The CAT RP7500E is a 7500-watt commercial generator designed for light commercial purposes or essential home use for up to 11 hours. It offers an illuminated control panel and never-flat wheels, and all assembly tools come right in the box.

This generator is a step up from the CAT RP6500E, which offers 6500 watts with a slightly longer running time. However, compared to its biggest competitor, the 7500 watt Champion Power Equipment 100813, the CAT stands out in price, weight, fuel tank size, and run time. 

Caterpillar has been an industry standard for nearly a century. If you’re looking for a generator from a well-vetted brand, take a look at our review of the CAT RP7500E.

Features & Benefits

The RP7500E has several features and benefits that make it an ideal generator for construction sites and home use.

Take a look at some of the basic specs in the table below.

Power Output	7500 watts (running), 9375 watts (starting)
Run Time	11 hours at 50% load
Outlets	6
Start	Electric
Portable?	Yes
Dimensions	32.9 x 27.4 x 24.7 inches
Weight	192
Control Panel Features	Digital
Security	Auto shut-off
Alarms	Low oil, low fuel
Accessories	Assembly tools included
Emissions	EPA certified
Warranty	3 years

Since putting a generator in the garage or under a canopy can be risky, you’ll want something that’ll power your home so you can leave it out in the open without having to refill often. In addition, if you need to have something you can easily maneuver around a construction site, the RP7500E will have you covered.

Power Output and Run Time

Its 420cc OHV engine offers 7500 watts of power and runs for up to 11 hours on a 7.9-gallon gas tank, so you’ll be able to get in an entire workday without having to refill the tank.

Outlets, Hook-Up Provisions, and Possibilities

You’ll find six covered outlets on the RP7500E, giving it maximum flexibility in terms of use. The specific outlets it comes with are:

• 4 20A 120 volt AC outlet
• 1 30A 120 volt AC L5-30 outlet
• 1 30A 120/240 volt AC L14-30

Hook-Up Provisions and Possibilities

The RP7500E has a lot of hookup possibilities based on the outlets included on the control panel. Not only can you power multiple power tools at once, but you can run basic household necessities, a small air conditioning unit, or furnaces with ease. 

Starting and Remote Start

The 420cc engine has an electric/recoil start with a remote option. It runs at 360 RPM and will automatically shut down if the oil or fuel level gets too low. 

Portability, Dimensions, and Weight

Another benefit to the RP7500E is its portability. At 192 pounds, it weighs less than some of the other generators on the market. The padded handle and never-flat wheels make it easy to maneuver from one place to another. In addition, its footprint is relatively small, taking up a space of only 27.4 inches wide and 32.9 inches long.

The RP7500E is small but powerful, which is what makes it valuable for a variety of applications. It’s also able to withstand regular outdoor wear and tear. The gas tank is made of anti-corrosion-treated steel, has a muffler heating shield to avoid burns, and its outlets are recessed with waterproof covers. Not to mention, it boasts a rugged steel frame that’ll let it take some heavy knocks without breaking.

Caterpillar also designed this generator to run quietly compared to its competitors. This makes it ideal for outdoor events and similar applications where you don’t want the loud roar of a generator drowning out voices. 

Other Features

The CAT RP7500E has a few other great features to offer that will make it worth a second look when you’re pricing out generators.

Paralleling with Other Generators

Caterpillar offers several portable generators, but the RP7500E is the perfect middle-of-the-road option if you need something small but powerful. It offers slightly more power than the RP6500E while maintaining fuel tank size, footprint, and engine size. On the other end, it’s somewhat less powerful than the RP12000E, which has a 670 v-twin engine and a 13.2-gallon gas tank. 

You can see a more precise breakdown of the specs for these three generators below.

Feature	RP6500E	RP7500E	RP12000E
General Use	Light commercial Residential	Light industrial Residential
Power Output	6500 watts	7500 watts	12,000 watts
Run Time	12 hours	11 hours	11.7 hours
Outlets	6	6	9
Gas Tank	7.9 gallons	7.9 gallons	9 gallons

Control Panel Features

The RP7500E illuminated control panel provides 6 recessed outlets with waterproof covers, offering versatility and safety. You can use all of the outlets simultaneously, which means fewer interruptions in work and power. It also has a digital display and gas gauge that are easy to read. 

Security, Alarms, and Accessories

Caterpillar included the following safety features with the RP7500E:

• Automatic voltage regulator
• Automatic low-oil and low-fuel shutoff
• GFCI outlets
• Waterproof covered outlets

The company also took steps to make assembly an easy task. You won’t have to worry about gathering up your own tools or purchasing new ones because all assembly tools are included right in the box.

