3500W generator I picked up

Food for thought....

I made a laminated step-by-step instruction sheet of each exact thing to do in the proper order for mine - from cable hookups to numbered breakers to throw to generator starting, etc. I keep it right at the main panel so there are no errors or confusion when power is off and it's dark, etc. Just grab a flashlight (or phone), and follow directions exactly as written. Seems like that shouldn't be needed but when you only need to use it every 3 or 4 years, it can be easy to forget.
This has worked well for me for close to 20 years. And like sireland67 notes above, it's a pain to haul the heavy Generac (7500W) out of my garage but I do it when I have to!!