• 3000 Watt Generator

— A feature-rich generator. Very affordable. The WEN W generator is very popular among homeowners for a few good reasons. First, it’s reliable and well-constructed.

And second, it’s cheap — and by “cheap,” I mean “affordable.” Let me tease you with a couple facts: It weighs only 50 lbs., making it relatively lightweight and can run for 7.5 hours while operating at 50% load. Not all homeowners need a, to power their entire home. No, if you want to run your microwave, TV, sump pump, miter saw, refrigerator, or juicer, then the WEN 56180 is a great choice. But, you won’t be able to run them all a the same time. That’s one of the main differences between a 1800W generator and a 13,000W generator — the amount of electrical devices you can power at the same time.

Luckily, WEN has a wide range of generators available and we give you some options to consider. WEN 56180 Which Generator is Right for You? If your power goes out this can run your refrigerator & prevent spoilage. A portable generator can be a very resourceful piece of equipment to have in case of emergencies as well as for recreational use. The number of uses that a quality genset can serve range from convenience to a necessity and there are plenty of models to choose from.

The WEN 56180, for instance, is a great option to meet most of the typical demands put on a portable generator. Having the best portable generator comes down to what its intended use will be for. How do you know what generator model will work for you? It’s about how much power you really need.

Take a look at the appliances around you and what you would absolutely need to have power to if you didn’t have access to electricity. For the average Joe ( or Mary), the WEN 56180 is not only a great option to meet your needs, it is also very easy on the wallet. If cost is a major deciding factor on the generator you seek out to buy, then this model is a considerable option for those on a tight budget.

Components of the WEN 56180 Generator About WEN The Company A little info about the manufacturer WEN: They may not be as popular as some of the other big names that you are likely more familiar with, but it doesn’t mean they are any less reliable. The company is committed to manufacturing power tools and equipment with quality and value to professionals as well as average homeowners.

They have even gained some recognition with their WEN 56180 (1800-watt) portable generator as a contender for one of the most reliable generators for 2015-2016. WEN provides a line of highly rated generators to accommodate different needs. Their gas-powered gensets are designed with quality features to ensure long-lasting value such as low-oil shutdown to protect the engines from becoming damaged if oil levels drop below a certain level.

Their generators all come equipped with a (or spark arrester) so they are safe and approved for use in National parks. Likewise, WEN provides a number of models that emit minimal exhaust for better eco-friendly quality. WEN 56200i Ultra-quiet Inverter Generator Clean Energy. As quiet as a normal conversation. Can safely power your sensitive electronics. Another factor that is commendable with WEN, in addition to quality, is their customer service.

They can provide self-help instructions to users on proper assembly and usage of their products as well as advise on maintenance and answer any questions regarding particular models. They also stand behind their commitment to quality by offering reasonable warranties on their generators in case of defects or malfunctions. You can check your area for service centers before you decide to make your purchase. Let’s be honest, products break down all the time, even the best brands. Thankfully, WEN has an excellent history of reliability. Mechanical products, like generators, take a lot of abuse so it’s inevitable that at some point you will need a repair or servicing done. Overview Full WEN Generator Series:.

WEN 1800 Watt 98cc. WEN 3500 Watt 212cc. WEN 4050 Watt 212cc. WEN 4750 Watt 223cc.

3000 Watt Generator

WEN 5500 Watt 389cc. WEN 7000 Watt 390cc. WEN 9000 Watt 420cc. WEN 13000 Watt 670cc The Lightweight: WEN 56180 — 1800W Generator. Solid, compact and efficient light-duty gas generator. Features:.

EPA III and CARB compliant. Can be used in all 50 states. 1800 surge watts and 1500 running watts. Power whenever you need it. Runs at half load for 7.5 hours off of 1.45 gallons of gasoline. Includes: two AC120V 12.5A three-prong wall outlets and one cigarette-lighter (12V DC). Low-oil shutdown protects the 4-stroke OHV engine.

Spark arrestor prevents sparks from escaping the generator, allowing you to use it while camping in national parks and forests. ✓ View or download the for the WEN 56180 gas generator. The WEN 1800-watt portable generator is small in size and price, but not in performance! At just 50 pounds it’s very easy to transport if you want to go tailgating or camping and has enough power to run essential appliances in the event of a blackout. This model provides 1800 surge watts and 1500 running watts with two 120V 12.5A AC 3-prong outlets and a 12V DC outlet. WEN Cover Waterproof and UV Resistant.

