Sportsman gen1000i inverter generator review / startup

[@Марусякожаева]

*100% best **Generater.Systems** I have used. A test for hurricane prep here in Louisiana: three AC units, 5000, 5000 & 8000, 3 fridges, 2 device power setups, 4 flat screens....AND I had 40% of the power meter to spare.*

[@dansage3665]

These are on sale right now at Home Depot for $149 with free shipping! The 2000/1400 watt is $159! Not a bad deal.

[@frankcanha]

I installed a Hardline hour/tach on mine and am getting 4,230 RPMs at idle. Which I think makes more sense because the manual states it's a 5,000 RPM engine. Was getting what yours was reading, but that was with minimal wrapping of the wire. Great video, thanks! I got one after seeing all the videos I could find on this generator. I also installed egg crate foam on both sides and tried cork before that but both made very little difference sadly. Still very happy with it though. I also swapped the spark plug with a NGK CMR7A instead of the original 6A and removed the spark arrest per a post from an engine tuner who got a similar Portasource generator on Amazon.

[@averycorwin1139]

fcanha my generator idles around 2200rpm the hour meter that I used has different settings for different ignition systems on these generators they use a CDI electronic ignition system which fires once on the compression stroke and once on the exhaust stroke which will trick most hour meters into doubling the RPM of what it actually is I would read in your manual and see if there's any way to change the settings for different ignition systems. I will be making a video very soon on how to adjust the valve clearance and install the sound dampening components once my generator accomplishes 300 hours

[@frankcanha]

Changed my setting back to 1P:1r so that it reads 4,600 RPMs at idle with ECON off. At the other setting of 2P:1r (2 pulses per 1 revolution), I plugged the generator into a 900W microwave and it never hit 5,000 RPMs before the overload tripped. The manual states this generator has a 5,000 RPM engine. At the 1P:1r setting with the microwave connected it hit a max of 5,800 RPMs before it shut-off due to overload.

[@NYUDad]

Great tip on the fuel cap. I just got one of these. Hopefully my experience with it will be as good as yours.

[@averycorwin1139]

The one in the video has over 1300 hours on it and still runs but definitely has lost some power, it's still a reliable and quiet generator I have logged all of the maintenance and so far I have change the oil every 100 hours and change the spark plug every 500 hours. I do recommend you coat the pull starter chord with some gear oil to keep it from prematurely fraying.

[@ronsbeerreviewstools4361]

A good informative video. I also liked that meter. Iam looking into getting this generator. Thumbs up on this video !

[@averycorwin1139]

I have two of these units now the one in this video I put up for storage and the other one has just reached 700 hours, I will be posting two videos on how to tear down the generator to access the valve cover for a 300 hour valve clearance inspection. I should have both videos posted by next week

[@garyenwards1608]

add half a cap or a bit more of seafoam to your oil each change.i have over 7 000 hours on my champion 1200 watt. your spark plugs will also last 5-10 times longer. i add a cap of seafoam to the crank case each oil change

[@Josh-vk9gs]

Is there a electrical shut off when you turn the gas off? Because it shouldnt shut off that quick. Sounds like that to me. I'm just asking. My Honda will run for a few minutes after I shut the gas off and run all the gas out of the carburetor bowl. I know you shut the gas cap off but even that was very fast. I'm just curious. I really want to purchase this unit. I really like it.

[@boostcrazy]

Great video! I just purchased one to take to the races with me to power a battery charger, air mover for cool downs, etc. Anywho I'm interested to see how you did your sound deadening with the panels. I also hope you post a video on how to install that rpm gauge. subscribed!!! 😊

[@skoadx]

Have you looked into hooking up an auxiliary gas tank/line to run it for a longer period of time on a fill? I've seen kits for other inverter generators (Honda, etc.) but haven't seen one on this particular Sportsman

[@cordelmar]

i notice you have a window A/c can you run the gen with the A/C? and see how it does.

[@AreWeThereYet-2025]

Mine developed a fuel leak which seems to be coming from high up, Fuel tank area. Messages the company and I got basically a tough scheit from the person responding. less than 20 hours on the gen. It leaks when it's running. after 10 minutes of running. there is a 5" wet gas pool under the generator. Strong gas smell.

[@scdigger]

will this run a tv at a tailgate?

[@projectengine2540]

Yes

[@copperbear66]

Is there a gas..oil gauge? How often...and how do u chk if there is none.

