Generac GP7500E

The Bottom Line

Owners say the Generac GP7500E produces enough power to run the essentials in a medium-size home, including high-draw machinery like a well pump or furnace. However, many complain about fuel leaks and poor customer service, and the generator's not suited for powering delicate electronics.

Power

Will run an average-size home. The Generac GP7500E produces 7,500 watts of power and surges up to 9,375 watts. That's enough to run most of the essentials in a small- to medium-size home, including power-hungry well pumps and furnaces.

"The generator wasn't even close to capacity," says a HomeDepot.com reviewer who ran a well pump, furnace, refrigerator, chest freezer and lights. Another powered three sump pumps, a furnace, refrigerator, television and lights, and credits the GP7500E with keeping the basement dry during Hurricane Sandy.

Although the GP7500E has automatic voltage regulation, Generac doesn't recommend it for powering TVs and computers because its power output may still vary a bit, which can damage delicate electronics. "The power is a consistent 119 volts," writes an owner at Amazon.com who measured the generator's output with a voltage multimeter. Another user makes a case for double-checking: When his power drill started sparking, he tested the GP7500E with a voltmeter and found it was putting out 170 volts.

Outlets

Meets the standard. The GP7500E has a typical array of connectors for a generator of this size: four 5-20R outlets -- the typical household plug -- and one 120/240-volt, 30-amp L14-30R twist-lock plug. It has no DC connector.

Noise

Sounds like a motorcycle to some. Owners love the Generac GP7500E's power output, but several say its noisy operation can be a problem. At ElectricGeneratorsDirect.com, a user compares its noise level to that of a motorcycle. "Running on daytime is okay, but nighttime, I think the neighbor may have little words unless I spare some power for them," writes one Amazon.com user who plans to construct a soundproof box for the generator to run in at night.

"It is noisier than other brands, definitely louder than my riding mower which has a larger engine," says an owner at HomeDepot.com. A few also complain about a pervasive exhaust smell, even from a distance. That said, most are willing to put up with the noise in exchange for the generator's power output.

Runtime

May exceed manufacturer estimates. The GP7500E really shines when it comes to fuel efficiency, offering a nice compromise between power output and gas consumption. Generac estimates about 12 hours of use at half load from an 8-gallon tank of gas. One Amazon.com poster who ran his entire house, as well as an extension cord to his neighbors, says he got 12 to 14 hours of use from a full tank. Another used up just 6 gallons of gas during 14 to 15 hours of judicious high-wattage use, turning off high-demand appliances like the hot water heater when not needed. "I am getting about 12 to 14 hours on a tank of gas," adds an owner at HomeDepot.com.

Ease of Use

Goes together easy, but draws numerous complaints. The GP7500E weighs close to 200 pounds, but owners say it's easy to assemble the handle and wheel kit. The 9.5-inch solid wheels roll easily on solid surfaces, but can be challenging on crushed stone. A number of users complain that the manual isn't clear.

A few owner grumbles pop up consistently, with several reporting gas leaks from the carburetor or the fuel tank. "As soon as I turned on the fuel valve, gasoline started to pour out of the carburetor, and all over the motor and generator," says a user at Amazon.com. Others add that the gas gauge doesn't work at all. An owner posting to ElectricGeneratorsDirect.com says the engine ran perfectly but didn't actually produce any power. Some warn that their electric starter didn't work, although the recoil backup did.

The Generac GP7500E is covered by a two-year warranty, but several owners say good luck getting it honored. "I have to pay more money to get their product fixed before I even start using it," says a user on Amazon.com whose generator wouldn't start when it arrived. "Support sucks," comments another. We found similar gripes about customer service with most Generac models.