Review of the DuroMax XP13000E Open Frame Portable Generator

Should You Buy It?

It's one of the best and most popular powerful portable generators out there. It doesn't have the dual fuel versatility of the XP1300EH, but it too can power your whole house. If this sounds good to you then yes, go and buy it.

Being big and powerful, it's not surprising that some people find it loud. But practically, that's what you should expect from such a big unit. Some owners build a special enclosure outside to muffle the noise more. This could also be a solution for you, always keeping in mind adequate ventilation, the fires risks, and distance from your home. 

Key Points about the DuroMax XP12000EH

Overview of the Generator

This is the sister of the dual fuel XP1300EH. It too provides similar power normally found in a home standby unit, but in a portable format. As such, it can power a lot of household equipment including small and large appliances, as well as your home's central A/C system.

Controls And Features

The control panel has a wide selection of outlets, including 2x120v household GFCI outlets, 1x120v 30A twist lock outlet, 1x240v 30A outlet, and 1x240v 50A outlet. There is also a voltmeter and 12v DC posts for charging external batteries.

This generator has a push-button electric start powered by a 12v gel-type battery. A manual recoil cord can also be used to start it. Though you can charge the battery while the generator is running, the general advice is to buy a trickle charger to keep the battery in shape when not in use. This will ensure you don't encounter a discharged battery when bringing the unit out of storage.

DuroMax don't have a remote start option on any of their models. This sort of starting ability can be found on some Westinghouse and Champion generators. The reason DuroMax don't have this option is that you must adjust the choke manually when starting the engine. This makes a remote starting option unfeasible. 

The engine has a splash type oil system rather than a pressurized system, so no oil filter is needed. Like many generators, this one has a sensor that will automatically stops the engine if the oil level falls below a safe level. If the engine will not start, examine the oil level as part of a troubleshooting process.

You can connect the XP13000E to your RV, but you might need an adapter, such as this one, to make the right connection.

Being both EPA Certified and CARB Compliant you can use this model in all 50 states.

A word of warning: this model is not fitted with a carbon monoxide (CO) sensor.

Power Output

At the heart of this generator is a powerful 20HP 500cc OHV Engine outputting 13000 watts of starting power and 10500 watts of running power.

With a 10-12% Total Harmonic Distortion (THD) under load, this is not an inverter. As a result, you should note that DuroMax don't recommend using sensitive electronics with this model without a suitable UPS/surge protector.

If you haven't already seen this, we suggest you look here for more information on operating a generator at higher altitudes. The higher you are above a certain level, the lower the performance of the engine and hence the power output. Depending on where you live, you may need to take this into account when choosing a generator that matches your initial power needs.

Weight

This powerful generator is heavy at 234lbs. It comes with a never-flat wheel kit and foldable handle to help make it easier to move around though, as you'll see, these wheels aren't popular with everyone.

Noise Level

DuroMax have tried to reduce noise levels as much as possible by fitting their open-frame models with over-sized auto-style mufflers. But at 74dB, this generator cannot be called quiet. If you think a modification to the muffler would help reduce noise DuroMax don't recommend this as it would more than likely void the warranty.

What Most Buyers Like

The majority of buyers give this generator 5-stars and say it's a great buy. They love everything except, for some, the noise. On the other hand, a few others say it's much quieter than expected, which only goes to show how much opinions can differ.

Overall, there is rarely a negative view about this generator. It's great value for your dollar says one, while another thinks the inclusion of the required tools is an additional bonus. They like the quality construction, and its tank-like build, yet some also say it's easy to move around, despite its considerable weight. It has an easy-to-read panel, a digital meter and comprehensive operating instructions. The Start/Stop push button is great, and the pull start works flawlessly when needed.

In general, buyers of this model have no complaints about customer service and like the long 3-year warranty for homeowners.

What Some Buyers Like Less

There are only minor issues, such as the difficult access to the battery terminal. And some buyers would like the unit to ship with the required 1 ¼ quarts of 10w-30 oil. One owner says you'll need a long funnel not to make a mess when filling. Another one notes you have to remove the engine braces before adding fluids.