Generac GP5500 Generator - Will It Provide Adequate Energy?

The Generac GP5500 is a popular portable generator targeted mainly at residential consumers but does provide enough power for commercial work as well. It has a running wattage of 5,500 and a starting wattage of 6,875. It can make power outages much less annoying and is an extremely versatile machine overall. This product is great to have on hand for camping, home use, or outdoor events. If you want to visit the product page and find the latest prices, scroll down to the bottom of this article. Let’s review the many features now.

Features

generac gp5500 This generator comes in three different variations with the differences being their certification along with a couple other small features. The 5939 is the standard model and is available for 49 states. The 5945 and 5975 are the CARB and CSA certified models. In addition to that, the 5975 has an extra circuit breaker located on the 30 amp outlet.

The heavy-duty metal frame of the machine gives the Generac an extremely solid feel. It’s made out of 1 1/4″ thick steel, which is 1/4″ thicker than other competitors’ models. The wheels are also solid material, so you never have to worry about them going flat. There’s a convenient handle attached that allows you to easily move the unit between locations. Which is good because this weighs around 180lbs.

Important Facts

Warranty: 1 year commercial / 2 year residential
Wheel size: 9.5-inch solid
Dimensions: 28.75 x 26.75 x 25 inches
Run time at 50% load: 10 hours
Low oil shutdown
Low-tone mufflers
Manual starting method
Engine displacement: 389cc
Fuel tank size: 7.2 Gallons (steel)
Starting watts: 6,875
Running watts: 5,500
Carb / CSA Models: 5945 / 5975
49-State Model: 5939

All of the model variations come with a 7.2 gallon fuel tank made out of steel. The run time at a 50% load is around 10 hours. Plenty of power to take you through the day or night. There’s even a fuel gauge on it so you can monitor how much fuel is left at any given time.

There are low-tone mufflers installed which help reduce noise output. It isn’t silent, but it’s a welcomed feature during night operation in a residential neighborhood.

Safety is always a top priority, especially with a product such as this. There’s a nice safety feature that will shutdown the generator if the oil gets too low. It also has a fuel shutoff that will prevent leaks and keeps the fuel from being trapped within the fuel line. You can keep track of the time between maintenance with the on-board hour meter.

Conclusion

Overall this is a great portable generator that has a lot of nice features that help set it apart from other alternatives. Be aware that the company recommends you calculate around twice the watts for any items you plug into the machine. This is where the amount of starting watts becomes a factor. It will ensure there’s plenty of initial power to turn everything on.

If you’re planning on using this for a residential area you get a 2 year warranty with the machine. That should give you some peace of mind while owning it. The company seems to have made a great effort in using quality parts and has built something that’s going to last. You’ll need to check how much power you’ll need and decide whether this model is right for you.