As they do not have a service center network, I was worried about purchasing the DuroMax XP10000E gas generator as a backup power source for my home. I was concerned because I thought they will ask me to take it to a small engine shop near my place and contact them later to inform the charges incurred under warranty.

On inquiring with their customer service they confirmed that third party verification for the parts that were needed was not required. They also informed that I could fix it myself if I wanted. They told that I need only call and tell them what I wanted and they would send it to me. I felt that it was a fair deal.

I got my DuroMax XP10000E package in about a week through USF Holland freight. The package was received in perfect condition. Since I got liftgate delivery, the big semi was brought up to the garage.

The company’s representative who brought the package placed it at the center of the garage with the help of a hand truck. He did not even ask for any assistance from me. I opened the cardboard carton in which it was packed only after he left.

The packing was done well with thick foam on all sides. All the loose parts like wheel kit etc. were properly placed in the foam packing. Though it is very heavy, it can be assembled and moved out of the skid by one person.

I began by assembling the wheel kit after pulling the front till it overhung about 10 inches. I then pivoted one side of the rear till it overhung to assemble that strut.

The next thing I did was to block the rear strut up with a 4 X 4 and pulled the skid out. Then I assembled the other strut. After filling it with synthetic blend oil and about a gallon of gasoline, I opened the fuel valve that is located to the right of the choke handle. I tried to start the generator with the key after pulling the choke handle out.

The battery was completely dead. I put the battery for charging and tried to start the generator with the battery of my lawn tractor. It started off almost before I could take my hand off the key.

The XP10000E portable generator unit comes with idle control and hence speed adjustments are not required. Idling speed is high for all generators as they have to produce current. The generator ran with no noticeable fluctuations in engine speed.

I checked the output on all the current-carrying poles on all receptacles. The reading was steady at 119 volts everywhere. For the target of 120 volts output, I considered this to be excellent performance.

I plugged the extension cord that I had bought into the L14-30 240V receptacle on the generator. I took the extension cord inside the house and plugged up the conversion cord.

As the home appliances that I plan to run on the generator during power outage or when the sun is not shining will not need the surge power requirements, all my concerns were put to rest. The battery that came with the generator was not good and did not hold charge for even 30 minutes.

I called MaxTool and true to their word I got replacement. The brand new battery was shipped to me free of cost through FedEx. I was worried that I might have been given a generator that had been in the inventory for a year or so.

The tag on the generator set showed the manufacturing date as May 2007 and I bought it in August. So the generator was new. Only the battery was bad. With the new battery, the generator started on one pull every time.

Once in two weeks I start the generator and run it for a while to ensure oil circulation. I keep a maintenance trickle charger on it all the time. The generator has so far delivered what it promised. I cannot say anything as to what will happen over time.

I had almost bought a Coleman unit. The reviews about Coleman units are horrible. They have a lot of quality issues, gasoline and oil leakages, vibration, no idle speed control, no electric starter, and are highly priced.

If you are thinking of getting the DuroMax XP10000E gas generator, click on the button on the right to order it from Amazon.com and have it shipped to your doorstep immediately.

If you are planning to make your home off the grid by using mainly renewable energy source such as solar energy, here’s a suggestion, get yourself a gasoline powered generator set!

I know it is counter intuitive to living a green lifestyle, but you’ll thank me when there is a technical problem with your home solar power system. The idea of having a generator set is for backup during times when you have no power left on your battery bank or due to any kind of emergency situation.

The Type Of Gasoline Powered Generator You’ll Need

You would require a generator that would generate enough power to run your refrigerator, maybe a small portable air conditioner, a few lights, a small TV, charge your cell phones and at times charge laptop batteries also.

As a quick thumb rule, you will need approximately 3,000 watts continuous rating and a surge rating of 4,000 watts. There are many generators sold by hardware chains like Lowe’s, Home Depot etc. that will match your specification, but the prices will be around $600 – $700.

I did some research on the internet and determined that the DuroMax XP4400E would meet your requirements as well as budget best. This is a short DuroMax XP4400E review and my first impression when I got the generator from Amazon.com/.

DuroMax XP4400E Review – Portable Generator For Your Home

The DuroMax model that I chose had battery powered electric starter instead of the one with rip-cord. This is a useful feature because I don’t like getting myself sweaty trying to get the generator started.

I received my order in about a week’s time after I made my purchase on Amazon. Though the external cardboard box displayed signs of rough handling, the generator packed in foam was intact without any damage.

The total weight of the package was 130 lbs. As the Fedex driver wheeled the box right into our garage, I was relieved of a lot of trouble.

It took me about 20 minutes to unpack the generator since it took me a little while to remove the shipping braces that supported the engine.

After unpacking the generator, I turned it upside-down on a mat to install the wheel-kit. Tools are provided with the generator to fix the wheels and handles. At the time of shipping itself, the tires were inflated to bear the weight of the generator.

I filled the DuroMax XP4400E generator set with SAE30 oil after putting it in the right position. I used 10W30 since we lived in a relatively warm weather condition. If you want to use generator oil, you need to select the oil suitable for a four-stroke engine.

As the oil-fill tube is placed in an uncomfortable position, I had to use a funnel with a tube that I had to avoid spillage of oil. You need about 20 oz of oil. In order to condition the engine, my suggestion is to change oil after the generator runs for 6 hours, twice after 8 hours and every 20 – 30 hours after that.

I also filled up gasoline through the mesh fuel filter below the gas cap. I then opened the fuel valve and started the generator. The engine turned, but it did not start. The mistake was on my side. I misunderstood the on position of the choke valve to be the off position.

Once this was set right, the engine started up immediately! Till the choke was opened, it sputtered and emitted a lot of smoke. After that it ran smoothly without any visible smoke from the exhaust.

I am not sure of the noise level generated when it is running. It is low and does not bother me when the generator is running outside and I am inside the house.

The control panel of the generator is provided with two 120V, 20 Amp, outlets and one 30 Amp outlet that can be switched between 120V and 240V, a 12V outlet to charge a car battery, a circuit breaker and a voltmeter.

The output voltage remained steady at 115 volts when I tested the generator with loads ranging from 60 watts to 2400 watts. I have not tested the performance of the generator at higher loads.

I found the DuroMax XP4400E to be well engineered and less polluting than the expensive Honda, Subaru, and Yamaha units sold at the hardware chains.

Finally, here is a small tip – ensure that you mix the fuel with some anti-oxidant like Stabil before putting it in the tank for small engines that are not run frequently. Gas mixed with anti-oxidant should last for about one year.

There you have it, a short DuroMax XP4400E review and my experience using the generator for the first time. If you are thinking to get yourself a gasoline powered generator, click on the button on the right to get the XP4400E from Amazon.com and have it shipped to your home right now.