[@RBAERO]

Very Nice. What is the total run time with one tank? And what is the model of this hour/rpm meter? Do you have a link for this.

[@maseo305]

Nice video! When will you get around to posting a vid on how you performed the damping to quiet the gen. Also how to do the hour meter? Thanks for the tip on how to get it to flow fuel properly. I bought one but havent used it yet. Again great vid.

[@donkramer2579]

maseo305 I'm interested in this also.

[@bpetrozelli]

Have you try them in parallel? I know they don't list it in the manual but i was thinking of trying it any way but only have one right now.

[@whoknows8678]

That hour meter is slick. Which unit is it and how did you install it? Thanks!

[@hannaranchhoverbitch]

Had a quick question. Does yours run smooth at idle? I just got mine in the mail and it seems to misfire occasionally and surge aswell. No power draw. Running idle econ mode off. I have let it run for about 3 hours under these conditions and it has not cleared up. Fresh gas and oil spark plug gap checked. And tank vented per your video. Even cap off no difference. Same thing under load. Just curious if yours runs similar to mine or if it runs smooth no hick ups. Thanks

[@averycorwin1139]

matt dutra my first gen1000I, I ordered ran perfect out of the box my second one seem to surge a lot under no load like what you're saying. I re, torqued the two screws on the carburetor / intake assembly and after that it ran very smooth and steady at idle like the one in this video although the intake spacer which holds the long screws that hold the carburetor down is made of plastic so be careful not to over tighten them

[@FishBamboo1]

Great video. Thanks for your time and tips. I am thinking about purchasing one to use camping. However I camp a lot in the Sierras above the units recommended 3000 feet. Since you have had it apart how hard would it be to change the jetting so it will run at higher altitudes of 6000 to 10,000 feet? Thanks in advance for any thoughts or advise.

[@averycorwin1139]

FishBamboo1 I have only taken the carburetor apart once to clean it at 390 hours from dirt in the gas and I have not yet determined exactly what would need to be modified for that purpose although the only equivalent that I could think of is to slightly choke the unit in order to compensate for the difference in air pressure

[@FishBamboo1]

Thanks for the response. Good idea I will try it. Getting mine delivered tomorrow $158. from Home Depot. Good to hear 390 hrs and still running. Cheers.

[@richardstets3269]

Would this power an electric leaf blower or electric chainsaw??

[@MrChris-bx7ss]

Depends on the power requirement of your particular blower or chainsaw.

[@integr8er66]

FYI, that is NOT a grounded outlet! yes it has the equipment ground, but unless you drive a ground rod and GROUND BOND it, it is a floating ground. Now the big question and this is what I have had trouble finding out is, is this like the cheap inverters that if you do connect this, as in back feed a normal residential type service (note I did NOT say a residential service entrance before you all blow up about transfer switches, I said residential TYPE, mine is off grid and thus could NOT jump the 3 miles to the nearest power pole to kill a utility worker) will it work? The square wave inverters will short out and overload if you bond ground to neutral. Would love to know if you have backfed your house with this.

[@lorenzovega8716]

Can you run a small ac unit from this?

[@adrimntlr7767]

what is the size - dimensions? thanks

[@extendedp1]

Thanks for the review. These are on sale for $148 at Sam's Club atm. I was wondering if this could start up a full size (but smaller,,recent vintage) kitchen fridge? The fridge runs at only 40w, but start up on fridges can be brutal. Any chance you tried this? Someone else mentioned a portable AC, think this would start a small window unit? Thanks! Subbed.

[@jsanzare]

Bubba I have run it on 2 different newer 25cuft refrigerators with no hassle. I tried it on another full size fridge....older unit about 10yrs old and it did not run it.

[@donkramer2579]

You left us hanging about the dampening of the fuel cell! How do you do the fuel tank mod to keep it from rattling? I have heard it makes excessive noise.

[@user-gi3xj8nz3s]

Do you ever make that video you said about the dampening rubber pieces to make it a bit quieter. Good video by the way

[@JoshKilen]

nice video, thanks for the info and tips, what tach/hour meter did you use?

[@BushPilot444]

Would sound different under a load I'm sure. BTW, I can't find anyplace or anyone willing to tell me how much it weighs.

[@nn-bv8ki]

Homedepot.com has that information.

[@Snailmailtrucker]

19 lbs.

[@juliansdiamonds]

Great review !!!!!

