Westinghouse WGen5500 Spec Review

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Description

Zoom on the Westinghouse WGen5500

In a nutshell, the Westinghouse WGen5500 is a portable generator mostly geared towards:

• RV travellers looking for even more independence
• Homeowners in need of an emergency backup power for their essentials
• 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 Westinghouse WGen5500

The Westinghouse WGen5500 houses a 420 cc (13 hp) Westinghouse OHV 4-stroke engine, which provides 120/240V, consumes gasoline and delivers a running wattage of 5500W along with a peak wattage of 6850W.

With a noise rating of 72 dBA (just slightly more noisy than a dishwasher), the generator features a simple traditional pull-start mechanism.

The fuel capacity of 6.6 gallons allows the WGen5500 to operate for up to 20 hours with a full tank (fuel consumption around 0.33 GPH).

The WGen5500 is unsuitable for the powering of sensitive electronic devices due to its relatively high THD (<23%).

Outlets

The control panel features the upcoming 5 AC outlets:

Two Duplexes 120V 20A (5-20R) GFCI

120/240V 30A (L14-30R) receptacle

Due to the featured twist-lock L14-30R receptacle, the WGen5500 is transfer switch ready: you may connect it to a breaker box to power your household during a power outage.

Portability

The Westinghouse WGen5500 has a conventional, open frame design, of the following dimensions: L27.2 x W26.5 x H26 in, which offers support and allows it to be raised above ground level. This type of design is ideal for tough environments and heavy outdoor use.

Even though this device may be technically portable (as in movable), manipulation and transportation without special equipment can be a challenge, as it weighs 174 pounds. Never less, it can still be moved quite conveniently with the help of a wheel kit (⌀10") and a folding handle, once it is placed on the ground.

Features

The WGen5500's control panel

To help you monitor the WGen5500's status and activity, its control panel is equipped with a convenient meter, which displays voltage, frequency and lifetime hours.

Thanks to a built-in fuel gauge, the generator allows you to quickly, conveniently and easily check the gas level at a glance.

From a security point of view, the generator is equipped with an overload protection (circuit breaker) and an automatic low oil shut-off, giving you a peace of mind during use.

Besides the classic documentation and a user manual to get you promptly started, the Westinghouse WGen5500 also comes with some accessories: funnel, tool kit and oil are included.

Emissions

The Westinghouse WGen5500 is EPA-approved and CARB-compliant. Therefore, its sale and purchase are permitted in all of the 50 states, including California.

Moreover, it features a spark arrestor, which makes it suitable for use in forested areas.

Product Videos

The Westinghouse WGen5500 versus other generators

The following charts are provided to give you an idea of how some of the key specs of the Westinghouse WGen5500 compare to generators of similar power (between 5000 and 6000 W).

• As its weight is 174 pounds, the Westinghouse WGen5500 falls in the expected weight range of the devices in the 5000-6000 rated wattage category. If you are concerned by weight, one of the champions in the above mentioned power range is the Champion 100519, with a dry weight of just 121 pounds.
• The generator can be considered average in its noise for its power category, as it is rated at 72 dBA. If you’d prefer a less noisy device, one of the most quiet devices, which share the same power range with this one, is the Honda EU7000iS, whose lowest noise levels reach just 52 dBA.
• Since the WGen5500 boasts with a run time of up to 20 hours at 25% load, it can be safely judged as a device of a higher run time than most generators of a comparable output.
• 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 reaches an estimated fuel consumption of 0.33 GPH (gallon per hour) at a 25% load, making it average, for the previously mentioned wattage range. If you are concerned with gasoline efficiency, having a fuel consumption of just 0.28 GPH, the Honda EU7000iS is a device you should look out for.

Price comparison

The bottom line

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 Westinghouse

The US based Westinghouse Outdoor Power Equipment is a legacy subsidiary of the Westinghouse Electric Corporation, founded in 1886. While the company has been acquired and merged into the American CBS, the Westinghouse name remains as the brand name for many of their electrical solutions, which stretch across the scale from power plants to portable generators – which are the main product of the Outdoor Power Equipment branch of Westinghouse. Lawn equipment, such as trimmers and blowers, is also sold under the Westinghouse brand name. All of their products are designed in the US. However, several sources report that they are in many cases manufactured in China.

Warranty Information

The Westinghouse WGen5500 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 Westinghouse generators, please consult Westinghouse's warranty policies. Alternatively, you can also contact their Customer Support: 1-855-944-3571.

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