Review | DuroMax XP15000EH — 15 kW Generator | Fantastic 15,000 Watt Generators

Welcome to our indepth review of the powerful DuroMax XP15000EH. There  are countless reasons to own a generator, whether for work, as an emergency and/or disaster backup, for your RV or for one-off occasions such as providing outdoor power at your wedding. Generators are truly a worthy investment and provide peace of mind for those unexpected events that you can never plan for.

The DuroMax XP15000EH provides a lot of value for the money and allows people to buy a powerful generator at an affordable price. In this article we dive deep and give you the facts so you can make an informed decision and determine if this is the best generator for your specific needs.

INTRO | DuroMax XP15000EH Generator

A standby generator that can supply enough power to run your entire home is a large, gas-guzzling machine. They’re permanently installed and, therefore, immovable. A really great (and much cheaper) alternative would be the all new DuroMax XP15000EH. This is a portable generator which makes it much more versatile than a built-in standby generator.

DuroMax XP15000E | Capable of Handling All of Your Power Needs

When we say portable, one needs to accept that this is a heavy generator. It can’t be light, a generator that delivers 15,000-watts of peak power needs a large engine and alternator. Though it has large, very tough wheels and fold down handles with a great length, making it easy to move the generator on any type of terrain. It’s portability and robust design makes the DuroMax XP15000EH not only a great backup generator for your home but it’s also a fantastic power provider for camping trips and for job site applications.

One thing I’ve come to expect from DuroMax is great value for money. These generators are built tough and deliver the goods. While DuroMax generators have what it takes to compete with the best of them, they don’t cost as much as many of the competing brands. The DuroMax XP15000EH is the latest to come from this highly respected manufacturer and we just had to take a deeper look at this product. This review is going to share my findings with you. I have no doubt that after reading this review, you’ll be as impressed as I have become with this extremely powerful and versatile generator.

What Will You Be Using Your Generator For? CAT RP12000E (Jobsite Power)

To stir things up a little, I’ll be comparing it to the Champion 100111 which is probably the most notable rival to the DuroMax 15KW powerhouse. The Champion is one of the few generators in this class that’s cheaper than the DuroMax XP15000EH. The question is: does the Champion match up to the new DuroMax? I’ll give you the facts and leave you to decide for yourself. Though I will conclude with my observations and opinions after reviewing these two generators. They’re fine machines but differ in some areas and that’s not just in the price. So this review will put things into perspective for those of you are considering a portable generator that can provide the kilowatts needed to keep most (if not all) of your creature comforts operating normally during a power outage or run a whole bunch of heavy-duty tools.

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DuroMax XP15000EH

Best 15,000 Watt Generator for the money.

Features:

• Starting Watts : 15,000W / Running Watts : 12,000W
• Dual fuel technology allows generator to be run on propane or gas
• Endless possibilities from home standby to jobsites and RVing
• Equipped with low oil protection the Duromax V-Twin motor protects from mishaps
• Easy key start allows anyone to start the unit with no problem
• Multiple outlets allow for easy connection of multiple devices and tools
• Run-time : Gas : @ 50% load = 10 hrs
• Run-time : Propane : @ 50% load =6 hrs (40 lb. tank)
  
• GFCI protected household outlets
• Full EPA and CARB compliance allows for operation in all 50 states
• Outlets:
  • (2) 120V 20 Amp Standard Receptacles.
  • (1) 120/240v 50 Amp Heavy Duty Outlet.
  • (1) 120/240v 30 Amp Twist Lock.
  • (1) 120v 30 Amp Twist Lock.

✓ View or download the MANUAL for the DuroMax XP15000EH.

Overview

The DuroMax brand specializes in a few products, all of them being power products that use a gas engine. Though these days, they’ve become one of the leaders in Hybrid (dual fuel) technology and the DuroMax XP15000EH is an excellent example of this. Because DuroMax focuses exclusively on generators, gas-powered pumps and pressure washers, they’re able concentrate their research and development exclusively on these products. The V-Twin engines that they’ve developed powers most of their new products and is something they are very proud of, for good reason.

