Review – Westinghouse WH2200iXLT Inverter / Should You Buy it?

Generators come and go but the good ones evolve and become more refined over the years. Case in point, the Honda EU2200i has been been updated and improved upon for many iterations, and I’m sure Honda will continue with the trend. Westinghouse has yet to make any major updates to the WH2200iXLT as they’ve done with their other generators. They may end up discontinuing this model because they have a newer 2200W inverter generator, which we look at here.

If you want the WH2200iXLT I recommend you purchase it now before you wake up one morning unable to find it anywhere.

WH2200iXLT vs IGen2200: Read our full review as we compare it to the Westinghouse iGen2200, a newer 2200W inverter generator from Westinghouse.

Westinghouse WH2200iXLT is an ultra-quiet inverter generator that’s half the price of the world renowned Honda EU2200i. The Westinghouse can hold it’s own when it comes to overall quality. How do you think the Westinghouse WH2200iXLT compares to the popular Honda EU2200i? Is this the right generator for you? What makes this generator special? Is the Westinghouse WH2200iXLT worth your money?

The short answer is that you can buy the the newer, more refined, iGen2200 from Westinghouse for less money. I recommend buying the newer model. It’s a little confusing as to what the strategy is for Westinghouse. Their pricing is confusing.

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Westinghouse iGen2200

Recommended 2200W inverter Generator

The iGen2200 is very easy to use and start. It’s light enough that you can take it camping, use it to run sensitive electronics in your RV, have it at home in case the power goes out and even to run some power tools in your workshop. It’s pure sine wave generator, which means it can run anything without damaging them. Traditional generators can’t run sensitive devices because the power they produce is considered “dirty” and creates a modified sine wave.

This is designed to be quiet, and it is. The more load you put on the generator, the louder it will get. At full load it will sound a little like a lawn mower. It’s much quieter than a traditional gas generator. I’ve witnessed a big change in the generator market as many more homeowners are choosing inverter technology, which makes perfect sense.

Inverters are superior to gas generators in every way but they’ve been quite expensive in the past. Prices have fallen in recent years, as the competition has increased. You have a lot more options today when compared to even one year ago. It’s been a stunning transformation. Westinghouse is an excellent brand and my pick for the brand that makes the best homeowner generators. The iGen2200 is a bargain at its price point. I highly recommend it.

FEATURES: iGen2200

• 2200 peak watts / 1800 running watts
• Can run up to 13 hours on a 1.3 gal. gas tank
• Inverter Technology : Variable engine speeds allow 30% to 50% higher fuel efficiency than a traditional generator
• Weighs 46.3 lb.
• Quiet – as low as 52 dB / double-insulated acoustic enclosure, asymmetrical cooling fans, and low tone mufflers
• Safely powers sensitive electronics such as laptop computers, cell phones, and more with less than 3% THD
• OUTLETS: (2) 120V 5-20R standard household outlets and (1) 12V DC outlet
• Functionally tested in the factory and may contain minimum residual oil and/or fuel odor
• EPA and CARB Compliant
• Economy Mode makes it run at the optimal speed, preserving fuel
• 3-Year Limited Warranty, Labor, and Parts Coverage and Nationwide Customer Service Network

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Let’s take a closer look at the features and technology behind the WH2200iXLT —

Westinghouse WH2200iXLT / Affordable Clean Power

Before we delve into all the benefits of inverter generators, let’s look at all of the features of the Westinghouse WH2200iXLT:

• Westinghouse, 4 Stroke, 80cc, OHV
• EPA / CARB Compliant
•  17 hrs @ 25% load / 13 hrs @ 50% load
• Rated Watts : 1800 / Starting Watts: 2200
• Asymmetrical Fans
• Dual Muffler Design
• Double Insulated Acoustic Hood
• Yellow Color Coded Touch points
• Power Indicator Light
• AC Overload Reset
• Economy Mode
• Low Oil Shut Down
• Light Weight, Ergonomically Designed
• Sound Output, 52-59 dba NL/FL
• Less Than 3% Total Harmonic Distortion (THD)
• Tool Kit, Oil and Oil Fill Measuring Container
• Parallel Capable unit Using WPP Cable #260041

✓ View or download the MANUAL or the PARTS LIST.

Video | How Quiet is the Westinghouse WH2200iXLT?

The basic concept that powers any generator is the conversion of one form of energy into electrical energy. While most notes say that the initial form of energy is mechanical energy, you must understand that this mechanical energy needs to come from some source.

The question that we really need to be asking ourselves is: How do we produce mechanical energy so that we can convert it to electrical energy?

