Last Updated on October 10, 2024 by Alice Benny
If you are a camper or tailgater and like having some extra power, you might have looked into portable generators. There are all sorts of sizes and wattages to choose from and several models within each type.
The Generac GP2200i is a popular option for small inverter generators. It’s lightweight at 46 pounds, making it easy to take along RV-ing, boating, tailgating and camping. For blackouts at home, you can use it to charge up your cell phones, laptop, and more.
How does the Generac GP2200i compare to its competitors? Here is a complete review, with details on the accessories and performance of this particular portable generator.
I will tell you its pros and cons, how the generator runs and how it compares in price, fuel efficiency, environmental concerns, and features.
Generac GP2200i
Overall, the Generac GP2200i is one of the best portable generators for the price. It’s half as expensive as some of the other inverter generators and provides a good amount of energy without noise or disturbing the environment.
Here are some of the most significant advantages of the GP2200i:
- Multiple outlets
- Accessories included
- Parallel engine capabilities
- Inverter
- Fuel efficient
- Excellent price
- Oil level light indicator
- Light and portable
However, there are some negative aspects to the Generac GP2200i as well.
The eco mode saves energy, but only at very low levels. If you load it up with more appliances, eco mode isn’t nearly as effective. It also has a traditional pull start, which isn’t as efficient as an electric start.
Here are some of the less ideal parts:
- A lower run time when fully loaded
- No electric start
- No data center
- Eco mode only for very low loads
Details
The Generac GP2200i is a small inverter engine. It has several unique features and things that are similar to other portable generators. Although I will go into detail on these later, here is an overview of the technical details and features of the GP2200i:
Appearance:
- 46 pounds
- 20” X 11.5” X 18” dimensions (HxWxL)
- 1.2-gallon fuel tank
Electricity:
- AC voltage: 120V, 60hZ
- AC outlets: 1 Duplex 120V 20A
- DC voltage: 12V
- DC outlets: 1 12V 8A, 1 5V USB
Run Time:
- 1700 running watts
- 2200 starting watts
- 14.2 running amps
- 18.3 peak amps
- 7 hours running time at 50% load
- 11 hours running time at 25% load
Features:
- Parallel capable
- Covered outlets
- Gasoline fuel
- Oil and fuel accessories included
- Oil overload and low oil protection
- Two-year warranty
Price
You can generally buy the Generac GP2200i generator for between $500 and $600. This price is slightly lower than many other generators within the same wattage category. Higher-end generators of the same size will often cost up to twice as much. The Generac model provides the same amount of features for less money.
Generac GP2200i Features
Although it’s a small generator, the Generac GP2200i has several features that make it stand out from the rest. It has an eco-boost mode and safety indicators for oil level. Its several different components make it capable of more than your average gasoline generator, especially considering the small size.
Safety Settings
There is a light indicator for oil level – the generator has LED signals for when the engine is overloaded, or the oil level is too low. It will also automatically shut down when the oil or gasoline levels are shallow. This system will protect the engine from wearing out sooner or running on low oil.
Note: the first time you fill up the generator, it will temporarily indicate an overload. This is a standard operating procedure to calibrate the engine.
Inverter
An inverter engine doesn’t just take away the extra noise of the generator. It also helps with the fuel efficiency of the generator. The conversion of the AC to DC voltage and back keeps the current more stable, which allows the engine to lose less energy and last longer. The GP2200i is one of the only inverters offered by Generac.
Outlets
There are several options for outlets on the GP2200i. In addition to a car battery-style 120-volt outlet, there are two regular house outlets and a USB port. You can plug in large and small appliances, as well as more delicate technology like smartphones. There aren’t many inverter generators that offer USB ports.
Environment
The GP2200i generator is CARB-compliant, which means that it meets air quality and clean energy standards and is legal in all fifty states. In addition, the eco mode on the GP2200i helps the fuel levels stay even lower when the generator isn’t loaded too high.
If you are only using it for extra energy, you can be very eco-friendly with the GP2200i.
Portability
One of the best features of the Generac portable generator is its portability. This engine is smaller and lighter than others in its wattage category, weighing about 46 pounds.
