Generac GP17500E - 17,500 Watt Electric Start Portable Generator (49-State)

They cannot. You can use one or the other.

The average 5-ton A/C unit requires about 145 amps to start, and this unit would not be able to produce that to start the A/C. I would not recommend any portable generator if you plan on running a central A/C unit. For this application, you will need to go to a standby generator.

It is not recommended to keep generators stored outside year-round. This is to prevent the generator from getting wet either from weather or condensation. The water will corrode metals and connections over time and will cause the generator to fail. If you must store it outside then I would highly suggest using a water proof cover and winterizing the unit before storage.

Due to the size of the engine this unit does not have a pull start and is electric start only.

Thanks for your inquiry.....Generator manufacturers do not offer conversion kits or permanent enclosures for portable generators.

We at Power Equipment Direct do not recommend converting your gasoline portable generator to an alternative fuel and doing so will void the manufacturer’s warranty and may cause damage to the generator itself. These conversions are not recommended by any of the generator manufacturers.

Gasoline has an Ignition Point of 475–536 °F. When a generator is manufactured to run solely on gasoline these temperatures are taken into consideration and the engine components are made to handle these temperatures.

Propane (LP) has an Ignition Point of 920-1020°F and Natural Gas (NG) has an Ignition Point of 900–1500°F. These higher temperatures will cause damage over time on any “gas only” powered engine.

The following guidelines cover Honda engines (Also applies to other engine manufacturers) modified to run on fuels other than the one for which they were designed, such as converting an engine to run on propane (LP) or natural gas (NG).


• Honda gasoline engines are certified to operate on unleaded fuel with a pump octane rating of 86 or higher, containing no more than 10% ethanol (E10).

• Any change to the original configuration of a certified Honda engine is a potential violation of the Clean Air Act prohibition against tampering (40 CFR §1068.101(b)(1)). The tampering prohibition is important because poorly designed and installed modifications can increase emissions.

• The Clean Air Act prohibits anyone from removing or rendering inoperative any device or design element installed on engines in compliance with regulations. These actions are considered tampering, which carries a civil penalty up to $37,500 for each engine or equipment in violation.

• Engines converted by a third party (OEM, dealer, converter, etc.) to run on a different fuel type must be recertified with the EPA on the new fuel to comply with applicable emission standards. The third party must recertify under a new family and notify Honda to not include the modified engines in the original family.

• Converted engines to be sold for use in California must meet CARB requirements and the converter must obtain approval from CARB. EPA certificates or tampering exemptions will not satisfy the requirement for CARB certification.

• Once certified, the third party must remove the Honda emission control label and apply a compliant emission control label for the new fuel indicating the new certifying manufacturer. Honda will no longer assume any responsibility as the certifying manufacturer.

• The Honda Distributor's Limited Warranty does not extend to parts affected or damaged by the conversion to or use of fuel other than the fuel for which the engine was originally designed.


• Honda offers V-twin engines specifically designed and certified for use in LP/NG applications. The engines incorporate special design features that address the higher combustion temperatures and reduced lubrication to the valve guide area (since it is a dry fuel, not liquid). Please contact your sales representative or distributor for additional information.


Disclaimer: The guidance provided is intended for Honda dealer/distributor informational purposes only and not for the purpose of providing legal advice. You must contact the appropriate certifying agencies if you require information on how regulations apply to your specific application.

The regulations and additional information can be found at these web sites:

EPA Regulations

CARB Compliance

Thanks for your inquiry.

We at Power Equipment Direct do not recommend converting your gasoline portable generator to an alternative fuel and doing so will void the manufacturer’s warranty and may cause damage to the generator itself. These conversions are not recommended by any of the generator manufacturers.

Gasoline has an Ignition Point of 475–536 °F. When a generator is manufactured to run solely on gasoline these temperatures are taken into consideration and the engine components are made to handle these temperatures.

Propane (LP) has an Ignition Point of 920-1020°F and Natural Gas (NG) has an Ignition Point of 900–1500°F. These higher temperatures will cause damage over time on any “gas only” powered engine.

The following guidelines cover Honda engines (Also applies to other engine manufacturers) modified to run on fuels other than the one for which they were designed, such as converting an engine to run on propane (LP) or natural gas (NG).


• Honda gasoline engines are certified to operate on unleaded fuel with a pump octane rating of 86 or higher, containing no more than 10% ethanol (E10).

• Any change to the original configuration of a certified Honda engine is a potential violation of the Clean Air Act prohibition against tampering (40 CFR §1068.101(b)(1)). The tampering prohibition is important because poorly designed and installed modifications can increase emissions.

• The Clean Air Act prohibits anyone from removing or rendering inoperative any device or design element installed on engines in compliance with regulations. These actions are considered tampering, which carries a civil penalty up to $37,500 for each engine or equipment in violation.

• Engines converted by a third party (OEM, dealer, converter, etc.) to run on a different fuel type must be recertified with the EPA on the new fuel to comply with applicable emission standards. The third party must recertify under a new family and notify Honda to not include the modified engines in the original family.

• Converted engines to be sold for use in California must meet CARB requirements and the converter must obtain approval from CARB. EPA certificates or tampering exemptions will not satisfy the requirement for CARB certification.

• Once certified, the third party must remove the Honda emission control label and apply a compliant emission control label for the new fuel indicating the new certifying manufacturer. Honda will no longer assume any responsibility as the certifying manufacturer.

• The Honda Distributor's Limited Warranty does not extend to parts affected or damaged by the conversion to or use of fuel other than the fuel for which the engine was originally designed.


