 amp providing plug in or producing the 50amps you may need from that socket. Thanks and please anyone let me know curious. Thanks guys great video by the way nicely made.
Yes that's correct. If I remember right the total amperage on this generator was 31.25... @ 240VAC that's the 7500 watts. It does seem odd, but that's the way they did it. 😊
I had to fabricate a new frame out of square tube because the frame on me is al corroded. I looks funny but it works, aslo I bought it at costco on 2020 and it's been in my service truck since
Oh wow! So I guess those frames are prone to rusting... Glad it's still running though, that's a good sign...
I was concerned about the THD at first. Then I started researching other brands like duromaxx, Generac and they all have 11-20 THD. I read and was told all modern electronics can handle it unless you have electronics from the 70s.
Great info! Thanks for sharing... 😊
For laptops, I have a small Milwaukee inverter
@@LL-mt2nz I'll bet that's nice!
Corrosion possibly from salt egression while in transit?
Yes it's possible I suppose... Nothing was visible when I first got it.
We have a 65 inch tv, a refigerator, a satellite reciever box, 1 cell phone charging. On 5 gallons of propane . Can you give me an appoximate of how long that will generate power? Thank you.
The manufacturer says it has an 8 gallon gasoline tank and will run approx 12 hours. It does not specify the amount or percentage of load to get the 12 hours. BBQ size tanks are 4 gallons. If you exchange them from big stores they only fill them with 3 gallons or 15 lbs and they tell you with fine print on the side of the tank... but still charge full price (and then some)! So there's that. I would guess your runtime to be around 5 hours.
@@JLPicard440 Wanted to say, according to costcos website on the item i've seen 12 hours @ both 25 and 50% load...
If you check other Generators the THD out puts are 25% or higher this having 11% to 14% on a full load is decent. Not all of us have $2500 or more for a generator that puts out 6% THD or lower.
Also I have the Firman T08071
Very good info! You're right, the Hondas and the like are really expensive... I think 3K or more. I don't think I'd want to connect this to a computer or something like that, but as I showed in the video the TV seemed to be ok.
@@JLPicard440 The only one I found that's at a reasonable price is the Westinghouse WGen11500TFc - Tri-Fue with a THD of 5%l retails for $1700 but they been sold out for awhile.
Cool.... Thanks for the info.. 😀
How long will generator run on a 20lbs of propane gas?
HI, I've never tried it to see. The specs on the Firman website don't say about the propane, but they say the gasoline should last about 12 hours at 25% load... I would venture to guess 5-6 hours..
I wonder why the oil has metal shavings in oil?
That doesn't sound right to me... I would change the oil and run it for a couple of hours and drain it again and see if there's new shavings. You can use a clean container the 2nd time so you can reuse the oil if it comes out clean.
Do i need to hook up a regulator to run on natural gas? Thanks
HI, I'm not 100% positive if the generator has a built in shut off for NG. I believe it does, however you might want to contact Firman directly for a more clear answer. Their website is not really clear on the matter. However I did find this excerpt under the Q&A section:
What do I need to know for my Natural Gas Installation
Needs to be done by a plumber or professional + need to purchase the 10ft or 25ft Natural Gas Hose Kit on FIRMAN Website. It needs to be a ½ inch hose with a 3/8 female flare.
Regulation:
Max of 101 000 BTU’s // Psi between 0.25 and 0.40
No regulator needed. Just hook up a hose
Thanks for the info!@@HorizonBroadband
@@JLPicard440 no problem, we run them on natural gas for extended periods. The only trick to natural gas is the pressure is super low. So when you turn the gas on give it a couple minutes before you try to start it. Also we have found half choke works best.
Great.. yea the Firman website had specified .25 - .40 PSI, so that's pretty low... Thanks again. Of course if you don't have a pressure gauge, it'll be hard to tell what it is.
Just bought mine in 2024. Mine would not start in the choke position but fires up immediately if i st the choke half way.
Some kind of carburetor issue sounds like. Did you get it from Costco? They're really good about taking stuff back.
The rust can be caused by humidity even in an enclosed area
Yes that's exactly what caused it... 😊. Very humid where I live..
So comprehensive review with “ engine with ONE hour of run time”
Ok thanks!
Please note, regular generators can damage in a long run your AC compresor!! Regular generators produce electical distortion THD above normal safety for sensitive equipment. Get a mini split AC system 110 volt and inverter generator instead! Inverter generators are 5% THD, while regular generators are above 23%. Make sure to avoid wet conditions, keep the generator above wet surfaces!! Never refuel when engine is running wait until is cool!! This is what I did in an Emergency situation..
HI! Thanks for the great tips. I do believe I mentioned the THD on this unit toward the end of the video. It was high enough where I didn't like it.
Is it loud
Fairly yes.... I think I talked about that in the video. I don't remember the time code..
how does 31.25 amp translates into 7,500 watt?
31.25 X 240 (Volts AC) = 7500 Watts. 😊
@@JLPicard440 Thanks, but i'm still a bit confused. I thought my outlets are 110/120 volts? soo.. if the generator can produce 7,500 watts, shouldn't it be 62 amps?
