Quiet Inverters: Westinghouse iGen2500 Review – My Favorite Brand

Welcome to our Westinghouse iGen2500 Review. There are a few premium brands making generators today and Westinghouse is one of the top 3 brands; my personal favorite brand.. You may or may not know, but Westinghouse has been in business since 1886. They manufacture industrial technology like fuel delivery systems for nuclear reactors. If nothing else, you should know that you’re in good hands with Westinghouse portable generators, and the iGen2500 is one of the best compact 2500W inverter generators.

In addition, Westinghouse has updated this model with carbon monoxide monitoring with an automatic shut-down mechanism that kicks in when CO levels get dangerously high. This new model is known as the iGen2500c. You’ll find all the Westinghouse generators with CO monitoring have a “C” at the end of the model number. That’s how you can distinguish their models.

VIDEO OVERVIEW — A Closer Look at the iGen2500c

Inverter Generators : Are they Worth It?

Why are so many people choosing inverter generators over conventional gas generators? Even though they cost more than comparable generators that don’t make use of inverter technology, there are several logical reasons why these machines are so popular and in fact, much better than a conventional gas generator.

The Westinghouse iGen2500 has become a best selling inverter generator for many good reasons, such as : it’s compact, affordable, well-made, reliable and lightweight. In this article we take a close look at this fantastic little generator.

Another Compact Westinghouse Inverter Generator: iGen2200 (read full review)

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How an Inverter Generator Works

If you’ve ever watched TV or used a computer that’s powered by a gas generator, you’ve probably noticed lines moving up and down the screen or that the image is sometimes distorted. A sound system may have interference or distortion when running off a generator that does not have an inverter. This is because a standard gas generator has high levels of Harmonic Distortion (HD).

HD happens when the frequency or voltage changes even if it’s only for a fraction of a second. When you observe alternating current on an oscilloscope, it produces an ellipsoidal wave known as a sine wave. This is the same type of wave as a sound wave. We’ve all heard a sound wave that is distorted (when the volume output is too high for the speakers). Well, voltage sine wave distortion is very much the same.

VIDEO |  Comparing the iGen2500 with the iGen4500 Portable Inverter

The only difference is that we don’t hear it or see it. We can only notice it when electronic devices behave in a way that they shouldn’t and sometimes the distortion will go by unnoticed.

While the effects of HD may only be a minor irritation, we’re able to deal with it. It’s not too much of a problem if our TV image goes a bit strange from time to time. It’s likely that you’re not aware of the side effects of HD. Every time the sine wave becomes distorted, a small amount of damage occurs and, over time, this will cause electronic equipment to fail.

The fact is, most modern appliances have built-in electronic controls – not just TVs, computers, cell phones, and laptops. Any electric equipment that has an LED/LCD screen or soft touch controls has a microprocessor and will be damaged by HD.

Westinghouse iGen2500c / CONTROL PANEL

An inverter generator doesn’t supply power directly from the generator’s alternator like conventional generators do. Instead, they convert the power to DC and then back to AC, using a computer controlled inverter. This provides a completely stable (pure sine wave) with an HD of less than 3% at peak load – at 50% load, HD is usually less than 1%. This means that they will not harm sensitive electronics in any way.

The second reason why inverter generators are so remarkable is in their efficiency. If you use the generator enough, you’ll find that the extra few dollars spent when buying the machine, will come back to you in fuel savings. You’ll be saving fuel on two levels. An inverter that provides a pure sine wave means that your electric equipment will run more efficiently and will use a lot less electricity.

Versatile 4500W Dual-Fuel Inverter Generator ⇛Westinghouse iGen4500

In some cases, electric equipment can use up to 50% less power when running off an inverter. Lower power consumption means less load on the generator. The result, lower fuel consumption, which also gives more running time on a tank of gas, and lower maintenance costs (less wear on the generator).

The second way in which an inverter generator saves you fuel is that they are able to run at lower revs when the power demand is reduced. This is thanks to the sophisticated electronic controls that they use. Under normal use, your generator won’t often be running at its full load capacity because you’re switching items on and off. An inverter generator will only run the engine at full power when needed, resulting in huge fuel savings.

VIDEO — Up Close with the iGen4500 by Westinghouse

So, it’s obvious that an inverter generator has several advantages. Now you’ll want to know which inverter generator is the best. There are a lot of great inverter generators out there, but one seems to be incredibly popular. I think this is because it offers a lot for its price. The Westinghouse iGen2500 is an incredibly well-built piece of machinery with outstanding features, whilst having a very reasonable price tag when compared to similar alternatives.

I’ve heard of many people that have put these generators to work under extremely hard working conditions and have all the praise in the world for these little powerhouses. This is why we’re going to review the Westinghouse iGen2500 and see why they’re receiving so much positive attention.

