A GREAT BUDGET 1800W+ INVERTER GENERATOR - BILT HARD TGA-0251 | CAMPING RV TRAVEL TRAILER - REVIEW

MR Garage | Testing, Reviews, Maintenance and DIY!

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BUY THE BILT HARD TGA-0251 HERE!
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In this video, I take a very in-depth look at this amazingly affordable and super quiet generator that can actually run the AC on many travel trailers or RV's (limit to 13.5k btu or smaller likely - may start and run a 15k too but I would not recommend it) This truly is the cheapest of the cheap YET still quality! Same guts / inverter as several Champion 2500w models costing a lot more. This is the Bilt Hard TGA-0251 (Yaofeng seems to be the CM with a Tapa inverter module). Hang in if you are interested in purchasing as I cover pretty much everything. This is a good generator for camping, boondocking, RV, travel trailer use, battery charging and more. Great for power tools too! Only disappointment, it cannot produce its rated power of 2K running watts. While being a budget unit, you have to be OK at 1850-1900W continuous output and no more (at least my sample could not produce rated power). Overall, this is still an outstanding deal for a brand new generator. Is it the best budget gen in this power class? You decide after watching the video. Or, check out my budget pick for best in this power class here: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-2FPBvDdNsMY.htmlsi=dkmQm6MRxdbaHsTW
This Video Review Covers:
- What's in the box - unboxing (not really, I just show what comes with it)
- Tear-down of the generator to see what is inside and how it is built
- First startup
- Basic upgrades (spark plug, hour meter and magnetic dip stick
- First oil change after break-in
- Sound Test
- Load Test
- Plus more!
Check the links below for upgraded parts for this generator
✩✩Links to the items I use in this video along with more info located below - check it! Purchasing your items from my links helps me do what I do and create more content - Your help is appreciated!✩✩
BUY THE BILT HARD TGA-0251 HERE!
On Amazon
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OIL CHANGE FUNNEL! A MUST!
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OIL I USE FOR BREAK-IN (change at 1 hour mark to a synthetic below)
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OIL I RUN AFTER BREAK IN
Hot weather 15w40
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Cold weather 5w40
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HARDLINE PRODUCTS HOUR AND TACHOMETER
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A SUPER CHEAP BUT DECENT HOUR METER (HOURS ONLY)
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STA-BIL FUEL STABILIZER! IF YOU STORE YOUR GEN WITH GAS IN IT, THIS IS A MUST! (not really needed with ethanol free fuel)
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MAGNETIC DIP STICK THAT FITS THIS GENERATOR.
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UPGRADED SPARK PLUG THAT WILL LAST THE LIFE OF THE GENERATOR. WILL FIRE AND START EVEN WHEN WET FOULED. DO NOT CHANGE THE GAP!
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A GREAT SET OF TOOLS FOR ADJUSTING THE TAPPETS ON THE GENERATOR (SETTING VALVE LASH)
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✩ All Mr. Garage videos are for educational, inspirational and DIY purposes. All items featured in my videos are purchased at normal prices and not provided to me or discounted in exchange for any services or features. I do all I can to give my experience and opinions to you to help you learn, form ideas or generate your own opinions.
✩ The legal:
Mr. Garage is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate-advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Mr. Garage is a participant in the EBay Affiliates Program, an affiliate-advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Ebay.com
FTC Disclosure Statement: Some links on this RU-vid channel may be affiliate links. We may get paid if you buy something or take an action after clicking one of these. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. As an EBay Affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

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3 мар 2024

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Комментарии : 34

@MR_Garage 3 месяца назад

PLEASE READ!!!!!!! ***** I spent some more time today checking out the inverter on this generator in much more detail since it failed to produce 2000W continuously and would trip the overload light at 1940W. Watching this on my scope, this thing really starts to go downhill at 1900w. Champion was 100% correct in their 1850W inverter rating for this tapa built inverter. I am OK saying it can do 1900W but DO NOT try to push it any further. It is fine for spikes and such beyond 1900W as those looked to be handled decently. But for continuous output, aim for 1850-1900w and no more continuously. This could be a sample size of 1 problem BUT... no one else rates this particular inverter for 2000W and my testing is in line with what others claim at 1850W-1900W.*****

@rgs4x 9 дней назад

Just bought one off Ebay. With coupon and rebate on my Credit card I got it for $272 delivered. Ran it for an hour so far. Exercising it with a 1750 watt hair dryer about 1-2 minutes every 15 minutes. Sluggish in eco mode for sure. Bought it for dry camping but wanted something that would run the trailer A/C if needed. Seems to be running rich. Going to check the spark plug once it cools down. Maybe the valve lash. Going to run it for another hour before I change the oil. They recommend 5 hours break-in run time!

@jamelcampbell4984 3 месяца назад

I just put this in my cart a few hours ago before this video popped up. Thank you, I'm buying it to run a portable dryer while camping. I have a 15yo dog who needs clean diapers daily.

