Westinghouse Generator Model No: WGen9500DF review

[grsthegreat]

that is a weird panel...but nice job making your own. im not sure if this style would have worked?

OEM Model Generator interlock kit Square D QO 100 Amp Panels | GenInterlock

OEM Original Equipment Manufacture Made by Square D UL Listed Main Breaker: 100 amp single handle Horizontal throw Right (off) and left (on) Generator Breaker: Top right side 2 positions

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[buckeyefarmer]

Got my generator today.
Was immediately disappointed to see THD <23%. One of the online reviews claimed <5%.

 

[grsthegreat]

that cant be correct. ive never seen one that low. to me thats unusable.

 

[Joel/ak]

I must say I have learned a lot. Never heard of THD before. Champions are 12 - 20.... lovely.

Been googling and they talk about sine also. Still trying to read up on that.

 

[grsthegreat]

I emailed westinghouse to see if thats correct. Seems horrible to me. My briggs and stratton 6500 watt standard gas generator (non inverter) is rated between 3-6% THD. ANYTHING OVER 8 they say can damage sensitive electronics. My generac whole house is rated less than 5%.


mind you, even public utility power isnt free of harmonics.

 

[buckeyefarmer]

I must say I have learned a lot. Never heard of THD before. Champions are 12 - 20.... lovely.

Been googling and they talk about sine also. Still trying to read up on that.

A clean sine wave is low in harmonic distortion. 23% is pretty bad. Electronics need a clean signal.

 

[buckeyefarmer]

One of the selling points to me was a review that said it was under 5% THD.
The Amazon listing didn’t list THD, but they claim it can run your entertainment system.
I’m inclined to return it, but not sure what I can get that size that is better.
I know my honda 2000i works well with electronics, but I don’t want to run 2 generators during an outage.

Powerhorse 7500 inverter generator claims 1.5% THD. Think this is what I saw on a food truck the other day that was pretty quiet.

 

[rontaki]

I have a Champion Model 100520 Open Frame Inverter generator, 7000W continuous / 8750 starting watts (surge) <5% THD
I patch it into the 240V house wiring via the 30A Locking (NEMA L14-30R) with an appropriate extension cord.
Runs the well, several refrigerators and a few electronics, including the internet equipment.
Never any problems with it, and I'm conservative with what I run on it. Ran the microwave once for giggles, but usually don't.
I switch off the electric water heater while using it, no need to torture it into submission. Nor do I use the AC.

Many of you have installed an interlock to safely switch between mains and generator power. Unfortunately, my electrical panel is rather old and uses cartridge fuses, so I have had to improvise. At least when I pull the fuse carts, I KNOW I'm disconnected from the mains!

 

[LittleBill21]

only generators under 5% that I am aware of, not counting commercial or non portable are inverter based. my HF unit per the manufacture is <23% as well. without a measuring tool we can only guess.

 

[grsthegreat]

The harmonics only effect delicate electronics. Using these units with power tools, etc have no issues. No immediate issues with some electronics, but has long term damage. Also, i know for a fact the effect high end heat pumps like Trane, whose electronics lock out at poor power input.