All Power America Propane Generator with Electric Start - 6000 Surge Watts, 5000 Rated Watts, CARB-Compliant, Model# GG6000P

We purchased this generator back in Jan 2011, did the minimal assembly and forgot about it. We kept meaning to fire it up for a test run, but never got around to it because we had a mild winter and no significant power outages. Well all that changed with the June 29, 2012 storm that took out power to millions of us in the mid-Atlantic. We were personally without power for a full 7 days. This generator ran flawlessly for the entire time and saved all the food in two refrigerators and one freezer. We ran personal fans all day plus lamps in the evening, we recharged lithion ion batteries and I kept my laptop charged and ran my MiFi card. We even ran an window A/C unit (8000 BTUs) for a few hours in the evening to help cool down the bedroom (while unplugging the refrigerator/freezers). Once the temps dropped into the 70's at night, we opened the house doors/windows to help cool the house while using the generator to power the refrigerator/freezers overnight. So basically it ran around the clock for 7 straight days. Now that our emergency is over, I plan to change the oil, get a new starter battery and make sure we are ready for the next outage.We also learned some important lessons.1) our house is wired for a generator, based on our old gasoline powered generator -- which we got rid of because it was too hard to start (our gasoline was always stale, the ethanol gasoline made it harder to start, and frequently when we have power outages we can't get out to get more fuel). However, we quickly learned that our 240 v cord that plugs into the generator on one end and then into the special house outlet on the other end to bring the power into the separate household circuit box now needs a 4-blade plug at the generator and our cord had the old 3-blade plug. Many others seemed to learn the same hard lesson since all 4-blade plugs in town were sold out quickly. So we worked with heavy duty extension cords using the generator's two 115 v outlets and alternated plugging in the two refrigerator and freezers (only running two at a time). Heavy duty extension cords also sold out quickly during the long outage, so if you plan to use the generator with extension cords, stock up before the next crisis.2)We learned that the propane fuel connector on this generator only works with the approved fitting on the 20 - 40 lb propane tanks with outside threads. The larger 60-100 lb tanks are not available with a fitting that has outside threads. However, a trip to the RV dealer came up with an adaptor that let us use 100 lb tanks. But these are hard to come by because adaptors cannot be sold by hardware stores any more. Plan ahead.It took us about 17 hours after the power initially went out at 9:30 p.m. to get the generator up and running since we didn't have the proper tanks with outside threads. At first the refrigerators and freezer drew a lot of power to get down to the proper temperature. A 20 lb tank lasted 5-6 hours with this load. A 30 lb tank ran all night long. Once we got our adaptor and switched to our 100 lb tanks, the generator ran for 36+ hours straight without running out of fuel. But by that time the contents of the refrigerators & freezers were cold enough so the load on the generator was considerably lessened.3) plan to have several tanks so you can keep it running while you get the other thanks filled. If you have bigger tanks, be sure to locate several sources for refilling tanks. With the power outage, many places could not pump propane. Fortunately since most people aren't looking for propane except to fire up their grills, there was no shortage once we found a supplier with power.4) It's not hard to deal with 100 lb tanks if you get a good dolly with big tires (~$45.00 at Lowes) and some straps to hold the tank in place while pushing it over uneven ground. To get our tanks refilled, we laid them on their side in our 4x6' utility trailer, strapped them down, and towed them with our car, which also allowed us to drive right up to near the generator to unload. Once they were upright, I could move them into place by just twisting them back and forth to rock them into place.5) Make sure you have enough 10-30 oil on hand for the initial startup. It took us some scrambling to find a quart of oil to get it properly filled before starting.6) After sitting for 1-1/2 years, the starter battery was totally dead. That meant that every time we switched tanks we had to restart manually using the pull cord. However, the instructions for starting are printed right on the generator, which is very helpful. Each time it started up with about 4 pulls. I'm a 60+ year old woman with I found that standing sideways with both hands on the cord gave me the power needed to crank it. All told, I started it about a dozen times over the course of the week and it fired up flawlessly each time.7)The only time I had problems with startup was when the valve on the tank was stuck closed -- the sucker won't start without fuel! I learned from the RV dealership that when this happens you should unhook the hose from the tank, make sure the tank is CLOSED, and use a very small screwdriver to push right in the center of the valve on the tank. You can hear a little "pop" as the valve releases. Then hook up the cord and try again. Hint -- if you can't hear the gas escaping when you push the "purge" button, or you hear it and it stops before you let up on the button, your valve is stuck (or your tank is empty) so don't waste your time trying to restart.I cannot say enough good things about this generator. It came through when we needed it, even though we weren't as prepared as we should have been -- but we've taken care of those details.

I purchased this generator in Sept. 2011 and have not had a use for it until Oct. 6, 2013 when we had a power failure.A few months after purchase I filled it with oil but never started it. I charge the battery every two weeks and the generator is stored in a shed that gets quite hot in the summer (I live in Southern CA.). Yesterday when I finally went to use it I installed the battery, hooked up a propane tank and turned the key. It started immediately and ran perfectly. It was even quieter than I expected it to be. When I was finished with it I removed the battery and put the genny back in the shed. The next day I wanted to see how easy it would be to start with the pull cord, it pulls easy and started on the second pull. I see no reason for those poor reviews and agree with the reviewer who thinks this is a great generator.The propane hose looks brand new and all other rubber that I can see on it is in perfect condition.

I bought this unit GG6000P thinking it would be easy to start and use, but it has been piece of work. The unit is extremely hard to start up, and the customer service is very slow, I have called them three times, and every time I was in hold about 30 min before someone answered the phone. I cannot find any place in NJ to provide service for this unit... The User Manual is for a different model, I even checked the Gentron UPC web site for the owner's manual, but it the old version 6000W model, and the parts assembly do not match the parts that is on the unit.TOTAL DISAPPOINTMENT

This generator is pure junk! I've had it about two years. It is for emergency power so most of the time it sets in my garage. I start it up about every month or so. The second time I tried to start it the battery was dead. I pull stated it and then noticed the hour meter was dead. The battery was resistive and wouldn't take a charge. I replaced it. I used it one time for about two hours. One time! Now it won't start. I noticed most of the rubber hoses are cracking. Even the rubber boot around the spark plug wire is cracking. Also I've plugged in a 220V plug maybe 4-5 times now and the plastic in the receptacle is broken. Today when trying to start it part of the exhaust fell off. Between the one time I actually used it and running it just to keep it lubricated it hasn't run more than 4 hours. I'm not sure exactly since the hour meter failed! OH, and the gasket under the cover for the valves is split almost all the way around. Whoever wrote the user's manual needs to learn how to speak English. PURE JUNK!