If you find yourself in need of a cheap portable propane generator, the Sportsman GEN4000LP 4000 Watt Propane Portable Generator definitely brings the best value you can have.
This amazing generator is capable of producing a maximum power of 4,000 watts which is great for home backup whenever there’s a power shortage.
In this Sportsman GEN4000LP review, I’m going to highlight some of the important features, details, pros, and cons so that you can use them to help you make informed purchasing decisions.
Highlights
- 20 lbs of LPG tank can last to 10 hours.
- Powerful to run a small to the medium house.
- The generator noise is relatively low in its class (68dB).
Pros:
- Value for money..
- Lightweight.
- Run quieter than the gasoline.
Cons
- No 240V AC outlet.
- Non-CARB compliant.
Overview
| Generator | Sportsman GEN4000LP Portable Generator |
| Generator Type | Conventional Portable Propane Generator |
| Peak Watts | 120V 4000W |
| Running Watts | 3250 W |
| Start Type | Recoil |
| Fuel Type | Liquid Propane Gas |
| Run Time per Tankful | 10 hours @ 50% per 20 lbs of LP fuel |
| Item Weight | 88 lbs |
| Noise Level (dB) | <68 dB |
| Engine Displacement | 7HP 4-Stroke OHV Recoil Start engine |
| Dimensions (L x W x H) | 23” x 17” x 17.5” |
| CARB Compliance | No |
| EPA Approved | Yes |
| Price | Click here for the latest pricing on Amazon |
Warning:
This generator is not recommended for high-altitude use above 3,000 feet.
Who Is This Generator For?
The Sportsman GEN4000LP generator is perfect for anyone to prefers an LPG generator over traditional gasoline generators. The LPG generator allows you to keep several propane tanks on hand for emergencies during power outages, long winters, and natural disasters.
If you love to go on a nature trip, you can bring it along to your favorite camping destination, tailgating, or finish your projects faster to power up your tools. It’s also nice to have for those who are off-grid living across the country.
One important thing to know here is that this generator isn’t CARB compliant. So, it is available for sale in every state but not in California.
The Sportsman GEN4000LP Review
Powerful Engine
The generator is made 7 Horse Power 4-stroke Overhead valve that delivers 4,000 watts of peak power or 3,200 watts of effective power. The recoil start simply fires in a single pull for your painless operations.
Although the generator cannot run the central air of your house, I can run the furnace, fridge, and all the lights all at once.
To give you an idea of how this generator can run your appliances or equipment, the table below is the estimated wattage requirements of common electrical devices:
| Tool or Appliance | Rated (Running) Watts | Additional Surge Watts |
| Electric water heater (40 gallons) | 4000 | 0 |
| Hot plate | 2500 | 0 |
| Radial arm saw | 2500 | 0 |
| Electric Stove | 1500 | 0 |
| Circular Saw | 1500 | 1500 |
| Air compressor (1 HP) | 1500 | 3000 |
| Air conditioner 13500 BTU | 1200 | 1800 |
| Miter saw | 1200 | 1800 |
| Microwave oven 1000 Watt | 1000 | 0 |
| Well water pump | 1000 | 1500 |
| Reciprocating saw | 960 | 1040 |
| Sump pump | 800 | 1200 |
| Refrigerator freezer | 800 | 1200 |
| Garage door opener | 480 | 600 |
| Security system | 180 | 0 |
Have peace of mind and sleep well during a power failure because it doesn’t disturb anyone due to its quiet operations with only 68dB of the noise level.
Readily Available And Keep Your Family Safe
Propane generators give you the most advantage compare to gas-powered Genset. Everybody knows that propane is available in almost any household so that you can use it in no time during a power interruption. Its lower carbon emission leaves your family healthier and safer to store for a longer period of time than gasoline.
It uses the standard gas grill type which can be easily found in any gas station nearby. A 5-foot regulator hose is provided for you to easily connect the LPG tank on the generator however, consumers should be aware of the fact that the LPG gas tank is not included in the package.
More Features Ahead
The Sportsman GEN4000LP 4000 Watt Propane Portable Generator gives you more features to make the most of its performance and keep your family safe.
The engine provides an air cool feature to prevent it from overheating and the Low Oil sensor avoids the engine from damaging due to insufficient oil supply that may result from engine burning.
The Spark Arrestor is incorporated into the generator to prevent it from any risk of accidental combustion due to highly flammable LPG.
Stop the engine instantly using the Genset shutoff switch and the Automatic Voltage Regulator provides a clean AC output source that protects your appliances from damage.
Power Panel Design
A full power panel design is presented for your ease of operations; this includes the two 120v AC outlet to power up all your regular appliances. You also have a 12v DC output to charge your batteries anytime you need to.
All your appliances are safe including the generator itself, with the help of the circuit breaker the generator will automatically shut down whenever an overload arises.
Fuel-Efficient
You have more time to enjoy your camping, finish your projects, or stay safe all the time during power shortages. This makes it possible with the Sportsman GEN4000LP 4000 Watt Propane Portable Generator which is design for optimum power efficiency.
A single 20 pounds LPG will last for more than 10-hours of running time provided with a 50% load capacity.
Customer’s Review
According to customer reviews on Amazon, the Sportsman GEN4000LP generator scores overall 4.1 out of 5. Many happy owners feedback that this generator has a longer run time than the gasoline generator, is easy to move around, worked great, and ran great.
Shane Hawkins, who bought this generator 5 years ago said that this generator had been serving him since 2015 without any major issue and still going strong against hurricanes and a few events of power outages.
Probably the minor issue he had was the rope broke on the 3rd pull which was the factory defect. Forward the complaint and Amazon took care of it.
Another owner Teamjones (not a real name I guess) who lived an off-grid lifestyle in her tiny house in Prescott said a 20 lbs propane tank lasts in 2 days with non-stop running. She was quite impressed with it.
The only complaint she said was the noise level of the generator is slightly higher than the manufacturer’s claim. As she lived on off-grid, that wasn’t really an issue.
What Are The Best Alternative Of Sportsman GEN4000LP Propane Generator?
To be honest, after conducting some researches, I’ve found that the Propane type of generators in a similar power range is hard to find. The closest best alternative to the Sportsman GEN4000LP Propane Generator you could get is the Firman H03652 Dual Fuel Generator.
It is a dual fuel generator that can run on both gasoline and propane. It is more powerful than the Sportsman with the 4100 starting Watts and 3300 running watts on LPG. It comes with a standard with extended propane hose (5ft) if you’re decided to running off a larger propane tank.
The run time using a full 20lb propane cylinder on this generator can last for 11 hours at 50% load. In addition, it also comes with 8-inch wheels and a folding handle.
Because of the dual fuel generator, the Firman H03652 Dual Fuel Generator is priced slightly higher than the Sportsman GEN4000LP Propane Generator. It’s covered with a 3-year warranty by the manufacturer.
Conclusion
If you’re thinking to buy a cheap, lightweight, and clean propane portable generator, the Sportsman GEN4000LP 4000 Watt Propane Portable Generator is worthy to have.
If you concern about the running time, this generator could power up your home for a longer period than the gasoline generator. By having propane tanks stored in your house, you don’t have to worry about getting out to the gas station during natural disasters.
At 4,000 watts of surge power plus considering its performance and features, it definitely brings an excellent value. However, consumers should be aware that the generator is non CARB compliance therefore it cannot be used in California.