Can run for an impressive 11 hours while running at 50% load. Features:.

Digital readout helps manage oil changes and maintenance schedule. Low-oil shutdown and overload protection. 11-hour run-time at half load. Includes wheel kit and foldable handles for easy transport. 212cc engine provides 3500 surge watts and 3000 rated watts. If you’re seeking an all-purpose generator model that is just a step up from the basic performance that the WEN 56180 portable generator provides, this one may be more up to your standards.

The 212cc engine puts out up to 3500 surge watts and rated at 3300 watts. It will give you an average run-time of 11 hours when operating at half load. An added feature this model has that is a nice touch for just a little over $100 more than the 56180 is a digital control panel with maintenance schedule reminders and a wheel kit for easier mobility. Backed by a 2-year warranty.

View or download the following documents for the WEN 56352:. Advice from the (page 20): The generator can run at its surge wattage capacity for only a short time. Connect electrical devices requiring a rated (running) wattage equal to or less than the rated wattage of the generator. Never connect devices requiring a rated wattage equal to the surge wattage of the generator.

This can trip the circuit protectors (circuit breakers). The Savvy Generator: WEN 56551 5500-Watt Non-CARB compliant — Not For Sale in California. A reliable generator that won’t leave you broke. Features:. 389cc (13 HP) OHV engine. 5500 surge watts / 5000 running watts. 6.5-gallon fuel tank runs for 11 hours at half load.

Automatic voltage regulator helps produce cleaner power to protect your electronics. Includes: (4x) 120V 20A three-prong outlets / (1x) twist-lock 120/240V 30A outlet (L14-30) / (1x) cigarette-lighter-style 12V DC outlet. Includes wheel and handle kit, NEMA L14-30 plug. 120 and 240 Volt AC Outputs.

Low Oil Automatic Shutoff. Circuit Breaker for Overload Protection. 2-year warranty.

Documents for the WEN 56551:. ✓ View or download the.

✓ View or download the. Plenty of outlets to power multiple devices simultaneously. One factor to keep in mind when it comes to conventional gas-powered generators is that they aren’t usually advised for use with sensitive electronics.

The 56551 model features an automatic voltage regulator, which enables it to provide cleaner power that protects these electronics. If your laptop is a crucial device you need to have power to in case of a blackout, this model is a safer bet. It has four 120V 20A outlets, a twist-lock 120/240V 30A receptacle and even a car-charger style 12V DC outlet to give you more options with up to 5500 surge wattage. — Advice from the WEN 56551 (Page 4): ALWAYS ground the generator before using it (see the “Ground the Generator” portion of the “GENERATOR PREPARATION” section). Generator should only be plugged into electrical devices, either directly or with an extension cord. NEVER connect to a building electrical system without a qualified electrician. Such connections must comply with local electrical laws and codes.

Failure to comply can create a back-feed, which may result in serious injury or death to utility workers. Use for highly conductive areas TRC 26020008-6 (12/3 Gauge) — Shockshield GFCI. When there’s a disaster or power outage, you’ll want one of these waiting.Not CARB-compliant.

Can’t be sold in California. EPA III compliant. Features:.

EPA III compliant. 4-stroke OHV twin-cylinder engine. 13000 surge watts / 11000 rated watts.

Outlets:. Four — 120V 20A outlets,. One — 120V 30A RV outlet,. One — 120/240V 30A twist lock,. One — 240V outlet, and one 12V DC car-charger-style outlet. Perfect for construction sites, natural disasters, and power outages. 8-gallon fuel tank— 7.5 hour run time at half load.

Wheel kit and handle kit allows for easy transportation and storage. ✓View or download the for the WEN 5613K generator. If you are seeking enough power to supply backup electricity to your home without the expense of traditional whole-home generators, WEN has the unit for you. The 5613K model is still portable, equipped on a rugged wheel-kit and handle kit to make handling and moving around easier, but has some impressive horsepower. If you need raw power this is the generator for you. This generator produces up to 13,000 surge watts and rated at 11,000 watts making it ideal for use with industrial sites or in the event of a natural disaster.

