Last updated on April 18th, 2020 at 04:34 am
The DuroStar DS4000S is one of the best portable generator for the money. Being compact in size and packed with a 7 HP air-cooled engine, DS4000S delivers 4000 peak watt and 3,300 rated watts.
A small size generator will be the best thing if you are traveling in your RV or need instant power in a remote location. The electricity produced from them will help you run essential appliances and lights.
DuroStar DS4000s is an excellent generator for camping, RV ready, Jobsite uses, can take it to a construction site, or use it as a home backup power source to tackle blackouts and power outage.
Contents
Reasons To Buy DuroStar DS4000s
Affordable Price
Before anything, I personally like that the DS4000s is a very affordable generator. Most of the 4000-watt units can cost you way over $500, however, this Durostar generator costs you less than $300. Isn’t that amazing? and that is one of the reasons why it is very popular.
Power & Efficiency
It is quite amazing to see an affordable generator featuring a 7 HP air-cooled OHV engine. With respect to the cheap price the engine is really powerful, you can expect it to run for a longer period of time.
The Durostar OHV engine is capable of delivering 4,000 peak watts and 3,300 running watts which are very impressive for such a compact portable generator. It can be used to power TV, refrigerator, lights, heating, and power tools.
The DS4000s is very efficient in the context of run time. Featuring a 4-gallon gasoline tank, it can provide a continuous supply of electricity for more than 8 hours at half the load.
Portability & Wheel Kit
When you are buying a power source make sure that it is portable so that you can take it anywhere along with you. It weighs only 94 pounds which makes the DS4000S one of the lightest small generators available in the market.
It comes with a foldable handle allowing easy storage and carrying capacity.
Because the generator weighs only 94 pounds which is very lightweight compared to its competitor units and to keep the price affordable DuroStar does not provide any wheel kit.
However, you can buy DuroStar DS4000S-WK wheel kit that includes pulling handle, tires, screws, and braces. With the help of a user manual, you will be able to install them quickly.
Ease of Use & Noise Level
The DS4000S is very easy to use the machine even for someone who never had experience with generators. With a simple pull cord recoil start mechanism you will be able to fire-up the engine.
Thanks to the automatic low-oil shutoff feature, the engine will be shut-down automatically when the panel will read the low-oil warning. When it does, simply read the user manual and change the oil.
Okay, you can buy all the things at an affordable price, and this DuroStar generator is not super quiet. Yes, it is quietest than other generator but not quite enough to keep it near or inside the house. Thanks to the super muffler system, the noise level is kept under 69 dB only.
But be aware that while operating heavy loads, the generator will make more noise than usual. I personally think that this is the only big downside of this unit. But hey, it is cheaper than other relatively high-performance power sources.
Outlets
DuroStar DS4000S will give you maximum compatibility by providing enough number of outlets.
The panel will have two 120V household outlets, and one 120V 30A twist-lock outlet. It also features a voltmeter for you to read the voltage supply and use.
Online Customer Reviews & Ratings
Reviews and ratings should be something to look at before making a purchase. Because it tells you about the product reliability and trust of customers. At the time of publishing this review, this DuroStar DS4000S had over 750 reviews on Amazon and an average 4.3-star rating.
Looking at the reviews, most buyers feel contempt with the generator quality because of its power and best value. Some of them thanked the brand for making such a cheap generator which helped them go through power outage during a hurricane and other natural calamities.
A handful of reviewers showed worries about mufflers and frame quality. Most of the issues can be prevented if you just changed the oil after every 20-hours of continuous use.
The most helpful voted review stated that the owner had this generator for 4 years and used it more than 20 times. He was using it to power a refrigerator, small AC, TV, LED lights, and a sump-pump. He jokingly stated, “All my neighbors suffered from blackout while I was watching TV with cool air and cold drinks”.
Cost of Maintenance
If you are new to owning a generator then you might face some operating problems.
To avoid unwanted operating issues, make sure to change engine oil every 20 hours of use, check if you are having a spark plug issue, or you might be doing the common mistake of overloading.
Maintain your DS4000S Durostar generator regularly to avoid any unwanted issues. Changing oil and other small maintenance such as cleaning air cleaner, check the spark plug, and fuel filter cup which will cost you around $100/year if you use it regularly.
Manual, Warranty, & Support
Durostar ds4000s manual is very user-friendly and easy to read. You can easily grab all the instructions on how to start your generator, and ways to maintain it for years to come. Your user’s manual will also have a list of troubleshooting tips.
