Wen generators brief overview
Do you remember WEN? For decades, they have been designing and supplying high-quality, low-cost power tools.
Since its inception in 1951, WEN has been a pioneer in the power tool business, assisting in the development of chainsaws, soldering guns, electric jigsaws, and other goods. The company’s purpose is to assist woodworkers and craftspeople in realizing their wildest dreams.
WEN has grown to encompass a wide range of other power tools, including generators, over the years. WEN manufactures some of the most affordable home and portable generators on the market.
We had sold over 50 million consumer units by 2001, only 50 years after our humble beginnings. WEN’s headquarters are now in West Dundee, Illinois.
If you’re looking for a generator but don’t know where to start, this is the place to be. With hurricanes, wildfires, tornadoes, severe weather, winter storms, and blackouts becoming more common and intense, it’s a good idea to have a generator on hand to help you get through the worst Mother Nature has to offer, and WEN has a full lineup of traditional generators, inverter generators, and dual-fuel generators to choose from.
1. Determine how you will use the Wen generator.
Do you wish to bring a generator on your camping or RV trips? Look for something small, portable, and noiseless. Are you supplying power to a construction site? For portability, look for a model with a high wattage as well as wheels and handles. Are you looking for a generator to use at home in the event of a power outage? Make sure the one you chose is transportable, and that the voltage is correct.
2. Determine what you wish to power.
Take inventory of the items you want to power once you’ve decided how you’ll use your generator. It’s a good idea, for example, to be able to power a refrigerator or freezer (if needed for medical supplies or food), lights, fans, and possibly a TV or computer.
A transfer switch should be installed by a skilled electrician if you wish to connect appliances to your generator for home backup.
This is a gadget that disconnects the generator from the electricity grid, allowing you to quickly select which source (generator or grid) will power your electronics in an emergency. It prevents backfeeding, which occurs when a generator is improperly connected to the power grid and can harm or kill utility workers attempting to restore power. NEVER connect your generator to your home’s electrical system without a transfer switch that has been professionally installed.
3. Recognize the distinction between rated and surge power.
Generators are classified based on their rated power (also known as operating power, which is the amount of wattage they can consistently generate) and surge power (also known as starting power, this is the amount of wattage they can provide for a short time – usually a couple of seconds). The surge power is always greater than the rated power. Certain equipment, particularly those with motors or compressors, such as power tools, freezers, and air conditioners, require surge power to start. A generator with a rated output of 4500W and a surge power of 5500W, for example, may provide up to 4500W continuously and up to 5500W briefly.
4. Determine the quantity of power required.
Examine the nameplate label of each gadget to be powered. The wattage rating of most items will be printed on the nameplate label. In watts, this is the amount of electricity required by the gadget. (If the wattage isn’t listed on the label, the voltage and amperage are generally.) To get a decent estimate of wattage, multiply volts by amps – for example, 120 volts x 5 amps equals around 600 watts.) Make a note of the voltage that each device demands. Most domestic equipment (refrigerators, sump pumps, box fans, lights, and so on) operate on 120 volts, but some larger appliances (ovens, dryers, furnaces, well pumps, and so on) may require 240 volts.
As previously stated, some equipment, particularly those with motors (e.g., power tools) or compressors (e.g., air conditioners or refrigerators), may require an extra burst of power to start up, which is known as surge power. If the surge power of your equipment is not specified, a good rule of thumb is to double the wattage rating by 3.
To extend the life of your generator, keep its maximum load at 90% or less of its rated wattage. Multiply the total number of needs for all of your devices by 1.1. This is the highest rated power that you will require. Choose a generator with at least this much rated power and enough surge power to handle the increased demands of your equipment.
5. Do you prefer a traditional or Wen inverter generator?
Inverter generators have become increasingly popular in recent years, and for good reason: they are generally quieter, more compact, better for electronic devices, more fuel-efficient, more adaptable, and more intelligent than standard generators. These benefits, however, come at a higher cost, and closed-frame inverter generators may be more difficult to maintain than standard generators. Open-frame inverter generators are an excellent compromise between the two. Check out our comparison of inverter generators and traditional generators, as well as our comparison of open-frame and closed-frame inverter generators and our explanation of how an inverter generator works, for additional information.
6. Is it better to use a single fuel or a dual fuel?
WEN offers a comprehensive range of single-fuel and dual-fuel generator models. Single-fuel generators solely use gasoline; dual-fuel generators use either gasoline or propane (LPG). Dual-fuel generators are popular among RVers because propane is commonly available, cheap, and does not degrade over time like gasoline. Furthermore, gasoline may be difficult to locate during or after an emergency, whereas propane may be easy to locate and may be kept almost indefinitely.
7. Recoil or electric start?
Some WEN generators include electric start, which allows you to start your generator by pressing a button or turning a key. This is, however, more expensive than generators with merely recoil start, which require the engine to be started by pulling a rope, like on a gas-engine lawnmower.
8. Should there be a CO sensor or not?
Some WEN generators include a CO Watchdog sensor, which monitors the level of carbon monoxide – a toxic, odorless, colorless gas produced by all internal combustion engines – around the generator and immediately shuts it down if it becomes too high. CO sensors are available on WEN generators with an X at the end of their model numbers. Depending on local regulations, your generator may be required to have a CO sensor.
Please keep in mind that the CO sensor on your generator is not a replacement for an interior, battery-powered CO sensor. NEVER operate your generator inside or within 20 feet of any doors or windows. Carbon monoxide, a colorless, odorless, and deadly gas, is emitted by generators.
Our Wen generators selected models
The information contained in this article is intended for general information purposes only and is based on information available as of the initial date of publication. No representation is made that the information or references are complete or remain current. This article is not a substitute for review of current applicable government regulations, industry standards, or other standards specific to your business and/or activities and should not be construed as legal advice or opinion. Readers with specific questions should refer to the applicable standards or consult with an attorney.
