Sportsman GEN3500DFi - 3000/3500W Dual Fuel Inverter Generator
The Sportsman GEN3500DFi is a compact dual fuel inverter generator with a rated wattage of 3,000 W and a starting wattage of 3,500 W. (Read full specs)
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Amazon | Price history for the Sportsman GEN3500DFi |
|---|
| Highest Price $1,051.99 Lowest Price $1,031.20 Current Price $1,051.99 |
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Description
Zoom on the Sportsman GEN3500DFi
To sum up, the Sportsman GEN3500DFi is a compact portable inverter generator tailored for:
- RV travellers who wish to upgrade their experience to another level
- Occasional participants of outdoor events, competitions, concerts and festivals
- DIYers who wish to improve their efficiency with tools
- Homeowners who want to be sure of their ability to power their fridges, cooking tools, heating and lighting equipment during power failures
- Tailgating and campground aficionados with the desire of enjoying power anywhere they go
In the upcoming sections, you'll discover its power characteristics, the array of outlets it presents, its overall portability, and the additional features it possesses.
Power & Run Time
The Sportsman GEN3500DFi
Featuring dual-fuel technology, the Sportsman GEN3500DFi provides 120V, as well as versatility and power. Running on gasoline, it delivers a running wattage of 3,000W and a peak wattage of 3,500W. Alternatively, when fueled by propane, it offers 2,700 running watts and 3,150 peak watts. In addition, as it is parallel capable (parallel kit not included), this power can be doubled when linked to another similar or compatible unit.
Rated for 69 dBA (less noisy than an office), the inverter generator's starting mechanism relies on a conventional pull-start mechanism.
The GEN3500DFi, with a fuel capacity of 3.2 gallons, reaches a run time of around 10 hours at 50% load utilizing gasoline (fuel consumption around 0.32 GPH). Alternatively, it can reach a run time of around 12 hours (on a 20 lbs tank - propane consumption around 0.39 GPH) with propane.
The GEN3500DFi generates a clean sine wave with <5% Total Harmonic Distortion (THD), ensuring minimal electrical noise and fluctuations. This feature makes it ideal for powering sensitive electronics, providing stable and reliable AC power through the outlets.
Outlets
The control panel provides the upcoming 3 AC outlets:
It also sports 2 DC outlets: there's a 12V 8A receptacle with which charging your batteries is made easy and a 5V USB port with which you may charge electronics, for example mobile phones or tablets, conveniently.
Featuring a TT-30R receptacle (TT for 'Travel Trailer'), this Sportsman generator is RV Ready, designed specifically for use with recreational vehicles.
Portability
As an inverter generator, the Sportsman GEN3500DFi showcases a closed design (L21.5 x W16.1 x H18.3 in), enhancing aesthetics and ensuring quieter operation compared to conventional, open frame models. The design follows the contemporary trends and is perfect for recreationally generating power.
With a dry weight of 83 lbs, the GEN3500DFi can easily follow you wherever your power needs are. Furthermore, moving the GEN3500DFi from A to B is made easier thanks to its convenient double handle, which greatly improves grip.
Features
The GEN3500DFi's control panel
Light indicators on the device will notify you if the generator is on overload, the generator is ready and the oil level is too low.
As far as security is concerned, the generator can be used with a peace of mind, as it features an overload protection (circuit breaker) and an automatic low oil shut-off.
Apart from the standard documentation and an owner's manual (opens in a new tab) to facilitate setup, the Sportsman GEN3500DFi features extra accessories: propane hose, tool kit, battery charging cables and funnel.
Product Video
The Sportsman GEN3500DFi versus other generators
The following charts are provided to give you an idea of how some of the key specs of the Sportsman GEN3500DFi compare to inverter generators of similar power (between 2500 and 3500 W).
- As its weight is 83 pounds, the Sportsman GEN3500DFi falls in the expected weight range of the inverters in the 2500-3500 rated wattage category. If weight is your top priority, one of the champions in this power category is the Pulsar PGD40iSCO, weighing just 46 pounds.
- As this inverter generator has its lowest possible noise of 69 dBA, it should be considered noisier compared to its peers of a comparable running wattage. If noise emissions are one of your priorities, you may be interested in the Honda EU3000iS, one of the least noisy generators similarly powerful as this one, rated for 50 dBA.
- The GEN3500DFi provides a higher run time than similarly powerful inverters, reaching around 10 hours at 50% load. If you consider autonomy on a single full tank as one of the deciding factors, one of the generators in the same power range that offers the highest run time is the Generac iQ3600DF, with around 13 hours.
