Champion 3100 - running an AC - how many hrs out of a tank?

mlts22 wrote:
Depends on the generator. Honda 2000 watt models are easy because of the fuel pump. However, other models will have to have the tank located higher than the generator's fuel tank in order to work.

The question specifically asked about the Champion 3100!!!!!!

hbillsmith wrote:
You can either buy the Pinellas Champion Extended Runtime kit thru Bottom Line Trading or you can source the parts individually and use their video to guide your install which is what I did. I found everything on Amazon. If anyone is interested, here are some PDF files with my notes and parts list.

Link to PDF files for DIY Conversion

i didn't use your EXACT parts (because i hadn't see your write up yet) but I run into an issue with my install where the genny drinks the fuel filter dry well way too fast. Changing the fuel filter this week to see if I can pinpoint the issue

You can either buy the Pinellas Champion Extended Runtime kit thru Bottom Line Trading or you can source the parts individually and use their video to guide your install which is what I did. I found everything on Amazon. If anyone is interested, here are some PDF files with my notes and parts list.

Link to PDF files for DIY Conversion

I just ran our new 3100 in 103 degrees temps outside full sun running 1 AC in a 30' fifth wheel for two days. We were able to get 4 1/2 hrs of run time on a tank of gas on eco-mode. It seemed to be running at 3/4 speed because if i flipped to full run it would speed up some. I was very happy with its performance and ease. I was very pleased with how quiet it is in a campground. I walked to the next camp on both sides and could barley hear it. Our neighbor next to us complemented how quiet and asked what brand because he needed a bigger one to run the AC because his Honda 2000i could not. He didn't want to drop another grand on A Honda to run AC a few times a year. I told him I was the same and went with the 3100 and sold my Honda for $650 to a friend and bought the 3100 for $699. So far for the few times a year i will even use a generator I am very happy with the 3100.

Thank you for the follow-up.

As info - just got back from a weekend trip. The 3100 would run my smaller roof air (11K BTU) on eco-mode and I got right at 4 hrs per tank.

The Pinellas kit def seems like the way to go

Txsurfer wrote:
Understood but if it was gravity fed its shouldn't need a fuel pump should it?

it would not be pure gravity unless you came out of the bottom of the aux tank and place it above the champ, then it would simply flood
the champ, IF that worked with out flooding or danger there would be tube video all over the net
putting a hose in thru the top to reach the bottom of the aux, and move the fuel to the champ requires some kind of suction

Txsurfer wrote:
Understood but if it was gravity fed its shouldn't need a fuel pump should it?

The fuel tanks vent line is there to prevent overfill and simply adding a tank on top to gravity feed won't work. That is why the Pinellas solution that adds a fuel pump uses a check valve on the vacuum line and also is configured such that it uses the fuel selector knob to switch between built-in tank vs. external tank.

There is one other solution that you can see on youtube for adding an external tank. The other solution uses the remote start model's battery to power an tiny electric pump. It works but to me it's not as polished as the vacuum pump method.

hbillsmith wrote:
Tommy at Bottom Line Trading company in Austin Texas is the official distributor for the Pinellas kits. Here's the link and his prices.

Official Seller Website Pinellas Champion 3100 Extended Run Kit

Bottom Line Trading Company
Need an External Tank System you can add to
your Champion inverter gen (75537i or 75531i)
Want to upgrade your unit w/ custom selectable
external tank kit for extended run time capabilities?
(50 min in depth installation video link included)
$249.77 with Fuel Hose or $199.77 without Fuel Hose
(fuel tank is not included, connectors are Attwood Yamaha Marine type)

Yea, he's the one that used to sell the generators with the kit already installed, and is where I got mine from. For some reason, he quit offering those.