To solve this conundrum, people came up with various solutions. The first and possibly the simplest solution was the hand crank. It is however obvious that one cannot continuously turn a hand crank every time one needs electricity. In today’s environment where we need electricity for almost everything we do, using a hand crank is not the solution that we are looking for.

Westinghouse WH2200iXLT — Unboxing and Hear it Running

The use of an internal combustion engine solved that dilemma. As can be imagined, the combustion in the engine needed fuel. The most logical choice was fossil fuel. That is how gas powered generators came into existence.

The gas powered generators of today use gasoline, diesel or propane to function. The basic concept of the conventional generators has however remained unchanged. They still use mechanical energy and convert it into electrical energy.

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How are Inverter Generators Different From Gas Powered Generators?

Inverter generators are named after the basic additional function that they possess. A traditional generator (that is a gas powered generator) produces direct current. This is more popularly known as DC power. An inverter generator however inverts the DC power and changes it into AC power.

The advantage of this is that the AC power can be produced at any desired voltage and frequency. This makes it useful for consumer level applications.

Bear in mind that inverter generators are traditional generators that can produce AC power. This means that it has a lot of technology that a traditional generator does not possess. This makes it more expensive.

Westinghouse WH2200iXLT / Control Panel

Why Inverter Generators are So Popular & the Market is Growing

Inverter generators are sometimes called I-Generators. Where ‘I’ stands for ‘inverter’ and is by no way related to the ‘I’ in the Apple products. A lot of people are saying a lot of good things about the Inverter generators but how many of those things are really true? Let’s do a comparison and find out.

Portability: Weight, Size and Convenience

A great deal of the portability of any object is attributed to its size and weight. While Inverter generators have more technology packed in them, you will be surprised to find that they are lighter than their traditional counterparts. While the sizes of the inverter generator range from a couple of cubic feet, you will find that their weight ranges between 30-50 pounds. This makes them very portable.Efficiency: Traditional Gas generators versus the Inverter generators

The traditional generators are designed to operate for extended periods of time. That is why they are larger and have much larger fuel tanks. This means that they can operate for longer periods of time without having to be refuelled. Inverter generators on the other hand are smaller and are meant to be more portable. This means that they have a smaller fuel tank and thereby should have a shorter run time.

There is however another point that one must consider and that is efficiency. Inverter generators have a more efficient fuel engine and they adjust their engine speed depending on the load placed on them. Conventional generators however operate at a 3200 rpm constantly. The engine speed does not change with the load.

This particular feature of the increases the efficiency of the engine by 40 percent. This also translates into better fuel utilization. This means that you will get more out of the fuel that you are using. The increase in fuel efficiency also means a reduction in the exhaust emissions. This makes the Inverter generator more environment friendly.

Noise Concerns

One of the concerns that I find that most people have is the amount of noise that a generator produces. This issue is usually what draws people to the Inverter generator. In general you will find that Inverter generators are designed to be quiet. Sound dampening technology, quieter engines and sound mufflers have been incorporated to reduce the sound that these machines produce.

There are Inverter generators that can produce noise levels as low as 51.5 decibels of sound when running at quarter load. To give you a better understanding of how loud this is let me explain a little further. An electric razor produces a sound louder than this. (Electric razors produce sound levels of 68 decibels!)

When you compare this to traditional generators you will find a stark difference. Most traditional generators produce sound levels of the range of 65-75 decibels. That is in the same range as that of chainsaws and jet planes!

Parallel Operation: What is it and why does it matter?

Parallel operation simply means that you can connect two identical Inverter generator models together. When this is done you can double the amount of power that a single Inverter generator can deliver.

Since the Inverter generators are small and easy to carry, two inverter generators can easily be carried and hooked up to each other. This would provide the same amount of power as one large generator would. The difference in the sound levels also makes this option tempting.

Internal Circuitry | Diagram

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Westinghouse: Innovation That You Can Be Sure Of

We often fail to realize that a company is not just a brand. A good company with a good brand image is one that people have been able to trust over time. Westinghouse has been in business for over 130 years. Its humble origins began way back in 1886 when George Westinghouse introduced the world to the alternating current electrical system. Today this system is more popularly known as the AC electrical system. In fact, if you go through the pages of Wikipedia, you will find that Westinghouse has been quoted because of their contributions in this field.

Ever since this discovery, the Westinghouse company started developing solutions that helped power millions of homes across America. Their safe and efficient ideas made the natural leaders in the field. Today, Westinghouse not only provides power but also convenience to millions of businesses and homeowners.

