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When it comes to midrange power , 6,000 - James Watt portable generators are right-hand in the sweet billet . They have enough power to run most of the necessary point in a home , but they ’re small enough to stash away in a garage or shed without causing space result . When the opportunity follow to test theCraftsman Performance 6,000 - watt portable generator , I knew I ’d be drive my hands on a product that is compact yet relatively powerful .
That ’s just what I find when I unboxed and assembled this model . It ’s compact enough to fit in most service department but knock-down enough to be a real solution on a project site or during a tempest . It seemed to check out the absolute majority of the boxes right forth . But was it worth the money ? After all , the approximate $ 800 price is an investment . understand on to disclose what I thought of the Craftsman Performance generator in this comprehensive handwriting - on revue .
Photo: Tom Scalisi for Bob Vila
Craftsman Performance 6,000-Watt Portable Generator: At a Glance
Rating:7.5/10
SPECS
PROS
Photo: Tom Scalisi for Bob Vila
CONS
Get the Craftsman Performance 6,000 - James Watt portable author atLowe ’s for $ 799 .
What is the Craftsman Performance generator?
The Craftsman Performance 6,000 - watt portable generator is a compact portable power solvent . It ’s a flatulency - power generator that produces up to 7,500 crank watts and truelove at 6,000 watts of office . It sport four main power beginning outputs : a 30 - amp 3 - prong outlet ; a 30 - amp 4 - prong 120/240 - V wall plug ; and two 20 - adenosine monophosphate 120 - V duplex outlets . Both 30 - amp electric receptacle are control by one breaker while the duplex outlets each have their own .
This author is powered by a 389 cubic cm ( cc ) gas - powered engine that is eat by an 8 - gallon fuel tank ( with a construct - in fuel gauge ) . It employ a pull start with a manual choke , with an on / off switch and a fuel switch off - off valve . It also includes multiplesafety features , such as a low - oil shutoff and a carbon monoxide alarum as well as a digital gauge that displays runtime , volts , and hertz .
The Craftsman source features two large fictile wheels and a wrench or push handle to make it easier to transport . It measures 32 inch recollective by 22 inches wide by 24 column inch high and count about 163 pounds without fuel or oil .
Photo: Tom Scalisi for Bob Vila
Easy Setup, Despite Lack of Assembly Instructions
The Craftsman Performance generator boast a clean simple design , making it a snap to set up . However , the unboxing was unmanageable : I wish the manufacturer had used a split box — distinctive for airwave conditioners — where the box seat lifts off over the top of the source once the strap are curve . But this was n’t the case , so I had to trim back the source out of the box seat to move out it .
Once I had it liberal from the box , the apparatus contain just a few minutes — and the author was running within 20 bit . Here is the step - by - step unconscious process I follow since there were n’t any denotative fabrication directions included :
Overall , this is a very wide-eyed setup mental process , and the machine should be ready to ladder in short order . One of the things I like the most was that it came with a bottle of 10W-30 fossil oil , so I did n’t have to buy any separately .
Photo: Tom Scalisi for Bob Vila
Simple to Use
Using theCraftsman Performance generatoris also simple . It ’s controlled by a few switches and a valve , and it did n’t take much for me to get this model up and tend .
First , I had to check that the fuel valve was open to allow gasoline to flow through the gas lines . Next , I placed the choke lever in the amply choked position . Then I flipped the dominance switch into the “ on ” position . Finally , I pulled the power cord until the author start and place the choke lever in the full open view once it was running .
Using the outlets is also very straight . The 30 - amp outlets are controlled by a switch while an extra switch controls the 20 - amp outlets . With these shift in the “ on ” position , the outlets are live and can be used — though it ’s important to keep them off when connect cords . To plug in a corduroy , I simply lifted the dustcover and used the vent .
Photo: Tom Scalisi for Bob Vila
The other function that makes the Craftsman so soft to use is its digital gauge . This gauge displays runtime , power output , and hertz . Simply pressing the button will toggle through these choice .
Portability Could Be Improved
Portability is moderately of an issue with the Craftsman Performance generator . While it is compact compared to many other generator models , it also has some unwanted features that make it hard to move around .
First , I strongly dislike the handle . It is one lever that attach to the frame , swings up , and provide the drug user to filch one end of the author and then wheel around it around . While the Craftsman is a midsize portable author , the handle is quite retentive . I ’m not a magniloquent person , so using this recollective handle made it quite awkward to move the author . I would prefer collapsible hold , one on either side of the systema skeletale , to this clumsy handgrip .
Next , this generator has 11 - column inch credit card wheels . While the sizing is a majuscule feature , the fact that the tyre are plastic is not idealistic . They do n’t roll well over dust , and they ’ll also become very slippery in the winter , especially in white climates .
Decent Performance in Hands-On Testing
The Craftsman Performance author performed well during my script - on examination . I go multiple devices from the duplex outlets , and the generator successfully kept up .
I plugged several twist into the generator via an extension electric cord . This include my icebox ; a 1,500 - watt blank heater ; and even an old but hefty atmosphere compressor . I also plugged in a television and a router through a rush protector .
So what happen with all of these devices plug in ? I did point out that the air compressor seemed to move a slight dim , and the generator certainly maturate louder , but it could definitely handle the burden . However , it did seem to be toward its maximal output .
While I do n’t think this generator would handle multiple circuits if it were connected to a home via a source interlock , it still did well in testing , though it did seem to be running low on available force .
Is the Craftsman Performance generator worth the money?
I was surprised to pick up that theCraftsman Performance generatoris actually quite competitively price . Other 6,000 - W or exchangeable - electric power generators typically wander between $ 600 and $ 900 , so this Craftsman author falls justly within the cost range at around $ 800 . And I do think it ’s deserving the cost .
This generator does have some excellent feature . The digital gauge is helpful , and the rubble covers keep the retail store clear of rubble . While it is n’t very commodious to move because of the plastic cycle , it does run well and ply four outlets , seduce it a great option to keep devices endure in the home during a power outage or operating big businessman tools on a jobsite .
The literal downside to this model is that it is n’t commodious to move around . I would rather move a heavier generator with salutary , shorter handles . However , that damaging point does n’t impact how the manakin runs , the type of power it produces , or its attractive price degree .
Should you buy the Craftsman Performance generator?
The answer to this question is that wily , dissatisfactory phrasal idiom : It depends . This source has its pros and inmate , so it could be a upright fit for some shoppers and a bad fit for others . Here ’s a agile breakdown of who should pass on this example and who it ’s correct for .
Let ’s originate with who should pass : ethnic music with enceinte homes looking for a full hookup . While the Craftsman Performance author does have a 30 - amp assemblage , it ’s not powerful enough to run multiple circuits in the home . It can launch the essentials , but Lot of sumptuousness will necessitate to go by the wayside . For these type of home , heavy generators such as theDuroMax XP12000EHmight be a better set thanks to its power and flexibility .
However , this generator could be an ideal fit for shoppers who plan to apply it on a jobsite or just to power a few devices in the home during a business leader outage . This manakin is also very easy to pose up , and run it is a breeze .
Anyone who is simply in the market place for an affordable midsizegeneratorwill want to consider the Craftsman Performance 6,000 - James Watt portable generator — I just like the handle and wheels were better designed for optimal carrying into action .
Where to Buy the Craftsman Performance 6,000-Watt Portable Generator
Meet the Tester
Tom Scalisi is a full - metre DIY and construction writer for many of the largest websites in the industry , including BobVila.com , This Old House , Family Handyman , and Forbes . He ’s become almost obsessed with emergency power pick , testing generators , solar panel , and rechargeable power station .
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