Generac 5747 XG Series 8,000 Watt Electric-Manual Start Portable Generator

Purchased generator during Tropical Storm Barry, and fortunately did not need to use it. Generator is well-built and heavy. Two people should lift generator, or slide it on to a small wheeled cart from vehicle and assemble. Generator has an attractive paint job, good combination of plugs and features, and receptacles and controls are in convenient locations. Directions for assembly did not provide a key for location of specific nuts and bolts, so had to use trial and error to sort out bag of fasteners, were inaccurate for installation of handle, and omitted guidance for the initial fill quantity of oil.

Very good performance during Hurricane Florance. I do have a couple of instruction/design suggestions. First - the 'Fuel Off' valve. I know your diagrams show vertical for fuel on and horizontal for fuel off but it is a ball valve and for most people, when they go to turn the valve off, it will keep turning and their instinct would be to keep turning it til it stops. This occurs when it is in a vertical position again. This turns the fuel on again. Perhaps the instructions should mention something about 'Vertical' and 'Horizontal' positions and not just count on the illustration in the manual. Second - When the power comes back on and there is a lot of gas still in the tank. There should be an easier way to empty the gas in the tank for storage of the generator. It is very difficult (especially for the average user) to disconnect the fuel filter and drain the tank that way. One way to do this would be to install a 'Y' in the fuel line with a separate valve to use to drain the tank. Another way would be to (in the instruction manual) suggest that the user buy a siphon pump from the local auto supply store and siphon the gas out via the filler cap. You would have to include in the instructions, how to remove the filter. Other than these two point, I found the GP5500 to be a very good unit and am sure I will be pleased over the long haul.

I purchased my unit brand new from a 3rd party (they ordered 2) just a day before hurricane Irma visited me. Setup had one challenge with the wheels, had to remove a motor mount to get the axle bolt the slide through. She fired up after a couple of pulls and performed perfectly. 2 fridges, 1 freezer, tv , fan and lamps. I think she wanted more :-)

Three weeks after purchasing the generator, my neighborhood lost power for four days. This product worked great the entire time. It is extremely easy to operate and move around. I was able run my refrigerator, take hot showers, and I was able to do a load of laundry too. In fact, my neighbors blame me for the power loss since it happened shortly after the purchase. I am thrilled I own this product. Everyone should own one!

I have only used the generator one time for a few hours. I realize that running 3 extension cords is not the way to go so I have invested in a control panel. My one negative is the required use of multiple oils depending on whether it is for summer or winter use. It seems like you could recommend one oil that would work between the temperatures of 0 degrees and 90 degrees to cover the range of central new york weather.