It’s not the best in fuel efficiency with an 8-gallon fuel tank that offers the same run time of 7.5 hours as the WEN 56180 portable generator, but it will certainly run just about everything you need. Generator Safety Before using any generator for the first time, it is highly advised that you read the user manual to understand how to operate your genset and necessary care to ensure long-lasting use. These gensets arrive without oil in them so you will need to purchase the proper oil required for the model you are using.

For instance, 30W 4-stroke engine oil is the recommended choice for use with the WEN 56180 portable generator. You can usually find the oil capacity that the unit takes labeled somewhere on the frame or refer to the manual. WEN recommends that you ground your generator prior to use. Grounding power equipment such as generators that provide electricity will protect against electrocution. Various locations may have different grounding codes so you should consult with an electrician on these codes first. Your WEN generator features a grounding nut on the front panel of the unit to attach a grounding wire to it.

Connect the grounding wire to a rod such as copper, brass, or steel-grounding to drive into the ground and you’re all set. You will need to protect your genset from the elements, especially during periods of non-use. Be sure to drain oil and gas or use a stabilizer to prevent it from gumming up the engine when storing your generator. WEN offers a universal weatherproof cover that can be purchased separately to protect your unit; however it will be significantly large on the smaller WEN 56180 model. Some users have reported that this model is just the right size to be kept in a 22-gallon plastic storage tote.

CARB-Compliant and EPA generators mean they are approved and safe for use in most states due to reduced emissions and providing cleaner running power. This doesn’t mean it’s ok to use in an enclosed space close to your home such as a garage, however.

Always use gas-powered equipment such as generators in open, well-ventilated areas away from doors and entryways. Learn more about WEN by visiting their.

Contents: ( jump ahead!). Recently we noted that WEN is indicating the 5500 (5000/5500W) model as out of stock and may be discounting that model although it is still available at outlets like Amazon as of this posting. The WEN Portable Generators are top sellers and are all rated high at 4 1/2 stars or better out of 5. There are a few differences in the WEN generators and I will compare the four models first with what is the same and then the differences. Common WEN Features Warranty and Repairs The WEN Generators have a 2-year limited warranty to only the original purchaser making it non-transferable.

If used for commercial/rental warranty period is 90 days. Year Limited Warranty Filling out the warranty card is necessary for it to be valid. Warranty service is through contacting WEN customer service and not from the original retailer. As with most warranties materials and workmanship are covered for normal use. WEN does reserve the discretion of manufacture to decide. The good part is they provide repairs under warranty without charge for parts or labor. The fixes are considered to be original product and will be good to the end of the original period from purchase.

The WEN website has a direct look up for parts and accessories. And makes easy to order your parts. They are laid out with picture and name and part number. Normal wear and tear and maintenance parts are excluded such as air filter replacements,spark plug replacements,brush, and recoil starter rope User controlled items are excluded such as misuse and accidents. Complete details are included in the manual. Reports are that customer service has been excellent. When there are problems and broken parts, service has been on top of it.

Noted were that WEN would send repair parts for self installation avoiding a trip to the service center. For the handy person that’s a good option. Engine and Power Output Commonalities: Engines. WEN Engine, muffler All Engines use gasoline as fuel and are OHV 4 stoke engines. They all have low oil shutdown protection. Non of the models are CARB compliant but do meet EPA standards for other 49 states and come with spark arrestors.

All engines have easy pull recoil rope start, however the two larger models also include electric start and come with a battery. All engines are forced air cooled and run at 3600 rpm and do not have any throttle control. Oil fill is poorly placed a flexible funnel is needed to get to it easily. Fuel and run time are set to be about 10 to 11 hours at 50% load. The 3000/3500W model has a 4 gallon tank where the rest of the models have a 6.5 gallon tank. All models come with a fuel gauge for monitoring usage.

All units come with an hour counter to monitor run time for maintenance. Power Output All the models use coil power generation configured for the output needs. Outlets All models come with (4) 5-20R (3-prone), (1) L14-30R, and 12VDC outlets. On the 7000/9000W model there is also a L5-30R outlet.

(see more on outlet configurations here: No grounding wire or rod Mobility and Accessories and Care WEN has included wheel kits and include a spark plug wrench and Flathead screwdriver as accessorizes for maintenance. Start-up WEN is very adamant about preparing the generator properly before starting. The manual gives the procedures and is the normal, add oil, gas, check it out things. Be sure you read and follow the directions. Care and Maintenance and Use WEN’s manual has a section on using the generator which details do’s and don’ts such as making sure that if you’re wiring a transfer switch to the house you have it done professionally. Periodic maintenance is detailed in the manual.