@MR_Garage 3 месяца назад

Bless you and take care of that doggo! You are awesome!

@Wood-For-Power1 2 месяца назад

Hi, thanks for the extensive review and recommendation. I did buy one through your supplied link. Got it for $303.79. This unit is will be mighty fine as a loaner-out unit. Did not want extra can/will fails. I wanted one easy to work on versus the very hard to work on Honda OHC 2000 just to do valve adjustments. Or even the Yamaha 2000. This way went it does not come back home I will cry much less. I now have the location of the front right corner low oil wire connector scoped out and will even hole-saw in if ever the need. Body plugging the hole made. All three oil changed broken-in waiting for service now. By the way for those interested a magnet down the spark plug hole says this is an iron/steel sleeved unit. S.U.

@MR_Garage 2 месяца назад

Right on! I keep the nexpow version gen for this purpose. Just loaned it out for a kids birthday party to run a bouncy house 😅

@johnrotert2241 2 месяца назад

I picked up this exact unit from a Facebook marketplace seller. It was brand new. Never had oil or gas in it. The labels were still across the gas cap and oil filler cap. After running for 1 hour to break in, I changed the oil. After running for 4.5 hours to break it in further, I changed the oil, but then it would not stay running. The low oil light would come on after about a minute or so of running (every time). I removed both front and rear black covers, 6 screws each, pinched off the fuel line going to the fuel valve and then removed the fuel line from the tank at the valve, then pulled off the blue housing holding the fuel tank (remove 3 screws at the bottom of each side of the blue shroud). I found the low oil shut off wire on the opposite side from the oil fill cap. The low oil shut off wire coming out of the engine is a single black thin wire that has kind of a cloth braiding around it. Follow that wire forward to its bullet connector, and then pull it. I put everything back together and it works fine. I just have to keep up on oil level now. Also, I looked on Amazon a few days ago before I bought it to look at the reviews. I looked again today but it's nowhere to be found.

@MR_Garage 2 месяца назад

It is back. Happens on Amazon. amzn.to/3PYwBpT

@tonyb3426 3 месяца назад

I greatly appreciate how in-depth your reviews are of generators. And, you going the extra mile to even do a tear down, plus show some ways to improve (by adding an hour meter) and prolong the life (by adding a magnetic dipstick and iridium spark plug) of the generators is Great!! It is frustrating to see how many unprofessional and specifications lacking "review" videos people are putting out. Would you consider doing a review of the Bilt Hard 5500w Dual Fuel Inverter Generator? It seems to run around $750 most of the time on Amazon, which, if it is as decent quality as this smaller generator, would make it a very good value for the price. I prefer to use propane to run a generator because, for me it would sit unused for long periods of time between uses, and I don't like the short "shelf life(?)" of gasoline and the potential of fuel systems getting gummed up.

@BKD70 3 месяца назад

Inside the plastic, it looks a lot like my Ducar built Westinghouse iGen2550... nearly identical. I think RATO builds nearly all of the Champion generators... at least they used to, I haven't had opportunity to check out any of the new suitcase 1800 class models that have come out in the last couple years, they very well could have their units in this power rating built by someone else these days. If you're not going to be using it on Federal lands... take that spark arrestor off. The engine will thank you. Good call on the Rotella 15W40 oil... I use 15W40 heavy duty diesel oil (I use Mobil Delvac 1300 Super) in all of my small engines... have been for years and years and years. I also run the NGK Iridium spark plugs on my generators. They do make a difference. Great video!!! Subbed!!

@midcoasttractorservice9182 3 месяца назад

In the video you cannot tell how quiet they actually are! I bought one and use it for running my special effect and dmx board for photography.

@MR_Garage 3 месяца назад

It is super quiet and agreed! Have to hear it. Especially side by side with other generators.

@tristanschaper281 3 месяца назад

Great review! I also cannot believe how much quieter this unit is, and you compared it to the smaller unit as well. Very, very impressive. Interesting what you found on the part# for that inverter board, that it's apparently listed/sold as a 1900W board. Before I got to that part of your video, I was thinking the overload at 1940W could possibly be from the variable voltage transformer that you are using. Transformers create reactive power with a less that 1.0 Power Factor. Without getting too technical, if you had a .9 PF (power factor) going back to the generator, the inverter board is "seeing/feeling" a slightly higher load of KVAR than the listed "watts" on your display. In theory, you may have hit (or in a lab) they may have just been able to hit 2000W pure resistive load, with no reactive power. Maybe (like you had said on the surge ratings). Or they just rounded up for marketing, lol. But I agree that this unit is a great value, especially coming out so well in the sound test. (usually the off brand cheapies seem to be the loudest/roughest sounding". I have a 5 year old Champion dual fuel and it's a bit "raspy" sounding but the db numbers don't really show that. Overall great review!