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REVIEW: Westinghouse iGen2500

Rating: ★4.6/5 — A fantastic inverter generator…

Features:

• Weighs 48 lbs.
• Built-In Carry Handle for Easy Transportation
• Safely Powers Sensitive Electronics Such as Laptop Computers, Cell Phones, & More
• 2200 Running Watts and 2500 Peak Watts
• Very Quiet: Operates As Low As 52 dBA
• Up To 10 Hour Run Time (1.0 Gal Fuel Tank)
• <3% THD
• Outlets : 2 USB Ports (5V DC) and a 120 VAC 20A Household Duplex Outlet
• 30-50% More Fuel Efficient Than a Traditional Generator!
• Has a Double-Insulated Acoustic Enclosure, Asymmetrical Cooling Fans, and Low Tone Mufflers to Reduce Operating Noise
• 2,500 peak watts, 2,200 running watts
• Fuel efficient – 7.7 hrs on 1.0 gal of gas @25% load
• Very quiet – Less noise than normal conversation volume
• 3-Year Warranty
• EPA Compliant

Overview | Westinghouse iGen2500

As a company supplying power generation products, Westinghouse is one of the most experienced and this gives me a lot of confidence in their ability to provide the best products and backup service. George Westinghouse started the company in 1886, so they’ve been in this business from the very beginnings of electrical supply in the US.

The Westinghouse iGen2500 is the ideal portable generator for RVs and home backup. It’s small and light enough for one person to carry, weighing only 46 LBS (net weight). Despite being so small, it delivers great power – 2200 running watts and 2500 peak watts, making it about the best in its class. Capable of powering induction motors, it’s perfect for any electrical device. This includes refrigerators and AC units. If you manage your power usage, you should have very little trouble keeping everything you need to be powered up with clean inverter supplied electricity.

Run in Parallel | Westinghouse iGen2500

The 98cc, EPA compliant engine, is remarkably quiet and you’ll hardly notice that it’s there. Thanks to the advanced engine and economy mode that allows it to run at low revs when the power demand is low, it uses very little fuel. This means that the 1-gallon gas tank will keep the generator running for about 6-hours at 50% load. For normal household and RV applications, your average load will be between 25% and 50%. This means that most people will get 6-7 hours from a tank.

It has a simple and easy to use control panel with two standard 120V outlets and two USB outlets. An LED display lets you see, at a glance, how much fuel you have in the tank and what percentage load you’re using. It also has a digital display for output voltage and running hours so that you can see when it’s time to service the machine. It’s designed to be one of the easiest generators to service and transport.

There are pipes that direct both the oil and fuel out of the casing when you drain either the oil or the fuel from the carburetor. No mess and no oil or fuel collecting inside the generator housing. The recoil starter hardly needs any effort to get the generator running and it will be purring away with only half a pull. An easy to use choke, makes starting it in cold conditions perfectly simple.

There’s great news for people who want more power without getting a large heavy second generator. The Westinghouse iGen2500 has parallel connectivity. This means that you can double up your power output by connecting up a second iGen2500. When using two generators in parallel, the sine waves of both generators are synchronized. This means that you end up with the sum total output of both generators.

Two Westinghouse iGen2500s connected in parallel will give a running output of 4400W and a peak load capability of 5000W. This should be enough to keep most homes fully powered up during an emergency.

The Westinghouse iGen2500 must be one of the best value for money inverter generators on the market. There’s little wonder why they are so popular. Westinghouse has an outstanding quality record and a service team that genuinely cares about customer support, I haven’t found anyone with anything bad to say about the product or the guys at Westinghouse. Their 3-year limited warranty is also one of the best that you’ll find.

Learn more by visiting the Westinghouse site. They manufacture exceptional products which I happily recommend due to their commitment to quality and providing great support to customers.

Rating: ★4.6/5: Ultra-Lightweight at 39 lbs.

Best Dual-Fuel Inverter Generator: Champion 200961

FEATURES:

• Lightweight: Weighs only 39 pounds
• Dual-Fuel Inverter: Can be run with Gas or Propane
• Gas: 2500W Start / 1850W Run
• Propane: 2500W Start / 1665W Run
• Recoil start plus Cold Start Technology ensures a quick start in cold weather.
• OUTLETS: 2X covered 120V 20A household outlets (5-20R), 12V automotive-style, 2X port USB adapter  
• 53 dB from 23 feet  
• 79cc Champion engine
• Full Gas Tank will run generator up to 11.5 hours at 25% load  
• 20 lb. propane tank will run generator up to 34 hours at 25% load.
• Parallel Ready: Connect with a Champion 2500-watt inverter and get 30 amps of power. The parallel kit (sold separately) has a standard 30A RV outlet and a 120V 30A locking outlet.
• Safe to run your sensitive devices: Clean Power (< 3% THD).  
• Economy Mode adjusts engine speed depending on load placed on generator.
• EPA certified and CARB compliant
• 3-year limited warranty and FREE lifetime technical support.

OVERVIEW: 200961

Dual-fuel pure sine wave generators are ideal and have an obvious advantage over a regular inverter generator. One of the main reasons people buy a generator is for emergency backup. If the power goes out for whatever reason you’ll have peace of mind knowing you have a generator in the garage. It’s empowering to be able to keep the lights on and power the fridge when the power grid is down.

