When you live in a disaster-prone area, where power outages are very frequent and sustained for extended periods, a generator is a crucial piece of equipment to keep running the essentials of your house.
You can either have a portable generator or a standby generator. There are many plus points of a powerful portable generator. Duromax XP12000EH is one of the most powerful generators in the market, and it is a great choice for a backup solution for a large house or to power your whole RV or power appliances at the Jobsite.
Besides being powerful, it is a fuel-efficient and reliable generator. Moreover, it is a dual fuel unit. So, if you run out of one type of fuel, then you can always use another. This offers the advantage of having an uninterrupted power supply even in an outage for longer periods. This generator runs on gasoline and also on propane, so if the gasoline runs out, then you can use the propane.
Table of Contents
Duromax XP12000EH Features
Build Quality
This is the generator that will see numbers of years and will survive the harshest weather conditions. The materials used are of top quality. They are sturdy and durable which have gone through intense testing at the manufacturing unit to ensure their reliability.
To protect all the components of the unit it has a metal frame, this frame also adds to the weight of the generator. With that and other metal parts, the weight reaches around 250 pounds.
This makes the generator extremely difficult to lift and move single handedly. But, with the addition of bottom wheels and carrying handles, transportation becomes much more convenient.
The design is simple and easy to use; the control panel is situated on the side with all necessary buttons and power outlets. On the opposite side, you will find the oil filler cap and oil drain.
On the front of the unit, you will see an air cleaner, choke, and pull cord to start the generator.
Power Output
This generator can supply a massive amount of power, and that is why it is an ideal choice to have as a home backup. The problem with many affordable generators is that they are not designed for larger capacity.
They have a small power capacity, which is just enough to power the small and essential appliances at the campsite. No doubt there are large generators in the market, but to acquire them, you have to pay a not so pocket-friendly price.
While this generator from the Duromax is not only powerful but it is also available at a reasonable price. The ferocious 457cc engine, when running on gasoline, the generator is capable of generating 12,000 peak watts and 9,500 running watts. This power is more than enough for a small to medium house. It can also be used to power larger houses.
You can expect it to run the large appliances of your house like the refrigerator, water heater, freezers, and other appliances simultaneously. When this generator runs on propane, it provides 11400 peak watts and 9025 running watts.
Fuel Consumption
It is a dual fuel generator. This distinction from regular generators reflects on the generator runtime.
The generator can either work on gasoline or propane. The impressive thing is that when you run the generator on single fuel alone, you get about 8 hours of runtime from it. But, using gasoline and propane, one after the other, the generator will provide up to 16 hours of runtime. You will appreciate this convenience over a long power outage.
The generator has an 8.3-gallon gasoline tank; on gasoline, the generator provides a runtime of 10 hours, and on a 40-pound propane tank, you can expect 20 hours of runtime when the connected load is 50%.
Moreover, another advantage of dual fuel is that you can opt for a fuel that costs less and can save a considerable sum over the long term.
Control Panel
The control panel doesn’t occupy the whole side of the generator, as seen in many generators. But still, it has all the necessary power outlets, switches, and indicators to make the use much easier.
If we talk about the power outlets, then it has two 120V 20A outlets, one 120V 30A outlet, one 120/240V 30A outlet. These outlets are twist-lock type. There is one more heavy-duty 120/240V 50A outlet. These many outlets ensure that you can use a variety of appliances at the same time.
But there is a limit to how much voltage you can draw from the generator, and to keep an eye on that, you have a voltmeter on the control panel. It displays how much power the engine is generating, or you are drawing. Just below the voltmeter, there is an MX2 switch knob.
There are also standard 12-volt outlets to charge the batteries, and it is protected with the DC protector, same as how those AC outlets are protected by individual circuit breakers. Before you start the generator, there is a key start which you should turn on.
If you want to have increased runtime from your generator, then you should turn on the idle control switch; it is red in color and located on the right of a control panel, which makes the generator quieter and more fuel-efficient.
There is a recharge indicator, and it glows when the battery is charging and will turn off when it is completely charged. If you don’t have an oil change schedule, then you should keep an eye on the Oil warning light. It will glow when the low level is low and needs to be replenished.
Starting
The starting of the generator is very easy. It features the electric start and pull-cord starting.
The engine of the generator will start roaring with just the push of a button. And if somehow it malfunctions, then you can rely on the pull start.
Safety Features
It will be a relief to know that Duromax doesn’t take safety so lightly. The generator is equipped with many safety features. It ensures the safety of the user and the unit.
All the outlets have an individual circuit breaker, and they will trip when you draw a dangerously high amount of current. Other than that, there is one more main circuit breaker, and it will trip in the event of a short circuit inside the unit.
How about if you can prevent the overload beforehand before circuit breakers are tripped. It is possible with the voltmeter on the control panel. It shows the power you are drawing, so you will know when to stop attaching more appliances.
The generator also has a spark arrestor. The generator can start a forest fire during your camping trip. To prevent this, the arrestor catches any stray spark and prevents it from escaping into the environment. Other than that it also reduces the noise.
A low oil level will damage the engine and other moving parts, so when the oil level falls below a certain level, the generator will notify you through light to pour in new oil. And if the condition is critical, then the generator will turn off.
Advantages
There are many advantages that this unit offers, and the first is its sturdy design and robust wheels. The metal frame protects all the internal components from damage. This makes this generator a solid choice to use in a demanding environment.
Other than that, the dual-fuel capability not only offers reliability and flexibility but also improves the runtime of the generator, making it an impressive choice for longer power outages. It is also more pocket-friendly.
The generator is EPA and CARB compliant, which removes any barriers imposed on the generator use. It can be used in every state. The generator makes a noise of 74 dB, you can’t say it is on the lower side, but it is better than many comparable units. The credit for the low noise level goes to the larger muffler.
Disadvantages
There are some shipping-related complaints about the unit. But other than that, there are no major issues.
The generator produces a noise of 74 dB, but that is when it runs on a quarter load. And when it runs on a full load, the generator gets quite noisy. But, you can’t expect it to be quiet with this power and also, no one cares about the noise, especially at the worksite.
It is also heavy. So, to lift it, you will need help.
Conclusion
This generator is fuel-efficient, comes with many useful features, and is safe and easy to use. It has many outlets to power any appliances you want. Despite the high power and more weight, the generator stays portable.
If you are looking for a whole home backup generator and don’t want it to be stationary, then this is it. It runs on dual fuel offering several advantages that won’t be present in the single fuel units.
In addition to the generator, you will get peace of mind since it comes with a 3-year warranty.
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