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Description
Zoom on the Dewalt DXGNR6500
In summary, the Dewalt DXGNR6500 is a portable generator especially useful for:
- Food truck owners who want to ensure that their business is fully self-contained and does not rely on potentially unreliable external power
- Homeowners who want to be able to use the most necessary devices in their household, even during a blackout
- Professionals in need of safely powering high-intensity work or lighting equipment
In the sections ahead, the power characteristics, availability of various outlets, the portability, and any additional features of the device shall be discussed, including its emission compliance information.
Power & Run Time
The Dewalt DXGNR6500's core is the 389 cc Dewalt OHV 4-stroke engine, which runs on gasoline. With an output of 120/240V, it provides a running wattage of 6500W and a peak wattage of 8750W.
Its starting mechanism is based on a conventional pull-start mechanism.
Thanks to a fuel capacity of 7.5 gallons, the DXGNR6500 can operate for around 10 hours at 50% load with a full tank (fuel consumption around 0.75 GPH).
Outlets
The control panel includes the following 5 AC outlets:
Because the DXGNR6500 is equipped with a twist-lock L14-30R receptacle, it is transfer switch ready: it can power your home during a power outage, as it can be easily connected to your breaker box to power your household.
Portability
The dimensions of the Dewalt DXGNR6500, which are L27.2 x W27.1 x H25.8 in, and its typical, open frame design provides stability and enables the generator to be raised above ground level. The featured design is ideal for the outdoors and all tough environments.
While the generator is considered to be technically 'portable' (in the sense that you can move it), manually lifting and transporting it may be challenging, due to its high weight of 165 lbs. However, its challenging mobility is solved by its wheel kit and its folding handle, which will ease its displacement, once it is on the floor.
Features
A digital data center, one of the features of the DXGNR6500's control panel, gives you information on the lifetime run hours, and thus, is helpful for the monitoring of its activity and status.
The fuel level of the generator can be determined quickly, easily, and conveniently with the help of its built-in fuel gauge.
Security-wise, this product benefits from an overload protection (circuit breaker) and an automatic low oil shut-off, which gives you a complete peace of mind when using it.
The DXGNR6500 also benefits from Dewalt’s CO Protect carbon monoxide shutdown. If CO levels become unsafe or rapidly increase, the generator is automatically shut down. It’s a welcomed additional security feature, but don’t forget to always take your generator outside (opens in a new tab).
Besides the usual set of documentation and owner's manual (opens in a new tab) to get you promptly started, Dewalt also included some oil in the DXGNR6500's packaging.
Emissions
The Dewalt DXGNR6500 is CARB-compliant. It can therefore be sold and purchased in all 50 states, including California.
Moreover, it features a spark arrestor, making it usable in forested areas.
The Dewalt DXGNR6500 versus other generators
The following charts are provided to give you an idea of how some of the key specs of the Dewalt DXGNR6500 compare to generators of similar power (between 6000 and 7000 W).
- Regarding its weight, the Dewalt DXGNR6500 only weighs in at 165 pounds, which means it's one of the lighter generators in the 6000-7000 rated wattage range. If weight matters to you, one of the champions in this power range is the Sportsman GEN85KIDF with only 133 pounds.
- Autonomy-wise, with around 10 hours on a full tank at a 50% load, the DXGNR6500 is on the low end when compared to other generators of a similar power output. If autonomy is your priority, one of the devices of a similar power output with the highest run time is the Generac XC6500, reaching around 14 hours.
- The run time is important, but also hugely depends on the capacity of the fuel tank and doesn't mean much if we don't talk about fuel consumption as well. This generator is rather wasteful, compared to other devices within the aforementioned output range, when it comes to gasoline consumption, as it reaches roughly 0.75 GPH at a 50% load. If you are concerned with gasoline efficiency, having a fuel consumption of just 0.36 GPH, the A-iPower SUA7000L is a device you could look out for.
Price comparison
As you can see from this interactive chart, when compared to other 6000-7000W generators, the Dewalt DXGNR6500 is on the average side of the price range.
Therefore, this generator nicely fits in the expected budget for this kind of product.
The bottom line
- In the expected price range
- CO Protect technology
- GFCI Outlets
- Lightweight for its kind (165 lbs)
- No electric start
- Relatively low run time
- Low fuel efficiency
Features and Specifications
Inverter | No |
---|---|
Portable | Yes |
Parallel capable | No |
RV ready | No |
Fuel | Gasoline |
Engine | 389 cc Dewalt OHV 4-stroke |
Starting system | Recoil |
Voltage | AC: 120/240V 60 Hz |
---|---|
Running watts | 6500 W |
Starting watts | 8750 W |
Running amps (@120/240V) | 54.2/27.1 amps |
Peak amps (@120/240V) | 72.9/36.5 amps |
Run time @50% load | 10 h |
Run time @25% load | Unknown |
GFCI outlets | Yes |
---|---|
Covered outlets | Yes |
Automatic Voltage Regulation | Yes |
AC outlets |
|
DC outlets | No |
Data center | Lifetime run hours |
Indicators | No |
Fuel tank | Steel, 7.5 gal |
Fuel gauge | Yes |
Weight | 165 lbs |
---|---|
Approx. dimensions (L x W x H) | 27.2 x 27.1 x 25.8 in |
Noise (lower limit) | Unknown |
THD | Unknown |
Compliance | CARB |
Security | Low oil and overload protection, CO monitoring |
Spark arrestor | Yes |
Neutral | Bonded to frame |
Accessories included | Oil and wheel kit |
Warranty | 3 years |
Other model numbers | PMC166500 |
UPC | 696471074529 |
Unlike many websites, we did our best to research each of the specs above. That being said, we are not immune to making the occasional mistake or omission. Should you notice any missing or incorrect values, don't hesitate to suggest improvements so we can address the issue.
