[Discussion:]
So far (about 2 hours in) I’m very pleased with the iGen4500DFc. Carton showed some signs of shipping abuse, but generator was well packed and had no damage.
I purchased this generator for emergency household power and occasional light recreational use. Seems sturdy/durable enough to do occasional short bursts of field work.
Output density (my definition: running output amps per cubic foot of required storage space), running noise level, ease of operation, low total harmonic distortion (THD), fuel efficiency/available run-time, and availability of repair parts topped my list of concerns. The iGen4500DFc nails it. Dual-fuel capability out of the box sweetens the deal.
The iGen4500DFc is quiet (as compared to open frame generator models). In the first hour of break-in running, at just under half load, on gasoline, I measured 73dB SPL A-weighted @ 1m. Generally speaking, this noise level falls between the interior of a car driving on the highway and a vacuum cleaner. The well insulated case does a good job of rolling off the high frequencies. The result is a steady thrum with a broad, smooth peak at about 750Hz.
[Overall:]
If you’re looking for a light-duty/recreational inverter generator that’s quiet, compact, powerful, and solidly built, look no further. The iGen4500DFc is an excellent choice.
[Pros:]
+Well-built
+Quiet
+Compact
+Good value for money
+Starts immediately
+Electric push-button and remote start! Great for my shoulder and for my partner when I’m not around. Just in case, the unit still has well-located (if a bit less so for lefties) recoil start
+Eco mode (throttles to demand for loads with a low startup draw) for enhanced efficiency
+Great included accessories. Comes with a bottle of engine oil for the first fill, a screw-in long-neck funnel, and a small utility tool kit including a screwdriver, 17/19mm open end wrench, and a two-piece stamped spark plug wrench. The spark plug wrench is tricky to use inside the cramped case (I ended up using a 13/16 spark plug socket, wobble adapter, extension, and ratchet)
+Dual fuel. Comes with propane regulator and hose!
+Efficient and long-running w/large 3.4gal fuel tank. At just under half load (w/ 94°F ambient air temp., 53%RH, and 93 octane (non-REC) gasoline) I saw around a 0.3gal/hr. burn rate
+Owner’s manual is excellent and comprehensive (though there are some crossover data/specs inserted from the iGen5000 model to watch out for)
+Moving. Easy to move on smooth/level/dry surfaces. Has an excellent hideaway “suitcase” handle. Unit has excellent bar-handles and is compact/light-weight enough for me to lift into truck bed/onto work bench alone when no one else is around to help
+Safety. Great safety features (incl. CO auto-shutoff, overload shutoff, low-oil shutoff, resettable fuses)
+Display. Nice multi-function information display panel, if a bit confusing at first run (display data cycles through multiple parameters with the press of a small thumb button). Easy to read digital bar-style gauges for at-a-glance gasoline and load percentage readings
+Battery charger. Box includes generator battery charger, though it’s not a “battery tender.” More a plug in and top off once a stored month deal. Nice to have it included
+Repair/PM parts readily available on Amazon and through Westinghouse
[Cons (and I’m nitpicking):]
-Case plastics. The plastic is soft. Very soft. Scratches/gouges on contact with everything harder than a fingernail (Mohs hardness 2.0). My thumbnail leaves discolored scratches that don’t “wipe” away, but does not leave a discernible grove in the plastic surface. Great that the plastics likely won’t shatter/crack with anything less than a major impact. Bit of a bummer that even the over-tightened screws from the factory discolor the plastics. If you’re fussy about the appearance of your equipment, the plastics might drive you a bit nuts
-Wheels. The wheels are made from a relatively slippery blow molded plastic. They do the job, but feel cheap to me
-Moving. Challenging to move on rough surfaces due to low ground clearance under center of chassis
-Oil changes. Changing the oil on this unit is not easy/quick. The oil access panel is tiny and seems designed for dipstick access only. For oil changes, the factory drain assembly mostly lines up with a hole in the chassis pan. Fair enough. Getting two wrenches (10mm and 13mm) through the access panel, into place, and spinning is a trick. Prepare to remove the side panel for oil changes or do what I did: order and install an oil drain extension hose (can be fed carefully through the body-pan hole when it’s time to drain). Alternatively, you can cut the top off of a water bottle to use as a drain funnel. Speaking of oil, consider adding a magnetic dipstick to your order to catch/collect the inevitable small-engine ferrous flecks
