Customer Reviews for Westinghouse - 12,500 Peak Watt Dual Fuel Portable Generator, Electric Start, Transfer Switch Ready - Blue
Customer Rating
5
DO NOT HESITATE TO PURCHASE!
on January 1, 2020
Posted by: Anonymous
from Redding, Calif
I've purchased several generators over the past several years of lesser and greater capacity that this product. By far this make and model exceeds all my expectations for use during home power outtage, man-cave chores, and recreational use. My wife is extremely happy with its ease of set-up, start/stop, and functionality of overall use. Younger members of the family have safely used this product after being trained to respect its purpose.
Just received this as a gift for the holidays but haven't had a chance to use it. I plan on setting it up as a backup generator for when the power goes out but I also like that it's not a permanent generator and can be moved to another location for use.
The item was very well packed and arrived in good condition. The instructions for assembly were clear and assembly was easy. The manual should be updated as to battery connection. The terminals were already installed, all I had to do was connect the polarized plug to connect the battery instead of screw the leads on the battery. That was great. After that, the manual falls short. The assembly instructions stop on page 13, and goes right into the features. There is no mention of adding oil until you get to page 20 which refers you to "See Checking Engine Oil." without a page reference. So I have to search for that in the Table of Contents and go to maintenance section on page 26. Now I have to go back to page 20 and start again.
I thought that the setup and preparation for initial operation instructions were too scattered throughout the manual and sometime incomplete For example, on page 22 under Operation, paragraph 3 says "Make sure the circuit breakers are properly set (see Figure 8)." OK, but figure 8 shows the circuit breakers in both the Operating and Tripped position, and doesn't say which is "proper" for starting. Now I know the breakers need to be in the operating position to provide power, but do I want them tripped for startup?
I would have liked to see more of an initial setup that walks you straight through all the items needed to check, fill, or service to be ready to start. Very much like a Quick Start guide. Then go into the Before Starting the Generator section which outlines the ventilation, location, grounding requirements, power cord size, etc. I would also like to see a fluid specification chart that tells me the gasoline requirements/capacity as well as the engine oil type and capacity. All on one page or in one paragraph in the initial setup section I proposed.
I bought the Wgen9500DF generator and no regrets, although only ran for an hour or so to be positive it would run my house which it does. The remote works great, which is needed for my wife to start. If you need more outlets, better just buy a house. Product is not quiet, but not as loud as my old generator, easy to stand by and chat with my neighbor. Very easy to set up, would recommend highly.