PLEASE also take notice of other safety and very useful things that are on sale next wk. at Aldi's next wk. follow the same link

KingCraft® 3250 Watt 6.5 HP Portable Electric Generator
$ 199.99 each *

* 3250 watt surge
* 2500 watt rated
* 6.5HP OHV engine
* runs 8 hours at 1/2 load on 4 gallons of fuel
* produces 20 amps at 120v
* two AC 120v outlets
* one 12v DC outlet
* lightweight
* compact size
* 1 year limited manufacturer's warranty

You can look at the picture and description HERE Also on the left hand side look at the other deals for next wk ! This wk is all about Safety, fire and prevention (no condoms on sale unfortunately !)

Some deals are as follows :-
Honeywell™ Waterproof Fire Protector $ 38.99 each (fire proof file box)
First Alert® Multi Purpose Home Fire Extinguisher $ 9.99 each
Smoke Alarms 6.99 and Carbon monoxide Alarm 9.99
4x 9V batteries only 3.99 !!!!

And the best among the rest is

Space Bag®
Combo Set
$ 9.99 per set *

* as seen on TV
* triple your storage space
* 5 piece set
* 2 medium bags, 18" x 22 1/2"
* 2 large bags, 21" x 33 1/2"
* 1 extra large bag, 26 1/2" x 39 1/2"

Some people who consider themselves "experts" have told me that they will be buying these because they think its a clone of Coleman ProForce 2500 or Powermate 2500 (which is 5.5 HP)
To be fair, they actually do look identical to the one being sold at ALDI ! and are priced much higher ! Click to see Picture

I bought the KingCraft 6500 Watt (5500 watt Continuous) 13 HP Generator for $400 plus tax from Aldi's in March 2007. Mine also included the wheel kit -- the 6.5 HP one does not --from the picture. It was a big challenge getting mine in & out of the back seat of my Dodge Stratus. I'd guess that will not be an issue with the 6.5 HP one.

Assembly was doable without any complications. Took some time but no real problems.

My experience thus far has been good. We lost power for 5 or 6 days this June and the Generator did its job. I only ran it periodically e.g. maybe 1 hour per every 4 hours. Gas consumption seemed a little high (compared to the spec sheet) to me -- but then again -- maybe that's just my imagination.

Mine is a pretty heavy unit so the one discussed here should be lighter & I probably would've rather had the 6.5 HP one -- although I do like the included wheel kit on mine.

Mine has started pretty readily. Sometimes it takes 2 or 3 pulls. I start it up every 3 mos or so. Over the winter I may have left it 5 or 6 mos & it still started in the spring.

One thing I can't tell from the picture -- there are two 120V outlets -- I'd hope that at least one of them is a standard electrical plug.

I'm happy with my unit & would guess that this 6.5 HP is good too.

This Chinese made genset is clearly one of the many Honda clones out there these days. They are sometimes called Chondas. The quality does vary but the good ones are quite good. I purchased the Champion in this deal (http://www.fatwallet.com/forums/expired-deals/815686/?start=0) and I have been very happy with it. In comparing it to the 20 year old Honda I had (sold it once I got the Champion) the quality was similiar though the Honda was probably slightly better overall but nothing to really concern one. Also these Honda knockoffs are quite a bit quieter than the contractor grade generators that use B&S engines. I would not want to sleep next to my Champion while it was running but for backup power outside my house it is great--much quieter than my neighbors' generators. I think most folks would be happy with this generator for backup power.

Yep,
I have heard of cHONDAs.
but this is different in my opinion, while cHONDAs are made by different manufacturers that HONDA (or people who manufacture parts for honda, or a sub contractor), they are definitely not assembled by HONDA.
In case of ALDI's in general, it sells a LOT of rebranded stuff (including a LOT of food items) that are manufactured by well respected makers, but are sold after re-branding, one such example is the GATEROAID sold in Aldi.
So I guess I made a bad choice of words when I said "clones", what I really meant is, these are exactly same as "some" name brand equipment (I am not sure which), that has been re-branded as "KingCraft" which is a Aldi's house brand.

So, they come with warranty and all, unlike the cHONDAs.

Think of it as Apple iPOD clones and the iPODs that used to be sold by HP !

The only problem here is, I wish someone could come with a namebrand generator with exact same specifications (as against the close matches that I have provided earlier)

only 2 more days to go !!

Could it power, say, 2 medium sized refrigerators? 1?

Maybe 1 fridge and a 550 VA UPS powering 3 Tivos, cable modem, router, and laptop?

Do you just run long extension chords from the various items to plug in?

I got one this morning and was surprised by the small package, the box fits inside a shopping cart, although it's a tight squeeze!

Here are a few facts from the owner's manual:

2008 Model Year Certificate of Conformity

* Manufacturer: Jiangsu Jiangdong Group Co. LTD.

* Certificate Number: JDG-NRSI-08-04

* Effective Date: 1/7/2008

* Date Issued: 1/7/2008

The engine is stamped JIANGDONG next to a <JD> diamond shaped logo. JD is also mentioned in the manual to reference replacement parts. The whole thing is heavy, but one person can move it around with difficulty. I will probably figure out a way to put some wheels on mine.

I plan to test it tomorrow and post first impressions here. If anyone has questions or more info on this model, please share!
--

fatwalletfreakazoid said:Jiangsu Jiangdong

or
http://www.allproducts.com/manufacture97/jdgroup/supplier.html

and

http://www.jdchina.com/docc/index.asp <-- chinese only... english version gives 404 erroe

So now its confirmed that its a cHONDA !!

Good call SECSTATE !!!

dwit said:WoozyMoose said:dwit said:Could it power, say, 2 medium sized refrigerators? 1?

Maybe 1 fridge and a 550 VA UPS powering 3 Tivos, cable modem, router, and laptop?

Do you just run long extension chords from the various items to plug in?

Not sure for the 6.5 HP 3250 Watt. Had no trouble running two refrigerators, a freezer and my 3 basement sump pumps with my 6000 watt KingCraft. Although once there was a problem when I tried to start up everything at once. Nothing dangerous -- power stips' circuit brakers just balked when getting all that surge power at once. Actually the generator (running in my front driveway) seemed to have no issue with all these items- even at simultaneous startup. Then again I have the 13 HP 6000 Watt.

I used 4 outdoor extension cords 16/3 at 50 & 75 feet -- also 2 25 foot for basement branches controlled by power strips with circuit breakers . One went to the kitchen refrigerator & the other went downstairs and branched off to the sump pumps, the refrigerator and the freezer. Everything worked as long as I didn't stry starting them up all together.

Sometimes I also added my computer CR Monitor and desklight. Other times I added my 26" TV upstairs with another cord.

The 3250 watt might work for the situation you described. BTW from the Aldi's add picture -- it appears that the two electrical sockets are the standard wall socket type.

The more I think of it -- this 3250 Watt 6.5 HP would have met my needs just fine.

Thank you very much.

Wasted some time today, as I am out of town in the DC area and I thought I would pick one up. Went to the store in Langley Pk, MD, only to discover they did not carry these "special order" type items there. Will try the other Hyattsville, MD tommorrow.

yep !

I feel your pain man !

Its the time like these when I wonder, why won't they just post phone numbers to their stores online ! But then I look at their prices and think, its alright...