Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

Most modern, small portable generators are grounded through their frame and built to conduct current from away from critical areas (like the gas tank) but the user manual clearly states this unit has to have an external ground to operate safely. Yes, it requires an external ground even when NOT hooked into another electrical system i.e. even when not wired into a building’s fuse box. I would have expected that to be in the product info listed on Amazon — but it isn’t. So what is required to ground this unit safely? The manual specifies a grounding wire of at least 12 AWG but does not give any other specifications except to refer one to local regulations. Well, the NEC (National Electrical Code) requires: a grounding rod - can be steel, coated in copper or zinc - that is a minimum of 8 ft long, sunk 8ft into the earth. That seemed a bit excessive to me for this tiny little generator. The consensus among internet sites pertaining to portable generators appears to be that a grounding rod should be a copper or zinc coated rod at least 4 feet long. Sites vary on whether that needs to be sunk four feet down into the earth... Also worth noting, if you are going to be running this at an altitude above 2000 ft you will need to purchase an altitude kit. I am about to return this purchase. Working to ground it every time I set up somewhere is too time consuming for my purposes. I wish the seller had been explicit in the advertising. Here is what I can tell you about the generator without having run it. It shipped on time and packaging was good. Construction seems nice and the unit is small and quite portable. It’s good looking. It comes with: crescent wrench, socket wrench, Phillips head screwdriver, plastic funnel for oil, user manual. What I think you would need to have on hand to get this up and running: -Gas of course -5W30 motor oil (can be synthetic, SL, SM, Or better) Note: per the manual you can use heavier oil or lighter depending on ambient temp - see attached pic -Grounding wire at least 12 AWG (one might consider getting 10 AWG solid copper wire, insulated and long enough to be able to place the grounding rod a safe distance from the unit) -Grounding rod with corrosion resistant coating (there are some 4ft long copper coated ones on Amazon) -Mallet and/or digging tools depending on how you want to sink the grounding rod -Altitude kit if applicable to your elevation Disclaimer- Friend, I am not an expert on generators. In fact I am just the opposite of an expert on generators. I am neither an electrician nor an electrical engineer. I was careful I reading the manual and did some hours of research on the internet but PLEASE take what I am saying here with a good heaping tablespoon of salt and do your own research! Best of luck to you in your search for a decent generator that suits your needs!