Champion 75531i 3100w Inverter Generator

I started one of the other threads about the Champion generator/inverter. We have had a chance to use it and so far i'm really impressed with it. It really is a quiet unit and you can not hear it inside with the AC running. It kicks off my 15000 btu AC with out hesitation. If the outside temps allow and we don't need the AC I turn on the "idle switch" which allows the unit to idle down with little load and that's nice. I paid $989.00 for the unit from an ebay retailer and they offered free shipping, best money I ever spent!!

mlts22 wrote:
The Champion 3100 watt model is a pull start with about half the size of a gas tank as the Yamaha. This means every four hours of A/C use, it will need to be refilled.

It is less than half the price of the 3000 watt Yamaha, so there are trade-offs.

Thinking about it, were I to buy a generator again, I'd probably skip the 3000 watt models and either go for a pair of paralled Honda eu2000s or a Yamaha 4500iSE which would more than easily handle the compressor inrush, even at high altitudes.

I believe you're referring to the Yamaha EF3000iS when comparing gas tank sizes (vs. the Champion 75531i 3100/2800). Is that a fair comparison? The EF3000iS costs and weighs almost twice as much as the Champion 75531i ($950 vs. $1900; 84 lbs vs. 150 lbs.).

Saying you'd recommend a pair of Honda EU2000's or Yamaha 4500iSE completely ignores the most important feature the Champion 75531i has to offer--its cost. A pair of Honda EU2000's are more than double the price, and the Yamaha 4500iSE, triple the price of a Champion 75531i 3100/2800 inverter generator.

The Yamaha EF2400iSHC was being compared to the Champion 75531i 3100/2800 inverter generator because the EF2400iSHC is the closest in capability (runs most 13,500 BTU a/c's), weight, noise level, and most importantly cost ($1000 vs. the Yamaha for $1400). FWIW, the Yamaha EF2400iSHC and Champion 75531i have the same size gas tank (1.6 gal).

The Champion 3100 watt model is a pull start with about half the size of a gas tank as the Yamaha. This means every four hours of A/C use, it will need to be refilled.

It is less than half the price of the 3000 watt Yamaha, so there are trade-offs.

Thinking about it, were I to buy a generator again, I'd probably skip the 3000 watt models and either go for a pair of paralled Honda eu2000s or a Yamaha 4500iSE which would more than easily handle the compressor inrush, even at high altitudes.

My 2 cents, we live at 5300 ft in elevation, give or take a couple hundred feet. I own both the yami 2400 and the champion 3500/4000 open frame gen sets. The Yamaha 2400 has a series of elevation jets from sea level to high elevation (available at Wise Sales) I have the series. when we go to Silverton and higher I rejet,come back home and rejet for mid elevation, It will not run the a/c at that elevation, (but you don't need it). the champion runs the a/c at higher elevations, no adjustments needed. the champion is a work horse. going on four years with it now. like Jim said you can't be using your converter to charge while your running your a/c.

When it comes to high altitude I can tell you that it takes a fair chunk of power away from the generator. Even using a 3500/4000 I have to be sure our battery isn't charging off of the converter before I try starting our 13.5 AC unit. That is at 9200 ft, the generator doesn't even burp at 5280 ft where we live. So if you plan on being at altitude I would suggest getting as much headroom as you can.
In our case a hard start capacitor and having the battery already charged up by solar should make a big difference for us.

DesertTracker wrote:
I have been researching gensets for the last couple of weeks and am down to the Yamaha 2400 or the Champion 3100W. I am replacing my 3500/4000 Elim that after six years seems to have a problem with my microwave; still runs the A/C reliably, but makes the microwave count in double time. I'm thinking frequency. Anyway, the only negative I have seen on the 3100W is at higher altitudes and needing to re-jet the carb. Only saw one comment on Amazon so maybe its an isolated incident. Since I live in the SoCal desert, I can be at sea level one weekend and 9000 ft. the next; re-jetting between runs would be a pain. Anyone have any experience with the 3100w at higher altitudes?
Thanks for any advice.

I'm also seriously considering the Yamaha EF2400iSHC and Champion 75531i 3100/2800 generators. Can't comment directly on the high altitude capability of these two; but, I would assume both engines would be affected in a similar fashion since they both have carburated engines. Assuming the same load (i.e., 13,500 BTU a/c), I believe the Champion 75531i 3100/2800 would fare the best at altitude since it supposedly has a higher continuous output (700-800 more) than the Yamaha EF2400iSHC. At least on paper the Champion would seem to have more headroom to accommodate a loss in power at altitude.

I've found several nearby stores that will allow me to demo the EF2400iSHC with the stipulation I purchase it if it sucessfully runs my 13,500 BTU a/c. Seems fair enough. There's also a few online retailers for the Champion 75531i that will allow a return, but you have to pay shipping both ways if you return it (approx. $100-$125). Right now, I'm leaning towards purchasing the Champion 75531i because of the higher continuous wattage rating (2800 vs. 2000 watts), portability (wheels & handle), and approx. $400 lower cost. I think it may be worth the $125 gamble to have a few days to make sure it will work for my needs.

Bottom line, until you plug any given generator into your RV, you'll never know for certain how it will perform. The odds are in your favor both generators will work just fine, but there are no guarantees. Unless you're willing to take a $1000-$1400 gamble, IMO a demo or return option is the only way to go.

I have been researching gensets for the last couple of weeks and am down to the Yamaha 2400 or the Champion 3100W. I am replacing my 3500/4000 Elim that after six years seems to have a problem with my microwave; still runs the A/C reliably, but makes the microwave count in double time. I'm thinking frequency. Anyway, the only negative I have seen on the 3100W is at higher altitudes and needing to re-jet the carb. Only saw one comment on Amazon so maybe its an isolated incident. Since I live in the SoCal desert, I can be at sea level one weekend and 9000 ft. the next; re-jetting between runs would be a pain. Anyone have any experience with the 3100w at higher altitudes?
Thanks for any advice.

JiminDenver wrote:
That is just a link to the same question unanswered with you suggesting a pair of Hondas.

Thanks.. I guess OurPlace was too busy with his new gen to answer my linked thread!.

2oldman wrote:
Same question

That is just a link to the same question unanswered with you suggesting a pair of Hondas.

Here is a first hand account of one in use.

click

Here is oe from the author of the 3000w generator thread, if anyone knows generators, it's this guy. (at bottom of page)

click

Wish you were closer! I have 4.3 kw ULTRA QUIET "Subaru/Robin" inverter with low hours for sale. (Ottawa Ontario Kijiji)
Gee, maybe I can't say that?