The concept of the V-Twin engine is not a new one and certainly not unique to DuroMax.  In fact, the new DuroMax V-Twin engines were inspired by Honda. The first V-Twin engine was developed way back in 1889 and has since been used in various formats. Probably the most famous use of the 2-cylinder V-design comes from Harley Davidson. Though we must not confuse these with the high-compression, smooth running V engines developed by Honda racing. With a highly improved combustion chamber, these engines offer much more power whilst using a lot less fuel. They’re nothing like the old Harley “thumpers”. This is why DuroMax, Champion Power Equipment, Briggs & Stratton, and a few other manufacturers have taken a leaf from the Honda book and developed their own versions of this revolutionary design concept.

Control Panel — DuroMax XP15000EH | Excellent Emergency Backup Generator

There’s a lot more to these engines than simply placing 2-cylinders at opposing angles, the cylinder heads have been completely re-designed. Though, in all fairness, I wouldn’t quite compare the Chinese built DuroMax V-twins to the original Hondas. Some people have reported quality issues but, on the whole, they seem to stand up to some pretty rough treatment. When comparing the price, I wouldn’t expect the DuroMax engine to have the same indestructible qualities of the (much more expensive) Honda. DuroMax has had a lot of success with this engine and in the majority of cases, they’re proving themselves to be reliable hard-working units.

The 713cc V-Twin engine used in the DuroMax XP15000EH is a mighty brute and is one of the most fuel efficient engines I’ve seen in a generator. It also has the advantage of dual fuel operation. This means it can run on propane (natural gas) or standard gasoline like other engines. The new DuroMax V-Twin is fully EPA and CARB compliant, meeting the strictest emission controls. It has both an electric starter and a recoil starter, so you have convenient easy electric starting and the backup of recoil starting if the battery runs flat. As one would expect from an advanced modern engine, it will shut down if the oil level runs too low. For an engine of this size, it’s remarkably quiet, only 77dBA. That’s without any sound insulation. This exceptionally low sound level is all thanks to an excellent spark arresting muffler.   When all is considered, this is a fantastic engine running a very capable alternator with heaps of power.

The DuroMax XP15000EH pumps out a very impressive 12,000 watts of constant power with a Peak (starting) capability of 15,000W. Even though it doesn’t have a very thirsty engine, the gas tank is reasonably large, 10.8-gallons. This will provide approximately 10-hours of runtime at 50% of its rated load, it can supply an average of 6KW for 10-hours. To place fuel consumption into a format that allows us to compare the different models, I always covert this into kilowatt-hours per gallon. This is like looking at miles per gallon when comparing cars. The more kilowatt-hours you get from a gallon of gas, the more you’re saving on fuel costs. In this respect the DuroMax XP15000EH is one of the best, the fuel consumption figure when running on gas works out to 5.6 kilowatt-hours per gallon.

When running on propane, you’ll get 6-hours runtime on a 20 LBS tank at 50% load. Before you look at this as a disadvantage, compare the size of a 20 LBS propane tank to ten 5-gallon gas cans.  That’s about what it takes to fill the gas tank on the DuroMax. So when you look at the actual volume of fuel you’re transporting, propane always has the advantage. Propane is also much easier and safer to store, there are no flammable fumes and there’s no chance of spillage. Unlike gas, propane doesn’t deteriorate when stored for longer periods of time. One of the biggest advantages of using a hybrid, dual fuel engine is the versatility it offers. You’re able to use either fuel depending on which is more readily available. This can be a real lifesaver in times of natural disaster when gas can be become scarce as everyone stocks up on emergency supplies. So there are a lot of added benefits to owning a hybrid generator.

The control panel is recessed, protected by the really thick steel tubing frame. So it won’t easily be damaged during transportation or on busy job sites. The layout is fantastically logical and easy to follow, with three distinct rows of instruments, controls, and outlets. The top row consists of a key switch for starting the generator with a low oil warning light directly below it, immediately to the left of this is a switch to select your fuel source (gas or propane).

Next along, you’ll find a digital multimeter, with clear instructions printed on the metal plate beside it. You can easily toggle between the information displayed for voltage, frequency, total running hours, or service interval hours. On the far right of the top row is the main 2-pole circuit breaker – I presume this matches the 62.5A maximum 240V load that the generator is able to produce. Below this, is a row of push-to-reset circuit breakers for the individual power outlets. Each breaker is placed directly above the corresponding outlet, which makes it very easy to identify when a circuit trips.

