Powerhorse Portable Generator 7000 Surge Watts, 5500 Rated Watts
Item# 166113
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"Powerhorse Portable Generator - 7000 Surge Watts, 5500 Rated Watts"
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The best one yet!
I now own three of these Northern Tool Powerhorse generators. I believe they are the single best buy in the portable generator field.
I have the 2200 (over 100 hours) and the 4000 (over 50 hours) models, both of which use the 208 cc single cylinder engine. This review is for my latest purchase, the 7000 model with the 420 cc single cylinder engine.
I realized I needed more electric power at my little campsite than the 4000 model could supply, so I waited for a sale on this 7000 model and snapped it up. I have just been through my personal break-in procedure on this generator, and this review speaks to my experience so far.
First impressions: It is significantly heavier, at about 190 pounds shipping weight, than the other two (about 100 pounds). Add in a load of gas and oil (about 35 pounds) and you can tell when you pick it up to move it. The free wheel kit is a great plus for these generators. Installation of the wheel kit was simple and straightforward. All needed parts were supplied in the shipping carton.
My generator seemed very well assembled, with no visible oversights. I was very impressed when I pulled the starter cord once or twice. VERY smooth as it turns over! Pulling the cord was not difficult, either. I can easily pull start this size generator without the need for the battery starter.
I added a quart of good quality mineral-based 10w30 motor oil and 5.5 gallons of fresh ethanol-free gasoline. Then I opened the fuel flow valve and counted to ten slowly - to let the gasoline flow into and fill the carburetor. I made sure the switch was "on", pulled the choke, and then pulled the starter cord. One smooth, easy pull and it was running. I switched the choke off and let it warm up.
I always connect a small electric fan to the output and blow cool air directly on the motor and generator head while the machine is running. (My little bit of over-kill to assure a long-lived generator)
I let the generator run out the full tank under little to no load - almost eight hours of run time.
Then I changed the oil and switched to fully synthetic 10w30 motor oil. The original mineral-based oil had darkened considerably during the initial break-in run. I expect future oil changes to show less darkening.
I re-filled the fuel tank with fresh ethanol-free gasoline, plus a fuel stabilizer, and pulled the starter cord. One pull, and it immediately fired right up and ran smoothly. I have noticed two things: 1) This generator is about as easy to pull start as my smaller generators, and 2) this generator runs more smoothly than the others do. The rubber mounting helps, surely, but you can rest your hand on the top of the fuel tank with both generators running and tell that the 7000 model is vibrating less.
I can also tell, with both generators running, that this generator is a little louder than the smaller models, but not very much more. The exhaust note is also deeper - more baritone than tenor in pitch.
I can deal with the greater weight, and somewhat greater fuel consumption, and the slightly louder running noise, given that the electrical output on this generator is significantly higher than on the other two. This generator shows every sign of living up to the great experience I have enjoyed to date with my Powerhorse generators. I fully recommend them.
June 2, 2015
Good deal
I bought it for a good reason a lot of times we are the last to get power back on where I live.Northern had this Generator in one of it's ads bought it and so far so good will let you know later but so far I like it.
April 28, 2015
Great deal and runs great.
The sale price and free delivery made it irresistible compared to what I could get elsewhere. For me, the 5% THD was a must.
Assembly was a snap . Put in some oil and gas, checked the plug gap, and it started 1st pull.
It's hard to review a generator because who knows when you will actually need it (hopefully never). However, it started easy and ran smooth (after a short warm-up) on the 1st test run and generated clean power.
January 24, 2015
AWESOME
I bought this generator in the middle of a bad snow storm and the power was out. The store gave me a good deal on it and it works great, it runs the whole house with ease.
February 6, 2014
Quality Generator
A quality generator. I've used it for power tools and air compressors while rehabbing a camp, and used it for back up power during a recent power outage. It hasn't let me down. It starts easily even in bitter cold and has plenty of power. It's sound level is moderate, it's no Honda in terms of sound but much quieter than the old Coleman generator I replaced. A little heavy on the fuel usage but a good deal overall. Wait for the periodic deals Northern Tool runs on these generators and save yourself $50. It would have still been a good deal at full price though.
