DuroMaxXP5500EH 5,500-Watt Dual Fuel Portable Generator - Gas & Propane, Electric Start, RV & Emergency Ready

This genset performed flawlessly for our (7) day outage during Tropical Storm Isaias. Note: we ran the unit on propane only. I am giving it (5) stars in spite of the issues noted in other reviews:* the wheels are cheesy (but come on you are not towing it)* the handles could have better hardware connections (but they work)* the owners manual is not accurate on additional materials for example I did not receive the electrical plugs and no mention was made of the included propane hose which I was alerted to by another Amazon reviewer or I would of melted it as it is stuffed up inside.On the plus side:*manual gives clear set up and starting instructions*included battery was charged* the included oil funnel/hose worked great did not spill a drop*packing and shipping were excellent, unit was delivered in (2) days by an Amazon truck with no damage*unit is not unpleasantly loudOther details; our older house (recently purchased) needs an upgraded electrical service and when we can afford that we will also get a transfer switch and then purchase a whole house genset. However in the meantime due to the virus my wife has been hoarding food and every fridge and freezer is packed. By coincidence our now beloved utility Eversource was having some planned outages (hour or less) last month which reminded me what a crises we would have with a prolonged outage so luckily I pulled the trigger and the generator arrived here before the storm. Before I was alerted to the hidden propane connection hose I purchased my own and a 30 gallon propane tank in addition to the standard tanks I have from Home Depot for the grill. Our propane supplier was great and hooked up the unit to the larger tank with a snap connection we have for part of the house using the hose I purchased.Final notes; I did run the unit for about 12 hours straight one day (versus the periodic shutdowns I was doing) and a little oil was consumed. As I put at least 100 hours on the unit for the week I will be changing the oil this week to be ready for the next outage. Final final note...I worked in boating for 30 years so have run many generators however I think an inexperienced homeowner would be able to get this unit set up and running.

I purchased my generator in November of 2020. After unboxing, I filled the engine case with the proper oil, filled the gas tank with Sta-bil treated regular unleaded, and charged the battery for about four hours. Then turned on the fuel valve and hit the electric start button and my generator was up and running perfectly.During the winter of 2020 - 2021 I probably used my new Duromax generator a half dozen times and I ran approximately five tanks of gas through it in total. It was used to power our natural gas furnace, our electric fridge, and a few lights during a couple day-two day power outages. It performed perfectly and we had absolutely zero issues or complaints with the little power house.At some point in the spring of 2021 I wheeled my little Duromax generator over to the corner of my garage and there it sat. We moved to a warmer climate that summer and of course our generator moved with us but sat unattended and neglected until mid November of this year, 2023.Now here’s the AMAZING PART. My son and I dragged the generator out from storage in the corner of my garage, turned the fuel valve on and hit the electric start button EXPECTING absolutely nothing to happen. We figured the battery would be dead and the carburetor would be all gummed up with almost 3 year old gas. BUT AMAZINGLY the my Duromax generator STARTED IMMEDIATELY and RAN PERFECTLY for next ten minutes while we sat there absolutely amazed that it turned over and started at all. NOW REMEMBER, the battery had NOT been charged again after the initial 4 hour charge the first day I received it. The gas WAS treated with STA-BIL when I last filled the tank back in the spring of 2021, and it had set unattended and neglected FOR ALMOST 3 YEARS!So would I recommend you buy a new Duromax generator? YOU BET YOUR LAST DOLLAR I WOULD!!!! In fact I give my Duromax generator a 5 PLUS PLUS PLUS STAR RATING!!! I have absolutely no doubt that my little Duromax workhorse will be ready to come to the rescue anytime I need it.Now don’t be foolish like I was and let your generator sit around neglected. I promise you I won’t won’t be so foolish again either. Keep your battery charged up on a low amp battery tender, and change out the gas tank with fresh Sta-bil treated gas every year. By the way I just drained the tank on mine and refilled it with fresh treated gas AND RAN THE OLD GAS THROUGH MY 2003 Ford F150 without any issues or problems.Finally, you can buy a Duromax generator with confidence knowing that it will be there ready to help you through your next electrical power outage should you need it. I’m sure glad I bought mine and you won’t be disappointed should you decide to purchase a Duromax generator in any size. They are amazingly reliable workhorses!