PowerMax XP4400 4,400 Watt 6.5 HP OHV Gas Powered Generator With Wheel Kit (CARB Compliant)

bought this in 09/2006 there is about 12 hours total time on this xp4400 generator,it starts with one or 2 pulls,thats not the problem, 2 times the voltmeter reads no voltage output,i found out that one of the brushs on the + side keeps burning,i called max tools they were no help,wanted to sell me another brush pack,im now looking to buy a better unit,you might think twice before buying this generator,spend the extra money a buy a good generator.

We live on the North California Coast and every year we suffer from heavy storms that may cut out our electric power, at times for more than one day. As a protection, we just bought,through Amazon, this little generator, a good compromise of convenient price,essential power, small size and ease of operation. Amazon was perfect in providing quick delivery just before the holidays- with easy instructions we got it to a fast start and tested it repeatedly with success. We are very pleased and we recommend it.

I purchased this generator on 17DEC08 for my parents who are currently experiencing the massive power outage in NH. After reading the reviews, it seemed like it was a good deal. Though Amazon.com does indicate that it cannot be returned to them, I ASSUMED that based on the reviews, I stood a good chance of not getting a lemon. My father called today and said that the "Voltage Transfer Switch", p/n# 20050, was defective (fortunately, he's an engineer so has the ability to accurately diagnose problems). As I'm typing this I'm currently on the phone on-hold with Amazon to see how they can help, and my father called ToolMax and they said they can't help him. BUYER BEWARE!! I'll post a follow-up review depending on the outcome of this situationl.

I had a poor experience with this product. It came with several defects (a flat tire, and a broken battery pole). They did send repalcements but the battery pole is not an easy fix). Then, the first time I used it it ran thru one tank of gas and then did not work thereafter (this was a problem since I was dry camping). It turned out that there was a defective spark plug and it cost me $45 to get it fixed. Despite the fact that it was the first time I used it (beyond testing that it worked when I recieved it), I was informed that it was beyond the 30 day warranty so they did not accept any responsibility. Then I found my other tire was flat and again it was not replaced because it was beyond 30 days.

Purchased as an emergency home generator. I haven't had to use it for any real power outage, but I have run it several times and loaded it up to near the rated capacity, letting it run long enough to get fully warmed up.
I have been very pleased. It starts easily, and runs fairly quiet. From inside the house, I can barely hear it. If I ran it 15 or 20 feet from my bedroom window (double pane), I don't think it would interfere with my sleep.
I shopped around quite a bit for generators, and I think this is a good price for a relatively quiet generator (69 db). I assume those that don't give a noise rating probably have poor ratings.