The bottom row has all your outlets in a neat row. This includes everything except a 12V charging circuit. You have two standard 20A, 120V household outlets with GFCI protection, a 30A 120V outlet, a 30A 120V/240V outlet, and a 50A 120V/240 outlet. The 30A and 50A outlets are the regular twist-lock types used for RV pugs and transfer switch kits. The entire generator, including the gas tank, is contained in a full wrap-around roll cage made from really thick steel tubing which incorporates a strong lifting bar at the top. It rests on solid rubber wheels with rubber padded steel feet at the front. This ensures that there can be no vibration issues and strong four-point rubber mounts for the engine and alternator assist with this.

The extended fold-down handles clip onto the frame to keep them in position when transporting and have comfortable rubber grips. Because these handles are long and the wheels are a good size, moving the 355-pound generator isn’t a tough job. Even on a gravel surface, one person will be able to wheel the DuroMax around without much effort.

I’m not going to try compare the DuroMax XP15000EH with the big boys (Honda, Generac, DeWalt, or CAT), these are a different class of heavy-duty generators and are designed for an entirely different purpose. Most people are full of praise for this generator, but there are those who have had some harsh words to say about the DuroMax XP15000EH. What I’ve seen when looking at the customer complaints regarding the DuroMax (and the Champion equivalent), it seems to come down to people’s expectations. So I’m going to elaborate on this a bit. If you’re buying a medium-duty generator, like the two in this review, you should never expect it to perform the same heavy-duty work as the more expensive machines. You get what you pay for and don’t mean this in a bad way, it’s about buying the correct generator for the job.

Generac Generator are in a different class than DuroMax : Generac XC8000E

When it comes down to it, we want to get good service from a generator. I’d hope for it to last 10-15 years. Under the right conditions, I can’t see why you shouldn’t get this from the DuroMax XP15000EH. So what are the right conditions?

I’m going to start with an everyday example that most of us should be able to relate to. Pickup trucks are common, many people own one and contractors may own quite a few. If we look at how different people use their pickups, it varies greatly. The same can be said for generators. There are those who carry heavy loads, sometimes on bad roads, on a daily basis. This is obviously a hardworking environment and, for this, you’ll want the toughest pickup you can get. You’ll be paying for this. If, on the other hand, you use your pickup once or twice a month to carry garden waste, perhaps do the occasional building project at home and tow your RV once or twice a year, your pickup isn’t working as hard. You’ll easily get away with buying a cheaper model and get just as many (if not more) years of good service from it.

Putting this into the context of generators, we can use the same principles. How much load you place on your generator and how many hours you use it will determine how long it lasts. Obviously, like any machine, correct maintenance plays a big role.

I’m going to look at how the average homeowner will typically make use of a generator like the DuroMax XP15000EH. Contractors can take this example and apply it to your circumstances. The principles remain the same – it’s a combination of average kilowatt load and hours of use per year.

Say you’re buying the DuroMax XP15000EH to supply emergency power for your home during and outage and for your RV once or twice a year. You have a lot of power at your disposal, 15KW peak can power most of your household needs. So how do you use your power at home and, more importantly, how do you use your power when running on a generator? During an emergency, it’s always wise to cut back on your electricity usage as much as possible, this saves on gas and your generator won’t work as hard.

Though let’s be realistic here, you’re not buying a 15KW generator unless you want to keep a lot stuff running. It’s more about how much you’re using on a constant basis. With a running wattage of 12KW, you’re able to keep even a large 15,000 BTU air conditioner running along with 2 refrigerators, a sump pump and a heat pump. You’ll have enough power for lower consumption items like your lights, TV, computer etc. Though if you keep all this stuff powered up 24/7, you’re going to be working your generator very hard. It’s not going to last as long as if you were to use your electricity more sparingly. Even then, I’d say that the DuroMax XP15000EH would hold up quite well to these conditions if it’s not on a constant basis.

In other words, up to a week at a time once or twice a year, with possibility of a few shorter outages in between. Generally, our power only reaches peak consumption once or twice a day. On average your running watts will be in the region of 4,000-watts for a household of four people. That’s without compromising on your daily consumption in any real way. So I’m going to work on an average power consumption of 4KW for about 12-hours a day, reaching a peak of 10-15KW for 2-hours. This is assuming that you switch the generator off at night when you go to sleep.

