Review of the Westinghouse WGen7500 Dual Fuel Open Frame Portable Generator

Yes, the feature-rich WGen7500DF is an excellent, flexible, and powerful option that represents great value for money.

The build quality is regarded as excellent and the added feature of a key fob is great for you to be able to start the generator remotely.

Read on to find out more about this model and what owners think of it.

The Westinghouse WGen7500DF is the dual fuel and more expensive version of the WGen7500. It's a versatile high powered traditional generator in a hardened-steel open frame with an electric start and remote key fob.

The model is designed mainly to provide backup power for much, if not all, of your home. While classified as a portable, at 220lbs it's heavy and you won't want to move it around a lot. It's also an excellent option for working with power tools on a jobsite, and is seen powering portable office trailers. 

The control panel is very comprehensive with a fuel selector, Yellow Touch Points and a digital Data Center. This LED digital gauge is a 3-state display showing Volts, Frequency (Hertz), and Lifetime Run Hours - pressing the MODE button allows you to cycle through the different displays.

Also on the control panel is a push button electric Start/Stop with, which you can pair the remote key fob. There is a manual pull recoil mechanism should you find yourself with a discharged battery.

For external connections you have 2xDuplex 120v GFCI 5-20R and 1x120v/240v L14-30R Transfer Switch Ready outlets, plus the 2xUSB ports nor found on the WGen7500. You can connect the L14-30R outlet to your home to provide power directly to your house using a manual transfer switch. However, an innovative alternative solution is available to you as this model is one that has a dedicated Smart Switch Outlet. This allows you to connect a Westinghouse Smart Automatic Transfer Switch without the need to hire a professional.

Overload protection is provided by circuit breakers, and rubber covers are included on all the outlets to give added protection from the environment.

There are no LEDs for low oil, output ready and overload. But a low oil sensor stops the engine, and prevents it from starting again, when detecting the level is too low for safe operation. 

At 50% load the generator runs for up to 11 hours on its 6.6-gallon gasoline fuel tank, and up to 8 hours on a 20lb propane tank. A fuel gauge, located on the top of the generator near the fuel cap, lets you monitor how much gasoline has been used.

With EPA Certification and CARB Compliance, the WGen7500DF can be used in all 50 states.


Here is the manual if you'd like to have a look at it.

At its heart sits a powerful 420cc 4-Stroke OHV Westinghouse Engine made with a durable cast iron sleeve to ensure longer life. On gasoline it produces 9500 starting watts and 7500 running watts. On propane the outputs are 8550 starting watts and 6750 running watts. These outputs are produced from traditional generator technology, and although the generator has automatic voltage regulation it's unsuitable for powering sensitive electronics without the addition of a UPS/line conditioner/surge protector.

Altitude and climatic conditions can affect the performance of portable generators, so make sure where you live won't impact on the power outputs.

Weighing 192lbs, the WGen7500DF is an open frame design made of hardened-steel with protective roll bars and a foam grip handle. It comes as standard with a kit of two solid never-flat wheels, roll bars, and foam grip handle to make it easier for you to move it around.

Although they may offer some advantages, many owners are not keen on the no-flat wheel variety. We therefore show some alternatives.

With an open frame body, the noise level is, as to be expected, high at 72dB. If this figure doesn't mean much to you, have a look at what we have about noise levels, and how they affect us differently. 

The comments for this generator share some that relate also to the gasoline-only model. Both are very similar except for this model's ability to also work with propane, plus a few other minor differences.

Owners comment on the excellent build quality, small footprint, available power and dual fuel versatility for the price. The instructions are very clear, and so is setting up the generator for the first time. With an electric start, powered by the supplied battery, plus a remote key fob, getting it going is easy.

It runs quieter than a lawnmower with no vibration, and has suction cups on rubber feet to avoid it dancing about on solid ground.

This is a heavy generator and there are multiple instances of damage in transit, often caused by delivery companies.

The manual says owners shouldn't use propane tanks larger than 20/30lb. To reduce tank swaps it would be nice if, say, 100lb tanks could be used - Note: it appears that buyers have in practice connected their generators to 100lb propane tanks.

To register the product buyers are obliged to submit a review.

Lots of buyers don't like the plastic wheels, and some say it's noisier than expected. And a warning LED would help identify the problem when the unit stops unexpectedly because of low oil.

The battery dies when the generator isn't used for several months - Note: that's to be expected and can be solved by getting hold of a trickle charger.

A number of units, while working well with propane, failed to work with gasoline. One owner did a mechanical overhaul to get his new generator working on gasoline. A few complain of poor quality control.

Some dissatisfied buyers say their interactions with Westinghouse's Customer Service have been frustrating. Calls are put on hold for unacceptably long periods, emails are not answered, and the offer of a free cover for submitting an online review is not respected.