- Run time is a key metric, but it's dependent on the generator's fuel tank capacity. Therefore, discussing fuel efficiency is necessary for a complete understanding. This inverter generator is rather wasteful, compared to other devices within the aforementioned output range, when it comes to gasoline consumption, as it reaches roughly 0.32 GPH at a 50% load. If you're placing a high priority on fuel consumption, the Pulsar PGD40iSCO, with a low fuel consumption rate of 0.22 GPH, could be an option to consider.
Price comparison
As you can see from these interactive charts, when compared to other 2500-3500W dual fuel inverter generators, the Sportsman GEN3500DFi is on the expensive side of the price range.
While certainly not the cheapest of its kind, purchasing it would most likely also mean enjoying the reliability of a high-end product.
The bottom line
- Dual fuel
- Several accessories included
- RV Ready
- Parallel capable
- Inverter
- High run time
- Decent weight (83 lbs)
- On the expensive side
- No data center
- No electric start
- 1-year warranty
- On the noisy side (69 dBA)
- Low fuel efficiency
Do you own the Sportsman GEN3500DFi and agree (or disagree) with these strengths and weaknesses?
Let us know and write your own review.
Features and Specifications
| Inverter | Yes |
|---|---|
| Parallel capable | Yes, cable not included |
| RV ready | Yes |
| Fuel | Dual Fuel (gasoline/propane) |
| Engine | 212 cc OHV 4-stroke |
| Starting system | Recoil |
| Warranty | 1 year |
| Voltage | AC: 120V 60 Hz, DC: 12V |
| Gasoline | Propane | |
|---|---|---|
| Running watts | 3,000 W | 2,700 W |
| Starting watts | 3,500 W | 3,150 W |
| Running amps | 25 amps | 22.5 amps |
| Peak amps | 29.2 amps | 26.3 amps |
| Run time @50% load | 10 h | 12 h |
| Run time @25% load | Unknown | Unknown |
| GFCI outlets | No |
|---|---|
| Covered outlets | No |
| Automatic Voltage Regulation | Inverter |
| AC outlets |
|
| DC outlets | 1x 12V 8A receptacle 1x 5V USB port |
| Data center | No |
| Indicators | Low oil, overload and output ready |
| Fuel tank | 3.2 gal |
| Fuel gauge | No |
| Weight | 83 lbs |
|---|---|
| Approx. dimensions (L x W x H) | 21.5 x 16.1 x 18.3 in |
| Noise (lower limit) | 69 dBA |
| THD | < 5% |
| Compliance | EPA |
| Security | Low oil and overload protection |
| Spark arrestor | No |
| Accessories included | Funnel, tool kit, propane hose, and battery charging cables |
| UPC | 027077803778 |
We've taken extra care to research and verify each of the specifications above. That said, occasional mistakes or omissions are still possible. If you spot any missing or inaccurate information, feel free to suggest a correction so we can address it.
About Sportsman Series
Sportsman Series is a small brand registered under the US based Buffalo corporation. Founded in 1964, the Buffalo Corporation is a small company, which sells tools and home products. Their brands include AmeriHome, Black Bull, Buffalo Tools and Sportsman Series – which offers a selection of generators and several other general products. The brand, and in fact, the corporation itself seemingly outsources all of its production overseas and acts only as a distributor, under its own brands.
Warranty Information
The Sportsman GEN3500DFi is covered under a warranty for up to 1 year. This warranty may be limited and may not cover all parts of the generator.
For more information about the warranty of Sportsman generators, please contact the Buffalo Tools Customer Support: 1-636-532-9888.
Questions & Answers
What can it power?
| Item | Running Watts | Starting Watts | |
|---|---|---|---|
| At home | Refrigerator (energy star) | 192 | 1192 |
| Hair dryer | 1800 | 1900 | |
| Blender | 400 | 850 | |
| Total | 2392 W | 3392 W | |
| For camping | Radiant heater | 1300 | 1300 |
| RV refrigerator | 180 | 600 | |
| Toaster oven | 800 | 800 | |
| Radio | 100 | 100 | |
| Total | 2380 W | 2800 W | |
| For work | Grinder | 1400 | 2500 |
| Reciprocating saw | 730 | 960 | |
| Drain cleaner | 250 | 250 | |
| Total | 2380 W | 3480 W |
Couldn't find the right answer for you? Ask your own question.
