What will the WEN 56250i run?
The WEN 56250i makes 1,900 running watts and 2,500 starting watts on gasoline. Once everything is running it covers a refrigerator, lights, Wi-Fi, a TV and phones (about 1,046 watts), but on the charts' cautious figures they need about 2,896 watts to start, more than its 2,500 starting watts, so check your appliances' labels.
A 2,500-watt WEN inverter with two 120V outlets, two USB ports and an hour meter. The listing does not state weight, noise or a carbon monoxide shutoff, so check those before you rely on it for home backup.
Outage combinations
| Running at once | Running W | Runs it? |
|---|---|---|
| Refrigerator, lights, Wi-Fi, TV and phones | 1,046 | Check |
| Gas furnace blower, refrigerator, lights and Wi-Fi (wired in) | 1,428 | Check |
| Sump pump, refrigerator, lights and Wi-Fi | 1,828 | Check |
| Window air conditioner, refrigerator, lights and Wi-Fi | 2,028 | No |
| Well pump, refrigerator and lights (wired in) | 1,810 | Check |
| Refrigerator, microwave and coffee maker | 3,450 | No |
| CPAP with humidifier, refrigerator, lights and phones | 947 | Check |
| Furnace blower, refrigerator, freezer, sump pump, lights, Wi-Fi and TV (wired in) | 3,326 | No |
| Well pump, sump pump, furnace blower, refrigerator, freezer, microwave, lights, Wi-Fi and TV (wired in) | 5,846 | No |
| Electric water heater, refrigerator, furnace blower and lights (wired in) | 6,410 | No |
| 3-ton central air conditioner (wired in) | 6,000 | No |
One appliance at a time
| Appliance | Running W | Runs it? |
|---|---|---|
| Refrigerator | 750 | Check |
| Freezer (chest or upright) | 750 | Check |
| Gas furnace blower (1/3 to 1/2 HP) | 600 | Yes |
| Sump pump (1/2 HP) | 1,000 | Check |
| Well pump (1/3 to 1/2 HP) | 1,000 | Check |
| Window air conditioner (10,000 BTU) | 1,200 | Check |
| Microwave | 1,500 | Check |
| Coffee maker | 1,200 | Yes |
| Electric space heater | 1,500 | Yes |
| CPAP with heated humidifier (and heated tube) | 67 | Yes |
| Home oxygen concentrator | 325 | Yes |
| Electric water heater (50 gallon, 240V) | 5,000 | No |
| Central air conditioner (3 ton) | 6,000 | No |
Cautious running and starting watts from Champion's and DTE Energy's wattage charts. "Check": it runs once started, but the charts' start-up surge is more than its 2,500 starting watts, so read your appliance's label (amps × 120 = watts). Wired-in loads need a transfer switch fitted by a qualified electrician. Your own list: the generator calculator.
Questions
Can the WEN 56250i run a refrigerator?
Once it's running, yes, but the charts' cautious start-up figure (about 2,600 watts) is more than its 2,500 starting watts. Check the amps on your own refrigerator's label (amps × 120 = watts).
Can the WEN 56250i run a well pump?
Once it's running, yes, but the charts' cautious start-up figure (about 3,000 watts) is more than its 2,500 starting watts. Check the amps on your own well pump's label (amps × 120 = watts). A well pump is wired in, so it needs a transfer switch fitted by a qualified electrician.
Can the WEN 56250i run central air?
No. DTE Energy's guide puts a 3-ton central air conditioner at 6,000 running watts and about 18,000 watts to start. That takes a standby generator.