PowerSmart 4400-Watt RV Ready Generator Stress Testing & Overload MB5040

I purchased this PowerSmart generator to act as a backup for my Generac standby generator just to run our sump pumps and furnace. It was only $298+tax on walmart's website so I could not pass it up. In this video I test the capacity and overload warning lights.
This review is for model MB5040B. I ordered MD5040A but got 5040B so I am unsure of the differences.
It features (2) 5-20 and (1) L5-30 Receptacles.
0:00 Start
0:19 Features
02:47 Cold Start
05:41 Test #2-4
07:18 Fresh Gas
07:47 Test #5
08:03 Fresh Oil
08:47 Test #7 (3000W)
11:42 Test #8 (4500W)
14:35 Sine Wave
14:40 Wiring Diagram

[@outlook2145]

I just bought one of these on sale for $315. Well, kind of. I ordered off the PowerSmart web site as a MB5040 4400 watt. They sent me the slightly more expensive MB5040C 4450 watt which is updated / upgraded version. Interestingly the MB5040 4400 watt was removed from their site the next day. The updated version is now spec'd at 4450W/3680W and the Max amperage is 30.6A and also has the CO safety, which I hope can be easily bypassed if it asct up..... Upon reading several reviews most people swear by these if you do a proper break in procedure of using conventional 10w30 for an hour then changing oil. Running another hour with a light or varying load from 500-1000w. Then changing your oil again and switching to 5w30 full synthetic. This supposedly eliminates any oil consumption issues you might run into. I can tell you I ran mine for an hour, mainly on ECO mode low rpm, but switching ECO off for about 2-4 minutes every 12-15 minutes. When I changed that oil it looked like a silver mine with particles. I have owned several of the off branded Chinese generators and always used synthetic out of the gate and did my first oil change at 10 hours of lighter use, about 1/2 of the rated running watts in each case, and I never had an issue. If that thing of yours stays together after that abuse, mine should last 100 years!! 😂 Thanks for taking the time to do the review!!! It appears your failures were a result of the low oil.

[@striker1211]

Yeah it must've had an air bubble when I filled it, or it burned a bit during initial break in. It hasn't acted up since.

[@t.d.harris1311]

Good way to blow up a generator, glad to see it held together. Not a bad price for a back up for a back up. Best regards!

[@kevinkinney5445]

With these cheap generators, add an inline fuel filter & you have to adjust the valve lash with the first 2 oil changes and put a high quality spark plug in it. ALSO: Clean the spark arrestor often, or remove it for better economy. Running a capfull of stabilizer and marvel mystery oil with each fill up wont hurt either. P.S. Retorque all nuts, bolts & screws with blue locktite . And CHANGE THE OIL REGULARLY

[@stsid1]

Need to break in the engine on regular motor oil, not synthetic oil. You want everything to seat first. Need to do a few oil changes also during break in. After break in oil shouldn't be black the fast. After that then switch over to synthetic oil.

[@striker1211]

Yeah the manual said to break in with convention oil "(included)" but it was no included so I figured they do it at the factory now. Looks like I was wrong. Hopefully everything seated okay. Time will tell. I'm going to run a gallon of gas through it every fall. Hopefully I never need to use it and my Generac keeps kicking.

[@johnkelly8614]

Good job on the video. During the first 5 hours of break in, I'd suggest no more than 50% load. Please comment if the oil usage continues to be an issue. That's impressive for $300.00 for an inverter gen !!

[@striker1211]

Thanks, I've learned a lot about "break in" in the past few days. I've never had a new 4-stroke motor before so this is all new to me.

[@UhBuddy1976]

I know inverter generators are quieter and all, but I am not crazy about them when it comes to using them on larger applications like running a house with a portable generator. A plain portable generator is just so much better. Yes it runs at 3600 to 3700 RPM constantly but you know what’s going to happen. There are ways of surrounding your generator with boards loosely, so it can still breathe, but quiet it down

[@davidharris4777]

I just got one also

[@acort10]

Any experience with the Champion open inverters? Looking at this model and champions similar size but champion has dual fuel for $480 at Walmart now. Or stepping up to next size up in both brands in the 5000w running range. Only need for back up 1-2 times a year in Houston for either hurricane or ice storm. Typically 1-3 days. Running 1 fridge, freezer, fish tank, some LED lights, tv/internet and possibly adding a window unit in the 1000-1200 watt range

[@striker1211]

I have no experience with the champion. Mines a backup to a standby generator so I was looking for cheap cheap, but dual fuel is nice. Propane doesn't go bad in storage like gas.

[@acort10]

@@striker1211 ok thanks for the quick reply. Yeah dual fuel for alittle bit more doesn’t seem bad plus I’m more familiar with the champion brand. I’m sure they’re from the same factory in china.

[@quincymckinney2652]

Dont buy it. Bad product and bad customer service

[@striker1211]

What broke on it?

[@quincymckinney2652]

The muffler snapped off while using it. I tried calling and emailing customer service without success.