generac lcd display made in china

Just out of curiosity, did you just recently begin to notice this problem of not being able to see the LCD display? More specifically, I’m wondering if you had the problem during the dead of winter when the weather was much colder.

Your cold New York winter temperatures may very well be low enough to sufficiently cool the LCD so that it masks the problem and makes the display appear to behave normally when its cold outside, that is, assuming the problem is actually caused by the heat you"re referring to. The LCD display may fail as the ambient outdoor temperature rises. There may very well be a logical a reason that you’re posting your problem now as opposed to the middle of January when temperatures were in the single digits.

If this is the case, there may be some practical value gained from knowing this information. I think if I had your problem, I would start by placing a frozen gel pack (the kind you place in your freezer and then use in a cooler to keep perishables at cool temperatures) on top of the display and let it remain there for a good long while. Wrap it in a paper towel though to absorb any condensate that will form on the gel pack. Then start the generator, remove the gel pack and see if you can read the display, even if for only a short while. It’s not going to solve your problem, but it may tell you if temperature actually plays a role. A gel pack won"t work as well as a New York winter, but it might provide you with some useful information that you didn’t have before.

If temperature is a factor, then I would think that you’d have to try to determine just exactly why your control board is getting so warm. If heat is causing the problem and you replace the display without resolving the heat issue, you may find yourself back in the same situation you’re in right now----minus the cost of a new display. You might want do a little investigating regarding the board"s heat sinks---assuming that the control board has heat sinks. :D One of the techs on this forum will be able to answer that question for you.

In fact, the engine which Generac calls the OHVI was made specifically for the generator market rather than using cross-over lawn mower motors.  Most generators in this power output use the engines made in China, including some of the lower end Generacs.

Read on as I detail the many features and benefits that make this the generator of choice when you need all the power that you can get for running your household in an emergency, or as a workhouse on job sites.  Yes the price is a bit more than other generators in this power range, but you’ve heard it before, “You Get What You Pay For.”  It is my intention to provide one of the best Generac generator reviews here, as you’ll see this is the #1 8000 watt generator on the market.

For the price you would expect the electric start feature with included battery.  That’s what the “E” means in Generac 8000e.  You get the right mixture of deluxe plugs, 120V/240V power, an included wheel kit, and even an hour meter.  And there’s more below. The name Generac has been the standard in generators for decades.

The Generac XG8000E is rated at 8000 running watts as the model number implies.  It has a whopping 10000 surge/starting watts.  This unit is great for hooking into your home’s power panel via transfer switch, however you may have to adjust the unit’s ground.

With 8000 running watts, this generator is a good choice to hook up to your home’s power panel. Remember to hire a certified electrician and purchase aGenerac transfer switch (10 circuits recommended). Generac makes a good transfer switch. Be warned, incorrect installation can damage your generator, your home’s electrical hardware, line workers and YOU.  Leave it to a professional.

Like most non-inverter generators, supplying power to your sensitive electronic equipment (computers and medical equipment) is not recommended due to the uneven sine wave AC. Generac states that their XP series of generators (professional grade) can supply 5% Total Harmonic Distortion (THD).  This is the upper level that you would want to run your sensitive devices without fear of the  unexpected surge that will damage your electronics.  You may want to invest in a good uninterrupted power supply (UPS) device if you want to protect your sensitive equipment.

This Generac unit unit does NOT come with a DC charging ability.  That is, don’t expect that you can directly charge your car battery.  You can only charge the included 12Volt DC (10Ah) starting battery with the included charging cable.  You need to plug the included cord in to a standard wall outlet and into the generator’s DC port.  THIS then charges your starting battery.  It is protected by a 1.5 Amp in-line fuse.

The battery is NOT charging when the unit is running.  You must charge it externally.  According to the Generac XG8000e manual, the battery DOES come fully charged but without the positive lead attached.  You’ll need to connect this before you can use the electric start feature.

Nothing but nice things to say about the OHVI engine.  Generac deserves kudos for this one.  It is only available in the XG and XP models 6500watts and above.  The hallmark is its oil system.  It is just like the type you find in your car.

