Review of the DuroMax XP15000E Open Frame Portable Generator

Should You Buy It?

Yes. It's another excellent example of a single fuel portable and highly powerful generator you'll find in the market.

If you're looking for something to power your whole house for limited periods then this could be it, and for its size and power, the loud sound level has to be seen as normal. The bottom line is there has to be a trade-off between power and noise in this type of large and open frame portable generator.

Some owners say they have built a well-ventilated outside enclosure, well away from their home, to protect their generators from the weather and help reduce the noise. This is clearly a possibility for all owners to consider.

Key Points about the DuroMax XP15000E

Overview of the Generator

This is the most powerful gasoline portable generator made by DuroMax. It's able to handle heavy loads with ease, and in some respects it could be considered a mobile replacement for a static home standby generator, the difference being that portable generators are nor designed to run 24/7 for extended periods.

Controls and Features

The control panel has a variety of outlets for maximum compatibility, and includes 4x120v household GFCI outlets, 1x120v 30A twist lock outlet, 1x120v/240v 30A outlet, and 1x240v 50A outlet. There is a digital voltmeter so you can keep track of output and maintenance hours. Knowing how long the generator has been used for is an important feature because it will remind you about required maintenance schedules. This should ensure you enjoy a longer useful life from the unit.

The XP15000E has a key-operated electric starter. DuroMax do not offer a remote key fob starter option on any of their portable generators, for example like Westinghouse, because owners are required to adjust the choke manually on their models.

A manual recoil pull starter is provided as well and can be used to start the generator in case the battery has become discharged after, for example, a long period of storage. Also, a switch on the control panel allows you to charge the battery when running the generator. But it may be worth buying a trickle charger to keep the battery alive when it's either in store and not in use.

The XP15000E can be used with your RV, but you'll need to check if an adapter is needed to make the connection.

Like most, if not all, portable generators this model has a sensor to shut the engine down when detecting the oil level is too low to operate safely. It also prevents you from starting the generator until you top up the oil.

Every DuroMax generator is EPA certified and CARB compliant, which qualifies them to be used in all 50 US states.

You can see a copy of the manual for this model here.

Because of the real dangers of carbon monoxide poisoning, take note that this model is not equipped with a CO sensor that can detect dangerous levels in its vicinity.

Power Output

Powering this generator is a relatively huge 713cc 23HP V-TWIN engine. It runs for up to 8 hours on its 10.8-gallon gas tank, and outputs an impressive 15000 starting watts and 12000 running watts.

Although these are big numbers, the actual outputs depend on the altitude of where you live. Basically, above a certain height, the generator loses power the higher you go.

Remember also, while this model has plenty of output to power a house, portable generators are not designed to run 24/7.

Because this generator has a 10-12% Total Harmonic Distortion (THD) under load, DuroMax don't recommend connecting sensitive electronics without a line conditioner/UPS.

Weight

At 380lbs, this generator is built like a tank and is seriously heavy. It comes with a wheel kit, though some buyers are not fans of the never-flat variety. We've included a bit more information on this subject, which you can find here.

Noise Level

As a big and powerful generator, you can't expect it to be quiet in operation. DuroMax specify the XP15000E as having a noise level of 84dB from a distance of 23 feet. Decibel levels are not linear but logarithmic, and 84dB is more than twice as loud as 70dB. So even though our perception of noise differs from person to person, this is LOUD.

To reduce noise levels as much as possible, DuroMax fit these open-frame generators with over-sized auto-style mufflers. They don't recommend any attempts to modify this setup because this will void your warranty.

What Most Buyers Like

Most buyers give this generator 5-stars because it offers great performance and is a very good product for the money. It's big enough to power a house, including a central air conditioning system, though it will guzzle fuel while doing so.

What Some Buyers Like Less

The sheer weight of the generator makes it difficult to move over anything other than flat surfaces.

Though often through no fault of DuroMax, some generators arrive at their destinations damaged, usually as a result of mishandling by delivery couriers while in transit.

Some buyers question why it's necessary to change the oil every 20 hours and think this is excessive.

Unless you have the correct plug configuration it’s nearly impossible to access the 50A outlet because it is located too low.

A few say it's much quieter than expected while others unsurprisingly say it's loud. 

Buyers say that the plastic wheel kit isn't good at all. Note: It's worth underlining that this view is common for portable models supplied with such kits as standard, especially among the heavier ones.