-Electrical outlets. Wish there was a second set of 5-20R 120V outlets. That said, the control panel is very full. No room to add an aftermarket toggle switch (say, neutral bond/float)
-Switching to bonded neutral isn't as straight-forward as it could be. Floating neutral is likely the best choice for the majority of users. However, I do not plan to connect to a breaker panel (household or RV). Running stand-alone with extension cords, I want the added safety of a GFCI device. The common advice is to use a bonded neutral plug. Which would be okay, if it didn't require half of the available 5-20R outlets
-Propane hose. Awesome that a propane hook-up hose is included. The hose I received is 33 inches (or ~84cm) long, including the fittings, which, when connected, places the propane cylinder too close to running generator for my preference
-No 12VDC “accessory” plug onboard
-No phone app or WiFi/bluetooth connectivity
-Panel LED indicators bright enough to read on the surface of the sun. No option to dim
Westinghouse Outdoor Power Equipment 4500 Peak Watt Super Quiet Dual Fuel Portable Inverter Generator, Remote Electric Start,
4.6
| 1,337 ratingsPrice: 949
Last update: 08-16-2024
About this item
4500 Peak Watts and 3700 Rated Watts at Less Than 3% THD – Telescoping Handle – Gas or Propane Powered – Remote Start With Included Key Fob, Electric and Recoil Start. Grounding System-Floating Neutral.Engine Displacement : 224cc, Gasoline Peak Amps : 37.5A, Gasoline Running Amps : 30.8A..Total Harmonic Distortion : ≤3%
Features a 5–20R 120V Duplex Household Outlet, an RV-Ready TT-30R 30 Amp Outlet and Two USB Outlets – Great Choice for Travel Trailers or Home Use with Automatic Low Oil and Carbon Monoxide (CO) Shutdown – Strong Enough to Run All Your Essentials
Led Data Center: Rotating Digital Display Shows Fuel Level, Power Output, Remaining Run Time, Voltage Output, and Lifetime Hours
Extremely Quiet, Extremely Fuel Efficient: as Low as 52 dBA Noise Output and Up to 18 Hour Run Time on a 3. 4 Gallon Gas Tank – Features “Economy Mode” for Maximum Fuel Efficiency
All Westinghouse Portable Generators are Functionally Tested in the Factory and May Contain Minimum Residual Oil and/or Fuel Odor; EPA Compliant; Backed By 3-Year Limited Service, Labor, and Parts Coverage and Nationwide Customer Service Network
Features a 5–20R 120V Duplex Household Outlet, an RV-Ready TT-30R 30 Amp Outlet and Two USB Outlets – Great Choice for Travel Trailers or Home Use with Automatic Low Oil and Carbon Monoxide (CO) Shutdown – Strong Enough to Run All Your Essentials
Led Data Center: Rotating Digital Display Shows Fuel Level, Power Output, Remaining Run Time, Voltage Output, and Lifetime Hours
Extremely Quiet, Extremely Fuel Efficient: as Low as 52 dBA Noise Output and Up to 18 Hour Run Time on a 3. 4 Gallon Gas Tank – Features “Economy Mode” for Maximum Fuel Efficiency
All Westinghouse Portable Generators are Functionally Tested in the Factory and May Contain Minimum Residual Oil and/or Fuel Odor; EPA Compliant; Backed By 3-Year Limited Service, Labor, and Parts Coverage and Nationwide Customer Service Network
Product information
Brand | Westinghouse |
---|---|
Wattage | 3700 watts |
Fuel Type | electric |
Power Source | Fuel Powered |
Recommended Uses For Product | Residential |
Item Weight | 56.7 Kilograms |
Voltage | 120 Volts |
Output Wattage | 4500 Watts |
Special Feature | Portable, Electric Start, Dual Fuel, Fuel Gauge, CO Sensor |
Included Components | Manual |
Color | Blue |
Product Dimensions | 29.6"L x 21.5"W x 24.3"H |
Material | plastic or metal |
Model Name | Inverter Generators |
Engine Type | 4 Stroke |
Ignition System Type | electric start |
Tank Volume | 3.4 Gallons |
Engine Displacement | 224 Cubic Centimeters |
Runtime | 18 hours |
Total Power Outlets | 5 |
Frequency | 60 Hz |
Starting Wattage | 3700 Watts |
Running Wattage | 3700 Watts |
Is Electric | No |
UPC | 850011336854 |
Manufacturer | Westinghouse Outdoor Power Equipment |
Item Weight | 124.7 pounds |
ASIN | B099KSY4XG |
Country of Origin | Vietnam |
Item model number | iGen4500DFc |
Batteries | 1 12V batteries required. (included) |
Customer Reviews |
4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars
1,337 ratings
4.6 out of 5 stars |
Best Sellers Rank | #16,029 in Patio, Lawn & Garden (See Top 100 in Patio, Lawn & Garden) #94 in Outdoor Generators |