At this rate of power consumption, we need to now look at how many hours you’ll be using the generator per year. Even where the power grid is particularly unstable, it’s unlikely that you’ll need emergency power for more than 20-days through the year. At 14-hours per day, this amounts to 280-hours. Now let’s factor in RV use for 4-weeks of the year. You’ll never use as much power for an RV as you would for a house, but I’m not going to split hairs. We’re just going to work on an average vacation usage of 28-days X 14-hour per day, this gives us 392-hours. So our total household and RV generator hours comes to 672-hours per year. This is likely to be more than most of us would use, but it’s better to be safe than sorry.

Provided that you service it as recommended, the DuroMax XP15000EH should be able to do this for many years. It’s impossible to say how long, but at least 10-years seems like a reasonable estimate. From this we can conclude that the XP15000EH is more than suitable for most homeowners and many contractors too.

When placed into context, the DuroMax XP15000EH is really great value for money. It’s pleasingly cheap for what it is and delivers what you need. The fact that the DuroMax XP15000EH has a 3-year residential and 1-year commercial warranty certainly gives one confidence in the quality that you’re getting.

Tips:

• Make sure the electrical rating of the tool or appliance does not exceed that of the generator.
• Never exceed the maximum power rating of the generator.
• Power levels between rated and maximum may be used for no more than 30 minutes.
• Operate the generator at least 1 meter away from buildings and other equipment.
• Do not operate the generator in an enclosed structure.

Tech Specs (DuroMax XP15000EH):

• Engine : DuroMax V-Twin
• Displacement : 713cc
• AC Output : 15,000 Starting / 12,000 Running
• Starting System : Electric Key Start
• Fuel Tank Capacity : 10.8 Gallons
• Run Time on Gasoline Up to 10 Hours at 1/2 Load
• Run Time on Propane Up to 6 hours at 1/2 Load on 40 lb. Tank
• EPA Approved EPA and CARB Compliance/50-State Status
• Dimensions : 35” Long x 24.5” Wide x 38” High
• Noise Level : 77dB @ rated load
• Dry weight : 355 lbs

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Champion 100111

Best 15,000 Watt Generator for the money.

Features:

• 15,000W = starting watts / 12,000W = running watts
• Up to 9 hours of run time on a full tank of gasoline
• Noise level of 78 dBA from 23 feet
• Electric Start
• 717cc V-Twin Champion engine (Includes battery)
• Built-in Cold Start Technology for easy starts in cold weather
• Covered Outlets
  • (1) 120V 30A locking
  • (1) 120/240V 30A locking
  • (1) 120/240V 50A
  • (4) 120V 20A GFCI outlets, plus Volt Guard
• Built-in surge protector prevents overloads and keeps your appliances and equipment safe
• Lift Hook : Designed for safe and easy transport, loading and unloading
• Intelligauge keeps track of voltage, hertz and run-time hours so you can easily monitor power output and track maintenance intervals
• 3-year limited warranty with FREE lifetime technical support from dedicated experts

✓ View or download the MANUAL for the Champion 100111 generator.

Overview

I’d say that the Champion 100111 is in the same league as the DuroMax XP15000EH. They’re both well-made medium-duty 12/15KW generators from respected brands. The Champion is cheaper than the DuroMax and this may appeal to many buyers. While they have almost identical specs on most fronts, the Champion is not a dual fuel generator and it isn’t quite as fuel efficient as the DuroMax XP15000EH. Very few generators will match the exceptional fuel consumption of the DuroMax.

VIDEO | See the Champion 100111 in Action

The Champion uses a very similar V-Twin engine with a 717cc, four-stroke engine. This engine is also EPA and CARB compliant so, like the DuroMax XP15000EH, this generator is can be sold in all 50 states. It has the same advantage when it comes to starting the generator, either by means of an electric or recoil starter. The gas tank is almost the same size (10.9-gallons), but does not offer the same runtime because the Champion engine isn’t quite as fuel efficient. You’ll get about 9-hours from a tank of gas at 50% load, which calculates to just under 5 kilowatt-hours per gallon. So your fuel cost will be about 10% higher when compared to the DuroMax XP15000EH.