February 4, 2014
Hard working generator
Working on the farm using a power saw, electric impact and air compressor. It never missed a beat.Would recommend it for any job.
September 20, 2013
Great Generator
I bought this generator over a year ago after a derecho came through my area. I had this thing running full blast for over a week before the power came back on and it never skipped a beat! I have used it multiple times since then for my camper and it has the smoothest pull start of any motor i've ever owned.
September 17, 2013
7000 watt Power Horse Generator
I have had this unit for about 6 months now, I haven't really had to use it in an emergency situation yet. (believe it or not didn't even loose power in Sandy). But I have been starting it up about once a month just to excercise the engine and the generator head. It always starts and runs with no problem at all. I did have to change the spark plug after only one week (cheap no name plug). But never had any trouble since. For the price I think the generator is well worth buying. I had it hooked up to my house, and ran my oil burner, fan, lights and an 18000 btu ac and it held up just fine. It's fairly quiet, seems well made.
April 23, 2013
Awsome! Now if I only use it.
Bought this gen. a year after I really needed it. Since then I haven't needed it yet. But, I do start it up now & then just to hear it run. 1 pull to choke it. 2nd pull 1/2 choked & its running. Plugged a few things in just to see if could kick the circuit. 2 refrig, 1 freezer, 5 lamps, Tv w/DVD player & my PC. Oh yeah! a 220 amp air compressor & it was like asking: So? what else ya got? I feel better about going big than not going big enough. I'm real happy with this & my neighbor? He's happy too. Would I recommend this Gen? YOU BET!!
March 13, 2013
great so far
Bought this unit after many storm related power outages here in OK. Thankfully haven't had to use it yet for that in the year that I have owned it. I have used it many times at my remote cabin property for construction needs. Has run every tool including my cantankerous old air compressor without even breaking a sweat. Only complaints are the rubber feet fell off right away. And the handles seem a bit cheesy. Aside from that very happy so far.
January 12, 2013
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Powerhorse Portable Generator 7000 Surge Watts, 5500 Rated Watts
Item# 166113
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|
Surge Watts
|
7,000 | 9,375 | 8,000 | 10,000 | 26,250 |
|
Rated Watts
|
5,500 | 7,500 | 6,600 | 8,500 | 17,500 |
|
Start Type
|
Recoil | Electric w/recoil backup | Electric w/recoil backup | Electric | Electric |
|
Engine
|
Powerhorse OHV | Generac OHV | Honda GX390 OHV | Honda GX630 OHV | Generac OHVI |
| HP | - | - | 11.7 | - | - |
|
Engine Displacement (cc)
|
420 | 420 | 389 | - | 990 |
|
Run Time
|
9 1/2 hrs. @ 1/2 load | 10 hrs. @ 1/2 load | 10 hrs. at 1/2 load | 11 hrs. @ 1/2 load | 10 hrs. at 1/2 load |
| Receptacles (qty.) | 10 | 5 | 10 | Eight 120V, 20A outlets; one 120/240V, 50A outlet, one 120/240V, 30A locking outlet; one 120V, 30A locking outlet | 8 |
| Noise Level (dB) | 74 | - | 74.5 | 79 | - |
| Fuel Type | Gasoline | Gasoline | Gasoline | Gasoline | Gasoline |
|
Fuel Capacity (gal.)
|
6.6 | 6.7 | 6.5 | 11 | 16 |
|
Low Oil Shutdown
|
Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Gross Torque | - | - | 19.5 ft.-lbs. at 2,500 RPM | - | - |
| Battery Included | No | Yes | No | No | Yes |
| Battery Required | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
|
Dimensions L x W x H (in.)
|
29 x 22 x 28 | 30 x 24 x 26 1/2 | 25 3/4 x 21 1/4 x 22 1/4 | 32 3/8 x 24 3/8 x 26 7/8 | 48 1/2 x 31 x 39 1/2 |













