DuroPower an American Generator Brands which owns the Durostar company. They provide 1-yeat of warranty and nationwide customer support for peace of mind.
If you are having trouble starting the Durostar ds4000s or need other support, then you can always call them at 1-800-629-3325 customer support number. They qualified customer executives will help you resolve your issue or will teach you how to read the manual.
Durostar DS4000S Specs
Are you someone who looks at specs before putting money in any product? Then that is a sign of smart consumer. Here DS4000s specs for you, but keep in mind that all of this costs you less than $300 which is great in itself.
| Specs | Values |
|---|---|
| Engine | 7.0 HP Air-Cooled OHV |
| Fuel Type | Gasoline |
| Tank Size | 4 Gallons |
| Running Watts | 3,300W |
| Starting Watts | 4,000W |
| Run Time | 8 Hours @ 50% Load |
| Start Mechanism | Recoil Start |
| Recommended Oil Type | SAE 10W-30 |
| Oil Capacity | 20 fluid oz. |
| Noise Level | 69 dBA rating |
| Outlets | (1) 120-volt, (2)-120V, 20-amp, 30-amp twist-lock, 3-prong |
| Weight | 94 pounds |
| Dimension | 24 x 17 x 17 inches |
| Warranty & Support | 1 Year Factory Warranty |
Best Uses of This DuroStar DS4000s Generator
Portable generators are a great source of instant electricity needs when you need them the most. Delivering a continuous 8 hours of uninterrupted power supply at 3,300 rated watts, here are some of the best ways to use this DuroStar generator.
- Home back up generator for essential appliances
- Power your woodworking tools
- Use it to run pneumatic tools
- Suitable for camping, RV, and tailgating
- Emergency backup at Jobsite or worksite
Features
- Powerful 208 Air Cooled OHV Engine
- All Cooper Wiring for long shelf life
- Easy to read fuel gauge so that you will know if your generator is running out of fuel or not
- Low oil warning sign backed by automatic low-oil shutdown feature to protect the engine
- GFCI Protected outlet for added user safety
- Rigid and Strong All Metal Construction
- Rugged Workhorse is Ideal for a Wide Variety of Uses
- Cold weather ready with easy to pull recoil start
- Delivers 3,300 wattages for an impressive 8 hours at half the load
- Read the power output on the built-in voltmeter
DuroStar DS4000S VS Champion 4000 Watt
- Running Watts: 3500 Watts
- 30 Amp RV Outlet: YES
- Noise Level: 64 dB @ 25% Load
- Weight: 81.6 lbs
- Dimension: 20.5 x 17.9 x 17.7 in
- Warranty: 3-Years
- Price: High $$$
- Running Watts: 3,300 Watts
- 30 Amp RV Outlet: YES
- Noise Level: 69 dB @ 25% Load
- Weight: 94 lbs
- Dimension: 24 x 17 x 17 in
- Warranty: 1-Year
- Price: Low $$$
You might ask why not go for the Champion 4000-watt unit?
Both of them delivers 4,000 starting watts, but have some basic differences.
The first most important factor is their price tags, Champion generator will cost you more than $500, and DS4000S will cost you around $300.
However, Champion gives a way better 3-year warranty and a slight rise in running watts of 3,500.
Apart from that, both the 4000-watt generator performs pretty similarly.
The Champion generator brand is more popular and has a slight advantage over DuroStar DS4000S, but if you are looking for a better value deal then buying DS4000S is the right decision. Because you will save more than $250 with the DuroStar unit over the Champion unit.
Our Verdict on DuroStar DS4000s and Rating
No doubt that you can find better generators with more power and lower noise levels. However, Durostar DS4000s is an affordable option for people looking to have power backed by low maintenance needs.
This generator is an excellent backup power source for your home, Jobsite, furnaces, or running a sump-pump. Noise won’t be an issue if you install it in your backyard or keep 23 feet away from your working location.
Because it makes sound, it might not be the best generator for your food truck business. However, thanks to its ability to deliver constant power, ds4000s, is a reliable generator that can be used in an emergency to fulfill electricity needs.
It is one of the most affordable power generators under $300-$400 range. Capable of 4000 peak watts and 3300 rated watts, this Durostar DS4000s is well equipped with plenty of outlets to let you enjoy an uninterrupted supply of electricity. Be it running your power tools, or using it as a home backup generator or making your camping memorable, this compact generator is perfect for people looking for a cheaper alternative.
All I can say is that Durostar DS4000s is one of the best value generators which is pocket-friendly and reliable.