The Generac XG8000E comes with the 4 cycle,14.5 horsepower, 410cc OHVI engine.The unit comes equipped with an Automatic Voltage Regulator.  The rated amperage at 120V is 66.7A and 33.3A at 240V.  The maximum is 88.3A at 120V and 41.6 at 240V.  Don’t go this high.

The air filter is the fluted paper in a molded holder.  Not one of those squishy sponges. The spark plug is Champion RC14YC. And I LOVE this, you get an extra spark plug, extra air filter, extra oil filter INCLUDED.  Your first yearly maintenance is covered.  Nice touch Generac!

This table shows the most popular Generac Portable Generators. The GP series is the General Purpose line with regular splash oil delivery. The XG series is the Premium Grade with the OHVI engines (oil pressure with spin-on delivery) made in the USA specifically made for generators. There is a XP Professional series not included on this table. The main benefit of the XG over the GP generators is that they are designed to last longer. The XG8000E is the model reviewed on this page.

The Generac XG8000E includes the electric start feature or can be manually started with the easy pull recoil start rope.  Electric starts are not just for the weak.  They are so darn convenient.  If you don’t have the arm strength, you don’t have to go ask a neighbor to start it for you.

The recoil starter is a nice backup.  Well made and you should be able to get the unit running in a single pull when broken in.  Generac prides themselves in their “low effort” one pull starts.

As mentioned earlier, the hallmark of the OHVI engines from Generac is the spin-on oil filter and the pressurized oil delivery system.  Most generator engines are splash oil types where the moving parts “dip and deliver”.  This is acceptable for small engine uses, but the pressurized system has many advantages in longevity.

The manual recommends SAE-30 oil for most operating temperatures.  This may not be the best per several consumer comments and Generac themselves.  Most recommend 5W-30 instead.  When you buy the Generac XG models, they come with two quarts of SAE-30.  Save it for your warm months.

Filling the oil is standard in an easily accessible filling orifice with a color coded cap. Oil draining is by removing a hex nut, also easily accessible. The oil drain hole is high enough on the Generacs so that more than just the shallowest drain pans can be used. Kitty litter makes a great absorbent.

Generac thinks of you, their customer by providing what you need in excess.  They even give you a funnel to fill the oil.  But don’t get excited.  It is a one time use fiber funnel.  You’ll still want to invest in a long neck funnel, gas can, cover and proper extension cords if you don’t already own them.

One feature that I’ve not reviewed in any other model is the LED lighted panel.  These light up the control panel when the unit is running.  You won’t have any trouble seeing the panel in low light.  This is an example of how Generac thinks of you the consumer in their design.

The Generac XG8000E has a spark arrested muffler.  This is a requirement of the Forestry Service if you plan to take it camping (do yourself a favor and get an small inverter for camping or tailgating instead).  The noise is not officially rated and is not listed in decibels by the Generac Power Equipment. This is NOT a quiet generator.  In fact some consumers call it down right loud.  Since there is no industry standard on how to measure the noise in decibels for portable generators, there is none report.

Be sure to register when you purchase it, or Generac Power Systems will start the assumed warranty period from the date of manufacture which could be many months before you purchased it.

With the popularity of the Generac XG8000E, due mostly to the brand name and the innovative OHVI engine, you can rest assured that it is a good choice even at it’s price point above its competitors.  The fact that it remains a bestseller over the years shows that consumers are happy with this generator and are not afraid to tell others. Most consumer complaints point at the service of the Generac approved repair facilities.

Users love the dependability and ease of use with the electric start feature. Many of these Generac reviews praised the generator as exceeding their expectations. In fact on Amazon, at the time of this writing, in over 80 reviews, 40 gave it a 5-Stars.

After reviewing the Generac XG8000E generator,, I confirm that it’s a great choice for someone looking for a dependable portable generator in the 7000 to 10,000watt range. Whether used for household or job site, this unit should last for many years with it’s pressurized oil filtration  system.  It will be ready when you need it most. During the many days of power outages during recent hurricanes the ability to wire this into your home’s power supply make this a smart choice. The electric start feature is a blessing for the variety of users who need one. Generac has been THE brand for generator power for several decades. The reputation is well earned.

