When the unexpected happens—whether it's a severe Michigan storm knocking out power, a remote job site without electrical access, or a weekend camping trip—having reliable portable power makes all the difference. At Wolverine Power Systems, we've been helping Michigan families and businesses stay powered up since 1999. Moreover, we understand the unique challenges that our local climate presents, from brutal winter storms to summer severe weather that can leave homes without electricity for hours or even days.
As an authorized Generac distributor, we carry the complete lineup of portable generators, inverters, and power stations designed to meet every need and budget. In addition to offering top-quality equipment, our team provides expert consultation to help you choose the right generator for your specific situation. Furthermore, we offer professional installation services and ongoing support to ensure your generator performs flawlessly when you need it most.
Different situations demand different power solutions. Consequently, we've organized our portable generator offerings into three main categories to help you quickly find what you're looking for. Each category addresses specific needs, whether you're protecting your home during outages, powering professional equipment on the job, or enjoying the great outdoors.
Michigan weather can be unpredictable, and power outages often strike at the worst possible times. Therefore, having a portable generator ready to go provides peace of mind for your family. Our home backup generators range from 3,600 to 18,000 watts, offering enough power to keep essential appliances running during extended outages.
Perfect for: Refrigerators, sump pumps, heating systems, well pumps, lights, and medical equipment
Popular models: 7500W Dual Fuel, 8000W Electric Start, 15,500W EFI
Contractors and construction professionals need dependable power that can handle heavy-duty tools and equipment. In fact, our industrial-grade portable generators deliver the robust performance required for demanding job sites throughout Michigan. Additionally, features like electric start and fuel efficiency mean less downtime and more productivity.
Perfect for: Power tools, welders, compressors, lighting systems, and heavy machinery
Popular models: 8000W Portable, GP9500E Tri-Fuel, 5000W Diesel
Whether you're tailgating at a Michigan football game, camping up north, or enjoying an RV adventure, our portable inverters and power stations deliver clean, quiet power for all your outdoor activities. Meanwhile, their compact design and lightweight construction make them easy to transport and store.
Perfect for: RVs, camping gear, outdoor events, tailgating, and sensitive electronics
Popular models: iQ3800 Dual Fuel Inverter, 2500i Inverter, 1000/2000 Power Stations
We proudly offer Generac's full range of portable power solutions. As a result, you'll find everything from compact inverters perfect for camping to powerful generators capable of running your entire home. Below, we've broken down our offerings by category to help you understand which type best suits your needs.
Inverter generators represent the latest technology in portable power. Specifically designed to produce clean, stable electricity, they're safe for sensitive electronics like laptops, phones, and medical devices. Furthermore, inverter technology makes these units significantly quieter than traditional generators—often producing no more noise than a normal conversation.
Key advantages include:
Available models: 2500i, 3300i, 3500i, iQ3800 Dual Fuel, iQ5200 Dual Fuel
This category represents the sweet spot for most homeowners and small contractors. Indeed, these generators provide enough power to run several essential appliances simultaneously while remaining portable enough to move when needed. Additionally, many models feature COsense® technology, which continuously monitors carbon monoxide levels and automatically shuts down the generator if unsafe levels are detected.
Ideal applications:
Available models: 3600W, 6500W, 7500W Dual Fuel, 8000W Electric Start
When you need serious power, our heavy-duty generators deliver professional-grade performance. These units can power entire homes, large job sites, or commercial operations. Moreover, features like electronic fuel injection (EFI), electric start, and tri-fuel capability make them versatile and reliable even in demanding conditions.
Premium features include:
Available models: GP9500E Tri-Fuel, 15,500W EFI, 18,000W EFI
For situations where gasoline generators aren't practical or allowed, our battery-powered portable power stations offer a clean, quiet alternative. These units are perfect for indoor use, providing backup power without emissions or noise. In addition, they can be recharged via wall outlets, solar panels, or even your vehicle.
Best uses: Medical equipment, indoor events, apartments, RVs, off-grid cabins, emergency kits
Available models: 1000W Power Station, 2000W Power Station
We take time to understand your situation before recommending solutions. As a result, you'll get the generator you actually need, not the one with the highest price tag.
While portable generators offer incredible flexibility, connecting them to your home's electrical system requires professional installation to ensure safety and code compliance. In particular, a manual transfer switch is essential for safely powering your home without risking damage to your appliances or creating a hazardous backfeed situation that could endanger utility workers.
A manual transfer switch acts as a bridge between your portable generator and your home's electrical panel. Essentially, it allows you to safely select which circuits receive generator power while isolating your home from the utility grid. This isolation is critical—without it, your generator could send electricity back through utility lines, potentially injuring or killing line workers attempting to restore power in your neighborhood.