[@sokey70]

How oil do you put in it? Manual shows 10 and then some but was curious if you have found a sweet spot

[@averycorwin1139]

Spencer Okey you remove the 4 screws on the same panel that the pull starter is on. then remove the oil plug and fill to the top mark on the dipstick it takes a little more than 1/4 of a quart

[@44ronie]

I wish you would show this "housewife" the oil & gas fill up.....how much gas, what kind of oil etc....Do you use it inside or do you leave it outside and run a cord to it....I just bought two of them from Sam's club deal of the day but I really know nothing about them and want to be ready to use them this winter. I want to make sure I use them in the most SAFEST way, I don't want to put my family or our home in harms way trying to keep the lights on after the power goes this winter

[@lifetimeofwork]

Please never use a gas generator indoors! Carbon monoxide is dangerous stuff. I bought mine for the same purpose you did - run it outdoors and you can run a nice outdoor-rated extension cord into your home and power what you need to!

[@interuptingcactus]

What's the weight on this thing? I'm working on a hybrid e-bike right now and curious about increasing range.

[@samstarr37]

interuptingcactus I'm looking at doing the same thing.

[@connorcruz6249]

You really don't have to use premium gas with a higher octane level in small engines that cannot advance their timing.

[@Lanninglongarmmowing]

I bought an hour meter like that for my chainsaw and it lasted for maybe 5 hours. I wouldn't buy another. Just a FYI.

[@averycorwin1139]

my meter has a service port to change the battery the first thing I did was change that battery that was in it because it was cheap and Chinese after that I didn't have any more issues

[@oldschoolisnewschool]

I ordered mine. Got it put oil in ran it to brake it in. Changed the oil. Put it away for 2 months then I ran it and it broke. I took it back to home depo and no returns or exchanges. So I paid about 200 with taxes. And I did not really ever use it. Yup I got ripped of 200 down the drain.

[@gregorycampbell8990]

What did you end up doing with the unit if you couldn't return it?

[@oldschoolisnewschool]

@@gregorycampbell8990 I still have it in the garage.

[@jimdent351]

There's no way that your shut down procedure ran the carb. out of gas. Carburetors on small engines have a float bowl that holds a couple tablespoons of fuel that would take several seconds, at minimum, to stall out the engine. Float bowls on carburetors are required to store enough fuel so when the RPMs go from idle to something much greater that the engine doesn't stall because it is starved for fuel. Do not store your generator in the state that you just left it. The carburetor is still full of gas.

[@MichaelSTaylor]

I remember seeing a post a couple of weeks ago saying the one thing that what is unusual about the generator is that it had the carburetor that was more likely to be found on a chainsaw which has a diaphragm as opposed to a float bowl. I haven't verified this myself, but it makes sense given how small engine it is. Also, people have had these for years now and have run them for thousands of hours without significant issues. Granted they definitely do not have the reputation of Honda or Yamaha generators, but they are also about a quarter of the price and are the smallest of any generator I've ever seen that has usable wattage. Too bad they aren't $150 anymore, but I'm guessing if you take a little time to learn how to adjust and tweak it if necessary, you'll wind up what's something that will last you a while as long as it's good out of the box.

[@docpedersen7582]

Yeah.... bought one. Lasted about ONE MONTH! Then ignition module died.... not available anywhere.

[@sjr7822]

noisy neighbors would shoot me

[@shantahsieh4833]

I found a detailed and accurate project on the Avasva website.

[@jonnyjetstreamer997]

I think your tachometer is only reading half of the actual engine rpm. I too bought one of those gauges and there are different models for different type of motors. There’s no way that engine is only running at 2200 rpm’s

[@Ricochico187]

That 1000watts is louder then the 2000watt honda😂😂

[@gingerbread1032]

There very fragile. The seer rateing is less than 3 years or 500 hrs cont. The Inverter and magneto are Easily Fried in these type unites. Better to by a true alternator type generater that produces constant 60 hz. OR Better to use a pure DC pma unite that can handle hard starts with no burn out issues to charge a battery bank with stand alone inverter for ac sine wave concerns. 200 BUCKS MIGHT GET YOU TWO YEARS OF NORMAL DAILY USE BUT I DOUT IT.

[@nunyayourbusiness7327]

i bought a tail gator then that one went on sale

[@garyenwards1608]

Wh o Atrte You??? You a re notConan