About Dewalt
DeWalt is a well renowned, US-based, tool and power equipment company, founded in 1922 by Raymon DeWalt. DeWalt is nowadays a subsidiary of the Stanley Black & Decker corporation, owns 7 manufacturing facilities in the US and offers a large selection of products, from screwdrivers to portable generators. DeWalt’s portable generator line consists of conventional, open designs of various outputs, some of which are powered by Honda engines. However, unlike many of their tools, they are apparently not all made in the US and are manufactured under license by Generac.
Warranty Information
The Dewalt DXGNR6500 is covered under a warranty for up to 3 years. This warranty may be limited and may not cover all parts of the generator.
For more information about the warranty of Dewalt generators, please consult Dewalt's warranty policies (opens in a new tab). Alternatively, you can also contact their Customer Support: 1-800-4-DEWALT (800-433-9258).
Questions & Answers
What can it power?
Item | Running Watts | Starting Watts | |
---|---|---|---|
At home | Electric fry pan | 1500 | 1500 |
Microwave (1000 watts) | 1500 | 1500 | |
AC (10,000 BTU) | 1500 | 2200 | |
Refrigerator (energy star) | 192 | 1192 | |
Blender | 400 | 850 | |
Radio | 100 | 100 | |
Total | 5192 W | 6192 W | |
For camping | RV AC (11,000 BTU) | 1010 | 1600 |
RV refrigerator | 180 | 600 | |
Hair dryer | 1800 | 1900 | |
Electric grill | 1650 | 1650 | |
Blender | 400 | 850 | |
Radio | 100 | 100 | |
Set of 5 LED light bulbs | 55 | 55 | |
Total | 5195 W | 5785 W | |
For work | Table saw | 1800 | 4500 |
Air compressor (1 hp) | 1600 | 6100 | |
Reciprocating saw | 730 | 960 | |
Bug zapper | 80 | 80 | |
Total | 4210 W | 8710 W |
What is the noise rating of the DXGNR6500?
Due to the lack of standardization in noise emission measurement, Dewalt does not provide their units' noise levels.
How much oil does it take (Asked January 24, 2021)
Engine oil capacity is 1.06 qt.
Couldn't find the right answer for you? Ask your own question.
This unit starts easily with a pull cord. With the choke properly set, it starts on the 1st pull most of the time. It is a heavy unit but is still portable thanks to a folding handle and large diameter rubber tires that do not require any air. Adding fuel is a little bit difficult as the fuel fill is near the center of the top of the unit. The fuel fill is large diameter and filling is easy if you use a large funnel. The tank holds about 7.5 gallons and there is a fuel level indicator, that lest you know what fuel is remaining. We have let it run up to about 9 hours without refueling. It would be great if you could add fuel without shutting the unit off, but the users manual strongly recommends that you turn the unit off and let it cool for a few minutes before refueling and restarting to prevent fires..
The outlets are covered with soft rubber covers but are still readily accessible. There are two 110v duplex outlets with an overload breaker on each one, plus a 3 prong, 208v, twist lock outlet.
The only negative I have found in the short time we have had this is the noise level is pretty high. If possible, I would like to add an optional muffler (if I can find one), and possibly build a sound deadening enclosure in the future.
I am one of the many who bought one of these during a power outage. (Buy your gens before power outages.) Although I’m not sure how well it will work in the long-run, I can tell you first impressions and what I’ve looked up since I’ve impulse-purchased it.
First impressions: Comes with not enough oil to fill the crankcase. Seriously. You’ll need some more of whateveryouhave in your garage. It starts right up on first or second pull with the choke on. Run it with the idle control on and it will bog down on you while you try to warm it up, so I suggest starting with the idle control OFF to let it come up to temp. Otherwise, you plug something in and it works great! Nearly instantaneous throttle control and it doesn’t even flinch when you add extra loads to it. I only wanted it to run a few essentials at the house… maybe MAYBE a central AC unit but we’ll see what she can handle. Ran it for about a half hour before the power came back on. Go fig. Happy with what she was able to do, though.
I do want to talk about the parts and pieces that make it up. This is essentially a GP6500 Generac, except a different faceplate, and somewhere or other they advertise their partnership with Generac to produce it. I hear Generac is a good brand and they pretty much dominate a large portion of the market, so that’s alright with me, except you’re paying Dewalt prices for a Generac. Just get a Generac. I think that model is electric start as well.
It uses a Lifan 389cc engine which is sort of the Ford/Chevy/Chrysler of the small engine department. All the cheaper gens use Lifan, so it’s at least a fleet motor…works great and haven’t heard many problems, but it doesn’t sound as good in my head as Honda or Briggs. It also sucks down gas. Look up consumption on an inverter gen or literally any other gen, and then look at this one. It sucks down gas.
Regrets? Would have loved to have gotten electric start, and there’s no easy aftermarket kit for this thing. This is my first generator, and damnit, you try telling your pregnant wife how to start one of these suckers up when you’re out of the house. Remember, you have to start it the first time, then, according to the manual, every time you refuel. If I had shopped around more, for the same price tag, Westinghouse seems to produce similarly-priced non-inverter models with features like dual fuel, or you can even get inverter models that are much quieter. It is LOUD.
All that being said, I’m looking at it now and it feels like a solid part of the family. I’m sure if I keep running it every few months to run the hedge clippers it’ll keep working great and be ready for the next power outage.