When you choose Wolverine Power Systems for your transfer switch installation, we work with licensed electricians and follow a comprehensive process to ensure everything is done correctly:
Proper generator placement is crucial for safety. Carbon monoxide poisoning from generators remains a serious risk, particularly during power outages when ventilation may be compromised. Therefore, we always emphasize these critical safety guidelines:
Many of our Generac generators include COsense® technology, which continuously monitors carbon monoxide levels and automatically shuts down the unit if dangerous concentrations are detected. Nevertheless, proper placement remains your first line of defense against CO poisoning.
Contact us today for a free consultation on safely connecting your portable generator to your home.
One of the most common questions we receive is, "What size generator do I need?" The answer depends on what you plan to power. Consequently, we've developed a simple approach to help you calculate your requirements.
Before diving into calculations, it's important to understand the difference between starting watts and running watts. Many appliances and tools require significantly more power to start than they do to run continuously. For example, a refrigerator might need 1,200 watts to start up but only 700 watts to run. Therefore, your generator must be sized to handle the combined starting watts of appliances that might start simultaneously.
Here's a guide to typical wattage requirements for common household items:
3,600W - 5,500W Generators: Best for essential circuits only—refrigerator, furnace, lights, and one or two other small appliances. This size works well for apartments or small homes where you're selective about what you power.
6,500W - 8,000W Generators: The most popular range for average homes. Typically handles refrigerator, freezer, furnace, sump pump, lights, TV, and select outlets. Additionally, these generators can run most homes comfortably if you practice load management.
9,500W - 18,000W Generators: Suitable for larger homes, homes with well pumps, or situations where you want to power multiple high-wattage appliances simultaneously. Moreover, these units can handle central air conditioning in addition to essential circuits.
Still unsure what size you need? Contact our team for a personalized consultation. We'll review your specific situation and recommend the most cost-effective solution for your home or business.
Wolverine Power Systems has four strategically located facilities to ensure rapid response and comprehensive service coverage throughout Michigan, from Detroit's urban core to Grand Rapids' tech hubs, Lansing's government buildings, and Flint's industrial zones. We understand Michigan's unique power challenges—extreme weather, regulatory needs, and 24/7 demands.
Full sales, service, parts, and rentals. Authorized Generac generator training center.
Most Generac portable generators can run for 8-12 hours on a full tank of gasoline when operating at 50% load. However, it's important to give your generator regular breaks to cool down and perform maintenance. Additionally, proper maintenance schedules ensure your generator remains reliable for years to come. We recommend running your generator for no more than 8-10 hours before refueling and allowing a brief cool-down period.
Absolutely! In fact, Michigan winters are one of the most common times when homeowners need backup power. However, cold weather does present some challenges. Therefore, we recommend storing fuel stabilizer in your gasoline, using synthetic oil for better cold-weather performance, and keeping your generator in a sheltered area between uses. Models with electric start and EFI technology are particularly advantageous in freezing conditions.
Regular maintenance keeps your generator ready when you need it. Specifically, you should check oil levels before each use, change oil every 50-100 hours of operation, replace air filters annually, use fresh fuel or add stabilizer, and run the generator for 15-20 minutes monthly to keep components lubricated. Furthermore, we offer annual maintenance service packages to keep your generator in peak condition.
Each fuel type offers distinct advantages. Gasoline generators are typically less expensive and widely available. Dual-fuel generators (gasoline and propane) offer flexibility—propane stores indefinitely and burns cleaner. Tri-fuel generators add natural gas capability, which is convenient if you have a natural gas line. Consequently, we often recommend dual-fuel or tri-fuel for home backup, as propane and natural gas don't degrade over time like gasoline can.
Portable generators require manual starting and connection, offer flexibility to move to different locations, cost less initially, and work well for occasional outages. Standby generators automatically start when power fails, are permanently installed, cost more upfront, and are ideal for frequent outages or medical needs. Both have their place—many of our customers actually own both types for different situations.
Yes, we work with several financing partners to make backup power affordable for Michigan families. As a result, you can protect your home without a large upfront investment. Contact us to learn about current financing options and promotional offers.
Most transfer switch installations are completed in 4-6 hours, depending on your electrical panel's configuration and the number of circuits you want connected. In most cases, we can schedule installation within 1-2 weeks of your initial consultation. During power outage season, lead times may be longer, so we recommend planning ahead rather than waiting until after a storm hits.
Don't wait until the next power outage to wish you had backup power. Whether you need a compact inverter for camping trips or a heavy-duty generator for whole-home backup, Wolverine Power Systems has the expertise and inventory to help. Moreover, our Michigan-based team understands the unique challenges our climate presents and can guide you to the perfect solution.
