Westinghouse WGen5300s Generator Review

The Westinghouse Wgen5300s costs about the same price as many 2,000 watt inverter generators, yet it delivers three times as much power. How? This open frame generator is missing features that you would expect on a modern generator. However, it’s still well-built, and the features it does include makes it easy to live with.

Westinghouse Wgen5300s Power

Most manufacturers name their generators based on their peak output. However, the Wgen5300s outperforms its model number, delivering 5,500 running watts with a peak of 6,600 watts.

For RV shore power and home backup power, this generator comes with one TT-30R outlet and one L14-30R outlet. This generator can send either 120 or 240 volt power to these sockets. There are also a pair of 5-20R 120 volt outlets to connect household appliances. These sockets shut off when the generator is in 240 volt mode.

Performance and Features of the Westinghouse Wgen5300s

The front panel of the Wgen5300s has a digital display that shows volts, hertz, run time and maintenance reminders. This model also has a fuel gauge, so you can keep tabs on gas consumption.

The 274 cc engine uses an electric starter with a recoil backup. There’s no low oil warning light. However, the generator will shut down automatically if there isn’t enough oil to keep the engine lubricated.

Westinghouse says this generator makes 68 dB of noise at 25% load as measured 25 feet away. The 4.7 gallon fuel tank should also keep the engine running for 18 hours at this load. However, there’s no eco throttle, so the engine runs at full speed all the time. Expect the WGen5300s to be a lot louder and use a lot more fuel than these figures suggest.

The WGen5300w measures 26.97 x 21.65 x 19.69 inches and weighs 107 lbs. Westinghouse includes a wheel kit, making this generator easy to move around.

Pros

240 volt mode and socket selection are great for shore and backup power
Great price considering the generator’s high output
Easy to maintain and repair
Has a gas gauge and hour meter, features rarely seen in much more expensive models

Cons

No eco throttle
No inverter
Noisy
Small dealer network

How Can I Use the Westinghouse Wgen5300s Generator?

The Wgen5300s is both EPA and CARB compliant, and it comes with a spark arrester. That makes it legal to use in any place that allows generators, including the state of California as well as areas with strict fire regulations.

This isn’t an inverter generator. Power from the alternator goes directly to the outlets, and Westinghouse says this unit generates power with up to 23% harmonic distortion. This “dirty” power is fine for mechanical devices, but it will quickly burn out electronics. Keep this in mind if you’re using this generator as the sole power source in your home or RV.

The L14-30R socket delivers 240 volts across two of the connectors. When it reaches your RV’s fuse panel or your home’s transfer switch, this power is split up into two 120 volt lines, so you have access to 240 volts for high draw appliances and 120 volts for standard sockets.

The Wgen5300s has enough power to run a 15,000 BTU RV air conditioner, while still leaving enough power for your other appliances.

This generator has more than enough power to run a home refrigerator and several household appliances. You can also use it to power a 10,000 BTU window air conditioner or a ½ HP furnace fan.

This is a great work generator, because noise and compatibility with electronics aren’t going to be your top priorities. The 5300s has enough power to run hand tools and most bench top tools. You can use a breakout cable or adapter to convert one of the high amp sockets into a series of 5-20R sockets.

Westinghouse Wgen5300s Maintenance

Since this is an open-frame generator, everything is easy to access. Westinghouse includes tools for basic maintenance, while anything else can be fixed with standard hand tools.

Before each use, check the oil level and air filter, and make sure the engine and alternator cover fins are clean.
Change the oil after first 25 hours of use.
Clean the air filter and change the oil every 50 hours or 6 months.
Clean the spark plug and spark arrester every 100 hours or 6 months.
Replace the air filter and spark plug every 300 hours or yearly.

The WGen5300s has a paper air filter, so cleaning involves knocking loose any surface dirt. It doesn’t need to be washed or oiled.

Westinghouse recommends having a dealer handle two maintenance tasks:

Check the fuel filter and filter screen every 100 hours or 6 months
Check the valve clearance and idle speed every 300 hours or yearly

Instructions for valve adjustment and fuel filter cleaning are included in owner’s manual, so you can tackle these yourself.

Stale fuel is a major issue with generators, since they can go for months without being used. The WGen5300s has a valve between the fuel tank and the carburetor, while the float bowl has a drain bolt. This lets you shut off the fuel supply and drain the carburetor for short term storage. If you leave the valve open, the entire contents of the carburetor and tank will drain through the float bowl.

What’s the Difference Between the Westinghouse WGen5300s and the WGen5300v?

Both generators are identical when it comes to engines, sockets and output. However, the 5300s has an electric starter, while the 5300v only has a recoil starter.

Westinghouse Wgen5300s Warranty

Westinghouse covers parts and labor on the WGen5300s for 3 years when used by consumers, while commercial users are covered for one year.

Westinghouse’s dealer network is small. This can be an issue for RV use, since you may find that you’re hundreds of miles away from a service center.

Verdict

The Westinghouse Wgen5300s is an ideal power source for tools. It also works well for RV and home backup use, so long as you don’t use it to power electronics.