A Compact Power Supply for Your Emergency Power Needs

The DuroMax XP8500E is one of the mid-range portable generators in the DuroMax product line. It’s designed to supply you with enough power to keep your lights and basic appliances on during emergencies and power outages. It’s also supposed to provide you with ample power for your worksite and RV needs. But does it live to its promise?

Specs

• Dimensions: 32 x 23 x 22 inches
• Weight: 210 lbs
• Starting watts: 8,500 W
• Running watts: 7,000 W
• Voltage: 120V/240VAC &12VDC
• Amperage: 58.33A/29.17A
• Frequency: 60Hz
• Horsepower: 16 HP
• Engine type: 4-cycle, air-cooled, spark-ignition
• Engine size: 80cc
• Engine speed: 3,600rpm
• Start type: electric, recoil
• Fuel type: gasoline
• Fuel tank capacity for gasoline: 7.9 gallons
• Runtime at half load: 11.5 hours
• Volume level: 72dB
• EPA- and CARB-approved for all 50 states

Engine capacity and wattage

When it comes to wattage and engine capacity, the XP8500E does show some promise. It has a 16-horsepower, 80-cc engine that can produce a surge wattage of 8,500 W and stay running at 7,000 W. As stated earlier, it’s enough to keep your lights at home on. You can also plug in a few essential appliances, such as your refrigerator, freezer, central air conditioning or space heater, and water heater. Thus, you can stay comfortable at home even in the event of a power outage in your neighborhood. The same goes for your worksite and RV—this genset can supply them with ample power for your needs.

The XP8500E is a bit on the big and heavy side. It stands 22 inches high, 23 inches wide, and 32 inches long. Plus, it weighs 210 pounds without the wheel and handle kit. The wheel and handle kit, which comes in the box, is handy for moving this genset around if you need to take it from place to place.

This generator model starts with the turn of a key, as you would when starting your car. In case the electric start doesn’t work, the engine has a backup recoil start that you can easily pull. Before using this product for the first time, you need to break it in by changing oil a few times. The recommended oil for all DuroMax engines is SAE 10W-30 engine oil—it has the right viscosity that these engines require. This genset shuts down automatically when it’s low on oil. A built-in muffler keeps the emissions and the noise down. At 72 decibels, this model is supposed to be only as loud as a hair dryer or dishwasher.

Fuel consumption

The XP8500E uses only gasoline. You can fill its tank with up to 7.9 gallons of gas. With this amount of fuel, you can expect this genset to provide you with continuous power for around 11 and a half hours. Moreover, it has an idle control switch you can turn on to save on gas when your usage is low.

All DuroMax portable generators are EPA- and CARB-compliant. However, if you intend to use them at high-altitude locations, DuroMax recommends that you get a modified carburetor from your dealer. This modified carburetor can slow down the genset’s gas consumption, minimize emissions, and, therefore keep the XP8500E compliant to EPA and CARB standards.

Output

On the control panel, you’ll find five outlets: four 120V 20A GFCI outlets and one 120/240V 30A twist-lock outlet. These allow you to plug multiple devices to this genset. Moreover, thanks to DuroMax’s proprietary MX2 technology, you can use this model on 120V and 240V at the same time if you need to. But if you want to utilize the full power of this genset at 120V, all you need to do is to flick the voltage selector switch. Additionally, the voltmeter on the control panel lets you monitor your genset’s power level and usage, while the 12V DC posts let you charge external batteries.

Ideal usage

The XP8500E is a great portable generator to have around if your neighborhood is prone to power outages. You can keep your lights and essential appliances on with this genset, so you can stay in relative comfort at home even when you’re not getting any power from the main grid.

You can also use this DuroMax model to supply electricity to your worksite. You may be limited in the number of power tools you can plug in, but you’ll still get some work done. This product will also work on RVs. It can generate enough power for your small camper. However, if your RV is a 70-foot, fully-furnished vehicle, you may want to get a larger-capacity generator instead. You can also bring this machine to your tailgate parties, where you can use your electric grill and maybe your TV and speaker set at the same time without a lot of worries.

What’s in the box

• Oil funnel
• Spark plug wrench
• Tool set
• Wheel and handle kit
• DC charging cables
• Downloadable owner’s manual

What users say about the DuroMax XP8500E

Users have rated the DuroMax XP8500E quite highly. They liked the fact that this model provides the power it promises, even for hours on end. Many reviewers are also pleased that this genset starts almost instantly. The reaction to this generator’s noise level is mixed, though—some users found it quieter than expected, while some found it too noisy.

It should be noted that the same people who gave the XP8500E positive feedback also pointed out a few of its design flaws. These include this model being too heavy to move around without its wheel and handle kit. Some users aren’t pleased that the handles are not adjustable and too short for tall people. Several reviewers observed that the supposedly never-flat tires develop flat spots after being left in the same position too long.

Need more information about the DuroMax XP8500E? Head on to its product page to find more facts and score great deals.