Emissions

The RP7500E’s high-efficiency engine ensures you get the most out of a single tank of gas. Since it’s so fuel-efficient, this generator matches all EPA regulations and holds regional certifications in all states. 

Warranty

Caterpillar warranties its generators for 3 years, which is quite long, considering the type of abuse generators like this tend to get. You’ll also get free 24-hour technical support if you run into any issues running your generator. 

About the Manufacturer 

Caterpillar has been producing construction equipment, off-highway engines, industrial turbines, and diesel-electric trains for nearly a century. It’s a global company that’s making strides to reduce its carbon footprint while continuing to provide quality construction equipment to its customers.

FAQ

Here are a few commonly asked questions about generator use and the CAT 7500E.

How many watts do I need to power my house?

If you want a home generator to run the essentials, you’ll need a 5000-7500 watt generator. However, if you need to get through a storm for a few days, the CAT 7500E should work just fine.

What is the lifespan of a portable generator?

On average, you should expect your portable generator to last for 1000-2000 hours of use. For emergency home use, that equates to about 10-20 years.

What will a CAT RP7500 run?

The CAT RP7500 will run multiple power tools, home essentials, or a small air conditioning unit for up to 11 hours. Of course, its run time will depend entirely on what size load you’re putting on it.

Are portable generators worth it?

Portable generators are ideal for emergency home use and supplemental power on construction sites. However, if you think you’ll need more than 11-12 hours of running time, you should consider a larger generator.

Things to Consider Before Buying

As with any generator, there are a few things you should consider when buying the CAT 7500E.

Best Suited For

This portable generator is a versatile option that appeals to many clients. Since it’s so small, you won’t have to worry about it taking up a lot of space on-site, outside your home, or at an outdoor event. Some specific uses include:

• Emergency home use
• Outdoor events
• Backup construction site power
• Camping

Reasons to Buy

Since the RP7500e has an 11-hour run time, homeowners, companies, and construction workers only have to worry about refueling once a day on average. It’ll easily get your team through a full workday, your home through the night, and allow your company’s party to run from start to finish uninterrupted.

Strengths, Average Specs & Weaknesses

The RP7500E’s main strengths lie in its run time, efficiency, and portability. It’s an easy generator to move around, so if you need to adjust positions on-site or at home, it’ll be easy to wheel from point A to point B.

You’ll find many specifications that allow it to compete with competitors without standing out. Its footprint, tank size, and run-time are all comparable to its competitors, especially the Champion Power Equipment 100813.

The generator’s main weaknesses are that its 11 hour run time is only if you’re running it at 50% load. For higher loads, such as air conditioning units or multiple power tools, you’ll see a lower run time.

Pros and Cons

Here are a few of the pros and cons of the CAT RP7500E to give you a bit more information about this generator.

Pros

• Easy assembly
• Electric start
• 3-year warranty

Cons

• Priced higher than competitors
• Heavy
• Backlight can be finicky

Social Proof

I scoured the internet for reviews to see what the real-world applications of the CAT RP7500E actually looked like. Most reviews were highly favorable, although, as with any product, there were some negative reviews, too. 

Matt mentions that the generator has an overall sturdy build and is easy to assemble. The generator fired up as soon as he put gas in, and he’s had no issues with it since he purchased it.

Steve G was happy with all aspects of his RP7500E. Both start methods worked perfectly, the control panel was easy to interact with, and there was no learning curve involved when it came to operating the generator.

Bobby Pfeil was also thrilled with his purchase. After six months of use, the RP7500E was still running strong at his construction and demolition business. However, he said the only downside was the lack of an auto-idle feature.

Related Products 

The three main competitors for the RP7400E are the Champion Power Equipment 201040, the Champion Power Equipment 100891, and the Westinghouse WGen7500. You can see a breakdown of the specifications for each in the table below.

Feature	RP7500E	Champion 100891	Westinghouse WGen7500	Champion 100813
Weight	192 lbs	207	196	199
Noise	Not measured	74 dBA	72 dBA	74 dBA
Autonomy	Lithium-ion backup	12-volt battery backup	12-volt battery backup	12-volt battery backup
Fuel Consumption	.72 GPH at 50%	.77 GPH at 50%	.6 GPH at 50%	.71 GPH at 50%
Price	$1,039	$884.05	$849	$1,149

The RP7500E is lighter with average fuel economy and falls in the middle for the price compared to its competitors. The Champion 200891 is the heaviest of the four comparisons, weighing in at 207 pounds, and ties with the Champion 100813 for noise level at 74 dBA.

Conclusion

The CAT RP7500E is a great generator in terms of running time, fuel efficiency, and versatility. It’s ideally suited for construction site backup, residential emergency use, and outdoor events. You can read all about the RP7500E on Caterpillar’s website for more information.