Now, sometimes generators forget that they need to store fuel so they can keep their generator running when fuel is scarce. Gasoline is difficult to store. If you do everything right, you can store gasoline for about one year with the right fuel stabilizers and under the proper conditions (air-tight container under 5 gallons, no direct sunlight, etc.). Without fuel stabilizer gas will go bad in 3 to 6 months. My point is, a gas-only generator is not the best choice for power backup.

And this is where propane begins to show its advantage. Propane can be stored indefinitely. They come in their own air-tight containers, available in various sizes and they’re the ultimate backup fuel source. You lose some power with propane but the difference is minor. The truth is, who cares about the 200W of power you lose when you can run your generator indefinitely if you store enough propane. You should always buy more power than you think you need anyway. I promise you, when there’s an emergency you’ll be happy you bought the bigger generator.

The point I’m trying to make is that you need to figure out why you’re buying a generator and then work backwards, and by that I mean, you choose the generator that will ensure you have enough power for what you need it for. It’s very simple but I find that most people underestimate their power needs and they haven’t come up with a viable fuel backup plan.

If you don’t store fuel, your generator is useless after a natural disaster and fuel isn’t available. The great feature that all inverter generators have is you can run two models in parallel and double your power. Maybe you have a bigger generator for emergencies. I don’t know what your needs are but I have faith that you do.

Westinghouse iPro2500 / DISCONTINUED

Jobsite-grade generator. Build to higher standards than a regular generator.

Features:

• 2,500 peak watts, 2,200 running watts
• Fuel efficient – 7.7 hrs on 1.0 gal of gas @25% load
• OSHA Compliant and perfect for job sites and a wide variety of tools
• Very quiet – Less noise than normal conversation volume
• Safe for electronics – Inverter Technology
• Lightweight – Under 49 lbs
• 3-Year Warranty
• Quiet and compact: the iPro2500 is the quietest OSHA-compliant inverter generator on the market specifically designed for contractors and industry professionals
• Safely powers sensitive electronics such as laptop computers, cell phones and more (2200 running watts and 2500 peak watts at less than 3% THD)
• Lightweight and compact design: the iPro2500 weighs 48 lbs. and features a built-in carry handle for easy transportation
• Features 2 USB ports (5-Volt DC) and a 120-Volt AC 20A GFCI household duplex outlet – safely powers sensitive electronics such as laptop computers, cell phones and more (2200 running watts and 2500 peak watts at less than 3% THD)
• Enhanced fuel efficiency – 30-50% more fuel efficient than a traditional generator
• Quiet operation: the iGen2500 utilizes a double-insulated acoustic enclosure, assymmetrical cooling fans and low tone mufflers to reduce operating noise

Overview |  Westinghouse iPro2500

I don’t think that you’ll find a commercial grade inverter generator in this price range – not by a long shot. Even though this generator is about $100 more expensive than the Westinghouse iGen2500, it’s specifically designed with the professional contractor in mind. Anyone who understands the tough working conditions that are required by professionals, should agree that this price is well worth it. If you’re looking for a generator for your worksite then have a read of our indepth guide specifically focused on reviewing and discussing jobsite generators.

In terms of power, quiet running, and parallel functioning, the Westinghouse iPro2500 is on a par with the iGeni2500. The only difference that you’ll notice, when you look at the machine is that this model doesn’t have the LED display and it’s a different color.

The real difference is under the skin, where you can’t see. It’s designed to be robust and able to take the knocks that come with the daily grind of hardworking professionals. I may be wrong, but I think that the Westinghouse iPro2500 is the only generator in this price range that complies with the standards set by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). As a professional contractor, you probably know how important it is to keep up with ever increasing compliance regulations set by the department of labor.

Parallel functionality is most advantageous to the professional contractor. If you look at your working environment, you’ll see why this versatility is fantastic – both in terms of financial prudence and convenience. There will be many situations where the running power of 2200W (2500 peak watts) will be fine to supply your needs on a small to medium sized job site. In this situation, the Westinghouse iPro2500 is perfect – it’s very lightweight, fuel efficient and exceptionally quiet.

Not every job is the same though, there will be times when you need more power and you may also be working on several sites at the same time. This is where the Westinghouse iPro2500 will make your life so much easier and save on the cost buying a larger generator. You can use just one for smaller jobs and connect a second in parallel to step up your power when necessary.

Another area where contractors lose out when buying a generator is on your warranty. If you look at most warranty agreements for generators, they stipulate that the warranty is not valid for commercial use or that you’re only covered for a short period – usually 3-6 months. It’s only large expensive generators that offer a warranty for these conditions.

The Westinghouse iPro2500 comes with a commercial warranty of 2-years (for non-commercial use the standard 3-year warranty applies). For such an affordable piece of machinery with the flexibility of parallel functioning, I really can’t think that there can be a better deal on a generator that’s designed and built to meet the specific needs of the commercial market. The Westinghouse Company has always been one of the best for customer service and you can be assured of lifetime technical support.

Want more options, read our up-to-date buying guide on inverter generators. It’s filled with the newest models and trends taking place in the generator industry.