When I bought my generator I was looking for a 7500 or preferably 5500 and there were no portables made in the US that I could find of that size. All of the major brands I looked at in that size had Chinese engines including Generac so I bought a Honeywell that was on sale and after 3 years and a lot of use so far so good. I have had no trouble running the computer and TV etc and my furnace is an outside wood boiler so I am just running the furnace blower and a Bell Gosset circulation pump.

Six decades since it was founded, Generac commands massive followership from commercial and residential markets alike. Among other reasons behind its popularity, Generac is known for replicating technologies from its high-end industrial-grade powerhouses into its line of residential-grade generators. This suggests an incredible consistency in overall performance and reliability among the generators regardless of your budget.

In these Generac generator reviews, we’ll take you through Generac generators’ significant features plus their key strengths and drawbacks. Hang around as we’ve also identified 8 of the best portable and standby Generac generators worth checking out.

Broadest residential generator product line– Generac has a generator for every need. These generators are categorized into 8 series: RS, GP, XG, XP, IQ, XD, XT, and XC.

Generac portable generators fall in the mid to high price range. The cheapest Generac generator comes at around $450, while the premium units could cost as high as $3800.

Generac is among the leading portable and standby generator manufacturers today. Although its generators are generally pricier than other brands, such as Champion and WEN, they offer excellent value with their high-end technologies and durable engines. Generac generators are feature-rich as you will find out from our reviews. Actually, some of them have features that are unique to this brand, including OHVI engines and pressure lubrication systems.

In terms of usability, most Generac generators are fitted with almost all the great features you’d ask for. These include electric and pull start options, power dial switch, idle switch, and an hour meter.

Regarding reliability, most Generac generators have covered outlets to make dust and moisture a non-issue. Most of their open-frame portable home generators have large never-flat wheels that make them a good fit for the tough outdoors. Check our Generac portable generator reviews to find out what other features their best models have.

To add to their reliability, Generac claims to have over 5000 outlets around the country. This demonstrates an incredible availability of replacement parts and maintenance services.

Generac GP3000i  is a 3000-watt generator with a 149cc Generac OHV engine. This is a dependable unit among RV travelers, DIYers looking for more efficiency with their tools, and camping, hunting, and tailgating buffs. The GP3000i comes complete with duplex 120v 20A outlets, 120v 30A receptacle, and two 5v USB outlets.

The Generac 7127 is notably pricier than GP3000i model, but it offers more power and extra features. This model has 3500 watts of starting power and 3000 running watts. It’s ideal for tailgating, camping, and RVing, and powering a couple of your appliances at home and jobsite power tools. This generator boasts an electric start, digital smart power meter, and parallel capability.

Engineered to meet residential and off-grid construction sites’ power needs, the Generac 5976 GP6500 outputs an impressive 8000 starting watts and 6500 running watts. It has a super-size steel fuel tank for extended runtimes and a fuel gauge to minimize inconveniences. Its hardened steel tube cradle, rugged never-flat wheels, and fold-down handles are reminiscent of an all-rounder generator.

Flaunting a 992cc Generac OHVI engine, the Generac 5734 is among the most powerful generators in Generac’s category of portable generators. This beast manages a jaw-dropping starting wattage of 22500w and a running wattage of 15000 watts. This high wattage, coupled with its 16-gallon resin fuel tank and 10-hour runtime, makes it a go-to generator for huge homes, and small to medium-size construction and landscaping applications.

The Generac 5939 offers a sweet spot between affordability and power output. Its 6875 starting watts and 5500 running watts make it a versatile generator for use at home and construction sites. This generator carries a 6.7-gallon gasoline tank that offers 10 hours of continuous power output at 50% load. Other noteworthy features include an hour meter with regular maintenance alerts, low-oil level shutdown, and a low-tone muffler.

Generac home standby generators are fitted with Generac’s OHVI engines with a continuous natural or LP gas supply. OHVI engines are built to run for hours on end, and they use the same pressurized lubrication technology used in automobile engines. They also have X-torque governor and Load Shedding Power Management. These 2 collectively maximize engine performance for more whole-house coverage with less gas consumption.

