Last updated on May 23rd, 2022
Generac GP8000e Review & Buyers Guide
Table of Contents
Generac 8000e Review & Summary
Product Name: Generac GP8000e
Product Description: The Generac GP8000e has 10,000 watts of surge power and 8000 watts of running power which is enough for basic residential use, tailgating, RVs and connecting power tools. This makes it a versatile model with a dependable and durable engine.
-
Noise Level
-
Reliability
-
Value vs. Cost
-
Ease of Use
Summary
The Generac GP8000e is a mid-size portable generator with decent fuel efficiency that gives you a good run time, good enough for overnight use. With its power capacity of 8000 – 10,000 watts, it is able to keep household essentials running, RV electronics on or provide electricity for power tools.
Overall, the manufacturer has achieved a safe and relatively easy to use design but it does not stand out against its competitors. Its main advantages are the portability, noise level and engine quality but there is room for improvement in the design to make it easier to perform maintenance and charge the battery.
The products in Generac’s GP series are great allrounders – they are suitable as a home backup generator, for power tools on a construction site or as an off-grid power source for your RV. Each design is sturdy, portable and built for safety.
So, why should you choose their mid-size option? Is the higher output worth more than the stable energy of an inverter type and the portability of the smaller models?
It is also the third-largest version in the GP-series. If power is your main criteria, what makes this 8000-watt generator more appropriate than the 15kw or 17.5kw version?
Read on to learn more about the Generac GP8000e generator and why this versatile design is a good bet for most situations.
This review is not based on any personal tests done on the machine but rather a comprehensive overview of the Generac GP8000e derived from expert gp8000e reviews, customer comments and the specifications provided by the manufacturer. Any conclusions drawn in this review are based on a comparison of these three different sources of information.
GP8000e Generac Generator Specs & Usage Information
Product Information Detail
Running Watts 8,000 watts
Surge Wattage 10,000 watts
Tank Size 7.5 gallons
Run Time 9 hours @ 1/2 load
Fuel Gasoline
Noise Level 70 dB
Weight 197 lbs
For its weight, which hovers just below 200 pounds, the Generac 8000 watt generator holds quite a lot of power. It is capable of 10 kilowatts surge power and 8 kilowatts continuous power.
Many 5000 watt generators or even lower capacity examples already reach the 200-pound mark so in comparison the Generac wins on portability. Even regardless of its weight, it is easy to move around thanks to the thick rear wheels and folding handle with padding.
Another contributor to the portability is the strong steel frame that protects the engine and spare parts without requiring a full steel encasement. The rubber legs at the opposite end of the wheels also reduce the chance of damage due to rough placement.
One common issue with larger capacity engines is that they have a shorter run time but that is not the case here. On a full 7.5-gallon gas tank this model can run for up to 9.5 hours with a half load and even reaches 12 hours with a quarter load.
A truly quiet generator is rare unless it is an inverter, but for its size, this engine runs relatively quietly. The noise level is rated at 70 decibels which is mainly achieved by the low-tone muffler that comes standard in the design.
70 decibels is not the most comfortable noise level and we would not recommend running it on a quiet nature park campsite. However, for the neighbors near your house, the sound is muffled enough that it should not bother them too much during a power outage.
There are several safety features that help make this a more user-friendly model. All five of its circuit breaker protected outlets (120 volt & 120/240 volt) are covered and it has an automatic low-oil shutdown.
For monitoring, there is a fuel gauge included with the engine and an hour meter. The hour meter also functions as a reminder for when it is time for the next routine maintenance job.
The biggest user-friendly advantage of this model is that it is an electric start generator. With a single press of the button, the engine will kick into life without the hassle of pulling on a recoil system.
Generac provides a 2-year warranty with each purchase. This may not be the longest warranty out there but it is still quite reasonable.
GP8000e vs 6826 XC8000e vs XT8000EFI
The GP series is the most popular and most versatile of their products but if you are looking for something more specific you can look into these two alternatives. The 6826 XC8000e is largely designed for use on a job site while the XT8000EFI is an innovative model with electronic fuel injection instead of a carburetor.
The XC8000e is a true powerhorse that performs well with heavy-duty use and power tools. It has the signature G-force engine that is pressure-lubed for extended durability, welded steel feet, protected axle, 12 gauge steel tube frame, and impact-resistant fuel tank.
Another element specifically added for construction workers is the steel lifting pocket. This feature lets you attach the generator to a forklift or crane for quick and easy transportation to other parts of the site.
Without a doubt, the XC8000e is the most suitable option for a construction site. However, it is nearly double the price of the GP8000 so for residential use it may be too specialized and advanced.
A much more compatible option for residential use is the XT8000EFI. The electronic fuel injection keeps the engine durable and dependable making it a great choice for those areas with frequent power cuts during extreme weather.
