Westinghouse 15000 Peak Watt Home Backup Portable Generator, Remote Electric Start with Auto Choke, Transfer Switch Ready 30A & 50 Outlets, Gas Powered

With annual storms in my area on the rise, I find myself losing power more frequently and for longer durations, each year. With that in mind, my old 5kW, pull-start Generac just wasn't cutting it, anymore. It's been ultra-reliable, but I'm fed up with running (unsafe) extension cords to critical items (refrigerator, freezer, etc.), struggling to pull-start it, and the terrible racket it makes. Time to buy something decades newer...I thought I had settled on a CAT RP12000E portable generator, as it's got a 670cc engine capable of running a claimed 11.2 hours on a single tank of fuel at 50% load. That's a smaller engine than the 713cc Westinghouse … producing the same 12kW(run)/15kW(surge/start) power ... with a 0.6 hour longer runtime than the claimed 10.6 hour runtime of the Westy. Plainly put, the CAT is more efficient. It can also be serviced by ANY CAT dealer - which is a huge plus if it breaks down.So why did I ultimately settle on the Westinghouse WGEN12000? Because it had the right combination of features, functionality, and price to suit my needs. As of this writing, the CAT RP12000E is $2,877.95+tax, whereas the Westinghouse WGen12000 was $2,199.00+tax. To me, the aforementioned efficiency just isn't worth $678.95 because a) a fuel refill ~0.6 hours sooner won't bother me, and b) $678.95 will buy quite a bit of fuel should the need arise.Similarly, the ability to obtain CAT service for the CAT RP12000E easily, while a big deal, is rendered largely moot by the fact that if the generator fails when I need it … I'm out a generator (no matter who makes it) until it's serviced -- and by then, the crisis for which the generator was required will likely have already abated. Given this, Westinghouse's 3-year residential warranty and lifetime technical support … seemed adequate for my needs.Last, very late in my research (when I had all but decided on the CAT RP12000E), I recognized a new need (i.e. threw in a new criterion) that the CAT RP12000E didn't have: remote start capability. The basis for this added criterion is that my long-term plan is to construct a properly ventilated/cooled generator shed for noise reduction. Thus, the ability to remote start a generator is important to me, as it allows me to turn on fuel, set the generator to 'run', enable breakers, and then exit the building prior to starting the (loud) generator.WGen12000 PROS:* Remote start capability* Battery-operated, push-button start w/ automatic choke* Battery charging port and transformer included* Long (~10.6) hour runtime at ~50% load* 12kW(run)/15kW(start/surge) powers entire home with judicious enablement/use of high-load appliances* Has a lift bracket allowing easy transport with a front-end loader or boom pole* Quick, easy assembly (install lift bracket, attach wheels , connect battery, add oil and fuel -- all done!)* Handles used for ground transport have vibration-damping pads between them and generator frame (nice surprise!)* Good warranty and support from a trusted and reliable manufacturer* Superior price, features, and functionality with respect to comparable (i.e. apples-to-apples comparison ) models* Palletized and delivered via lift-gate service after carrier-buyer coordination (mine arrived in perfect shape)WGen12000 CONS:* Very heavy* Limited Availability - The WGen12000 doesn't appear to be well-stocked anywhere, as of this writing* The Westinghouse cover sold on Amazon is too small to fit the Westinghouse WGen12000If I had a second residence, I'd likely be buying a second one of these...

This generator was purchased during a crisis of Hurricane Beryl. After the devastation of no power for weeks and food spoiling, etc. This item was a once in a lifetime buy that I must have for me and the family. I also purchased the extended warranty for the generator as well. So far, the generator is running smoothly. I do make sure to run it for preventive maintenance, and to make sure there are no other issues. I will say that this generator is very loud, but it’s worth it. It is very durable, and for convenience it has remote start. I like it!

First the good: the generator was delivered on time and with care...no apparent damage. Packaging is solid and set up instructions clear. Installed the wheels, included oil, battery. Charged battery and added fuel (gasoline). Starting instructions are also clear.The not so good: Attempted to start and starter motor indeed turns however engine does not catch. Sounds like no fuel. Checked that fuel is passing from the tank through the fuel valve and fuel filter and that seems fine. Added a little fuel to the cylinders via the spark plug holes and tried again. Unit starts right up and then cuts out (when fuel is gone). Certainly seems a fuel delivery issue. Customer service was courteous but moving this brand new ~400lb generator to a service center is not something I can easily do (don't own a truck). So, I'm left with trying to fix/replace the fuel pump and/or carburetor...on a brand new generator. I didn't want a project and that's why I purchased new. Disappointed. Will circle back with what the fix is after I narrow it down. May be helpful to others.- September update: Westinghouse CS sent me a fuel pump which I installed. Unfortunately, the new pump didn't fix the issue. Next is carburetor. Westinghouse CS has been responsive and Amazon support has been excellent; it's just a challenging product issue. I'll add that the unit also has an oil leak and the starter motor grinds terribly. I'll keep plugging away at this and will share if/when I find a fix.

This generators has all the features.12000running watts15000 peak wattsDual fuelElectric and remote startPortableLow noise for the size50 amp and 2 30amp plug and 2 gfci 120 outlets.The shipping crate and package is superb.This thing is built like a tank with steel tubing and frame.Has a real oil dipstick to check the oil level.Has a trickle charger to keep the battery charged.Has a carbon dioxide sensor.You name it it’s got it.The only knock I have is that the oil drain plug is a bolt that sits right on top of the flat metal frame and when the plug is pulled the oil goes everywhere. There needs to be a drain valve/stopcock on it with a hose tube adapter to add a piece of rubber hose to have the oil run into a pan instead of all over the frame and the ground. There is NO WAY to get any type of tray under the drain because it is literally 3/4 of an inch above the frame.This drain valve needs to be added with the hose.Other than this issue- it’s a great machine, but this truly is a big issue.

The oil filter is located behind hoses and hard to get at. the battery box seats behind the wheel. So, if you want to get too the battery. You have to pull the wheel off. Which is difficult because of the weight. I like the fact it fired right up. Moderately quite for large as it is. Haven't had to use it yet. So, I don't know about how efficient it is.

I have on this for one year and I have had nothing but problems with the starter, right out of the box starter was grinding on flywheel, called company arranged for repairs, and nothing ever got done about it, warranty is non-existent, now I have a $4,000 generator that won't even turn over complete piece of junk.

Starter doesn’t mesh with flywheel. Makes a terrible noise. Also doesn’t output power even when the breakers are on, just shuts off output. You have to turn it off and back on again. Our old 500 dollar generator still works more reliably.

Had major problems right from the beginning and the service sucks in Canada, don’t buy through Amazon because u can’t return it through them! Don’t buy it period.

Very quiet lot's of power. Very nice machine. Just move it before you put gas in as it takes 10 gallons so adds another 100 lbs. Very pleased

Très fiable. Pendant une longue panne d'électricité, elle a fonctionner sans le moindre accroc. A répondue à toutes mes attentes. Vraiment puissante. Excellent rapport qualité-prix.