Champion Generators ?

[JustWood]

Anyone have one?
Reviews look pretty good.

 

[Bad Wolf]

I have the little 2000 watt inverter and its been great. In general I think it is well made, very quite with some good engineering thought.
During Sandy I set it up to run the furnace, fridge, big screen TV, a couple of lights and the wifes PC. I'd set her up in the morning and it would run all day on a gallon of gas. 9-10 hours.
Someone else will have to comment on the bigger units.

 

[xman23]

Hey Greg, I just got the same Champion 2K inverter. I ran the gas hot air furnace for 2 hours before the power came on. Ran the fridge with no problem. The fridge started and ran in the eco mode. I assume if the load required more engine speed it would have sped up. Are you running in ECO? Any issues? The plan is to run the high current items one at a time. I need to do a few more tests, but it looks like this generator will work for me, with minimum fuel consumption.

 

[Halligan]

I read recently that certain Champion generators sold at Costco were being recalled due to starting fires. I would look into that if I was you.

 

[BrotherBart]

That recall is for generators Costco quit selling back in July. Here is the recall with model and serial numbers.

http://www.championpowerequipment.com/news/important-product-recall-notice-models-41532-and-41332/

Champion makes good gennys and everybody raves about their support.

 

[Bad Wolf]

Xman, I use the big genny for the pump, geting ready for work in the morning and all of the high amperage things in the evening. The small Champion is for over night and during the day when all I want to do is keep the house warm. The big genny is great, it just drinks a lot of gas (3/4 gallon/hr). When all I need is a 1000 or 1500 watts the champion does just fine and is very miserly on gas. (12 oz./hr). I changed the oil out for synthetic, when I first got it (used with 8 hrs on it) other than that I've done nothing to it.
Since I'm widely know for being a cheap bastard, I run it in eco mode all the time. If it needs more, then the revs pick up, the rest of the time it just putters along. Plus with a 10 hr run time I can go to work and not worry about it running out of gas before I get home.
I haven't taken it camping or tailgating but I think it would do just fine.

 

[jebatty]

Also have the 2000w inverter model. Greatest use was last summer in a large group camping at a rock event. Ran it about 12 hours/day for 4 days, in eco mode. Fully satisfied, quiet, a gas miser. Main reason for purchasing was to run the Tarm gasifer and circ system in the event of a power outage. Circs run much better and cooler on sine wave vs modified sine. Since I bought it mainly for a power outage, none has occurred.

 

[flyingcow]

I plan on b uying a generator soon. But I need a 7500watt continous. Sine wave? vs modified sine? Whats the diff and how can I tell if a generator has which?

Thnks

 

[WhitePine]

I plan on b uying a generator soon. But I need a 7500watt continous. Sine wave? vs modified sine? Whats the diff and how can I tell if a generator has which?

Thnks

Inverters are where you face the sine wave versus modified sine wave conundrum. It's a cost to build versus utility issue when generating an AC signal from a DC source. A generator, on the other hand, which generates power electro mechanically, will normally have a pure sine wave output. Cheapies sometimes often have poor voltage and/or frequency stability or electrical noise riding the output, but that will be due to poor engineering or quality control issues. It has nothing to do with a modified sine wave design.

It's not something you have to worry about when buying a generator.

 

[velvetfoot]

I have the 4000 watt model. I haven't used it much, but I noticed that the washer started beeping, probably because of the power quality.

 

[thetooth]

I bought the 3500 watt just recently from tractor supply . It is on sale now for $300.00 , I haven't had a opportunity to try it . I plan to use it for the sump pump and fridge . It is made in china but has 100 good reviews on tractor supply website .

 

[MasterMech]

I plan on b uying a generator soon. But I need a 7500watt continous. Sine wave? vs modified sine? Whats the diff and how can I tell if a generator has which?

Thnks

I'd be looking at a diesel set for that much juice. I have a 7200 watt (continuous) gas genset and it it a P-I-G when using all that power.

 

[flyingcow]

I'd be looking at a diesel set for that much juice. I have a 7200 watt (continuous) gas genset and it it a P-I-G when using all that power.

I haul milk from farms to processor. I won't need it to run continuous all day. Just to load at farms. Only will need it maybe once or twice a yr. My milk pump is a 3hp motor with a 30amp service. big thing is i need the 7500 watts to start it. I also plan on putting a 3 way disconnect on my house and use it there. That's why I was curious about sine wave, and generators and running the modern house.

 

[SteveB]

I bought the 3500/4000 watt model at TSC in early 2009. It always starts on 1 or 2 pulls. I mostly use it for our camper. It has an RV plug outlet and seems to be able to deliver the full 30 amps as advertised. I have run the A/C and microwave oven at the same time. I bought mine for $349 but I think they are going for around $300 now. For the price, I don't think you can beat it.

 

[flyingcow]

I've got a 4400 watt yamaha and when I start the milk pump, it kills the genny. I can loosing up the pump so it starts easy, but then it runs slow. Not good.

 

[Highbeam]

It's too bad you can't figure out a PTO for the milk pump. The PTO can power hydraulics which can spin the milk pump or be direct drive. Seems silly to use an AC electric motor.

 

[flyingcow]

It's too bad you can't figure out a PTO for the milk pump. The PTO can power hydraulics which can spin the milk pump or be direct drive. Seems silly to use an AC electric motor.

Will only need it once in a blue moon. More of a convenience thing. if it looks like power outages are in the future for the day I will throw the genny on back of tractor trailer. strap it down and ride. I got room for it right behind the cab on the deck plate.

 

[Highbeam]

I have owned a champion 4000 watt peak 220/110 volt genset for about 5 years. It has been very dependable. I can pick it up and put it in the bed of the truck, it runs more than 12 hours on the 4 or 5 gallons in the tank, runs the computers, floursescent lights, samsung flat screen, fridge, and freezer, all at once. The power output of the champion has been scoped to be as close to a sine wave as any non-inverter can be and it is a cheap genset to buy with excellent US support.

Yes it is a chinese made genset but it is a clone of the honda engine and the engine is a peach. Much quieter running than similar generac or other open frame sets.

 

[mecreature]

I have used the 40026 for several years now. It has worked fine for power to the out building.
It also has an RV 30 amp plug, a 20 and 30 amp 110 plugs. works for everything I do.

 

[smokinj]

I had mine since 2006, have not ran it much. Kinda hard to start but starting fulid works.

 

[velvetfoot]

I've noticed you set the choke in the middle when cold starting.

 

[JustWood]

Thanks guys. TSC had the 1800W model on sale dirt cheap yesterday so I snagged it up.