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Review: WESTINGHOUSE WH2200iXLT

2200W Start / 1800W Run

Features:

• 1,800 Running Watts, 2,200 Peak Watts.
• Westinghouse 80cc 4 Stoke Engine.
• 13 Hours @ 25% Load.
• Less Than 3% Total Harmonic Distortion (THD).
• Easy to move around due to its light weight design.
• Double Muffler.
• Double Insulated Acoustic Hood and Asymmetrical Fans makes it extra quiet..
• Overload Reset.
• Economy mode to save gas.
• Low Oil Automatic Shut Down.
• Sound Output, 52-59 dba NL/FL.
• Tool Kit and Oil Fill Measuring Container.
• Operate in parallel to double power using WPP Cable #260041

View or download the Spec Sheet for the WH2000iXLT.

The Westinghouse WH2000iXLT is a parallel capable digital inverter generator. Sounds very complicated doesn’t it? Let’s split that up so we can get a better hold of what it means. The term ‘Parallel capable’ means that the one Westinghouse WH2000iXLT device can be connected in parallel with another Westinghouse WH2000iXLT device. We have already delved into what that means so I won’t enumerate further.

A digital inverter generator works in 3 phases:

• Phase 1: First it produces alternating current (AC) at a high frequency.
• Phase 2: The alternating current (AC) is converted into direct current (DC).
• Phase 3: The direct current (DC) is converted back to alternating current (AC) that is then supplied to electronic equipment.

These three phases help ensure that power that is provided is ‘clean power’. This means that the current has a stable sine wave. This makes the current consistent. The three conversions that take place are the reason why the users inverter generators do not the same face voltage fluctuations that the users of traditional generators do.

Dimensions | Westinghouse WH2200iXLT 

Dimensions giver the user/buyer an understanding of how portable a inverter generator is. Let’s take a look at the dimensions of the Westinghouse WH2200iXLT.

• CARTOON DIMENSIONS
  • Length : 21.3 inches
  • Width   : 13.8 inches
  • Height   : 20.0 inches
• UNIT DIMENSIONS
  • Length :   20.3 inches
  • Width  : 12.5 inches
  • Height  :  17.8 inches
• UNIT WEIGHT  :  43 pounds
• SHIPPING WEIGHT :  48 pounds

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Engine Under The Hood

The engine of any machine tells you a lot about what the device can do. The Westinghouse WH2200iXLT has a four stroke, 80 cc OHV engine. The running wattage of the Westinghouse WH2200iXLT is 1800 watts and the starting wattage is just marginally higher at 2200 watts.

The engine is started by using the recoil method. A glance at the outlets will tell you that the Westinghouse WH2200iXLT has a Duplex, a NEMA 5-15R 20V and a 12V DC8.3A. Another point that one must check is the fuel tank capacity. The Westinghouse WH2200iXLT fuel tank can hold 1.3 gallons of fuel. If you translate this into run time, it will mean that the inverter generator can run for 17 hours at 25 percent load. If the load is increased to 50 percent, the Westinghouse WH2200iXLT can provide power for approximately 13 hours.

Additional practical features of the Westinghouse WH2200iXLT:

1. The AC overload reset
2. Low oil shutdown
3. High efficiency run mode

These three features aim at ensuring that the device runs at optimum efficiency. They also ensure that the Westinghouse WH2200iXLT is not used when the oil levels are low or when it is overloaded. These protective measures also mean that your maintenance costs reduce.

Noise Reduction Technologies

Like all companies Westinghouse too tries to limit the noise that the inverter generator can produce. The Westinghouse WH2200iXLT was built to be quiet, thanks to its double-insulated acoustic enclosure, asymmetrical cooling fans, and low tone mufflers. This helps ensure that the inverter generator limits its sound production to the 52-59 decibel range.

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Westinghouse WHPC 260041 | Parallel Cord

One of the best features that Westinghouse WH2200iXLT has to offer is the fact that it can be connected in parallel to another Westinghouse WH2200iXLT. To that however you need to have the requisite cable. In this case the cable is the Westinghouse WHPC 260041.

It is a great replacement to bulky junction boxes that are used by some inverter generators. Bear in mind that this cable is meant to be used with Westinghouse WH2200iXLT and WH2400i inverters only!

Here are a few alternatives for you to consider….

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Westinghouse WH2400i / DISCONTINUED

2400W Inverter Generator

Features:

• 2,100 Running Watts / 2,400 Starting Watts
• Westinghouse 80cc 4-Stoke Engine
• 13 Hours of running time at 25% Load
• Less Than 3% Total Harmonic Distortion (THD)
• Lightweight and Ergonomic.
• Double Muffler Design
• Quiet: Double Insulated Acoustic Hood and Asymmetrical Fans.
  • Sound Output:  52-59 dba NL/FL
• Yellow Color Coded Touch points.
• Power Indicator Light.
• AC Overload Reset.
• High Efficiency Run Mode to conserve fuel.
• Low Oil Shut Down prevents engine damage.
• Tool Kit and Oil Fill Measuring Container.
• 12 Volt AC Adapter.
• Can be run in parallel Using the following : Cable #260041

✓ View or download the MANUAL for the Westinghouse WH2400i.