Each use is as expected with – check fuel, air cleaner, as well as the engine oil. After 20 hrs, only changing the engine oil is given for the initial break in. For every 50 hours change oil and clean the air filter. Every 100 hours is also clean fuel filter cap and spark plug. and at 300 hours clean the fuel tank. WEN Model Differences: Obviously there are a number of given differences such as watts and engine size.

We’ll summarize a few here and show in the table below. Engine, Fuel Tank and Run time. WEN Fuel Tank and Gauge The 3000/3500W model has a 212cc 7 hp which is right in range when compared to other generators for this output. The other three are all closer to 400cc and 13 to 15 HP. Again comparably sized for the output requirements.

A 6.5 gallon tank for all models except for the 3000W model which has a 4 gallon tank. 50% load run time is 9 to 11 hours, with the larger units running less.

Noise Levels: Noise levels are given for a 22 foot radius. Model 56352: 3000W = 67 dB Which is reasonable quiet. Model 56551: 5000W = 74 dB On the louder side. Model 56682: 5500W = 74 dB loud side. Model 56877: 7000W = 82 dB Very loud and would recommend barriers to contain the noise.

Dimensions and Weight All the WEN Portable Generators are compact for their size approaching close to a 2 feet cube expect for the 3000W model which is a little over 2 foot long and about 1-1/2 feet wide and tall. This is nice for storage.

As expected the small generator is about 110 lbs. With the larger ones running around the 200 lb level plus or minus 10 or so pounds. Outlets and amps As noted before all have 120V 5-20R and 120/240V L14-30Rrepecticals and 12VDC outlet. The 7000/9000W also has a L5-30R outlet providing an 120V 30 amp capability. Total theoretical amps at 120V that can be supplied at rated wattage is:. Model 56352: 3000W = 25 amps.

Model 56551: 5000W = 42 amps. Model 56682: 5500W = 46 amps. Model 56877: 7000W = 58 amps At 240V half of that amperage is available. Of course combination of the various circuits would need to be used to reach these maximums.

Display & Control Panel Take a look at the control panels below. WEN 7000/9000W Control Panel Main Model Differences Model # Running / Surge Watts Max Amps Fuel Tank Gal Run Time 1/2 Load (hrs) Noise Rating @ 23 ft Engine Size / HP Dimen L x W x H (in) weight lbs. 120V outlets 240V outlets / 3500 25 4 11 67 dB 212cc / 7 24.4 x 18.5 x 17.7 111 (4) 5-20R (1) L14-30R / 5500 42 6.5 11 74 dB 389cc / 13 27.6 x 22.1 x 21.1 190 (4) 5-20R (1) L14-30R 56682 Elect Start 5500 / 7000 46 6.5 10 74 dB 390cc / 13 27.4 x 21.5 x 21.8 200 (4) 5-20R (1) L14-30R 56877 Elect Start 7000 / 9000 58 6.5 9 82 dB 420cc / 15 27.4 x 21.5 x 21.8 210 (4) 5-20R; (1) L5-30R (1) L14-30R All have 12VDC outlet. Price WEN Portable generators are very reasonably priced from around $340 for the small one and closer to $800 or $900 for the larger outputs. Below are the current pricing from Amazon for the models. Summary The WEN Gas Powered Portable Generators are top sellers and highly rated by the users.

Any of these models will serve you well. Since all are equipped with L14-30R receptacles the can easily be used with the L14 inlet and for powering your house. Be sure you take time to study the on estimating and wiring your house to make sure you are getting adequately sized unit. The 3000W or 5000W can supply basic needs in many homes and probably majority in small houses. The larger units of course will provide more starting and continuous load for taking on whole house needs.

The only downside for me was the noise ratings being so high. This could be very annoying if running the units for long periods of time not only to you but your neighbors as well. Some consideration of sound damping with enclosed fencing or such might be a consideration.

Overall I’m pleased with customer service and warranty aspects of these machines. Generally they are well thought out and provide for excellent portable generation at excellent prices and value. Check above for the latest on current pricing. Photo’s from: Amazon.com.