One person can carry it without much exertion. The generator also has a built-in handle for greater ease of handling. When it’s convenient to use, you will want to bring it with you. Keep this in mind when looking for a small generator. Learn more about choosing a Generac portable generator.
Other Good Things
Because it’s small, it won’t take a lot of room to store in your garage or other area in your dwelling. Keeping it somewhere accessible means you can also use it at home in times of power outages.
The GP2200i won’t be a replacement for a more powerful generator during an extended blackout. You won’t be able to power everything you want such as a refrigerator and an extra freezer. That’s okay. That’s not what this small generator is designed to do.
However, it will be handy to charge up your CPAP machine, mobile phone, AirPods, computer, rechargeable lantern or flashlight, or any smaller device you might find to be important.
Performance
The performance of the GP2200i is generally excellent. It has low noise and high energy efficiency for a generator of its size. While the run time is about average, the parallel generator can increase wattage and length of running time.
With all the accessories and multiple appliances, this generator works well for the money.
Startup
The Generac GP2200i has a standard pull start mechanism, like that on a lawnmower. It has three settings chosen from a knob on the control panel. You can switch the knob from “off” to “choke” to “run,” depending on the setting that you need.
It’s a classic startup method and could only be improved by an electric start (as many newer portable generators have).
Generac GP2200i Noise Level
Because the GP2200i is an inverter engine, it’s already naturally quieter than a regular portable generator. The clean sine wave created by the inverters has a very low total harmonic distortion (THD). Low THD means that the energy is cleaner and the sound is softer.
The sound will almost always stay below 70 dB of noise.
However, this model also has an entirely closed design, which makes it even quieter.
The whole engine is covered, and this muffles the sound made by the generator. When it’s on a low setting, the GP2200i only emits a low humming, barely noticeable in a campground or construction setting.
Run Time
The GP2200i has an average running time of 11 hours with a 25% capacity. Eco mode works best at this load and struggles when the load is higher. At a 50% capacity, the engine runs for about 7 hours before needing more gasoline. When it runs at a 25% load, the generator uses a tenth of a gallon of gas to the hour.
The run time of the GP2200i is almost disappointingly average. It’s one of the only performance aspects of the generator that doesn’t outshine the competitors. Eco mode helps at lower energy levels but doesn’t work as well when the generator is loaded more than 50% percent.
If you want to load the generator fully, know that it won’t last very much longer than any other portable generator.
Accessories
Although the eco-boost doesn’t work well at higher electrical loads, it works very well at lower loads. The LED indicators for oil levels are excellent. It has various outlets, which come covered to protect them from the elements.
The generator is shipped dry, but oil and a funnel to pour it in are included. Overall, the accessories on the GP2200i work well.
Parallel Performance
The capability for parallel performance is beneficial if you have two generators and want some extra power. Two GP2200i engines can hook up and give you twice the power as only one.
This setting is also good if you know someone else with a GP2200i and plan to go on a joint camping trip.
Some say that there’s no point in buying two generators when you could buy one larger one. While this is true in some situations, it can also be easier to carry two smaller engines.
The parallel capability works well on the GP2200i, and the connecting cord is worth the extra purchase if you plan to use it.
Running Power
A common question around generators is what they can run comfortably. Because the GP2200i has a starting wattage of 2200 amps and a running wattage of 1700 amps, it can run several small appliances at once. Here are some of the common uses for the GP2200i:
- RV air conditioning unit
- RV refrigerator
- LED TV
- Energy-efficient refrigerator
- Radio
- Bug zapper
- Smaller appliances
Of course, it’s always vital to check the wattage and ensure your generator is not overloaded. An RV AC unit can run at almost 1600 amps, so you wouldn’t be able to charge anything else at the same time.
However, several smaller appliances could run simultaneously off of the Generac GP2200i generator. If you don’t think the 2200i is enough power, find out what size generator do I need.
You may consider going up to the Generac GP5500.
Final Thoughts
If you are looking for a small, portable inverter generator, the Generac GP2200i is a worthwhile expenditure. Some my consider it an investment. It gives a significant amount of environmentally friendly, clean power for an excellent price.
Although the running time isn’t the best on the market, the capability is useful for camping trips, construction sites, or backyard energy. Overall, the Generac GP2200i is a good choice for portable inverter generators.
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