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WEN 56200i Review: Pros and Cons of A Portable Inverter Generator

    It would be hard to imagine life without electricity. We’ve become so dependent on electricity that we always find ourselves clueless on what to do whenever there is a power outage or when visiting places that are off the power grid such as camping sites.

    The most important thing is to be prepared with an alternative source of power at all times.

    Gas generators provide the best source of power for emergencies or while camping. A compact portable inverter generator may not provide all the power you need in your home but it will keep most of the essential appliances running for hours during an emergency.

    If you are looking for the best inverter generator for your camping or domestic power needs, the WEN 56200i generator is a perfect choiceThis WEN 56200i review looks at the key features, pros, and cons of this small but powerful inverter generator to help you make an informed decision when shopping for the best portable generator.

    The WEN 56200i, a CARB compliant generator suits all your emergency or simple power needs. It is an extremely quiet generator that you can use while camping, as your RV generator, for your exciting tailgating parties, at a job worksite, at home whenever power outages occur, and for any application that requires a portable power source.

    To understand how useful this compact generator is, let’s look at some of its key features first.

    REVIEW OF THE WEN 56200I FEATURES AND SPECS

    This portable generator comes with all the features you need in a small but powerful power source including the following:

    • It gives you 6 hours runtime while operating at half load
    • It runs extremely quiet at just 51dB which is the same sound produced in a normal conversation
    • It comes with ECO mode, which automatically adjusts the unit’s fuel consumption depending on the number or power requirements of devices plugged in.
    • It is a CARB and EPA III compliant generator for clean energy production
    • You can count on the WEN 56200i for clean power generation. It uses pure sine wave technology to provide safe power for all your sensitive gadgets and appliances.
    • It has a strong and reliable 79.7 cc four-stroke OHV engine capable of giving you an output of 2000 Watts starting power and running power of 1600 Watts.
    • It has a compact portable design and only weighs 48 pounds
    • The generator comes with two 3-prong 120V receptacles, a 12V DC port, and a 5V USB port. It is a versatile generator that can power a wide range of electronic gadgets.
    • It features harmonic distortion to less than 0.3% with no load and less than 1.2% with full load.
    • It has an automatic shutdown when fuel or oil levels run low. This helps to avoid internal damage due when oil levels run low.
    • With a parallel kit (sold separately), you can hook up another WEN 56200i generator and run the two generators at the same time to get twice the power of one generator when need be.
    • It comes with a two year warranty from the manufacturer.
    • WEN 56200i parts are readily available if your unit should ever run into mechanical problems.

    EVALUATION OF THE WEN 56200I ENGINE

    The WEN 56200i has an efficient 79.7cc four-stroke OHV one cylinder engine that has a forced cooling system. Its fuel tank has a 1 gallon capacity that gives you a runtime of 6 hours at half load and more than 4 hours at 100% load.

    You can depend on this compact generator to provide you with uninterrupted power from a full tank for around half a day depending on the amount of load. It will keep your lights and simple appliances running for half the night after a power outage.

    The engine is strong enough to deliver surge wattage of 2000 Watts and running wattage of 1600W. It has a reliably strong engine to handle most of your power needs while camping.

    WEN 56200I DESIGN REVIEW

    If you are planning for a tailgating party or going to spend a few days camping, the last thing you need is a to carry a ton of excess weight in the name of a generator. This is one of the solutions provided by the WEN56200i.

    It is made for total portability to ensure that you can carry it anywhere without a problem. The unit weighs just 48 pounds which is light enough to be carried by one person.

    It has a small compact design measuring 22.5 inches long, 12 inches wide, and a height of 19.25 inches.

    NOISE LEVEL ASSESSMENT

    A loud noisy generator can be an impediment to the quiet serene atmosphere you seek for while camping outdoors. In fact most camping sites have noise emission regulation policies that prohibit the use of noisy generators.

    You wouldn’t want to disturb your neighbors when you crank up a loud noisy generator at home too. A noisy generator could end up doing more harm than good.

    WEN 56200i is one of the quietest inverter generators

    Fortunately the WEN 56200i is one of the quietest inverter generators in the market. It runs at just 51dB at 25% load and 55dB at 75% load which is no louder than the sound produced in a conversation.

    The generator comes with variable engine speed according to the amount of load which helps to significantly reduce noise level. It is quieter than the average window air condition system.

    If you are looking for small generator that is ideal for use in camping sites with strict noise emission rules, the WEN 56200i is your best choice.

    REVIEW OF THE WEN 56200I FUEL ECONOMY

    The manufacturer of this portable generator went to great lengths to ensure that it really does save you fuel. The WEN 56200i has an economy mode designed to conserve fuel during operation.

    When you engage the Eco-Mode switch, the generator’s engine automatically adjusts its running speed to match the load. You can use this economy mode with any load under 1000 Watts.

    The generator will not run at full capacity if the load is, for example, 500 Watts. Its Electronic Speed Control throttle ensures that you get low fuel consumption for an extended period of time.

    A full tank of 1 gallon will last you up to 4 hours while running at full load and up to 6 hours at a lower load.

    PARALLEL CONNECTION ASSESSMENT

    If you need more power than a single generator can provide, you can simply connect two generators using the WEN 56200i Parallel Connection Kit and get up to 4000 Watts peak power whenever you need it.

    Parallel connectivity helps during power outages or in your RV.

    REVIEW OF THE WEN 56200I CONTROL PANEL

    The WEN 56200i is quite easy to use thanks to its simple intuitive control panel design. It has a convenient smart panel for all the basic operations. The clearly labeled dashboard has an On/Off/Choke switch and LED pointer to show you Oil level as well as Output voltage, and Overload.

    Below its ESC Throttle switch is the outlet for parallel operation. You even have two standard 120V AC ports for your home appliances and a DC voltage outlet that you can use to charge batteries.

    You can even charge your phone and other small gadgets directly from the generator using its USB port. It is a handy easy to use generator. The WEN 56200i manual has all the operating instructions you need to operate this generator.

    PROS OF THE WEN 56200I

    • It provides clean safe energy without sudden spikes and drops that could potentially harm your sensitive electronic gadgets such as smart phones and laptops.
    • It runs extremely quiet
    • Reliable generator for all uses including camping, construction sites, tailgate parties, and in power outages
    • Great fuel economy thanks to its Electronic Speed Control Feature
    • Portable and lightweight to carry around wherever you go.
    • Great performance with a runtime of up to 4 hours at maximum load and up to 6 hours at lower load.
    • It comes with a 2-year warranty and efficient customer support.

    CONS:

    • A few users have stated that the generator’s oil container is not effectively designed. Pouring in oil is sometimes a difficult task but with a little tilting the oil pours in easily. You’ll get the hang of it after you’ve poured in oil several times.
    • It would have been better if the generator came with oil as other models do.

    FINAL THOUGHTS

    There is so much you can say about the WEN 56200i portable generator from its ease of use, fuel economy, portability, and ability to link with another generator whenever you need more power than a single unit can provide.

    One thing we cannot forget to emphasize on this WEN 56200i review is the extremely quiet operation of this generator and the fact that it will keep your sensitive electronic devices and appliances powered without fear of harmful power surges.

    If you are looking for value for your money in a generator, we highly recommend WEN 56200i.

    References

    http://www.wenproducts.com/store/WEN-2000-Watt-Inverter-Generator-56200i