Costco blog/discussion forum

Costco.com has appears to have a great deal on the Onan Homesite 2400 generator (Costco Item #200085). During June 2008, they will sell this for $349.99.

This portable gasoline powered generator provides up to 2200 Watts of power. It weighs just under 100 pounds and provides two 120 V AC outlets.

For comparison, costco.com sold this same generator for $399.99 in June 2007 and that was advertised as a $150 off coupon, implying the regular price was $550. Indeed, if you look around online you find these generators selling for $500-$550. So it's a great deal right? No.

While this may be the best deal you can get on an Onan Homesite 2400 model generator, you should probably consider an alternative.

In 2005 inexpensive 3000 watt generators began appearing in auto parts stores across the country. The engines in these generators were being manufactured by Jiung Manufacturing in China. They had licensed the design of a popular Honda engine and were producing it for far less money than Honda had charged. These engines led to cheaper generators, scooters, and go carts. In the US, the brand to look for is Champion, although other brands exist. The whole story of this innovation in portable power generators is laid out in this long thread at rv.net.

Conclusion, if you want to buy a generator, skip this one. Go to Parts America's website and order the 4000 Watt Peak, Champion Power Equipment Portable Generator. Parts America has 10% coupons around on the internet, so look for one of those before you order it. They have free shipping, or you can pick it up (usually immediately) at a local auto parts store Advance Auto, Checker, Schuck's, or Kragen, which are all share the same owner.