HI, no it doesn't work that way. A household outlet is no more than 20 amps (kitchen, bathroom, etc). Bedrooms are usually on 15 amps... But you have 200 amps coming into the house! .. Those 120 volt outlets on the generator are 20 amps I believe... I think there's a 120volt 30 amp outlet... The only ones that are the full 30 amps is whatever is 240volts...(even though it's actually a 50A plug) If youre running the full 30 amps from one of the 240 volt outlets then the other outlets are not going to produce much power at all. IT's 7500 watts total divided between all of them... I hope that makes a little bit of sense.
@pierrecao4758 you get 60 amps usable of 120, 30 amps per leg of 220. Take a look at the schematic past the specifications and it'll show the CBs. Google Power formula or W=VA. In the case of 7500W=120V*A, solve for Amps and divide each side by 120 and your left with A=62.5 or 62.5(120V)Amps
A 220 circuit is 1/2 that or 34.09(220V)Amps.
If you have some freakenstein 60A 120v power tool, it won't work. But you can get 2 x 30 AMP circuits at same time. Hope that helps
I bought one last year and have run it twice. Both times it's been a bitch to start, i mean 20 minutes to get it going. Not really happy with it. No one wants to mess with their engine when the lights go out. I haven't had to use it for power outage yet. just came on here to see if anyone else had starting problems. Been using propane.
HI, that doesn't sound normal to me... I've not really had any starting problems like that. Would need a little more info to come up with an idea of where to look...
I had problems starting it too. When I rocked it back and forth to try and get gas to the carburetor it started right up. Don’t know why that worked, but it did. And yes the choke was open.
Is it getting gas? Might want to take of the fuel line and drain it into a glass container and see if it's coming out good...
@@JLPicard440 seems to be running fine after that initial tilt, I’ll use your advice if I have further issues. Thank you.
You get what you paid for! Buy once cry once!
Oh man don't say that!.. 😂
Or they didn’t put any oil in it
They don't come shipped with oil...
Agreed! The THD is a complete deal killer. Terrible...
I know right... I didn't like that either. It did seem to run some electronics like that TV I hooked up, but that was a $10 from a yard sale! I wouldn't trust it with anything expensive like a nice refrigerator, computer, etc... 😀. (An inverter generator would be much better for that stuff)
@@JLPicard440 Correct! Building such a diverse, multifaceted Generator is one thing; having it built with such abhorrent THD is mind boggling, and dumb. They engineered the entire system to run smoothly off of different fuels, but don’t build the MAIN coefficient-with a desirable output?? So confusing. They took no lessons from the HF Predator line which is I think barely better…
I've had comments from people that say the high THD is at full load. Could be, but I'd like to see the output on an O' scope to get an idea what the sine wave looks like... 😀
on the other hand unless you have really expensive electronics is it worth spending $5k on something with clean hd? In my case? not so much and the crap generator I used in the past MANY MANY hours (Champion 7500) never destroyed anything so I am money ahead I recon
@@dougiequick1 Amen brother. I'm not worried about a old tv and computer taking a dump.
Use non ethanol gas
Yes absolutely! I always do... even with that plus stabilizer it will still only last about a year and a half..
@@JLPicard440 it will last a lot longer using non ethanol
You’ll get rust. Unless you store it in a humidity controlled environment, you’ll get rust
Yes that may be true... Funny thing is there were other power equipment tools in that same trailer and they didn't have any problem at all... I've moved the generator to a better environment since, but still on the humid side.
More watts more noise.
Lol.... Yes that's generally true!
@@JLPicard440 make sense to me. I was wondering why my INGCO generator (Chinese OHV engine) was that quiet. It has a 70 db LWA label on it and no bad surprise, it does produce 70 db at less than a metre for a 98cc OHV engine. It does have an Automatic voltage regulator which is safe to use with sensible electronics, no power fluctuations, stable and clean power. I changed the oil for the first 30 mins, then repeated the same process for 5 hours multiple times until it reached 30 hrs, then I did regular change about 25 hrs or 6 months instead of the 100 hrs . I also use diesel engine oils like the shell rimula r4x 15w40, actually used by Deutz air cooled diesel engines. I'm planning to buy another one
Only one thing I don't like about this generator, It's So Loud!
Yes, It is a little loud.
Electric starter wont work brand new out of the box!
Oh no! That's not good... are you sure the starter is getting power and something else isn't wrong?
Connect the battery.
Ok thanks!@@rwstarke
Cheap Materials . So they can sale them chieaper but this make the Product No worth it
Yes I was pretty surprised when I saw what was going on! I do live in a humid area, but still shouldn't have done that.
Buy a Honda😂😂😂😂
I know right... but for $3500 for an equivalent, I could buy 4 of these. For something that sits 99% of the time, it's fine... 😀@@user-sz3nn1vv1z
@JLPicard440 if you depend on it, keep a spare AVR on hand. It's about $30 but if it fails (mine died twice in 115hrs) you are dead in the water. Never had issues like this with a Champion.
Good 2 know... @danmac314