Ratings & Reviews for Generac Rapid Start 6875 / 5500 -Watt Single fuel Portable Generator

Unreliable

Worst generator i'v ever bought. Never starts. Always need to use starter fluid in the carburetor. I would not recommend this generator.

6.1 hours and will not start

Crank it up monthly, well yesterday I did the normal and let it run for about 30 mins and then it shut off and would not start back up. Checked the oil to make sure it wasn't low and it wasn't, pulled the spark plug out and pulled the starting cord and low and behold its getting no spark, changed out plugs and still no spark..pretty sure with 6.1 hours on it that should still crank with no problems, this is the only problem that I have ever had with the generator other than this issue it has per...

Question

Generac RS5500 cleaned carborater and air filter but have not changed plug. Cranks up when i turn it to run but it doesnt idle up. Also, cleaned fuel filter. Does anyone know what to check next.

Solid generator for the money

I have owned this generator for about 3 years. As long as I use fuel treatment or completely run the gas tank empty before storage, the generator starts up on first or second pull. This is due to ethanol in the fuel. I use it on our farm and as a back up for power outages. It will run both A/C units in my camper with ease. My only gripe is the area around the fuel gauge is recessed. I left my generator outside during a heavy period of rain and it collected water which seeped into the tank, requi...

Powerdial start never worked

Set up and used same day as purchased. RS8000E over $1000 cost. Powerdial rapid start never worked, so forced to pull start each time. Customer service response was it is likely bad or low battery. Charged battery & also bought brand new replacement battery, but powerdial rapid start still does not work and makes no sound at all when turned to start and pressed in. Ridiculous for brand new generator electric start not to work right out of the box.

Excellent for the price

Got the generator for the hurricane season in Florida but, no hurricanes affected me so it stayed in box for a year. We got prepared for Dorian to arrive and got the generator full of gas and oil and it started on the first pull and I had it running for a few hours with no problem. Ran the refrigerator, fans and a portable A/C unit and it handle it well enough.

The best for less

I needed a generator for my home in Florida where storm related power outages are not unusual. The generac unit is highly rated and Lowe’s had it in stock at internet prices.

Piece of mind

This is a great backup generator I use for a few of the main circuits for my home. Ac, lights and fridge.

This has been a nightmare

I have 75 hrs on it and it has stopped working 2 time the first time the value came loose and something fell apart in the engine that was at 40 hrs and then it started turning off now today it wouldn't run after about 2 hrs lost money junk dint buy

Excellent

This is a excellent Generator we ran it for 2 weeks maybe even more straight just enough time to change oil and fuel up during Florence and ran with out a problem ran everything I wanted. And this year I was getting ready for Dorian and it started with the first pull.

Power to spare

Purchased this unit after hurricane Irma hit. Was borrowing the neighbors gen for the first 5 days we were without power, but they came home and we needed something to run the house. We powered multiple fans, tv entertainment center with 5.1 surround, refrigerator, 6000btu window shaker a/c and multiple portable electronics around the clock and this generator didn't flinch. Started on the second pull. I have no doubts it can handle a bigger work load the next time we need it.

Not easy to use

Pulling the chord is too hard and won’t start. I read the manual and it is a disaster. 2.5 hours and it won’t start. I push the button for rapid start and nothing happens. Pulling the chord is impossible. Not recommending at this time.

Generac Generator RS5500

Have this Generator for 2 yr had been running fine getting ready to use it again and the gas keeps going into the oil tank. Carburetor, air filter and spark plug have all been checked out all are good. No one can tell me whats wrong wasted $800.00 !!!!!!!!!!!!

Great experience

Well here we go again. WE bought this 4 years ago for Hurricane Michael and did not need it. 2 years ago we had Hurricane Irma and it ran like a champ for 2 days. Now we have Hurricane Dorian coming and while we are in Jacksonville Florida we may not need it, I took it out of the garage, pulled it 3 time and cranked like a pro. It runs everything we need. Thanks.

A little beast

I purchased this a few years ago for hurricane use as wife is on oxygen. Didn't get a chance to use it during Florence as we decided to evacuate. I recently hooked it directly to my 4 1/2 ton Trane HVAC condenser unit and it ran it like a champ. This is probably at it's maximum surge capacity but it is running it. If needed it is good to have power but we also have to have a/c for my wife's breathing. I have an 8000 running the rest of the house through the main panel and air handler inside. Th...

Too many convenient features create a headache

My first experience using my Generac RS 5500 was a disaster. We had-had a blizzard and the power went out. Finally a reason to use my new generator. It starts and runs great until I shut it off for the night and all the snow that had been melting on it due to the engine heat turn to ice. At 5 AM as I’m leaving for work I go outside to start it up so my family can start their day. The cute little power, fuel, choke combo knob, for which makes no sense unless you are completely incompetent to lo...

Good quality, easy to operate.

Bought before an ice/snow storm and luckily didn’t need much but seems like a great product. I also like that it came with a heavy duty twist lock cord.

Worked Great!

Bought for hurricane Irma. We were without power for 12 days, our RS 5500 supplied us power that enabled us to run a room air conditioner around the clock as well as lights, microwave, (2) refrigerators and much more. I would fill the fuel tank up before bed and then fill it again in the morning when I started my day. We ran our unit practically 24 hrs a day around the clock and had absolutely no issues. The one problem I have is the fuel gauge window has changed from clear to very dark and disc...

auto idle

does this model have auto idle feature? need to know before purchasing. thanks. what's the next model up or down in watts that has auto idle if this one doesn't?

first generator

so far I have not used it but it seems to be straight forward to use