Accessories

2nd Times the Charm
I purchased my first TG4000 during the 6 days power outage in my area caused by Hurricane Ike's passing. A previous 1000W Generac refused to start and I was sure it wouldn't have done much good anyway. I wasn't home when the unit arrived and the carton appeared to have been retaped, but despite a few shipping dings looked to be in good shape. Keeping the first experience short...I think I'd been sent a customer return. I found the air filter cover broken and twisted out of place, the unit already filled with oil, and subsequent troubleshooting found the spark plug connector broken, and the fuel tank pushed in at the outlet, enough to have splintered the paint under the tank. Never did get the unit to start. Amazingly, Amazon took the unit back without argument.

I waited a bit more than a month before deciding that the unit specs and price were what decided me on the purchase the first time, so I order again. Less than 2 days to deliver and I had a much cleaner carton, insignificant shipping dings, a with a small price reduction. Still, I waited nervously for 3 weeks before opening the carton. After a thorough visual inspection, I declared the unit perfect, and proceeded to prepare for the first running. This unit was dry, so I filled the oil, added barely a liter of gas (unlike the over-eager filling that I gave the first unit), set the choke, and prepared to start the engine.

I really wasn't expecting to start the engine. I was squatting, off balance, and using my left arm (right handed), so I was merely attempting to move some oil around and ensure gas was in the carb. Oops...despite the efforts of a 10 year old girl (no slight intended), the engine fired, tentatively chugging, growing smoother and quieter with every second. It was such a satisfying feeling. I was almost giddy with delight. I had to run and get the wife for Show and Tell. I haven't had the need to use it yet, and in fact, due to my first experience I hadn't bothered to install the wheels and handle (in the event another unit was going back). Nonetheless, the unit is relatively quiet, smooth running, easy starting, and besides generally good looking. As I've seen in other posts, the fuel gauge may not be working. That was one thing that worked well on the first unit, but with this one it may be that I just haven't filled the unit to the point the float is activated. Aside from that, I'm prepared for a many years of satisfied, emergency backup power. I had my Generac for over 20 years, so I'm hoping for something similar.

So far, OK
There were some initial problems with the order. When I placed my order for one unit, somehow an hour or two later the confirmation came back for three. I tried revising the order on-line but was told it was too late to change the order. It took a bit of searching to find the customer service phone number, but once I reached them a very helpful person took care of the revision quickly and cheerfully. The unit also took longer than expected to be delivered. It did come and the only problem I noted was that there was one bolt missing from the handle assembly. That was remedied with a trip to the hardware store. The unit started right away and when I tested it, I was able to run a refrigerator, freezer, and the water pump from my boiler simultaneously without any problem. I then took the refrigerator off-line and ran a toaster oven without a problem. The starter pulley location is a bit awkward but not a big problem. I would also concur with some of the other reviewers on the need for a funnel and tube arrangement for the oil filler.

Meets the Need
The generator works well. Arrived quickly. Started easily. Good value for the dollar. Does not come with a grounding wire (no big deal). To fill with oil, I found it easiest to tilt the unit at about 45 degrees and use a small disposable paper funnel (homemade from an advertisement) - this is a one time deal since I only plan on using the generator in emergencies.

Great investment & piece of mind
Excellent product for the money. I use it as a backup generator and it's always ready and willing! Starts right up with one pull. Perform good routine maintenance and no doubt you'll be able to count on this generator.

NICE FOR THE PRICE
PURCHASED IN JAN 08 AFTER A MAJOR POWER OUTAGE, GENS WERE EPA AND CARB CERT AT THE TIME (196 CC ENGINE), NOT SURE WHY NO LONGER CARB CERT. GENERATOR ARRIVED IN GOOD CONDITION, AS MENTIONED BY OTHERS SOME NUTS AND BOLTS FOR WHEELS AND HANDLE WERE LOOSE IN BOX, ALL WERE THERE THOUGH. PUT IN OIL AND GAS, DIDNT INITIALLY START, FORGOT CHOKE, I'VE SINCE FORGOTTEN SEVERAL TIMES AND THE ENGINE WILL NOT START WITHOUT THE CHOKE! WITH CHOKE AND GAS ON, EASILY STARTS 1ST OR 2ND PULL. PUTS OUT STEADY VOLTAGE 118-121 @ 60-62HZ LOAD OR NO LOAD! SEEMS WELL MADE, ALL PIECES ARE WELL FINISHED AND ASSEMBLED. RECENTLY NOTICED THE AIR CLEANER WAS CRACKED ON CARB SIDE, PROBABLY DURING SHPMNT. CALLED ETQ CUST SERV, FAXED RECEIPT AND TOLD PART WOULD ARRIVE 2 WKS, ONE WEEK WAS PART RECIEVED. REPLACEMENT PART WAS APPARENTLY TAKEN FROM ANOTHER GEN BUT WAS GOOD AS NEW. AS A BONUS CUST SERVICE IS IN USA, SIMPLE, COURTEOUS AND PROMPT. HAVE ONLY USED GENERATOR SO FAR TO BREAK IN ENGINE AND FOR ABOUT A 1 HR OUTAGE, WINTER IS COMING AND EXPECT MORE USE. FOR THE PRICE W/FREE SHPG CANT GO WRONG, ONLY UNKNOWN IS LONGTERM DURABILTY.