Firman P03601 Spec Review

Description

Zoom on the Firman P03601

In a nutshell, the Firman P03601 is a compact portable generator mostly geared towards:

• RV travellers who wish to upgrade their experience to another level
• People occasionally participating in outdoor fairs, festivals or events
• Homeowners who want to be able to use the most necessary devices in their household, even during a blackout

In the following paragraphs, we shall explore the power characteristics, available outlets, portability, and any additional features of the device, along with its emission compliance information.

Power & Run Time

The Firman P03601

The Firman P03601's design includes a gasoline-fueled 208 cc Firman Max-Pro Series OHV 4-stroke engine. With a 120V output, it gives a running wattage of 3650W and also a peak wattage of 4550W.

At a noise rating of 67 dBA (less noisy than an office), the generator is started via a simple traditional pull-start mechanism.

The fuel capacity of 5 gallons allows the P03601 to operate for around 14 hours at 50% load with a full tank (fuel consumption around 0.36 GPH).

The quite high THD (<25%) of the P03601 makes it unsuitable for powering sensitive electronic devices.

Outlets

The control panel provides the upcoming 4 AC outlets:

Duplex 120V 20A (5-20R)

120V 30A (TT-30R) receptacle

120V 30A (L5-30R) receptacle

This Firman generator is RV Ready, thanks to its TT-30R receptacle (TT stands for 'Travel Trailer').

Portability

The Firman P03601 has a conventional, open frame design, of the following dimensions: L23.2 x W17.8 x H18.6 in, which offers support and allows it to be raised above ground level. The device has been designed for tough environments and demanding outdoor use.

Since the generator weighs 101.5 lbs, it will be incredibly difficult to manually lift it and transport it, even though it is technically considered to 'be portable' (in the sense that it is movable). Thus, you may also want to consider purchasing its official wheel kit (opens in a new tab).

Features

The P03601's control panel

The P03601 and its control panel include a convenient meter showing you voltage, frequency and lifetime hours. This feature comes handy when monitoring its status and activity.

In addition to this info, when the oil level is too low, you will be informed by the featured light indicator.

Thanks to a built-in fuel gauge, the generator allows you to quickly, conveniently and easily check the gas level at a glance.

From a security standpoint, the product offers an overload protection (circuit breaker) and an automatic low oil shut-off, allowing you to use it with a peace of mind.

While the standard documentation and an owner's manual (opens in a new tab), helpful for starting the device promptly, come with the Firman P03601, the following accessories are also included: funnel, tool kit and oil. An official storage cover is also available, as a separate purchase.

Emissions

The Firman P03601 is EPA approved, but NOT CARB-compliant. Thus, it cannot be purchased or sold in California.

However, it features a spark arrestor, so it is adequate for use in forested areas.

Product Video

The Firman P03601 versus other generators

The following charts are provided to give you an idea of how some of the key specs of the Firman P03601 compare to generators of similar power (between 3500 and 4500 W).

• Having a dry weight of 101.5 lbs, the Firman P03601 belongs in the expected weight range for generators which produce 3500 to 4500 rated watts. If weight matters to you, one of the champions in this power range is the WEN GN400i with only 66.1 pounds.
• Because this generator emits noise as low as 67 dBA, it can be considered to have a pretty average expected noise rating for a device of its power. If you are concerned with noise, check out the Cummins Onan P4500i, which is one of the least noisy generators in its power range, with a noise rating of just 52 dBA.
• With a run time of around 14 hours at 50% load, the P03601 has one of the higher run times, compared to its similarly powerful peers. Concerning the run times, one of the several devices with a comparable output, offering the highest autonomy, is the Predator 4375, which is able to run for around 16 hours.
• Run times are important, yet thanks to their dependence on the fuel capacity, they should be judged along with the fuel consumption of the device. This generator has an average fuel consumption among comparably powerful devices, as it reaches 0.36 GPH (gallon per hour) at a 50% load. If you are concerned with gasoline efficiency, having a fuel consumption of just 0.17 GPH, the Westinghouse iGen4200 is a device you should look out for.

Price comparison

The bottom line

Unlike many websites, we did our best to research each of the specs above. That being said, we are not immune to making the occasional mistake or omission. Should you notice any missing or incorrect values, don't hesitate to suggest improvements so we can address the issue.

About FIRMAN Power Equipment

Founded in 1999, Firman Power Equipment is a company with a short, but established history in the power equipment industry. Based in Arizona, the company offers an immense range of products, including power tools, automotive equipment, storage utilities, work wear, but most importantly, a wide selection of generators of all sizes, designs and outputs. Interestingly, Firman is a wholly owned subsidiary of the China National Machinery Industry Corporation - a somewhat well renowned company in China and acts as a de facto distributor of their products in the US.

Warranty Information

The Firman P03601 is covered under a warranty for up to 3 years. This warranty may be limited and may not cover all parts of the generator.
For more information about the warranty of Firman generators, please consult Firman's warranty policies (opens in a new tab). Alternatively, you can also contact their Customer Support: 1-844-FIRMAN1 (844-347-6261).

Questions & Answers

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