@MR_Garage 3 месяца назад

Hello! Smart thinking on the variac, I did test with and without it. Made no discernible difference. I went back to my old loads, variable heat guns without the transformer in play and took measurements with my SDS1102X scope and added my edit to the comments section (pinned). 1900W is generous and giving her all she's got! Double checked with my SDM3055 benchtop multimeter and it agrees. Voltage starts dropping and this one goes into a virtual triangle waveform 😅 Thought something was wrong with my 100x probe per line noise so grabbed two of my handheld scopes, they showed mostly the same. It was interesting for sure. I spent more time double and triple checking this one than any other I have worked with.

@BKD70 3 месяца назад

Great point on the variac dropping the power factor... I was thinking the exact same thing.

@MR_Garage 3 месяца назад

@@BKD70 Power factor was .95 with this load, nothing that would skew the results to the level of fail I found in meeting spec. This was the only generator I have tested with this load that could not touch its specified output. All others exceed their ratings. Still a good value but not a 2000W generator. Could have been my sample too, never know.

@MoroniGivens-jq9mi 3 месяца назад

How you find compression stroke. 50/50 chance getting right when tdc. I know play in compression stroke.

@MR_Garage 3 месяца назад

Stick your finger over the spark plug hole and pull the cord or rotate the engine. Compression stroke will push air out of the hole or feel rather neutral if it has a de-compression cam.

@tristanschaper281 3 месяца назад

Or use a flashlight to look down the hole. or you can carefully use a screwdriver in the hole and watch for when it's at the top (but go slow and make sure you don't jam the screwdriver in the hole when its coming up. @@MR_Garage

@BKD70 3 месяца назад

Compression stroke is the up-stroke of the piston after the exhaust valve closes...

@HiDesertFun 3 месяца назад

I've had mine probably running at least a hundred hours. 3 oil changes I overloaded the circuit and now it will not keep running. Shuts off like low oil sensor. How hard is it to get to the low oil sensing unit? I have not removed the outer case. Thank you

@MR_Garage 3 месяца назад

Is the low oil light coming on? That would be the indication the switch is stuck. If that is not on when starting, other damage may have happened. Unfortunately, the sensor it is on the bottom of the motor and a total teardown would be needed to get to it. Or, you can trace back a single wire going to the bottom of the motor which would be the low oil pressure switch. Could bypass it.

@HiDesertFun 3 месяца назад

Thank you very much. you answered my question fully, much appreciated

@LEONDELASIERRA1 12 дней назад

Hi iis this better than the pulsar 2300 watts inverter generator?

@MR_Garage 12 дней назад

I would say (without reviewing it) that the pulsar would be a better choice. My favorite budget pick is this unit, the Nexpow YH2200i. amzn.to/3z938nr which I would recommend over the pulsar. Cheaper and better features.

@LEONDELASIERRA1 12 дней назад

@@MR_Garage thank you so much sir..

@vickwebb8720 2 месяца назад

Can you recommend a tank extender for this type of generator?

@MR_Garage 2 месяца назад

This is what I hear the hot ticket is. I have not used it myself but should fit this generator. Most all of these have the same threads / fuel cap style. Something I will consider testing in the future. amzn.to/3Q2KMu7

@vickwebb8720 2 месяца назад

Thanks for the recommendation. I will check it out.

@ttseroga1986 4 месяца назад

Metal tanks are worse, they rust inside. Also when you are testing raise the load till it trips. Sometimes it will go over the rating before it trip. Even if the red light is on.

@MR_Garage 4 месяца назад

They can*** rust. Depends on levels of neglect, moisture and so forth. I have 40 year old metal tanks here that look brand new inside. I do agree though, plastic tanks have their benefits! Just surprised me to see a metal tank in it. I would think they cost more! The LED lights trip on the inverters when they sense clipping. You can see this with a scope. This takes them from being a safe, clean inverter generator to more of a square wave (depends how gracefully they clip). In short, I never want to see a generator start to clip prior to its rated output. Not cool.

@MoroniGivens-jq9mi 3 месяца назад

You know iridium has a resistor cuts spark fire. Made electronic ignition. Have you found iridium without resistors

@MR_Garage 3 месяца назад

Please DO run a resistor plug for inverter generators. Note, the factory plug has a 5K resistor also. Do NOT run a non-resistor plug on modern ignition system designed for a resistor plug, and especially on do not run one on an inverter generator. The resistor is there for noise suppression and this is a sensitive electronic device! Also, being a fine wire electrode, the spark kernel is very focused with an iridium plug, unlike a junk nickel tip of yesteryear. You will not experience spark blowout or other performance issue with a fine wire electrode plug like an iridium plug and you do not need to tighten the gap on these to improve starting. These are good to go! Hope this helps!

@tristanschaper281 3 месяца назад

Well said! @@MR_Garage