Answers to FAQs about generators, as well as basic troubleshooting steps for WEN generators. 

General questions

How do I know what generator is right for me? How do I choose a generator?

Selecting a generator can be confusing. Our guide to selecting a generator may be helpful. For more information, please also check out the following articles:

• 6 Advantages of Inverter Generators
• How Do Inverter Generators Work?
• Open-Frame vs. Closed-Frame Inverter Generators

How do I run my generator safely? 

Please review the instructions in your owner's manual; there is lots of helpful, detailed information there. You can also check out our helpful article with general advice about best practices when running a generator.

How do I maintain my generator? 

Read your owner's manual; it is packed with useful information and recommended service procedures and intervals. You can also check out our helpful article on generator maintenance.

What is the recommended break-in period? 

The procedure below should be followed when you receive your WEN generator in order to prolong the engine's service life. This procedure helps to seat the piston rings properly in the cylinder, and will reduce overall wear on the engine. For the first 8 hours of operation, vary the load, but keep it at or below 50% of the generator's rated wattage, if possible. If your generator is equipped with an Eco-mode switch (only applicable for certain inverter generators), engage Eco-mode periodically during the first 8 hours. After the first 8 hours, change the oil, then change it again after the first 25 hours. You may run the generator at full load after the 8-hour oil change.

Frequent oil changes will ensure your engine stays in top condition and gives you as long a service life as possible. Refer to your generator's owner's manual for the recommended maintenance schedule.

How should I check or change my generator's oil? 

Your owner's manual has complete instructions for both procedures. You can also refer to our helpful videos on checking or changing your generator's oil.

What type of oil should I use? 

Your owner's manual has recommendations on the proper SAE grade of oil to use. Synthetic oil is best, but conventional oil is fine too.

Where is my generator's serial number located? 

WEN generators' serial numbers can be found in one of a couple of places : 

1. Next to the oil dipstick, engraved on the side of the crankcase.
2. On the main specifications label (certain models). This label is usually on the side or top of the generator, on the frame, or on the fuel tank.

The serial number can be found on the side of the crankcase (all models) or on the main specifications label (most models).

Where is my generator's model number located? 

Your generator's model number can be found in one of three places (see also the photo above): 

1. On the main specifications label. This label is usually on the side or top of the generator, on the frame, or on the fuel tank.
2. On the front cover of your generator's manual.
3. On the main specifications page of your generator's manual (usually page 3).

How should I prepare my generator for hurricane season, blackouts, winter, or severe weather? 

We have several helpful guides available on preparing for hurricane season and severe weather, blackouts, and winter. Even if you live in a magical land that experiences none of these, it's a good idea to keep your generator prepared.

What are the maintenance procedures like for my generator?

Read your owner's manual; it is packed with useful information and recommended service procedures and intervals. You can also check out our helpful article on generator maintenance. Making sure your generator's oil is changed, and the spark plug, spark arrestor, air filter, and carburetor are kept clean, will extend your generator's life and make sure you get as much service as possible from your machine.

How should I store my generator? 

Please review the storage procedures in your owner's manual. It's a good idea to add fuel stabilizer and drain the carburetor to make starting the generator after storage as easy as possible.

How do I replace a component on my generator? 

We have several helpful guides available for replacing some of the most commonly-replaced components on generators, including the carbon brushes, voltage regulator (AVR), carburetor, and air filter. If you need help replacing another component, please contact us.

Are WEN generators magnetically shielded for use with ham radios?

No. WEN generators are not magnetically- or RFI-shielded in any way. The generator may be creating broadcast interference (electromagnetic field created as electricity is generated) and/or transmitted interference (created by the ignition system and passed though the inverter board). To reduce RFI (radio frequency interference), we suggest the following.

1. Move the equipment further away from the generator, if possible.
2. Ground the generator using a grounding rod, if not already done. Try to keep the wire length to a minimum, and drive as much of the rod as you can into the earth. This should minimize the wire/rod acting as an antenna.
3. Install ferrite toroids on the equipment leads; that may help.
4. Use an oscilloscope to find the range of frequencies that are causing interference, and then install a band-stop filter on the radio for that range.

Do WEN inverter generators produce modified or pure sine waves?

All WEN inverter generators produce pure sine waves. Total harmonic distortion (THD) on WEN generators is usually better than line power (what you get from a household outlet). You can also check out our handy article on THD for more information.

Can I convert my gasoline-engine generator to run on propane as well (turn it into a dual-fuel generator)?

