Thanks for the follow-up. I have been through several WEN generators and not nearly as reliable long term, but that also seems to be spotty across models. This one has been good so far and even quieter than the WEN.
I have the igen4500dfc (dual fuel with CO detector and remote start) and it does have an hour meter. I just started boondocking and I have about 90hrs on it. So far the only issue is when the battery dies it's almost impossible for me to start with the pull cord. I had to get an extension off of the inverter and plug in the charger that the generator came with.
Ours is the gas version, and it didn't come with the hour meter. But, as a trade off, it starts on the first or second pull if we don't use the electric start. I turn off the main switch when not in use to keep the battery from going dead, and we haven't had a dead battery yet.
I also have the dual fuel version and have the same issue battery dies if you leave it on stand by over night. it kills the battery very fast on stand by making it hard to use the remote start, if you shut it off by remote at night for the night the battey wil be dead in the moring, i have added extended battery leads and now run an external large truck battry. it helps prolong the stand by time so the remote start can be used to start and stop the unit. i had no luck starting the unit by pulling it over with dead battery. with good battery 1 to 2 pulls fires right up, i think that is do to the electric choke not working with dead battery.
@@rustyo18 External bat- great idea! When I realized that the remote would only work if control power was left on, I emailed tech support to find out if it would be okay to leave it several hours that way. Westinghouse said no, would have to go out and turn on the power first and then come back in with my muddy feet to push the button on the remote. WTF? I see no advantage there! But I can always borrow the battery from one of our vehicles in order to manage intermittent runs overnight, EDIT: I dunno if it's that electric choke problem or not, but I have noticed that my particular gen will start right up on propane even if it doesn't want to start on gasoline. Once started I can switch over and it will happily run on the wet stuff.
We stick with gas, as propane is pretty inefficient and a hassle to deal with the bottles. We also have 30 gallons of gas on board the toyhauler, so it works for us.
It is working out. It's not dual fuel, propane puts out less power and is a hassle to get. A 20 pound propane tank will only last a day or two. We carry 30 gallons of gas in the toy hauler, and gas is easy And convenient for us.
I'm not sure how many, but it's a lot. It doesn't have an hour meter, so it's a guess. But we run it often, and long, even though we have solar, as we use a ton of power. For example, we were boondocking last week and ran it at least 5 hours a day due to poor sun conditions. So in that one week, it probably got 30 hours. All that to say, hundreds. Problems...the module that controls the electric start and electric choke is finicky. It works great for days on end, then nothing. When it doesn't work, you have to remove a side panel to manually adjust the choke. Not a big deal, but it is an issue. They sent me a new module/remote under warranty, I just haven't taken the time to install. Other than that, it just does it's thing. I do limit the amp draw on it via my inveters to 20-23, depending on our needs, so it doesn't run super hard. It's capable of it, but I don't feel like listening to it or over working it. It is a bit louder at full throttle. I love the fact that it can run for 12 hours overnight - unless you're really running it hard, there is no nighttime refueling.
At the time we made this video, the price ranged from $900-$1800, depending on availability. There were supply constraints. Now they are right around $1000.
I have thought seriously about buying a Westinghouse, but have read so many horror stories on getting them repaired under warranty.
For me...they send you the repair instructions and the part required. They do not have a tech repair it for you, so you need to be a bit handy.
Thanks for the follow-up. I have been through several WEN generators and not nearly as reliable long term, but that also seems to be spotty across models. This one has been good so far and even quieter than the WEN.
No problem. I put it in the pretty good category.
Lowes sells then also and this way you have a local place if you need to return it.
That's what's we ordered ours from.
I have the igen4500dfc (dual fuel with CO detector and remote start) and it does have an hour meter. I just started boondocking and I have about 90hrs on it. So far the only issue is when the battery dies it's almost impossible for me to start with the pull cord. I had to get an extension off of the inverter and plug in the charger that the generator came with.
Ours is the gas version, and it didn't come with the hour meter. But, as a trade off, it starts on the first or second pull if we don't use the electric start. I turn off the main switch when not in use to keep the battery from going dead, and we haven't had a dead battery yet.
I also have the dual fuel version and have the same issue battery dies if you leave it on stand by over night. it kills the battery very fast on stand by making it hard to use the remote start, if you shut it off by remote at night for the night the battey wil be dead in the moring, i have added extended battery leads and now run an external large truck battry. it helps prolong the stand by time so the remote start can be used to start and stop the unit. i had no luck starting the unit by pulling it over with dead battery. with good battery 1 to 2 pulls fires right up, i think that is do to the electric choke not working with dead battery.
@@rustyo18 External bat- great idea! When I realized that the remote would only work if control power was left on, I emailed tech support to find out if it would be okay to leave it several hours that way. Westinghouse said no, would have to go out and turn on the power first and then come back in with my muddy feet to push the button on the remote. WTF? I see no advantage there! But I can always borrow the battery from one of our vehicles in order to manage intermittent runs overnight,
EDIT: I dunno if it's that electric choke problem or not, but I have noticed that my particular gen will start right up on propane even if it doesn't want to start on gasoline. Once started I can switch over and it will happily run on the wet stuff.
Just had that happen to me the battery died. Just purchased an extension cord to plug into my solar setup.
I need a generator and my first thought is I need the fuel fuel champion just for the two fueling options. This does seem like a nice machine.
We stick with gas, as propane is pretty inefficient and a hassle to deal with the bottles. We also have 30 gallons of gas on board the toyhauler, so it works for us.
@@TrippinWithTheSmiths yes I can completely understand the gas in your case.
Thanks now I font feel so bad
THAT'S 4 THE VIDEO GOOD INFORMATION
Thanks!
Nice generator seems to be working out great for you guys. Is this generator duel fuel?
It is working out. It's not dual fuel, propane puts out less power and is a hassle to get. A 20 pound propane tank will only last a day or two. We carry 30 gallons of gas in the toy hauler, and gas is easy And convenient for us.
@@TrippinWithTheSmiths you’re right propane doesn’t last as long as gas. Stay safe!
Thanks
No problem
How many hours do you have on your generator now and any issue from then to now?
I'm not sure how many, but it's a lot. It doesn't have an hour meter, so it's a guess. But we run it often, and long, even though we have solar, as we use a ton of power. For example, we were boondocking last week and ran it at least 5 hours a day due to poor sun conditions. So in that one week, it probably got 30 hours. All that to say, hundreds.
Problems...the module that controls the electric start and electric choke is finicky. It works great for days on end, then nothing. When it doesn't work, you have to remove a side panel to manually adjust the choke. Not a big deal, but it is an issue. They sent me a new module/remote under warranty, I just haven't taken the time to install. Other than that, it just does it's thing.
I do limit the amp draw on it via my inveters to 20-23, depending on our needs, so it doesn't run super hard. It's capable of it, but I don't feel like listening to it or over working it. It is a bit louder at full throttle.
I love the fact that it can run for 12 hours overnight - unless you're really running it hard, there is no nighttime refueling.
How come you never tellus the price of these generators that you are showing .thank u
At the time we made this video, the price ranged from $900-$1800, depending on availability. There were supply constraints. Now they are right around $1000.
How many hours do you have on the generator?
Not sure, it doesn't have an hour meter. Easily over 500.
The standard igen4500 is $585 on Amazon today, 11/14/2022.
Yeah, the price varies with supply.