Westinghouse9500 Peak Watt Dual Fuel Home Backup Portable Generator, Remote Electric Start, Transfer Switch Ready, Gas & Propane Powered

I've started this unit twice in the first year of ownership. Once after delivery, then once a year later. Each time I have to remember that the battery needs to have at least a small charge, or it won't start [Update] Key point: make sure you *connect* the battery. From the factory, the battery is not connected, and the cable was tied up under the fuel tank, so I couldn't see it! Once charged for about 30 minutes, it will pull-start. Needs a better charge than that to work with the starter (or be connected in the first place!) so plan to keep it charged. I'd forgotten to set a reminder to check the battery over the winter, so I had to wait. Luckily, I was only testing. Now that the storm season is upon us in the Midwest, I'll keep it topped up. [Update] I've not had to charge the battery more than once every 6 months. Doesn't seem to turn over more than about 4–6 times before dying, but the battery remains stable (doesn't indicate charging when plugged in) for a lot longer than I'd expected.It seems to be finicky with gasoline. I put a very small amount in it to test last season, and regretted not draining it over the winter. It would start, but not run well, pulsing before it died in less than 30 seconds. I always use non-ethanol, premium gasoline in my yard devices, so I was a bit surprised that it didn't survive the winter. I've not had this problem with my Toro mower, even when I neglect to winterize it. Anyway, I drained the gas, and put in fresh, treated gas, and then it ran well past the point it had stalled on my previous attempts. The fuel line is tied up and a bit short, but is not difficult to reach, and with a tall funnel, and a pair of pliers, the fuel can be drained without a lot of drama. This is very important for storage. I have purchased a propane tank, but have not yet tested running on propane. Propane can store indefinitely, so that's a big plus.The remote worked to electric start from inside the house, several rooms away from the outside generator location, so that's a nice feature, but I'll likely not use it because placement of the generator needs to be secured, and weather-protected, so I'll probably "be around" when it is running. I plan to store it in an outside, locked, vented storage locker...someday.It's heavy, but the wheels are large and lugging it around is as expected for a larger generator.The feature panel and plug options appear to be similar to my previous non-Westinghouse generator purchased 10 years ago, so it is nice to see that companies aren't trying to reinvent the wheel. We use these devices so infrequently, it is counter-productive if one has to RTFM every time it has to be used, and these are often emergency situations. Simplicity is best. That's why I don't care if it's heavy, or loud. Just make it solid, reliable, repairable, and it easy to figure out and use. Computer makers could take some notes here.Pros:- not unusually difficult to start- loads of options- pretty standard features, didn't try to over-"innovate"- dual-fuel- feels well-built- cosmetic, I like the blueCons:- seems picky about gasoline- heavy- loud[UPDATE 6-10-24]Appears that it doesn't like the cold. On a "warm" 40° F day (4° C), it would not start from gasoline. I've read other reviews that say this generator also doesn't start well without at least half-a-tank of gas. Also, my gas might have been older. It DID start right up and run fine with propane—dual-fuel is a very cool feature!—but was cranky with gas in the cold. Once spring rolled around, I put more, and better, gas in it and tested again above 65° F (18° C) and it had no problem starting or running. I think the carb could be a weak spot, but with good gas, and probably some Sta-bil (fuel treatment) I'm hopeful it will last a good long time.

Beautiful, well built generator. Easy assembly; well pleased. Runs like a charm. Using propane and electric start for old shoulders is a great feature.

Received it in 2 days. Easy to install the feet and wheels. I just slid a 4x4 and a piece of 3/4 plywood under the cart and installed one foot. Did the same on the other side. Did the same for each wheel. Added the oil and fuel. I used the stuff that comes in a can because it lasts longer than regular fuel. Started immediately. I connected the cable from the transfer switch and there was power everywhere. I reset the breaker for the well pump and that came on. It also started on propane.It is a little bit heavy but still easy for this 80 year old man to move around.

It arrived a few hours early and uncrating it was easy. The only things you need are a utility knife to open the box and some gasoline; everything else, including tools and oil, is included in the box. There isn't much assembly and the directions are clear enough except for one point I'll get to. The manual is printed in a large enough font to actually read it - a big point with me.There were two minor glitches, which is why it gets 4 stars.One of the holes tapped for a bolt (which holds the rubber feet on) wasn't tapped properly, so the bolt refused to go all the way in and is a little crooked. This won't affect the running of the generator - it's just a minor fit and finish thing.And second, once it's assembled, the oil is in (they even include a long neck funnel, which is handy because the oil port is tucked well inside the frame) and has some gas, you pair the remote starter (slightly fussy process) and fire it up. It starts without a problem.And then no electricity is present at the AC ports and you want to scream. And the manual is not much help. Arrrgh!The trick: The outlets are GFCI outlets and for whatever reason, both outlets were tripped out of the box. The reset button is on the outlet as they usually are, but are black on black and not as obvious as you'd like. Push them for a moment and small LEDs on the receptacles light up green, and you're good to go.Things to know - the included battery looks to be a lead/acid model, which means you'll be replacing it every few years. I wish they'd gone with a lithium for something this critical, but it is what it is.The unit can tale synthetic 5w30, but it ships with generic 10w30 - if you're going to use it in very cold weather, consider your choices.Importantly, the remote starter only works if the battery is hooked up and turned on. When it's turned on, a little light glows to tell you the battery is good, which means if you leave it on, the battery must eventually die. So your choices are to keep it off, and then trudge out into the blizzard to start it, or leave it on and keep it plugged into a battery charger, which if you're like me, you don't have a power outlet in your generator tent, so that won't work. The solution is to plug the battery charger into a generator outlet, and run the generator every couple months for 30 minutes or so, so the battery stays charged. You should run a generator periodically anyway, so this is the right solution, but it's important not to forget [see edit below.] The unit has a pull-to-start for when you mess up.Why the outlets are black, with a black-on-black reset button, when it's likely to be dark out when you need to fuss with the generator, I do not know. Any other colors would have been better. But other than that, this appears to be a well thought out unit with all the right stuff included. This would be 4.5 stars if I could. I will, of course, update the review if it fails to deliver power anytime in the next 20 years.EDIT: I start the generator once every month. This January, the remote start failed and it look a lot of manual pulls to get it going. The problem is the battery; if you leave it switched on (you must, for the remote start to work) and the weather is cold, the battery gets much too weak to start the generator. And I didn't like how many manual pulls it took to get it started. 10+. It ran fine once started. My workaround is to run an extension cord out to the generator tent, and plug the battery charger and a little electric space heater in before storms arrive. If I do that for a few hours, the remote start works. Of course, power can go out with no warning, so I'm resigned to the fact that at some point I'll be doing manual starts on the thing. Older folk take note; it takes a good number of hefty pulls.4 stars, and if it ever fails while running it will go to 1 star.