Noise levels are also excellent for the Champion, 78dBA. No one will see this as a quiet generator. But with an engine of this size in an open frame generator, you won’t be able to do much better than this. It’s only 1dB louder than the DuroMax XP15000EH, which is unnoticeable. The power output of the two generators is identical, 12000W running and 15000W peak power.

Like the DuroMax, this is a heavy generator – 329.6 LBS. It has a very similar tubing frame, wheels and a handle. The Champion differs slightly, in that it has a loop handle instead of the two fold-down handles that you’ll find on the DuroMax XP15000EH. The loop handle also folds down but doesn’t offer quite as much length as the DuroMax handles, which is a slight disadvantage. In terms of transporting the generator, I can’t see either being a problem. The Champion also has good padding on the handle. The standing feet, engine and alternator mountings are every bit as good as those on the DuroMax. The tubing frame also extends over the gas tank to protect it and this incorporates a lifting eye.

I prefer the control panel on the Champion 100111, it has better protection on two levels. While the DuroMax XP15000EH panel is recessed behind the tubing frame, the Champion’s is surrounded by a bump-proof shock absorbing panel which is great. I also really like that the Champion has plastic covers protecting the electrical outlets. Dust and moisture easily get inside the outlets and the DuroMax XP15000EH offers no protection against this. Other than these small details, the panels offer the same outlets and functions.

The Champion has 2 X 120V, 20A, GFCI protected household outlets, 2 X 30A outlets (one is 120V only and the other 120V/240V), and a large 50A 120V/240 outlet. Every circuit has the same type of push-button circuit breaker as the DuroMax XP15000EH and it has a 2-pole main breaker for 240V. The Intelligauge on the Champion is really cool with a numeric LCD screen giving voltage, frequency, and running hours. Directly below this is a bar-type power meter, so you can see at a glance how much current you’re drawing from the generator. The gauge has 7-bars, which gives quite a detailed reading for your wattage consumption.

When it comes to power output and usability, there is no real difference between the Champion 100111 and the DuroMax XP15000EH. It’s only the subtleties that differentiate them. This is a generator of a high quality standard at a really excellent price with a warranty that matches that of the DuroMax XP15000EH – 3-years.

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Generac GP15000E (5734)

Top rated 15,000 Watt generator with an impressive starting watts of 22,500W. Deluxe power to start the most demanding electrical devices.

Features:

• Generac’s OHVI engine incorporates full pressure lubrication with automotive style spin on oil filter for longer life engine.
• Idle control reduces noise and conserves fuel for extended run-times.
• Hour meter tracks maintenance intervals.
• Low-oil pressure shutdown automatically safeguards engine from damage.
• Large-capacity fuel tank with incorporated fuel gauge provides durability and extended run times.
• Hardened 1 1/4″ steel tube cradle for added durability and strength.
• Integrated lifting eye for easy transport and security on the job site

‎✔ View or download the BROCHURE for the Generac GP15000E (5734).

The Generac GP15000E is a highly versatile 15Kw generator that can be used for a variety of applications, such as : home backup, emergency/disaster, camping, job sites or outdoor events.

Control panel is well-organized and easy to use

Learn more by reading our indepth review of the Generac GP15000E and the even more powerful 17,500 watt generator : Generac GP17500E

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Which 15,000 Watt Generator is Best for You?

For a lot of people reading this, the Champion 100111may make better sense. It’s cheaper than the DuroMax XP15000EH and isn’t all that different. In fact, where it counts, they’re basically identical. I still think it’s worth paying a little extra for the DuroMax XP15000EH.

Dual fuel operation may not be that important to everyone, but it has its advantages and a day may come, when you’ll really appreciate the ability to use LPG instead of gas. Hybrid generators will always be slightly more expensive, they have some extra components which cost more. Though, even if a hybrid engine means nothing to you, the fuel savings are going to be beneficial for the lifetime of the generator. Over the years, the DuroMax is going to earn back the extra purchase price in fuel savings.

DeWalt Generators are a Step up on DuroMax : DeWalt PD123MHB008

In the end, you’re getting a great generator at a fantastic price, regardless of which model you choose. The cheaper Champion is by no means an inferior generator. Paying the extra price for the DuroMax XP15000EH comes with the convenience of dual fuel operation and a lower fuel consumption.