• Honda offers V-twin engines specifically designed and certified for use in LP/NG applications. The engines incorporate special design features that address the higher combustion temperatures and reduced lubrication to the valve guide area (since it is a dry fuel, not liquid). Please contact your sales representative or distributor for additional information.


Disclaimer: The guidance provided is intended for Honda dealer/distributor informational purposes only and not for the purpose of providing legal advice. You must contact the appropriate certifying agencies if you require information on how regulations apply to your specific application.

The regulations and additional information can be found at these web sites:

EPA - EPA

CARB - CARB


The run times will always vary based on the actual load put on the generator.

It is not recommended to connect to 2 separate panels via the generators outlets due to causing off balanced loads on the alternator and damaging the generator and possibly the equipment you are connecting to it.

CAUTION: EQUIPMENT DAMAGE – Balanced Load

Failure to properly limit and balance the load applied to the generator will cause the generator to produce low voltage and may damage the engine generator set. It may also cause severe damage to the loads connected to the generator at that time. Improper loading of the generator set constitutes abuse and will not be covered by warranty.

When using the generator properly connected to the included transfer switch the circuits in the switch are properly disconnected from the utility service. So, when your utility service returns the other circuits in your electrical panel are going to be powered while the generator circuits are safely disconnected from them. When your other lights and appliances come back on you will know.

The maintenance is listed in the owner's manual available on the site and comes with the unit. Typically it will be oil changes, oil filter changes, air filter changes and spark plug changes. You will have a maintenance schedule to follow based on the usage time of the unit.

All service is performed by your local manufacturers service dealer who handles all warranty and general service on the generators. You can find on via the following link....

How To Find A Local Service Center

It is not recommended to connect to 2 separate panels via the generators outlets due to causing off balanced loads on the alternator and damaging the generator and possibly the equipment you are connecting to it.

The best way to connect this generator is to connect a manual transfer switch directly after your electrical meter allowing the generator to be an exact replacement to your utility power when it goes out. You will however need to manage your circuits as this generator is not designed or large enough to power an entire home.

The following 100A switch is recommended since you have 100A service....

TCA1006DR

The running amperage load on the MM 211 is 25A @ 230V and when you do the math (A x V = W) it comes to 5750 watts. The problem is it does not show the starting amperage load and typically MIG welders require a steady sine wave along with high starting.

I've heard a good professional 7500 watt generator could handle the load as long as you keep the amp output low because when you jump to 175A output or higher the unit will struggle and your welder will not keep a constant arch.

The larger generators have higher output capacity but you are limited to the 50A outlet so your going to max out at 12,500 watts on them and might still have problems.

If you keep the welds to 1/8th and under or short welds you would be ok but that never happens.

I recommend the TWB2005DR which is mounted between your meter and main panel allowing you to manage your entire electrical panels circuits.

You must have 200A service for this to work.

TWB2005DR

They use a Group U1..
Note: PURCHASE LOCALLY - COLD CRANKING AMPS @ 0 F: 300 CRANKING AMPS & @ 32 F: 365 CRANKING AMPS.

No, you cannot tie the 50A to the 30A outlet to get the full output, full output from the generator is not possible and any alterations to the unit will void the warranty.

50A is the maximum you can get at one time from this generator allowing a maximum of 12500 watts.

With large generators you are limited by the largest outlet do the maximum you can get at one time is 12500 watts and the remaining wattage is available from the other outlets.

Portable generators are not designed to run your entire panel at the same time, it must be managed.

The proper way to connect to the entire panel is with a whole house style switch like model TWB2005DR.

This switch is rated at 200A and is mounted between the meter and your main panel allowing you to manage the entire panel without going beyond the maximum of 12500 watts.

I typically suggest having your breakers. Olof coated for day circuits and night circuits which helps keep you from overloading the generator.

If you want to do the entire panel you would want to think about whole house home standby generators like the Generac Guardian Series units.

Jason, here's the transfer switch that we recommend.

http://www.electricgeneratorsdirect.com/Generac-6296/p8535.html

Actually the X-Large cover fits perfectly as I have fit tested these covers for all the models we offer.

The generator charges the battery when in use and the generator should be started every 7 days per the owner's manual. This properly lubricates the engine, keeps fuel moving through the carburetor to prevent clogging and it charges the battery.

Otherwise, you need to follow the long term storage process according to the manual and then us a trickle charger on the battery to keep it charged.

Any 50A outlet, receptacle, cord or switch has a maximum of 12,500 watts....Amps x Volts = Watts.

Yes, the TRC1005C operates the same as the Kit50-25SB except the Kit includes the breakers, power inlet box and power cord. All of these items would need to be purchased when selecting the TRC1005C.

This model is specifically engineered to operate on gasoline only and Generac does not offer a conversion kit. If converted to different fuel type you will void the manufacturers warranty which we do not recommend.

Generac uses 10W30 in their kits that get sent with the portable generators.

The best way to connect to your home panel and have the ability to use all your circuits is to use a manual transfer panel based on the amperage size of your existing panel. (100A or 200A) This transfer panel would be mounted between your meter and your main panel breaker so you have control of all of your circuits. You still need to control them according to the load without exceeding the maximum of 12,500 watts through the 50A outlet. In a normal situation no one normally uses anywhere near 12,500 watts at any one time. The link below will show you some of the switches we have to give you more options.

100A Transfer Panels

200A Transfer Panels

Portable generators are normally stored inside and the B&S 30471 comes with a float style battery charger which is plugged into the generator when not in use. This allows the generator battery to have a sufficient charge when the generator is needed to start.

An OHV (Overhead Valve) engine is compact designed and generally makes the unit operate quieter. The Generac OHVI (Overhead Valve Industrial) engine is built robustly with premium power and high performance and comes with a fully pressurized oil lubrication system and spin-on filter.