What makes the Westinghouse WGen7500 one of the most popular 7500-watt gas powered portable generators on the market? Is it features such as the wireless remote start or the Westinghouse smart transfer switch outlet? I review the gasoline powered Westinghouse WGen7500 portable generator with remote electric start.
Is the Westinghouse WGen7500 generator easy to assemble?
Most people believe that the Westinghouse WGen7500 is easy to put together. A small amount of time is needed to install the wheel kit, connect the battery cables, add the engine oil and fill up the fuel tank.
You might also check if the spark plug is still secure and tight. These things are easy to do, so the generator should work flawlessly unless it was damaged during shipping.
However, you should hire a licensed electrician if you want to connect the Westinghouse WGen7500 to your household power panel through a transfer switch.
Wheels And Handles
The Westinghouse WGen7500 is a heavy portable generator. It weighs a little more than 200 pounds. The generator has an open sided frame with two wheels and a handle which can be folded down. The wheel kit is included with the generator. You can follow the instructions in the WGen7500 user manual to attach the feet and wheels to the generator’s frame.
The wheel kit is essential for moving the generator from one place to the next. You are going to need some truck ramps for loading and unloading it if you ever take this generator on the road. You need at least two people if you want to lift it.
Fuel And Oil
The WGen7500 has a 6.6-gallon fuel tank. The generator is shipped without oil in the sump. It has a 1.1-liter oil capacity. The generator will not run if the oil level is insufficient due to the low oil shutdown system.
If the battery does not have enough charge, then you can start the generator by pulling the recoil starter rope. The generator charges its own battery while running, but you can also use the included battery charger.
Battery
The battery terminals might be difficult to reach because of the limited space where the battery is kept. Follow the instructions in the WGen7500 manual to install the battery safely. First, connect the red positive battery cable to the positive battery post. Next, find the black negative battery cable and attach it to the negative battery post.
If the battery has enough charge, then the push button and wireless remote start will work. If not, then you might have to charge the battery with the included battery charger. You can also use the recoil starter pull cord to get things going. The WGen7500 generator has a battery charging function which will slowly recharge the battery while the generator is running.
Electric Start
It is good to have three ways to start this generator. You can start manually by pulling on the cord of the recoil starter. This is good to have as a backup method if the battery has no charge. If the battery is charged, then you can do an electric start by pressing the start button on either the generator or the remote key fob. The push button electric start really makes you want to start it up!
A portable generator that has an internal battery with an electric starter is a necessary choice for people with shoulder problems or elderly persons. If you hate pulling on a recoil start pull cord, then get a generator with an electric starter. Of course, the biggest issue with this type of generator is maintaining the battery. Luckily, both a battery and a battery charger is included in the box with the generator. The generator also recharges its own battery through the battery cables while it is running.
Transfer Switch Ready Outlet
The Westinghouse WGen7500 has a transfer switch ready outlet for connection to a manual transfer switch. It is described as transfer switch ready because it has a Westinghouse ST switch outlet on its control panel.
The Westinghouse ST switch is a portable, do-it-yourself option when it comes to powering a few appliances during a power outage. The ST switch only works with Westinghouse generators that have a smart switch ready outlet such as the WGen5300, WGen7500, WGen7500DF, WGen9500, WGen9500DF, WGen12000 and WGen12000DF. It seems like the ST switch has 20A, 120V, 5-20R outlets for up to 2400 watts of home backup power. That is not much, but you might run a refrigerator and one or two other devices during a power failure. The key benefits of this smart portable automatic transfer switch is its portability, quick installation and low cost (check price on Amazon).
If you want to install a manual transfer switch, then you should hire an electrician to help you. For example, the generator has a bonded neutral. The electrician might have to remove the bonded neutral in order for the household GFCI circuits to function properly. The generator will then have a floating neutral: consequently, its own GFCI outlets will not function properly. Just let the electrician sort out the details so that the home backup power setup works safely and reliably.
Power Outlets
The Westinghouse WGen7500 has three power outlets which are protected by rubber covers. It has a single 120/240-volt 30-amp twist lock outlet. It also has two 120-volt 20-amp duplex outlets which are protected by a ground fault circuit interrupter. The WGen7500 produces 7500 running watts and up to 9500 peak watts. This generator will start and run most household appliances.
Power Outages
The Westinghouse WGen7500 can be used as an emergency backup generator for the house. One reviewer said that it was able to handle a 4500-watt electric water heater. Its maximum surge wattage of up to 9500 watts provides a 2000-watt headroom for starting appliances. This generator might help you to be prepared for bad weather and power cuts.
Accessories
The shipping box contains the generator and a few essential items.
- SAE 10W30 oil
- battery charger
- oil funnel
- WGen7500 user manual
- quick start guide and maintenance schedule
- spark plug socket wrench
- wheel kit (in its own box)
- wireless remote starter key fob
The only thing you need to get before starting the generator for the first time is gasoline fuel. The engine requires unleaded gasoline with an octane rating of 87 or higher and a maximum of 10% added ethanol. Many people also recommend adding a good quality fuel stabilizer.
WGen7500DF Dual Fuel Portable Generator
The WGen7500DF is the dual fuel version that can run on either gasoline or propane. It is slightly less powerful when running on propane: 8550 peak watts and 6750 rated watts. Its recommended retail price is almost the same as the gas powered version, but it might cost a few dollars extra (check price on Amazon).
Westinghouse WGen7500: Conclusion
This portable generator is not difficult to assemble, even if you are a person with very little mechanical skill. Attach the wheels and feet and you are ready to roll. Fill it with gas, add the engine oil (use the oil funnel) and attach the battery cables. The WGen7500 user manual has the assembly instructions.
Its electric start button and wireless remote start function works well when the battery is in good condition. This 7500-watt gas powered portable inverter generator is an affordable choice for handling power outages during the hurricane season.
The Westinghouse WGen7500 is a large portable generator with a 420cc gasoline engine and an open frame, therefore it is noisy while running. Remember to use a fuel stabilizer to prevent problems with stale fuel and to protect the carburetor. Its 200-pound weight and noise level make it too big for camping, but just the right size for providing emergency power during stormy weather.
The Westinghouse WGen7500 is recommended because it has both an electric start button and a wireless remote start key fob. It is competitively priced and gets good ratings from owners. The build quality and running watts of the WGen7500 is also amazing when you think about its manufacturer’s suggested retail price of just under $1000. Of course, its actual retail price might be a little more due to taxes or dealership price points. Even so, it might turn out to be a satisfying purchase (buy it on Amazon).