This is a modern generator constructed with a permanent magnet alternator and an OHC gasoline combustion engine. The engine turns the rotor outside the stator to change the magnetic flux generated into AC electricity through an inverter to DC then transfer to AC output.
User Ratings and Reviews
5 Stars Very good generator
It was easy to get the generator ready for operation.
Well designed and manufactured with quality components.
Primary use is for power backup at home. I tested it running a 21 cu. ft. fridge and it was ok.
1 Star no support or parts
I had this unit work for just one time with problems toward the end of three hours. It was brought into an authorized repair shop whereby the manufactor has not had the parts for over three months. Try to call the service number and you will be placed in musak mode for half an hour. The company has no further response but to send an email telling how the parts are still back ordered.
As I understand, if your unit works then people give a good review if it has problems then a -. The problem which I would mention further is if the unit needs any parts or repair requiring parts, many repair centers are getting wise to holding a unit which they cannot get the parts. I would not recommend this unit.
3 Stars Necessary & Sufficient
We purchased this inverter generator mostly to run our A/C unit when summer camping on the Gulf of Mexico. For that task it’s marginal, due to limited run-time per fill-up. I intend to convert it to bi-fuel (gasoline|propane) so that won’t be a problem in the future. The advantage this generator has over the less expensive contractor types is that it is much quieter and can power modern electronic equipment without browning it out.
I also tried it out in my mobile wood-shop. It will start and run relatively large 115V motors as long as they have brushes. My table saw won’t run; the blade just sits there and vibrates back and forth, while the generator hums along happily, no overload light, no engine revving, no nuttin’. I think the table saw might have worked if the motor had had a starter capacitor, but it really isn’t necessary to run a table saw on a generator anyway… meanwhile the plunge router, 7-1/2″ circular saw, belt sander, 1/2 inch hammer drill… lit off with no problem. I have tripped breakers just starting the saw on some people’s house circuits, so that was a meaningful test.
Next I tried out the 12V option, and here we have a major (but correctable) problem–
*THE DC PLUG IS WIRED BACKWARDS, SO THAT RED IS NEGATIVE AND BLACK IS POSITIVE!!!*
I probably should have returned the unit to Amazon at the time, but I wanted the generator for a camping trip. :-]
Recently, we experienced a five day power outage (Hurricane Ike) and the generator ran 12+ hours a day for the duration powering our refrigerator, freezer, 32″ LCD TV, two lights, garage door opener,fan and charged cell phones, all at the same time. We went through 25 gallons of gasoline, but not one drop of oil.
Speaking of oil, you are supposed to change it every 50 hours. I did, and it was pretty dark. I put the unit on a cinder block and tipped it over into a coffee can, because there is no separate drain plug.
A family member tried to iron with all the other stuff connected and the overload tripped. I had to shut it off and restart it, because the Generator doesn’t have a reset button for the AC portion (only the DC portion).
I’m going to experiment with ways to make it quieter, because that’s a concern when camping. Still and all, it is so quiet that when it ran out of fuel one afternoon I didn’t realize it because my neighbor’s generator drowned out the sound of mine from 200 feet farther away.
In summary, the McCulloch is a serviceable Chinese copy of a Honda generator. (A “Chonda”?) Like all knock-offs, it doesn’t stand up to close comparison. Unlike most knock-offs, it at least performs the task adequately.
Knowing what I know today, I would still buy this generator unless I got a great deal on a Honda or Yamaha.
1 Star disappointed
I had this generator shipped to St.Martin ,opened the box filled oil etc and it would not start.
A generator expert opened it in front of me and showed the inverter fried and no possibility of spares as no longer sold.
This machine NEVER worked and impossible to return.
I also feel burned
1 Star Looked good . . too bad it wouldn’t run
When this generator arrived, I filled it with the proper oil & gas, but could not get it to start. I spent a long time on the phone with both the seller and McCulloch, to no avail. The seller took it back and sent a replacement . . . same story. The seller (Home & Beyond) was terrific and took the second one back, too.
I went to a local dealer and bought a Honda. Started on the first pull!
