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Portable Generators

Gas Portable Generators for Home Backup, Job Sites and Camping

A portable generator is bought for one of three reasons: the power goes out at home, the job site has no outlet, or the campsite and the RV need a quiet source. The 13 BE Power Equipment units here cover all three, from a 2,800 watt digital inverter that runs a camp and a laptop to the 12,500 watt tri fuel generator that runs a house on gasoline, propane or natural gas, plus two combination units that add an air compressor and a welder for a service truck. All ship new from the manufacturer through High Pressure Car Washer, an authorized BE dealer, with free shipping to the lower 48 states, to a dock or terminal on freight machines, and liftgate service for one flat fee.

Watts decide the unit. Add up what has to run at once, allow for the starting surge of motors and compressors, and buy above that number: 3,800 to 4,800 watts covers tools and a refrigerator, 7,000 to 9,000 watts covers a job site or a home with a well pump and a furnace, 11,000 watts and up covers central air. Inverter units cost more per watt and pay it back in quiet, clean power for electronics. The guide under the products covers home backup, job site use, camping, inverter versus conventional, and tri fuel.

Gas air compressorsWater pumpsPressure washersBE Power EquipmentAll equipment
Start here: our pick for each job
Home backupBE BE70007,000 watts runs a refrigerator, a furnace and a well pump through an outage.Long outagesBE BE12500T12,500 watt tri fuel unit runs on gasoline, propane or natural gas.Job sitesBE BE48004,800 watts for a saw, a compressor and chargers on a site.Camping and RVsBE BE2800I2,800 watt digital inverter, quiet and clean power for electronics.
Compare the portable generators buyers ask about most
ModelWattsTypeBest for
BE BE2800I2,800Digital inverterCamping, electronics
BE BE38003,800ConventionalTools and a refrigerator
BE BE4000I4,000Digital inverterCamping and small RVs
BE BE4700ID4,700Digital inverterRVs, quiet backup
BE BE48004,800ConventionalJob sites
BE BE70007,000ConventionalHome backup
BE BE7500ID7,500Digital inverterRVs and clean home backup
BE BE90009,000ConventionalJob sites and home backup
BE BE1100011,000ConventionalHome with central air
BE BE12500T12,500Tri fuelLong outages, propane or natural gas
BE AC138HEG2Generator plus compressorCombination, Honda GX390Service trucks
Filters

Portable generators for home backup

A home outage wants 7,000 watts and up: refrigerator, freezer, furnace blower, well pump, lights and a few outlets, with headroom for the surge when the pump starts. The BE7000, BE9000 and BE11000 are the home backup class; the BE12500T tri fuel adds the option of running on propane or the house natural gas line when gasoline is scarce, which is the generator to own in a long outage.

Portable gas generators for job sites

A crew wants a conventional gas generator with steel frame, wheels, 120 and 240 volt outlets and enough watts to run a saw, a compressor and chargers at once: the BE4800 through BE9000. Combination units put a generator, an air compressor and on the largest model a welder on one Honda GX390 engine for a service truck.

Portable generators for camping and RVs

A campsite wants quiet, light and clean power for electronics, which is an inverter generator: the BE2800I and BE4000I run a camp, a laptop and a small RV air conditioner at a fraction of the noise, and the BE4700ID and BE7500ID inverters carry an RV through a hot night with room to spare.

Inverter or conventional

An inverter generator produces clean, stable power safe for laptops, phones and modern appliances, throttles down when the load is light, and runs quiet. A conventional generator produces more watts per dollar and is the job site and heavy home backup pick. Sensitive electronics on a conventional unit want a surge protector.

Tri fuel generators

A tri fuel unit runs on gasoline, propane or natural gas with a switch and the right hose. Propane stores for years without going stale, natural gas never runs out during a long outage, and gasoline is everywhere. The BE12500T is the tri fuel unit here and the one to own for hurricane and ice storm country.

Generators we recommend by job

BE BE7000 for home backup

The BE Power Equipment BE7000 7,000 watt generator runs a refrigerator, a furnace and a well pump through an outage.

BE BE12500T for long outages

The BE Power Equipment BE12500T 12,500 watt tri fuel generator runs a house on gasoline, propane or natural gas.

BE BE4800 for job sites

The BE Power Equipment BE4800 4,800 watt generator runs a saw, a compressor and chargers on a site.

BE BE2800I for camping

The BE Power Equipment BE2800I 2,800 watt digital inverter generator is the quiet camp and RV unit.

Freight, delivery and returns on machines

Free freight to the lower 48. Machines ship new from the manufacturer by freight carrier at no charge to a commercial address with a loading dock or forklift, or to the carrier's nearest terminal for pickup. Orders are prepared within 0 to 1 business days and delivery takes 5 to 8 business days.

Liftgate service, $95 flat. No dock or forklift? Choose liftgate service when you add the machine to the cart. The carrier calls ahead to schedule, brings the crate to your address and lowers it to the ground with a liftgate. It lands at the curb or driveway, not inside the building. One flat fee per order, whatever the machine weighs.

On delivery. Inspect the crate before signing. Note any damage on the delivery receipt and photograph it. We file the claim with the carrier, and if a replacement is needed we ship it.

Returns. Unused machines in original packaging can be returned within 30 days of delivery. A 20 percent restocking fee applies and return freight is the buyer's responsibility, and a refused freight delivery is handled the same way, which is why we would rather confirm the model before it ships: send the job, the water and the power on site through the form on this page and we check the spec against the machine. Full terms are on the shipping policy and return policy pages.

Portable Generators questions, answered

How many watts do I need?
Add up everything that runs at once and allow for the starting surge of motors. 3,800 to 4,800 watts for tools and a refrigerator, 7,000 to 9,000 for a home with a well pump and a furnace or a job site, 11,000 and up for central air.
Inverter or conventional generator?
Inverter for electronics, camping and RVs: clean power, quiet, throttles down at light load. Conventional for job sites and heavy home backup: more watts per dollar.
What is a tri fuel generator?
A generator that runs on gasoline, propane or natural gas. Propane stores for years and natural gas never runs out during an outage. The BE12500T is the tri fuel unit here.
Can I run a generator indoors or in a garage?
No. Generators produce carbon monoxide and run outdoors, 20 feet from windows and doors, with the exhaust pointed away from the house.
Can a generator run a pressure washer?
An electric pressure washer, if the generator covers the motor's starting surge: a 120 volt unit needs about 3,000 watts, a 230 volt unit more. Gas pressure washers carry their own engine and need no generator.
How does shipping work on this equipment?
Shipping is free to the lower 48 states. Heavy units ship by freight carrier to a commercial address with a dock or forklift, or to the carrier's nearest terminal; smaller units ship by ground at no charge. No dock? Choose liftgate service when you add a freight unit to the cart, a flat $95 per order. Orders are prepared within 0 to 1 business days and delivery takes 5 to 8 business days.
Are these sold by an authorized dealer?
Yes. High Pressure Car Washer is an authorized dealer for BE Power Equipment, Cam Spray, Kranzle, Makinex, Pressure-Pro and Simpson, and everything ships new from the manufacturer with its factory warranty.
What if I order the wrong unit?
Returns are accepted within 30 days of delivery on unused units in original packaging. A 20 percent restocking fee applies and return freight is the buyer's responsibility. Call (219) 327-1138 before ordering and we confirm the model for the job.