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WEN makes some of the most affordable generators available in the market.
Following the massive success of their 2000-watt inverter generator, WEN started offering larger inverters catering for the RV crowd.
WEN 53610i is one of them.
But is this 3000-watt RV ready generator that good? We’re about to find out shortly in the following WEN 53610i review.
WEN 56310i – first impressions
One thing you will immediately notice about this generator is its appealing modern design.
Let’s be honest, generators are usually not the most visually attractive electric devices.
While you certainly don’t buy a generator for its looks, it’s a good thing that WEN made a generator that makes a good impression on the onlookers.
The generator weighs a bit more than 81 pounds.
It has a built-in comfortable handle and wheels for easy transportation.
The control panel features all the necessary outlets you would need to run it along with your RV.
These include 2x 120V receptacles, 1 x AC 120V 30A RV output, 1 x 12V DC receptacle and two USB ports
Since it is an inverter generator operating under less than 1.5% THD threshold, you can rest assured that you can safely use it to charge your sensitive electronic equipment such as phones or tablets.
WEN 56310i – Technical Specifications
- Wattage: 3100 Starting / 2800 Running Watts
- Noise Level: 57 dB @ 25% load
- Fuel Type: Gasoline
- Fuel Tank Capacity: 1.85 gal
- Run Time: 7.5h @ 50% load
- Outlets: 2 x 120V AC , 1 x 30 amp RV outlet, 1 x 12V DC, 2 x USB ports
- Weight: 81.4 lbs
- Dimensions: 23 x 16.5 x 19.5
- Engine: 212cc 4-stroke OHV
- Starting Method: Manual Recoil / Electric
Advantages of WEN 56310i
Ideal for RV
Just as its name suggests, WEN 56310i-RV fully caters to the travel trailer owners.
It has a dedicated 120V 30 amp RV plug allowing for a hassle-free connection to the camper van.
This is not something that comes by default in most 3000-watt generators (even the more expensive ones like Honda EU3000i).
That’s why WEN 56310i-RV deserves the praise.
Fuel Efficiency
Low fuel consumption is another strong selling point of this unit.
Thanks to that you can get up to 7-8 hours on one full 1.85-gallon tank of gas.
What’s worth mentioning that this is at 50% load.
You will often see the manufacturers boasting how long their generators can run continuously.
However, in most cases, they advertise the runtimes at 25% load. At half-load, the generators will naturally consume more fuel and their runtime will decrease accordingly.
So take this into account when comparing the WEN 56310i’s runtime to its competitors.
Based on my experience and research, WEN 56310i is one of the most fuel-efficient generators out there.
Price
WEN generators are generally very affordable and this one is no exception.
It costs less than half of the price of its most expensive competitors (Yamaha or Honda).
It’s also cheaper than the Champion generators.
Yet, it is a very well-built generator and as numerous customer reports suggest, a lot of people have used this and other WEN generators for years without problems.
WEN generally does a good job of delivering the highest possible quality while cutting the unnecessary production costs.
For those who do not want to pay a small fortune for a Honda generator – in my humble opinion WEN is one of the best low-cost alternative solutions.
Any Cons?
Given its attractive price tag, I honestly think that there is nothing serious to complain about in this generator.
Having said that, it has a few minor shortcomings.
First, it is not the quietest generator you can find.
Even though the manufacturer boasts that the generator makes only 57 dB of noise, this figure is only true for the lower loads (around 25%).
At higher loads, it’s bound to become a bit louder.
Don’t get me wrong – it’s certainly not a noisy unit.
However, there are other quieter generators. If noise level is your top priority, you could consider getting two smaller ultra-quiet generators like Honda EU2200i and use them in parallel.
On the other hand – that would set you back a much higher amount of money.
As long as you don’t expect your generator to be whisper-quiet – WEN 56310i should still completely satisfy you.
Conclusion – is WEN 56310i worth your money?
Absolutely yes! You would be hard-pressed to find another 3000-watt RV-ready generator that good in this price range.
It’s one of the most affordable RV generators in the market costing significantly less than the Honda or even some cheaper brands like Champion.
If you are looking for a solid and reliable 3000-watt inverter but don’t want to shell out a massive amount of money – WEN 56310i is the one you should take into consideration.
It is fully RV ready and powerful enough to run all the important equipment in your travel trailer.