No, we do not recommend doing this. Your generator's engine is designed to run on gasoline only. We do not recommend any aftermarket kits to attempt to convert your generator to dual-fuel, tri-fuel, natural gas, or propane. As a generator manufacturer, we must comply with all evaporative emissions standards from EPA and CARB. Because of that, we are not able to recommend any conversion kits for converting your generator to use other fuel sources since those conversion kits are not tested to the same government regulatory standards.

Can I convert my dual-fuel generator to run on natural gas as well (turn it into a tri-fuel generator)?

No, we do not recommend doing this. Your dual-fuel generator's engine is designed to run on propane or gasoline only, not natural gas or any other fuel source. We do not recommend any aftermarket kits to attempt to convert your dual-fuel generator to tri-fuel or natural gas. As a generator manufacturer, we must comply with all evaporative emissions standards from EPA and CARB. Because of that, we are not able to recommend any conversion kits for converting your generator to use other fuel sources since those conversion kits are not tested to the same government regulatory standards.

How do I connect my WEN generator's battery quick-connectors? 

Please see this video - How to Connect a WEN Generator Battery with Quick-Connectors.

High-altitude kits

We recommend reading our handy guide on high-altitude operation as well.

How do I install a high-altitude kit on my generator? 

WEN recommends that high-altitude kits be installed by a professional, certified mechanic. However, if you want to do it yourself, follow the instructions included with your high-altitude kit. You can also refer to our handy video guide. If you have any questions, please contact us.

Why do I need to use a high-altitude kit? 

It has to do with the physics of altitude. At high altitudes, the air pressure is lower than at sea level. Your generator runs on a mixture of fuel and air, and is calibrated to operate at altitudes between sea level and 2000 - 3000 feet. The fuel-air mixture needs to be adjusted at higher altitudes, since the air is thinner. This adjustment is done by installing a new carburetor jet into the carburetor, which is the component on your generator responsible for controlling the fuel-air mixture. The kit is basically a jet and new gaskets (in case the old ones are damaged). ALWAYS uninstall the high-altitude kit when operating your generator at altitudes below the kit's range. Failure to do so could damage your generator.

At very high altitudes, your generator may experience a loss of power, even with the high-altitude kit installed. See your generator's owner's manual for more information, or check our our handy article on running a generator at high altitude.

Do I need to use a high-altitude kit on my dual-fuel generator if I only plan to use propane (LPG) as fuel? 

Yes, we recommend it. For best results, you should use a high-altitude kit on dual-fuel generators, regardless of what fuel is being used (gasoline or LPG), when operating at high altitudes. The main issue is the power that the generator can produce. At higher altitudes, the generator will produce less power because of the lower air pressure, since the engine will have to work harder and use more fuel. The high-altitude kit helps compensate for this problem by using a smaller carburetor jet. So even though (on some WEN generators) the propane line bypasses the carburetor bowl and goes straight into the intake (between the choke and throttle), the jet still adjusts the air mixture to compensate. 

At very high altitudes, your generator may experience a loss of power, even with the high-altitude kit installed. See your generator's owner's manual for more information, or check our our handy article on running a generator at high altitude.

Do I need to adjust the propane regulator if I'm using propane (LPG) at high altitudes?

No, the propane regulator is properly adjusted at the factory. Just install a high-altitude kit.

Do I need to use a high-altitude kit if my generator has electronic fuel injection (EFI)? 

No. The fuel system on your generator will sense and automatically adjust the amount of fuel needed based on your altitude and engine temperature.

Troubleshooting

Get your owner's manual handy - it will be helpful in troubleshooting. If you don't have a physical copy of your manual, you may be able to find it online. All WEN products' manuals are linked on each model number's page; just enter your model number into the search bar above.

My generator won't start. What's going on?

There are many reasons your generator may not want to start. Our helpful guide lists 10 common reasons your generator won't start. Also consult the troubleshooting steps in your generator's owner's manual. If after that your generator still won't start, please contact us for assistance.

My generator won't produce electricity. What's the problem? 

Check the troubleshooting steps in your owner's manual. Make sure none of the breakers on your generator's control panel have tripped. If you have an inverter generator, try resetting the circuit (if your generator has a reset button - all WEN inverter generators have one). Also check if there are any warning lights, error codes, or other issues shown on the control panel. 

If you do not have an inverter generator, make sure your generator's carbon brushes aren't worn down (replace them if they are). If that is not the issue, the automatic voltage regulator may be faulty, there may be a loose wire somewhere, or there could be another problem - please contact us for assistance.

My generator won't stay running, or shuts down after a few minutes - even if there is no load connected. Why?

Usually, this is due to one of a few issues. Check the following:

1. Make sure there is enough oil, and the proper viscosity is being used (consult your owner's manual). WEN generators have a low-oil shutdown switch to shut down the engine if there is not enough oil, in order to protect the engine. 
2. Make sure there is enough fuel in the tank. If using LPG, make sure there is enough propane in the tank, and all hose fittings are tightened.
3. Make sure the fuel valve is on, and fuel runs through it. 
4. If applicable, make sure the fuel tank cap valve is turned ON. (This component is found atop the fuel tank cap, mostly on small inverter generators.)
5. Make sure the air filter, carburetor, and spark arrestor are clean.
6. Make sure the spark plug produces a strong, clean spark.

If after checking these steps, you're still having trouble, please contact us for assistance.

My generator is hunting (or the engine is revving up and down). What can I do?

This is usually caused by an airflow or fuel flow issue. Failing to drain the carburetor before storage is a very common cause of this issue. Check the following: 

1. Make sure there is enough fuel in the tank. If using LPG, make sure there is enough propane in the tank, and all hose fittings are tightened.
2. Make sure the fuel valve is on, and fuel runs through it. 
3. If applicable, make sure the fuel tank cap valve is turned ON. (This component is found mostly on small inverter generators.)
4. Make sure the air filter, carburetor, and spark arrestor are clean.

If after checking these steps, you're still having trouble, please contact us for assistance.

Why won't my generator run my device?

Make sure the device is properly connected to the generator, and is turned on. Make sure the extension cord (if being used) is rated to handle the device's power requirements (consult your owner's manual), and that the generator itself is rated to handle the device's power requirements (see our helpful guide to selecting a generator for more information, as well as your owner's manual). A good rule of thumb is to estimate wattage by multiplying the device's voltage (V) by its amperage (A).

However, some devices (especially microwaves and devices with motors) do not necessarily follow this rule. Microwaves are often rated for the wattage they put out, not necessarily the wattage they need to run. For example, a 1500-watt microwave may draw as many as 3000 watts of power when in use.

Finally, in certain conditions, generators need to be derated. This means the power they're capable of producing in these conditions is lower than in the standard conditions at which they're rated (usually between 65 and 75 degrees F, at an altitude between 0 - 1000 feet above sea level). These conditions include, but are not limited to:

• High altitude: for every 1000 feet above sea level, an engine can lose between 2% - 5% of its rated power.
• High temperatures: for every 10 degrees above 75 F, an engine can lose 1% - 2% of its rated power.

I'm finding an open ground or reverse polarity (hot/neutral reversed) on my generator. How do I correct this? 

Many WEN generators use a floating neutral wiring configuration. This means that the neutral line is not connected to the generator's frame or ground. This is a common configuration for many generators, and is helpful if you plan to connect your generator to an RV or transfer switch. Some meters and other polarity testers may not give accurate readings on floating neutral generators. If you are getting a reading of an open ground or reversed polarity, check with your tester's manufacturer to see if it is OK to use on floating neutral generators. If you're still having problems, you can try bonding neutral to ground using a dummy plug, and re-testing. Please don't hesitate to contact us if you have any questions.

Parallel kits

We recommend reading our handy article on parallel kit operation and FAQs as well.

Is there any power loss when connecting two generators with a parallel kit?

There's usually little or no power loss - less than 1%.

Can I use the outlets on the generators when using a parallel kit?

Yes. Just make sure to not overload the generators.

How does load balancing work? Can I connect two WEN inverter generators together that aren't the same wattage?

Yes, you can connect any two WEN inverter generators, even if they aren't the same wattage. Think of the parallel kit as creating a “pool” of power to draw from. Whatever a generator's percentage contribution to the pool of power, that will be the amount it provides to the load - the inverters try to automatically balance the load.

For example, say you have two 2000W generators. Each will provide 50% of the required load (if the load is 1000W, each will provide 500W). If you have a 2000W and a 3000W generator (total power ~5000W), the 2000W generator will provide ~40% of the load, and the 3000W generator will provide ~60% (if the load is 1000W, the 2000W generator will provide ~400W, and the 3000W generator will provide ~600W).

What if the generators are rated for less or more power than the parallel kit can provide?

Say you have a parallel kit rated for 4000W. If you have 2 generators rated 1500W each, they'll only provide 3000W total to the pool of power that the parallel kit facilitates. So you can't get 4000W from this setup.

If you have two generators rated 3000W each (6000W total), if the parallel kit's electrical components are only rated for 4000W, you'll only have 4000W available through the kit. To get the rest of the power that's available, you can use the outlets on the generators. Just don't overload the generators.