I thought I'd post my intitial review of the Champion 75531i for anyone who is interested in one of these. I researched to death 3000w inverter generators. While I'd love to have a Honda or Yamaha, I just couldn't justify the price for the once or twice a year I would potentially use it at auto races or concert events. My main concern is if it would power my Outbacks's Coleman Mach 15,000btu AC unit, and if it did would I have any power left over. Luckily, the AC manufacturer has a great website that included its power specs. On paper it looked good but I was still worried about real world use. I finally decided to take a chance once I saw the unit on sale at Cabelas for $699. The employee that helped me also assured me they had a no questions asked return policy even if I put gas and oil in the unit. Yesterday I finally got the chance to give it a try. It started on the first pull. After initial break in I put it to the test. The unit easily handled the AC unit. I then began to add lights (I have LEDs), water pump, etc. I switched the fridge over to electric and the generator kept humming. I also turned on the fridge in the outdoor kitchen and the generator never stumbled. I cycled the air on and off with the load and the generator stumbled just a tiny bit when the compressor kicked on but then smoothed right out. I did not try the microwave because it seemed pretty clear that would cause an overload. Overall I am very impressed. It is reasonably quiet (I didn't have anything else to compare it to). Inside the trailer with the AC running I could not hear the generator. The design with the folding handle and large wheels is well thought out and makes moving and maneuvering the unit very easy. It seems to be very well built and so far I am very happy with my purchase.

Only used ours a couple of times so far but it has worked great.

is electric start an option?bumpy

Great to hear there is a viable alternative to red and blue options, and as you stated it is a no brainer to not pay 2-3 times the price for something that is used just a few times a year. Champion has a lot of happy customers across their product line, if I ever need another generator they will definitely be on my short list.

Turn all those other devices on first, then try to start your 15,000 BTU unit AC. Because AC units and their compressor, which is the big start up draw, cycle on and off, and that's when you need the power, not turning the AC unit on first, and then adding in the rest of the stuff.

Niner, Another way of putting it, is to say the AC compressor may cycle off while other normal loads are present then restart in normal fashion. This would cause a high-head restart, while other hotel loads are present?Also the converter/converter/perverter/charger was not mentioned in the hotel load scenario.My interest is to gain an appreciation of the capabilities of this particular generator.

Champion 75531i 3100w Inverter/Generator Initial Review

masonburdette
Explorer
Aug 20, 2015
Have not fully used ours yet but did a test run of the Champion 75531i inverter. Great product. My 2016 Outback has the Coleman 15k btu AC and it handles it great. My son will be using it to take the rig hunting in a month or so; that will be the real test. I expect this gem to handle everything just fine. :)
otrfun
Explorer II
May 20, 2015
Lantley wrote:
otrfun wrote:
joeyg wrote:
Doesn't it damage the generator to run High demand things, such as AC, with Eco mode ON? I have the Champion 3000i and the manual says NOT to use Eco mode with the AC on.
I suppose if you tried to operate a 13-15 amp circular saw (inductive load similar to an a/c compressor) in a construction environment, where you're cycling hundreds of times day, that could potentially cause "damage" with the Eco mode on. The constant ramping up and down of engine RPM's (and inrush current) would definitely stress components.

FWIW, I've run my a/c with a Champion 75531i (Eco mode on) for days at a time with no issues. I always enjoy that little bit of reprieve from the noise when the compressor turns off.

In any case, if it concerns you, and you don't mind the increased wear & tear (higher engine RPM), sound level, and fuel consumption that results from operating a generator with the Eco mode off, then by all means do so.

Given a choice I think I'd trust the manual.
I agree with you to a point.

When I'm in a position where I don't believe I fully understand the risks of a given decision I would agree. In these situations "trusting" the manual or other source would make sense.

On the other hand . . .
otrfun
Explorer II
May 20, 2015
MM49 wrote:
otrfun wrote:
All this talk about hard-start kits brings up an important point about the Champion 75531i.

The Champion 75531i is capable of producing more inrush current than one EU3000iS and a paralleled pair of EU2000i's. In a nutshell, a 75531i will start air conditioners that the Hondas cannot.
This sounds like a fools errant. Inverter technology all has protected outputs. What are you trying to prove? Your generator has the most risky protection strategy?
MM49
"Protection Strategy"?? "Protected Outputs"??? Please explain, thanks. What's foolish about having a lot of inrush capability?
MM49
Explorer
May 20, 2015
otrfun wrote:
All this talk about hard-start kits brings up an important point about the Champion 75531i.

