The Westinghouse WGen9500DF Dual Fuel Portable Generator produces up to 12,500 peak watts and 9,500 running watts. The WGen9500DF is a dual fuel generator that operates on gasoline or propane (LPG). The heavy duty 457cc 4-Stroke OHV Westinghouse Engine is constructed of a durable cast iron sleeve and runs for up to 12 hours on a 6.6 gallon (25 L) gas tank, keeping you powered through the day with built-in fuel gauge, automatic low oil shutdown, and GFCI outlets.
Living in Central Florida has some advantages. 30 minutes to the Beach, an hour to the attractions which include Disney. We enjoy practically year round sunshine with relatively few freezes. Having said that, there is one disadvantage that can be quite a life changing event. Of course I’m speaking of Hurricanes. I have been through some major storms in my life. 2004 was a whopper where 4 hurricanes crossed central Florida in 3 months time. It was devastating.
Naturally, with the storms, comes the loss of power. There are a few creature comforts that you instantly appreciate when you lose power. Cold water is a much needed requirement and hot showers. Having a generator can be quite a convenance and a gigantic pain at the same time.
When you own a generator, there are considerations that you must address when operating. Gasoline and the ability to obtain and store, power cords and re-fueling the generator at 2 or 3 in the morning to keep the portable air conditioner going. After several major hurricane events, my wife and I decided to pull the trigger on a natural gas, whole home generator to eliminate all the fuss.
First order of business was to sell my old generator and all the associated gas cans. That was quite easy, to say the least. A single listing on a local Facebook neighborhood page produced several inquires. The lady that bought was a gigantic pain in the neck and she brought with her a cigarette smoking, fouled-mouthed know it all. When it was all said and done, I sold my old generator for $500 along with 6 to 8 gas cans. Bye, Bye gas cans – it never really sat well with me transporting and storing 50 to 75 gallons of gasoline. I believe I paid $600 for the generator in 2014 and took very good care of it. I even cleaned out the carburetor for the lady to give her a good start. Needless to say her know-it-all friend had no idea what a solid I did for them. Little known fact… Most gasoline sold today has about 10% ethanol, that combined with water vapor destroys engines and gums up carburetors.
Old generator sold, now on to the fun stiff. Getting a whole home generator. A quick phone call the a local Generac and Centurion dealer dashed my hopes. How exactly do these people sleep at night. The least expensive option was around $12,000. Keep in mind, its not just the cost of the generator itself, The generator must be placed on a concrete slab, black pipe must be run from your gas meter to the generator and the electrical connections to the breaker box can be very expensive.
Once again, I reached out to my old friend Youtube and educated myself on a DIY option. It turns out that many people along the Gulf Coast have accomplished the same thing I was getting into and there was a ton of information out there. A storage shed with a fan to keep the generator running, a conversion kit to modify the operation of the new generator on natural gas for 24 hour operation and various electrical items.
Straight away I purchased a dual fuel generator. Consumer Reports rated the Westinghouse brand a superior product so I went with that. Westinghouse 9500df was ordered on amazon for $1100 delivered. To this day, I have never added gasoline to this unit. Either propane or natural gas is the only clean fuel option used in mine. Upon delivery I was very impressed with the build quality and the features. Of particular note is the electric start with key fob operation. No more pulling lawnmower style cords for me.
Second issue to address was keeping this behemoth outside and out of the elements. Several people on Youtube build makeshift plastic sheds and this seemed the most cost effective.
Outfitted with a fan to exhaust the heat, a heat resistant hose attached to the exhaust worked very well along with a few other items made this the perfect option. Notice the concrete blocks that force the exhaust away from the house. looks like hell but works very well. Side note, I discovered that venting the exhaust was a big issue. Turns out that any exhaust system used must be attached in a straight line. Any curvature at all will cause back pressure and ultimately result in a back fire of the engine.
A few other items I chose to use were a solar powered trickle charger for the battery. Pulling a cord in this configuration can be a giant pain in the neck. 3 years in and my unit starts without fail. I also installed a screened air inlet which turns out to be another issue. I learned from a fireman that the way to reduce the heat in an enclosure is to install smaller inlet. He suggested 1/2 the size of the fan outlet. Turns out the rush of air leaving the fan is stronger when the inlet is restricted a bit. I have seen big openings in other generators and they don’t achieve the level of temperature that mine does. And as we know, heat kills engines. An outdoor outlet box was also need to allow for the power cord and gas line. Once I completed the electrical, I foamed up the sides. See below for the inlet screen and opening on the left side of box. Keep in kind, all these photos are taken while work is in progress. Some will look unfinished or messy.
Next order of business is the conversion kit for allow the generator to run on natural gas. I am not going to mention the company that I purchased from as the owner was not a very nice person and did not follow through on some promises. Always beware of Youtube videos where the comments are turned off. I should have known. Anyway the add-on came custom for my generator and it was quite easy to install.
I also purchased the hose and fittings from the same company and quite frankly I got my pants pulled down over the price, but it works well and Its done. The hose needs to be 3/4 inch and the quick connect fittings have to be an open orifice type. This was a big selling point from this company and it turns out to be a fact. Grills and generators have different requirements and fewer restrictions in the gas line allow for smoother operation. See pic below…
After several loses of power, I was able to test my new generator on several occasions and during one event, I ran it on natural gas for several days, non stop.
Recently, I became tired of running the cords into the house was has several disadvantages. I purchased a transfer switch outdoor outlet box and and hooked the generator into the breaker panel. I’m not going to describe how I did this because ordinary average Joe Homeowner must get an electrician to do this. Mistakes will cause a fire. Needless to say, I work on industrial refrigeration for an occupation and work daily on 240 volt up to 460 volt electromechanical equipment. Here is the transfer switch I purchased.
So, six circuits get powered up. That includes 2 fridges, a freezer, TV;’s, internet, computers, surveillance cameras, hot water, garage door, burglar alarm and kitchen and a 600 square foot portable air conditioner. Turns out the demands on a generator for the type of AC unit I have would have been very costly. My 9500df could run it just fine, however, the startup amperage would be too great. I have been using our portable for several years now with zero complaints.
Push-Button Electric Start makes starting the WGen9500DF effortless while the remote start key fob offers added ease from a distance. Its intuitive control panel spotlights the Transfer Switch Ready L14-30R and larger 14-50R to power your major appliances like the air conditioner, refrigerator, and sump pump as well as any lights or entertainment centers all at the same time with a single cord hookup. VFT Data Center displays volt output, frequency, and lifetime hours to keep you up to date with real-time information and regular maintenance.
Conveniently portable with an included set of heavy duty never-flat wheels, handle, and lift bracket, it’ll have your house, travel trailer, or jobsite powered in seconds. The WGen9500DF is complete with a 3-Year Limited Warranty and Lifetime Technical Support backed by our nationwide customer service and support network.
For a detailed look at the specifications:
