The major advantage of portable generators is their ability to provide electricity almost anywhere. You can use them as a backup solution for your home during a power outage or charge your electronics during your camping trip.
There are many portable generators in the market, and one of them is the WEN 56200i. It is small, lightweight, quiet, and highly portable. You don’t need to think twice before buying a WEN generator as they are known for their best-in-class products for more than 6 decades now.
The ability of this inverter generator to provide clean energy makes it very suitable and safe for sensitive electronics. It is capable of producing power that almost resembles a pure sine wave.
The THD rating in the output power stays about 1.5 %, which is really appreciable as the THD rating for the house outlet will be 3 to 5%.
Other than that, the generator is quiet as a mouse; on a quarter load, the noise level will be 51 dB. It increases to 55 dB on 75% load. You can have a good conversation going on besides this unit. You surely won’t find this much quiet generator in this price range.
The quietness makes it a great companion to power your stuff during hunting or fishing expedition. Also, this is great in a park where there are restrictions on generator noise.
Moreover, the generator supplies enough power to run the essentials of your home, power tools at the job site, or charge your electronics. As the engine inside the unit is CARB and EPA compliant, it will be emitting fewer amount of toxins into the environment.
Table of Contents
Overview of WEN 56200i
Design & Portability
This is a compact inverter, and I mean really compact. The unit has an efficient suitcase-type design with its sides staying below 2 feet, and the width is also fairly small. The weight of the unit is 55 pounds, which is not much.
Besides, the handle on the top will make it highly portable. It can be moved by a single person without much effort. And that’s why there are no wheels at the bottom or, for that matter, a carrying handle.
Other than that, on the side of the unit, it has a pull start. On the front, it has a control panel and air vents. When you don’t need it anymore, it can be stored in a small space thanks to its compact shape.
Power Output
The generator features a 4-stroke 80cc OHV engine. This piece of information is of little significance except for it helps you choose the oil which is suitable for a 4-stroke engine.
When it comes to the power output, the generator produces 2000 starting watts and 1600 running watts, which is not much if you have a bigger house. But, it can power many small appliances, lights, and few fans.
If you need more power, then the generator comes with parallel capability. You can connect another generator in parallel to increase the power output.
Fuel Consumption and Noise Level
It is an inverter generator, and inverter generators are inherently quiet. On top of that, all the components are enclosed inside a durable plastic casing which makes it even quieter. As mentioned before, on a quarter load, the generator produces a 51 dB. That is no noise at all.
Moving on, this generator will work efficiently and satisfactorily on unleaded gasoline. It has a gasoline tank with a 1-gallon capacity. The generator will run for 6 hours on half load on a 1-gallon of gasoline. Moreover, it comes with an eco-mode, which will improve fuel consumption even more.
Control Panel
WEN 56200i has a fairly simple control panel. It is easy to operate and get familiar with. It is compact and placed at the center of the front panel. All the things are properly labeled to make the use easier.
If we start from the top, then there are three LED indicators, each for output, overload, and low oil level. There is an eco-mode switch, and it adjusts the speed of the engine to produce the desired power output. Other than that, it has a big rotating switch which acts as an engine switch and also as a choke.
To access the power, it has one 120 V duplex outlet, one 12 V DC outlet, and a USB port to directly charge your electronics. Other than that, it has a grounding bolt, parallel connection port, and circuit breakers for protection purposes.
Maintenance tips
If you want your generator in the best condition for upcoming years, then regular maintenance is of utmost importance. There are no warnings before a power outage, which means you don’t know when you will need your unit, so it is best practice to keep it clean, so it will be ready when you need it.
The maintenance procedure is simple, and there are only a few things that you will need to do. You will need to replace the oil, clean the carburettor, spark plug and air filters. Also, you will need to maintain the fuel if you are storing it for long periods.
So, from the side, you will be able to access the oil cap. There is no drain, so when it is time to change the oil, you will need to tilt the whole unit. A spark plug is also accessible from there.
Now, When the generator is no longer required to operate, you should clear out the debris and other waste; it should be done after every use. Then before you store it, make sure to add the fuel stabilizer and let the generator run for few minutes so that the stabilizer can circulate; this will prevent gum generation due to fuel in the system.
Moreover, storing the generator in a garage will keep it from extreme weather. The stabilizer can preserve the fuel for about 2 to 3 years. This is a general maintenance guideline, for the exact maintenance schedule refers to the instruction manual. Everything is provided in there.
How to Use WEN 56200i?
The use of the WEN 56200i is simple. Before you turn it on, you should always check the oil and fuel level. But first, you should read the instruction manual of the generator thoroughly.
On the side of the unit, the oil filling cap can be accessed by removing the bolts. The cap has a dipstick that will show the level of oil. If it is low, then you will need to pour in some more. You should always use the funnel to add the oil. The oil tank has a 0.37 quarts capacity.
Once it is done, check the fuel level. The top has a sight window to check the fuel level. You should add unleaded gasoline to it if it feels less. To avoid spilling, a funnel is recommended. Once these things are done, you can start the generator.
To start the generator first thing to do is to turn the vacuum relief valve on the top to the on position. Also note, this inverter doesn’t feature an electric start. It has a manual starting. Now, you have to turn the 3-in-1 knob to a choke position.
Only then the generator can be started with the pull start; pull the starter slowly for the first time and the second time sharply to start the generator.
Now, move the knob from the choke position to the run position, and it is done. Let it run for few minutes so that it can stabilize, and then you can attach different appliances. When it is time to turn it off, unplug all the appliances and turn the knob to the off position. Let it run for few minutes so that engine cools down.
Before storing the generator, drain it completely and to maintain it in good shape, you should run it once a month.
Are there any drawbacks?
It has few downsides, but not one of them is a deal-breaker; they are minor inconveniences. The first is the use of Eco-mode, it is great no doubt and saves fuel too, but it doesn’t work properly when the power consumption increases beyond 1000 watts.
Other than that, there is no oil level indicator. So, you will need to remember the dates to remind yourself when to change the oil. A simple oil level indicator would have saved you from all this hassle.
When it comes to fuel refilling, it becomes a quite challenging task as the fuel cap is small in size; this problem can be easily addressed with the use of a funnel.
As we have just discussed, regular maintenance is key to a longer lifespan. But, to perform the complete maintenance, the generator needs to be taken apart completely, which might get frustrating as it will need to be done much frequently.
Bottom Line
This is a perfect generator enclosed inside a small package. It is reliable, lightweight, quiet, portable, and robust. You can use it wherever you like, such as on a camping trip or a job site, to power your tools. The generator will be ready to provide the power.
If you are looking for a small generator at an affordable price range, then this is your stop. You should definitely go for this unit.