Can power all of these electrical devices, but not all simultaneously. If you need more power then opt for a gas generator.

• Refrigerator or Freezer (Energy Star)
• Microwave Oven
• Crock Pot / Slow Cooker
• Power tools
• TV / DVD Player
• Mobile Phones
• Computer
• Incandescent Lights
• Coffee Maker
• Radio / Stereo
• Fan
• Hair Dryer
• Coffee Maker
• Garage Door Opener

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WEN 56200i | 2000W Inverter Generator

Features: (WEN 56200i)

• Quiet operation is comparable to the sound of a normal conversation according to the US Department of Health and Human Services
• EPA III and CARB Compliant 79.7 cc 4-stroke OHV engine produces 2000 surge watts and 1600 rated watts.
• Ideal for campgrounds, construction sites, tailgates and power outages.
• Produces clean power which means it can safely run all of your sensitive electronics.
• Includes two three-prong 120V receptacles, one 12V DC receptacle and one 5V USB port

✓ View or download the MANUAL for the WEN 56200i.

There are two other inverter generators that are particularly noteworthy. These are the WEN 56200i and the Champion Power Equipment 73536i.

Both the WEN 56200i and the Champion Power Equipment 73536i are lightweight inverter generators. This makes them extremely portable. The Champion Power Equipment 73536i is marginally lighter than the WEN 56200i by approximately 6 lbs.

The Specifications:

The specifications of both the WEN 56200i and the Champion Power Equipment 73536i tell us that there are few differences between both products. The Champion power Equipment 73536i has a higher running wattage which translates into higher fuel consumption.

The WEN 56200i however does have a point in its advantage when it comes to noise levels. A 10 dBA difference in the noise levels between the two indicates that the WEN 56200i is definitely more soothing to the ear.

Champion Power Equipment 73536i | 2000W Generator

Features:

• 1700 Running Watts/2000 Starting Watts
• True sine wave inverter technology
• Economy mode to save fuel
• Overload protection
• 120V AC Load / 12V DC outlet
• Up to 9.5 hours run time at 25% load
• 53 dBA at 23 ft.
• Only 48.5 lbs.
• Easy pull recoil start
• Low oil shut-off sensor
• USDA approved spark arrestor
• Stackable design
• Parallel capability (Kit sold separately) — 73500i 30A RV Ready Parallel Kit
• Built in carrying handle
• 50 state compliant (EPA+CARB certified)

✓ View or download the MANUAL for the Champion Power Equipment 73536i.

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WHAT’S THE VERDICT WHEN YOU COMPARE ALL THREE MODELS?

Now that we know the dimensions and the specifications of the Westinghouse WH2200iXLT, the WEN 56200i and the Champion Power Equipment 73536i, it is easy to do a comparison. Let’s do a quick tabular review of it.

A quick glance through the table will tell you that the Westinghouse WH200iXLT wins hands down as it ranks very high in all the right places. At 43 pounds it is highly portable and is over 10 pounds lighter than the WEN56200i. While all three have similar engines, the Westinghouse has remarkably high run time which supersedes the other two inverter generators.

The larger fuel tank means that you have to refuel this generator at longer intervals. Even the noise levels of the Westinghouse WH200iXLT are extremely low, making this model a perfect choice.

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Why Buy An Inverter Generator?

At the end of the day, the decision that you make boils down to why you are buying an inverter generator. Is it because you have frequent power shutdowns in your area? Do you worry about your food getting spoiled in case the power is cut off? Or is it just to run the heating/cooling system so you don’t freeze/boil to death?

The size of Inverter generators is tiny when compared to their traditional counterparts. They are small enough to be portable and that makes things all the more interesting. Inverter generators are now becoming popular with people who love camping. In fact, they make life so much simpler that a lot of people are venturing out into the great outdoors because of them.

Why? A portable source of electricity enables you to use your gadgets wherever you go. You don’t have to worry about charging your cell phone or your laptop. Gone are the days when you have to fumble and connect a variety of wires to your car battery just to make contact with the outside world. An inverter generator provides enough power that you can use your microwave on those wild camping excursions!

It is obvious that inverter generators have made our lives easier. Finding one to suit your needs is not too difficult. A process of elimination is always the best way to go about selecting the perfect model!

Visit the Westinghouse site to learn more.

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