Is the Westinghouse iGen2200 really a portable inverter generator that is both quiet and inexpensive? It seems like a lightweight, portable and quiet inverter generator for outdoor trips and recreational activities.
Westinghouse iGen2200: Summary
The iGen2200 is easy to set up for the first run. A good product manual is included in the box, so be sure to study it and follow the directions.
You may turn on the fuel efficiency mode to conserve fuel. However, do not use the efficiency mode if you want to connect an appliance with an electric motor such as a refrigerator. The refrigerator requires peak watts to start up and the generator might not increase its engine speed fast enough to handle the surge load.
The inverter system provides clean AC power for equipment with sensitive electronics such as televisions and computers. You can also use the Westinghouse iGen2200 to power a small kitchen appliance such as a microwave or refrigerator in an emergency. However, it is too small for electric ovens or air conditioners.
The peak watts of 2200 is not enough for starting an air conditioner or running an entire household, although it has parallel capabilities if you want to increase the power output by adding a second iGen2200 generator.
The Westinghouse iGen2200 is an affordable portable inverter generator. It costs almost 50% less than a Honda EU2200i, but it offers similar wattage output and performance. The iGen2200 seems to be unexpectedly quiet and will not annoy the neighbors. It might not be as quiet as a Honda inverter generator, but it comes close.
You may buy the Westinghouse iGen2200 unless you are fanatical about Honda inverter generators. The iGen2200 offers similar performance, but at almost half the price (buy it on Amazon).
Control Panel
The following controls and outlets are found on the panel:
- 2 x 120V 20A 5-20R outlets (seems to be parallel capable!)
- 2 x 5V DC USB ports
- 20A circuit breaker
- engine and fuel control switch
- fuel efficiency mode button
- low oil warning light
- output ready light
- overload indicator light
- overload reset
- neutral floating ground
Engine Control Switch
An interesting feature of the engine control switch is that it incorporates the choke. Therefore, it has three positions: OFF, RUN and CHOKE. Open the fuel vent and select the choke position on the engine switch. Now you can start it by pulling the recoil rope. The iGen2200 has neither an internal battery nor an electric starter. Let the engine warm up for a short while before turning the engine switch to the run position.
Peak Wattage
It produces 2200 peak watts. The normal rated watts is 1800. You will not be able to run an air conditioner with this generator, but it might run small appliances in an emergency.
Parallel Capabilities
It seems like the iGen2200 can be connected to another iGen2200 generator to produce double the power. This requires a Westinghouse parallel cord. The parallel connection cord plugs into either one of the generator’s 120-volt AC outlets which are parallel capable. The parallel cord has durable rubber receptacles: a single NEMA TT-30 RV-style outlet and two 120V NEMA 5-20R outlets.
Westinghouse iGen2200 versus WH2200iXLT
They both have the same rated and peak wattages: 1800 and 2200. They also have the same 79cc 4-stroke gasoline only engine. However, there are a few minor changes that go deeper than a redesigned housing.
First of all, the WH2200iXLT does not have USB outlets. Instead, it has a 12V DC car charger style outlet. The newer iGen2200 has rubber covers for its USB and 120VAC outlet ports, but it does not have a 12-volt DC port.
Second, the WH2200iXLT has a separate choke button. The iGen2200 has a choke position incorporated into the engine/fuel control switch.
Third, the WH2200iXLT has a slightly larger fuel tank with a 1.3-gallon capacity. The iGen2200’s tank can hold only 1.2 gallons of fuel.
Finally, the iGen2200 is a few pounds heavier at 46 pounds compared to the 43-pound weight of the WH2200iXLT.
How long will it run?
The iGen2200 has a 1.2-gallon gas tank. It is supposed to have a 12-hour run time at a 25% load (around 450 watts). This sounds like a long time, but it might be possible if the generator is running in fuel efficiency mode.
We guess it will probably work for at least eight hours at 1/4 load before the fuel tank is almost empty. However, few people will run it continuously with such a low load. How long will it run at its rated power of 1800 watts? We will risk another guess and say around 4 hours before the tank runs dry.
Will it start an air conditioner?
It is definitely too small to start an air conditioner. If you want to do that, then you will have to use two iGen2200’s connected in parallel. You might as well buy a larger portable inverter generator, such as the Westinghouse iGen4500. Then you will have 4500 peak watts, 3700 rated watts and a 30-amp, 120-volt, TT-30 RV outlet (view iGen4500 on Amazon).
What is in the box?
The iGen2200 is shipped with both a product manual and a quick start guide. A spark plug wrench and an oil funnel are also included. There should also be a bottle of 4-stroke engine oil in the box.
Westinghouse iGen2200: Conclusion
The Westinghouse iGen2200 is an affordable, quiet and CARB-compliant portable inverter generator. Use it for camping trips, at a tailgate party, or as backup power for electronic devices. It is unfortunately too small to provide sufficient surge power for recreational vehicles. Nevertheless, it provides clean power for electronic devices such as computers, televisions and phones. You may buy the Westinghouse iGen2200 inverter generator online at Amazon.