Anyone own a Champion Generator?

I figured this would become a Honda/Yamaha vs Champion thread. Sigh

Are the Champs perfect, no. Search the forum for problems with the big names and you will find they are not perfect either.

Still for the money saved, the vast majority of people that use the Champs are happy with them even if they are inferior to the big names. Mine may not be as good, but it fills my needs and that is good enough not to have to spend the big bucks on the big names.

BTW I am the third owner of my older 3500/4000. The original owner used it to run his trailer. He sold the both to the second owner that used it to run that and after he sold the trailer, he used it to run his cabin. By it's appearance and the oil that came out when I changed it, I can tell you it was not pampered. Still it starts with one or two pulls every time if it's below freezing or 100 outside. It'll run our AC at 5280 ft and even 9200 ft as long as the converter isn't pulling power to charge the battery. A good buy for $62 used. I'd buy another tomorrow if it died, that is unless the new Champion 3100 inverter model proves to be as dependable. Then I might spend the $899 for it.
Actually come to think of it, my solar will do the charging and any inverter model will have to ramp up to run the AC, especially up there, so I may not be gaining much for the money spent considering the need for AC at that altitude is rare.

steiny93 wrote:
I have a pair of the Honda 2000's; a close friend just purchased a pair of the champion 2000's.

We ice fish together a lot; I've been using my Honda's for about 3 years now without issue. Keep in mind we are running these gensets for days on end in -20's degree F temps. (pre wind chill)

The Honda's always just work

Both of his champions have been giving him trouble; typically they quit running and need to be restarted several times a day. Additionally if they get cold they will not output 120v until they warm up a bit. Neither of these issues have appeared in the Honda's or the Yamaha 2000 which another of our buddies has.

Perhaps it's the extreme cold that is giving the champions trouble; but they definitely are not performing as well as the Honda or Yamaha versions.

Well, a Champion WILL cost substantially less than a Honda or a Yamaha....I will admit I've not had either the 3500/4000 or the 7500/9000 in no where near the cold one would experience in Fargo, but having worked both in single digit temps, and the 3500/4000 in a little below zero temps, I never had the first problem with not being able to start one or keep it running, but do use Stabil in both during the winter months.

Again, a 3500/4000 can be had for $290 at times with free shipping from Camping World. I paid $799 for the 7500/9000 with free shipping...and again, are only used during power outages....They are louder than the much more expensive Honda or Yamaha gens, but a lot quieter than the commercial gen sets that contractors will use. IF one was going to use the generator a lot while boon docking, I would recommend a quieter generator if for no other reason than to keep peace with the neighbors...My generator is used strictly for power outages while camping or at home.

I have a pair of the Honda 2000's; a close friend just purchased a pair of the champion 2000's.

We ice fish together a lot; I've been using my Honda's for about 3 years now without issue. Keep in mind we are running these gensets for days on end in -20's degree F temps. (pre wind chill)

The Honda's always just work

Both of his champions have been giving him trouble; typically they quit running and need to be restarted several times a day. Additionally if they get cold they will not output 120v until they warm up a bit. Neither of these issues have appeared in the Honda's or the Yamaha 2000 which another of our buddies has.

Perhaps it's the extreme cold that is giving the champions trouble; but they definitely are not performing as well as the Honda or Yamaha versions.

I don't own one personally, but i can tell you I have heard nothing but good things about champion. From the customer support to reliability. They also are priced very well.

I have 2 of the 2000w inverter type. Coming up 2 years old. Use them all the time for dry camping, no problems. Paralleled they run the 13,500btu AC. They are pretty quiet in Econo mode and were 1/3 the price of a Honda up in Canada.

Was at Quartzsite and talked to a rep there and if I send in the control boards I can get a free electronic upgrade mod done. Nice after purchase service.

I'm getting around 8-10 hours per gallon out of them.

Ray

fla-gypsy wrote:
I love my 3.5/4k

X2 for me!

bikendan wrote:

Maxtar wrote:
For anyone who owns this brand how about a review? I know they are louder than the Honda's, but how about reliability? (That would be my main concern.)

all i can say is :S

X2

Maxtar wrote:
For anyone who owns this brand how about a review? I know they are louder than the Honda's, but how about reliability? (That would be my main concern.)

all i can say is :S

I have 3 -
a 3500 on back of fifth wheel
a 3500 remote start on work truck
a 9000 remote start wired with transfer switch to house

Love the yellow champs :B

excellent support and service when i had a few questions

I have the 3500/4000 and also a Yamaha 2400is. I have a good friend who has a Honda 2000 as well so we have been able to compare quite a bit but we do not have a decible meter.

The Champion is a very good bang for the buck. I purchased mine after my Yamaha would not restart my ac on a hot day when the compressor had kicked out. The Champion had the additional power to get it running and keep it running. Now the down side...because the Champion that I have is not an inverter model, it must run at the same speed all of the time to produce electricity. When my Yamaha or my friends Honda are running the microwave or something demanding a high amount of wattage, there is not that much difference in sound, but when the demand is lower, the Yamaha and Honda are much quieter while the Champion is still just as loud.

We have a generator shed about 60' away from where we camp on my private property which makes a big difference but in a campground setting where you will have others within ear shot, the quieter genny's are much preferred.