Most of its features are quite similar, including the fuel tank and hour meter. The more notable differences are the trademarked control guard protecting the control panel, TruePower technology which is safer for sensitive electronics and idle control for better fuel efficiency and noise reduction.
The price tags are also not far off from each other with the XT8000EFI even being slightly more affordable. So, if you are on a budget you might want to consider this older model.
Generac vs Briggs & Stratton 30664 vs Westinghouse WPro8500
In similar output classes come the Briggs & Stratton 30664 and the Westinghouse WPro8500. All three models are versatile and suitable for a variety of purposes.
The 30664 has the same power output as the Generac while the Westinghouse option ranks higher at 8500 watts running power and 11500 watts surge power. The extra power also comes with extra advantages specific to heavy-duty use.
With only a 6.6-gallon fuel tank, the WPro8500 is capable of a 17 hour run on a quarter load. This means that this is the more fuel-efficient choice since this is 4 hours more than the Generac and longer than the Briggs & Stratton, as well.
Other benefits of the Westinghouse are its remote start and 2 USB ports. However, you should still be careful with connecting more sensitive electronics like smartphones and laptops because it still has 5% THD, the upper limit of what is safe for electronics.
All these advantages come at a surprisingly friendly price tag. In fact, the Westinhouse is the most affordable option of the three generators.
So why is the Briggs & Stratton still a contender? This model comes with a 3-year warranty which is longer than the GP8000.
It also has all the best elements of the Generac such as rear wheels and folding handle, 7.5-gallon fuel tank for 9 hours of power on a half load and a steel frame for protecting the engine. It also costs slightly less so it is a close alternative on a smaller budget.
To conclude, The Generac GP8000e portable generator and 30664 are very similar in most aspects. The standout alternative is the Westinghouse WPro8500 which is perfect for on a construction site and also more affordable at less than $1000.
Advantages and Disadvantages
The fuel efficiency of this model is pretty good. At half loads and quarters loads, you will be able to keep the engine running overnight for powering the essentials like the refrigerator and lights. The portability features are very welcome considering its weight. The wheels and fold-down handle lets you easily move it to a safe distance for running while also being a good format for storing when it is not needed. The electric start is a nice user-friendly feature, one of several little details that make this machine easier to handle and maintain. Other examples are the included fuel gauge, hour meter, automatic low oil shutdown and extra parts like an air filter, oil filter, and spark plug. A notable feature is the quality of the engine which has been designed for a long lifespan. It has a splash lubricator and voltage regulator, both of which help to keep it running smoothly. Another way that the engine runs smoothly is the noise level. The muffler that comes standard in this model keeps it rumbling at around 70 decibels which is significantly quieter than many other portable generators of the same size and output. Overall, this is a good mid-range portable generator that does not try to compensate for its lesser qualities with a few outstanding elements. Instead, it has decent specs throughout.
Two of its disadvantages are related to the type of energy it releases. The first thing it is missing is a DC power outlet that would allow you to charge a battery. The other electricity related issue is its THD value of 5%. This is at the upper limit of what is safe for sensitive electronics but it is still not recommended to hook up your laptop and similar products. Then there is the battery of the machine itself which is required for the electric start. This battery does not charge itself while the engine is running meaning that you have to charge it externally. That in itself is already inconvenient but what makes it even more of a hassle is the steps you need to take to remove the battery. This requires you to remove both the side panel and gas tank – couldn’t this have been designed better?
Conclusion
The Generac GP8000e is not a standout model, like the other versions in the same series, each one is designed as an all-rounder. As a result, there is no specific situation in which it would excel but instead, it is versatile enough for many purposes.
The technical specs are quite comparable to its competition – this model does not fall far behind on certain specifications nor does it lead the category in others. In a way, that is exactly what makes this an attractive option.
If you are looking for a portable generator that can perform well in various situations, this is the one for you. It scores average or above average across the board making it a safe choice.
Sure, a contractor might choose a more heavy-duty model and someone that goes on RV vacations frequently might want something lighter and quieter. However, a good generator is quite an investment and this model lets you fulfill all your needs with one single investment instead of having to spend more on several more specialized generator types.
The only serious downside we could find was the battery which cannot be charged by the engine of the machine itself. This means it has to be removed when the engine is not running and removing the battery for charging is more complicated than it has to be.
So, we are looking forward to an upgrade that would boast an easier and improved way of charging the battery. Is this something we can expect from the manufacturer in the near future?
Other than this aspect, it is overall a user-friendly convenient generator. The control panel is straight-forward, it is portable, has covered outlets and includes an hour meter for maintenance reminders.
Last update on 2024-04-23 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API