Lastly, these whole house generators have Generac’s patented enclosures with industrial-quality RhinoCoat paint finish for maximum protection in the harshest weather conditions.

The Generac 70432 is among the best-rated standby generators for homes today therefore it deserved our top spot in these Generac home generator reviews. This powerhouse comes from Generac’s Guardian series and uses Generac’s G-force engine that outputs up to 22kW of power. It has a user-friendly control panel with a multilingual LCD for breezy maintenance. Importantly, this is a smart generator, so you can connect it to your Wi-Fi for real-time status updates.

The Generac 70371 is a 16/16kW home standby generator that comes complete with a 200 amp NEMA 3R switch. This generator uses a G-force engine, which is pressure-lubricated to withstand the rigors of extended power output. The Generac 70371 also has True Power technology, which ensures clean power with less than 5% distortion for the safety of your sensitive electronics and appliances.

Another reliable unit from Generac’s Guardian series, the Generac 70422 is a 22/19.5kW standby generator that you can monitor directly from your phone. This generator boasts most of the best features in this category of standby generators, including True Power technology for smooth operations and pressure lubrication system for engine durability. Unlike the 2 generators above, the Generac 70422 does not come with a transfer switch.

Generac Power Systems is a Fortune-1000 American company that is mainly known for its industrial, commercial, and residential power backup products. The company was started in 1959 by Robert Kern. Now, it is a well-known brand all over the world. Just in the USA, it has over 5000 outlets. Besides portable and standby generators, Generac manufactures mobile generators, pressure washers, light towers, air products, heaters, and pumps, among other products.

USA and China. Generac has most of its manufacturing facilities in Wisconsin (Whitewater, Jefferson, Eagle, Oshkosh, and Berlin). However, some of its generators are made in China also.

You can purchase Generac generators directly from their official website or from any of its 5000 outlets around the country. You can also buy Generac generators from Home Depot, Amazon, Electric Generators Direct, Norwall, Lowe’s, Walmart, and Costco.

Generac has all the reasons why you need to make it your go-to generator brand today. Most of these generators hit the right buttons in terms of quality construction, power output, and reliability. We get particularly impressed when Generac uses commercial-grade features and technologies in some of its residential-level portable generators.

If you are still wondering which is the best overall model after reading our Generac generators reviews, we think  GP3000i or iQ3500are great portable models, and Generac 70432 – a great whole house generator. The only gripe that we have about these generators is their relatively higher price tags. But then again, good things rarely come cheap.

The iQ3500 portable inverter generator lets you bring power wherever you go from tailgating parties to camping trips, the jobsite and beyond. The durable, yet lightweight design is specifically engineered for easy portability. The intuitive PowerDial integrates the start, run and stop functions into one simple-to-use dial, along with Electric Start (battery included) capability, all conveniently located for quicker startup. Select from two engine speeds, depending on your need, to significantly reduce noise and fuel consumption, or to maximize power response. Utilizes a different type of alternator than standard generators to generate AC power. The end result is a portable generator with reduced weight and size and power that is ultra-clean and capable of safely powering sensitive electronics and tools. Ultra Quiet- 40% Quieter than Honda - advanced inverter technology and enclosure design provide optimal quiet performance. PowerRush ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY gives 16% more power than Honda and delivers 50% more starting capacity allowing you to do more with less. Electric start with PowerDial has three operation settings integrated into one simple-to-use dial. Generac"s OHV engine with splash lubrication provides a long engine life. Digital Smart LCD with hour meter tracks maintenance intervals. Low-oil level shutdown automatically safeguards engine from damage. USB Ports charge mobile devices including smartphones and tablets. Economy Mode reduced noise and fuel consumption. Parallel-ready capability allows for connection of two inverter generators for twice the power. Outlets: (1) 120V 20A 5-20R Duplex Outlet, (1) 120V 30A L5-30R Twist Lock Outlet, (1 Set) Parallel Outlets, (2) 5V DC 1A/2.1A USB outlets Circuit Breakers: (1) 30A Circuit Breaker, (1) 20A Circuit Breaker, (1) 25A Circuit Breaker.