Just a quick story about a Harbor Freight 800/900W generator.
I purchased one about seven-eight years ago, used a few times for small jobs, but for $88 I thought it was OK.
About five years ago we had a huge ice storm and lost power for a week. I have a 6500/5500W that I used to keep my house stuff going.
My mom who was 89 at that time lost her power but would not leave her home to stay with me or my sisters. SOโฆโฆI took the โMighty 800โ to her house. Plugged in the refrigerator, a lamp in the living room, a lamp in her bedroom and hooked up her TV. So she was happy.
Every morning I would stop by and check and fill with gas (it would run about 10 hours on a fill). Anyway, on the second morning she asked โCan that thing make me some coffee?โ I told her I didnโt know but would give it a try. I checked her coffee maker and it said 1100W, I thought it was a bit much but decided to give it a try. I unplugged everything, plugged in the coffee makerโฆ.when I hit the start button you could hear the Mighty 800 rpms speed up and it was really working hard. After about five minutes, coffee was done. I turned off the coffee maker, plugged the rest of the stuff in plus she had plugged in her power lift chair herself so she was good. For the next five mornings we made coffee!
After the power returned she said โI want my own generatorโ so, she has a 3500/4000W generator in her garage, never used except for about every 90 days I start and let it run for half an hour.
Folks, I got my money out of that little $88 generator, and still have it and still start it every few months. I guess sometimes you get a good one!