I am tempted to buy this. The smaller version, which I own, ran fine and still runs fine 3 years later.
Almost mandatory at most campsites, a quiet gen, I use a Harbor Freight Predator, this unit seems decent
Waiting for a similar spec, solidly rated genset in this price range to include remote start and stop. (Inexpensive to add to add at the manufacturing stage.)
This is an excellent deal - way to go, Woot! The Wen website is usually the best place to purchase their units whenever they have a sale (which they have right now), and their sale price for this unit is $699 minus $50 coupon code REMEMBERWEN = $649 (with free shipping). Woot has them beat, hands-down. Here is their site:
But what’s a parade without a little rain… The only problem with Woot’s model is Wen also offers a similar sized unit in an “open-frame” design with the same capacity and has CO auto-shutdown that is not offered on the unit here. And it’s only $475 regular price (you can try the coupon code mentioned above, but no guarantees). Here is the page:
Also note that the 56380i has a twist-lock receptacle while the GN400iX has an RV-type receptacle. Unless you are truly stuck on wanting the “suitcase” design with wheels and a built-in handle, then I would otherwise consider the GN400iX at $475 instead.
From what I can tell from the specs and pictures, they both have the RV style tt-30R receptacle. I don’t believe there is any such thing as a tt-30R twist lock so I’m thinking that that is an error in the 56380i description. Also, while I can’t find any spec’s for noise levels on the GN400iX, being open frame it is going to be louder than the suitcase 56380i. Whether it’s enough to be important, I can’t judge.
Got me curious… maybe 10-15 dB louder, according to reviews here https://amzn.com/dp/B09KFFRJYR
“sound level with meter at half load was around 70 dB at 15 feet and 60 dB at 30 feet.”
“Q: Whats the db on this open frame? A: … surely from 85 to +90 decibels. The silent model ranges from 77 to 87 decibels.”
“Q: Is the open frame super quite as well? A: about 10 db louder per specification”
“Q: is the closed frame generator quieter than the open frame model A: Much quieter. Open frame will be 10-15 dB higher. My wen 3800W closed frame inverter generator is around 60-62 dB at 20 feet. It is under 70db standing next to it. Even quieter in eco mode!”
Is this a Honda clone?
Doesn’t look like the code works for the open frame one. Seems like changing the oil would be less a struggle with this one.
Keep in mind the decibel scale is not linear. 70 decibels is essentially twice as loud as a 50 decibels.
If you don’t need a quiet generator but need an inverter, the open frame is always a better deal. However, you will not get away with any open frame generator at a camp site.
Yes, there are 30A twist-lock style receptacles and is the type you will find on standard generators in the 3500-5500 watt range, but from the pics it appears that both units have the RV-style for straight blade 30A plugs. It appears that the description from Woot may have had an error when it listed twist-lock. Yes, there are conversion adapters for a few bucks so that shouldn’t be a deal-breaker.
I also couldn’t find any dB listed for the GN400ix, either - but 10-15 dB increase might sound reasonable. However, the 57dB rating for the 56380i is also listed at QUARTER LOAD so you need to take that into consideration. If it’s built anything like my 56235i, the side panels are not insulated so sound attenuation is only fair to middlin’ - but these are still plenty quiet regardless.
Of course the open-frame model has a slightly higher running output plus I imagine it would run slightly cooler and be easier to service as well. Since the motor is the same displacement (212cc) between the two units I would presume it to be the same for both units.