First Impression: Champion 75531i 3100 Inverter Generator
Spent a few months debating which inverter generator to purchase. My main priority was the ability to power the 13,500 BTU Dometic a/c unit on my new 2013 toy hauler. Like a lot of folks I did my fair share of googling and visiting various online forums collecting information.
If money was no object, I would have probably purchased one of the Honda or Yamaha 3000w inverter models (or a pair of the Honda/Yamaha 2000's). However, they're more than double the money. I seriously considered the Yamaha EF2400iSHC, but it cost about $400 more. Plus, I'd heard of a very small number of folks that were unable to power a 13,500 BTU a/c with their EF2400iSHC.
In any case, received my new Champion 75531i (3100w max/2800w rated) inverter generator from supergenproducts.com two days after I ordered it. Added some oil and fuel and it cranked up on the very first pull!
First impression? It's a bit loud under moderate/heavy load (with the 13,500 BTU a/c compressor on). I'd guess around 62 db or so (it's distinctly louder on the exhaust side of the generator). When the a/c compressor kicks off with the economy mode turned ON, the engine RPM's (and sound level) drop quite a bit--again, I'll take a guess and say down to around 57-58db. In any case, definitely not as quiet as the EF2400iSHC which I've used in the past. It's rated at 53-58db (no-load to full-load conditions). However, it's important to keep in mind the Champion 75531i is supposed to compete directly with the lighter, 80 lb. Honda EU3000IHAC "Handi" generator which has a db rating similar to the Champion 75531i. The Honda "Handi" should not be confused with the more common, **quieter**, much heavier, 134 lb. Honda EU3000ISAC. According to Champion tech support the 75531i is rated at 58db at 50% load. I've heard the Honda "Handi" before and I believe the 75531i's sound level is very comparable (under no-load and full-load conditions).
In terms of power handling capability, the Champion successfully handles the Dometic 13,500 BTU a/c compressor surge with the economy mode turned ON; however, the overload LED does flash momentarily everytime the compressor kicks on. FWIW, this was on a 100 degree day with high humidity. Voltage (measured with my Fluke inside the toy hauler) was steady at 124.5 volts with the frig on, converter on, a/c fan on high, and a/c compressor off. When the a/c compressor kicked on, the voltage readout on my Fluke became erratic for a split second then quickly stabilized at 123.4 volts (again, with the economy mode ON). Of course, with the economy mode turned OFF, there was much less voltage fluctuation when the compressor kicked on; however, the 75531i is continously 3 or 4 db louder and uses more fuel with the economy mode OFF. Lastly, even though Champion states clearly on the generator's box that the 75531i is not recommended for use with a circular saw, it did successfully power my Craftsman 13 amp circular saw (the overload LED flashes momentarily upon startup with economy mode turned both ON and OFF).
The build quality seems very good to excellent. The two wheels are rubber and not plastic, so it wheels around quietly. The two stationary handles on top are all plastic, but feel more than strong enough to support the full weight of the generator. There's a very large handle on the exhaust side that lifts up and allows you to wheel the generator around quickly and easily. This handle does flex a bit. Not sure how it will hold up with repeated use. The generator I received had a cracked handle and shroud from an overtightened bolt. I called Champion customer service and they've agreed to send me a replacement handle and shroud.
Bottom line, I think the Champion 75531i 3100w max/2800w rated inverter generator is a good buy at its current street price of $900-$950. From all indications, it appears Champion does a good job of backing up their products with good warranty service. I called them a few times to get technical info on the 75531i before this purchase and they were always very helpful and informative.
If money was no object, I would have probably purchased one of the Honda or Yamaha 3000w inverter models (or a pair of the Honda/Yamaha 2000's). However, they're more than double the money. I seriously considered the Yamaha EF2400iSHC, but it cost about $400 more. Plus, I'd heard of a very small number of folks that were unable to power a 13,500 BTU a/c with their EF2400iSHC.
In any case, received my new Champion 75531i (3100w max/2800w rated) inverter generator from supergenproducts.com two days after I ordered it. Added some oil and fuel and it cranked up on the very first pull!
First impression? It's a bit loud under moderate/heavy load (with the 13,500 BTU a/c compressor on). I'd guess around 62 db or so (it's distinctly louder on the exhaust side of the generator). When the a/c compressor kicks off with the economy mode turned ON, the engine RPM's (and sound level) drop quite a bit--again, I'll take a guess and say down to around 57-58db. In any case, definitely not as quiet as the EF2400iSHC which I've used in the past. It's rated at 53-58db (no-load to full-load conditions). However, it's important to keep in mind the Champion 75531i is supposed to compete directly with the lighter, 80 lb. Honda EU3000IHAC "Handi" generator which has a db rating similar to the Champion 75531i. The Honda "Handi" should not be confused with the more common, **quieter**, much heavier, 134 lb. Honda EU3000ISAC. According to Champion tech support the 75531i is rated at 58db at 50% load. I've heard the Honda "Handi" before and I believe the 75531i's sound level is very comparable (under no-load and full-load conditions).
In terms of power handling capability, the Champion successfully handles the Dometic 13,500 BTU a/c compressor surge with the economy mode turned ON; however, the overload LED does flash momentarily everytime the compressor kicks on. FWIW, this was on a 100 degree day with high humidity. Voltage (measured with my Fluke inside the toy hauler) was steady at 124.5 volts with the frig on, converter on, a/c fan on high, and a/c compressor off. When the a/c compressor kicked on, the voltage readout on my Fluke became erratic for a split second then quickly stabilized at 123.4 volts (again, with the economy mode ON). Of course, with the economy mode turned OFF, there was much less voltage fluctuation when the compressor kicked on; however, the 75531i is continously 3 or 4 db louder and uses more fuel with the economy mode OFF. Lastly, even though Champion states clearly on the generator's box that the 75531i is not recommended for use with a circular saw, it did successfully power my Craftsman 13 amp circular saw (the overload LED flashes momentarily upon startup with economy mode turned both ON and OFF).
The build quality seems very good to excellent. The two wheels are rubber and not plastic, so it wheels around quietly. The two stationary handles on top are all plastic, but feel more than strong enough to support the full weight of the generator. There's a very large handle on the exhaust side that lifts up and allows you to wheel the generator around quickly and easily. This handle does flex a bit. Not sure how it will hold up with repeated use. The generator I received had a cracked handle and shroud from an overtightened bolt. I called Champion customer service and they've agreed to send me a replacement handle and shroud.
Bottom line, I think the Champion 75531i 3100w max/2800w rated inverter generator is a good buy at its current street price of $900-$950. From all indications, it appears Champion does a good job of backing up their products with good warranty service. I called them a few times to get technical info on the 75531i before this purchase and they were always very helpful and informative.