The Champion 75531i is capable of producing more inrush current than one EU3000iS and a paralleled pair of EU2000i's. In a nutshell, a 75531i will start air conditioners that the Hondas cannot.
This sounds like a fools errant. Inverter technology all has protected outputs. What are you trying to prove? Your generator has the most risky protection strategy?
MM49
MEXICOWANDERER
Explorer
May 20, 2015
JiminDenver wrote:
I'd try one if I thought I could add a hard start and have it run the AC at 10'000 ft. Anyone want to loan me one. lol

Like running up a 30 degree slope wearing a gag with one nostril pinched off.
Lantley
Nomad
May 20, 2015
otrfun wrote:
joeyg wrote:
Doesn't it damage the generator to run High demand things, such as AC, with Eco mode ON? I have the Champion 3000i and the manual says NOT to use Eco mode with the AC on.
I suppose if you tried to operate a 13-15 amp circular saw (inductive load similar to an a/c compressor) in a construction environment, where you're cycling hundreds of times day, that could potentially cause "damage" with the Eco mode on. The constant ramping up and down of engine RPM's (and inrush current) would definitely stress components.

FWIW, I've run my a/c with a Champion 75531i (Eco mode on) for days at a time with no issues. I always enjoy that little bit of reprieve from the noise when the compressor turns off.

In any case, if it concerns you, and you don't mind the increased wear & tear (higher engine RPM), sound level, and fuel consumption that results from operating a generator with the Eco mode off, then by all means do so.

Given a choice I think I'd trust the manual.
otrfun
Explorer II
May 20, 2015
joeyg wrote:
Doesn't it damage the generator to run High demand things, such as AC, with Eco mode ON? I have the Champion 3000i and the manual says NOT to use Eco mode with the AC on.
I suppose if you tried to operate a 13-15 amp circular saw (inductive load similar to an a/c compressor) in a construction environment, where you're cycling hundreds of times day, that could potentially cause "damage" with the Eco mode on. The constant ramping up and down of engine RPM's (and inrush current) would definitely stress components.

FWIW, I've run my a/c with a Champion 75531i (Eco mode on) for days at a time with no issues. I always enjoy that little bit of reprieve from the noise when the compressor turns off.

In any case, if it concerns you, and you don't mind the increased wear & tear (higher engine RPM), sound level, and fuel consumption that results from operating a generator with the Eco mode off, then by all means do so.
joeyg
Explorer
May 20, 2015
Doesn't it damage the generator to run High demand things, such as AC, with Eco mode ON? I have the Champion 3000i and the manual says NOT to use Eco mode with the AC on.
otrfun
Explorer II
May 20, 2015
Lantley wrote:
pianotuna wrote:
Hi,

I'm not in the least surpized. Eco mode defaults to 1/4 output and it takes a finite amount of time for the engine to "spool up".

Now, if you had a hybrid inverter, you could quite probably run the air conditioner on a single 2k genny.

otrfun wrote:
The EU3000iS a distant 3rd. Surprisingly, one EU2000i with the Eco mode off can produce as much, sometimes slightly more, inrush current than an EU3000iS with the Eco mode on.

I'm not sure I understand the whole economy mode logic. If you need full power use full power . If you want less power use economy mode.
Is your thought/complaint economy mode is too economical and saves too much fuel?
Operating with the Economy mode off increases the generator's wear & tear, sound level, fuel consumption, and decreases your fun factor when you're camping. Once you've experienced (in the realworld) the benefits of running your generator with the Economy mode on--especially for long periods of time, the last thing you want to do is turn it off.
otrfun
Explorer II
May 20, 2015
pianotuna wrote:
Hi,

I'm not in the least surpized. Eco mode defaults to 1/4 output and it takes a finite amount of time for the engine to "spool up".

Now, if you had a hybrid inverter, you could quite probably run the air conditioner on a single 2k genny.

otrfun wrote:
The EU3000iS a distant 3rd. Surprisingly, one EU2000i with the Eco mode off can produce as much, sometimes slightly more, inrush current than an EU3000iS with the Eco mode on.
No, it's not surprising. But, what is surprising is the fact the Champion 75531i produces more inrush current than a paralleled pair of of EU2000i's.