I'm looking for a generator that is reliable, inexpensive and will run 13,500BTU AC, microwave, coffee maker, refrigerator and PC.I've been looking at the Champion generators and Camping World has one being offered on sale right now for $299. It's the Champion 3650 Watt Portable Generator, 49-StateCatalog Item # 95895. It produces 4500 starting watts and 3650 running watts and is only 98 pounds and noise level is 68 dB.There are no reviews on it so I don't know what to think. I have read reviews on the 7500W model and there is a guy that was running two 15kBTU AC's, microwave, refrigerator, big screen TV with DireTV receiver, yadda, yadda, yadda..... and all at the same time. I could do the 7500W but living alone means I'd be trying to set up a 220 pound generator by myself. The Honda's are way out of my price range and I get that they're very well made but they're not worth double the price, and sometimes more, of their competition. Is this too small for what I want to do and does anyone have experience with the Champion lineup? I've heard that they've redesigned their units to compete with Honda.

Go to Advanced search, type 'champion' in the keywords box, Tech issues forum. Many discussions.

Thanks for the suggestions but I thought this was a discussion forum and not a library. I can research on Google if I want to spend all that time. I'd rather "dicuss" it with people who have an interest in helping out.

Unless you want lots of noise and to burn twice as much gas as needed look at inverter generators. In eco mode engine speed is controlled by demand to conserve fuel, which also minimizes noise. Also the inexpensive models such as you listed have open frames, which makes them even louder.

Roadjunkie, You need to make your own value judgement. Champion is great for price. My experience says that their sound level measurements are off by some, and I know that their fuel consumption is higher than the inverter units. I also have heard (not first hand experience) that parts are not easy to source and that the basic quality is typical of Chinese products. By the rating, that unit will do a lot, but not all at once. It is inexpensive enough that it will tell you if it fills your needs. Just be sure to do the prescribed maintenance and it will last long enough. It is unlikely your ownership will be problem free. Change the oil, and drain the gas when you aren't using it and it will be good for a long time. True, it probably won't last like an Onan or a Honda, but you can wear out a few before you would have paid for a Honda. Matt

Thanks kerrlakeroo.... They're also twice the price of the open frame units and I can't think of any reason that I would want to convert 120V to 12V. Isn't that the only difference in a generator/inverter combo. If I had deep pockets, which I don't, I'd go for the smaller, enclosed units like the Honda or Yamaha. Even Champion has some of the smaller enclosed inverter combos but they're quadruple the price for half to wattage.I'm really hoping to hear from those who have used a generator similar to this one; open framed and around 3500W to 4000W.kerrlakeroo wrote:Unless you want lots of noise and to burn twice as much gas as needed look at inverter generators. In eco mode engine speed is controlled by demand to conserve fuel, which also minimizes noise. Also the inexpensive models such as you listed have open frames, which makes them even louder.

Generator Questionds | Good Sam Community

roadjunkie
Explorer
Jun 27, 2017
Do you think that the 2000W models are big enough for what I need. I don't know what I can realistically expect from a 2000W generator. Can I expect to run the 13,500k BTU AC and the microwave or coffee maker or would I need to turn something off? Is it going to run the refrigerator and AC? Having no experience with generators, these are questions I have.

Acampingwewillgo wrote:
The Champion Generator's generally are considered to me less noisy than the contractor type open frame generators. Many RV'ers use the Champion generators and for an inexpensive alternative, they get the job done. I have one from year's ago but I also purchased one of their Inverter Generator's when they first came out(2000 watt) and I've been very happy with both of them!
roadjunkie
Explorer
Jun 27, 2017
Good points, Matt. I've been looking at models but wasn't aware that they were Chinese made. I was told by a salesperson on the phone at Camping World that they were U.S. made. I don't buy Chinese products because they usually end up being returned with problems.

Matt_Colie wrote:
Roadjunkie,

You need to make your own value judgement.

Champion is great for price.
My experience says that their sound level measurements are off by some, and I know that their fuel consumption is higher than the inverter units. I also have heard (not first hand experience) that parts are not easy to source and that the basic quality is typical of Chinese products.

By the rating, that unit will do a lot, but not all at once.

It is inexpensive enough that it will tell you if it fills your needs. Just be sure to do the prescribed maintenance and it will last long enough. It is unlikely your ownership will be problem free. Change the oil, and drain the gas when you aren't using it and it will be good for a long time. True, it probably won't last like an Onan or a Honda, but you can wear out a few before you would have paid for a Honda.

Matt
Acampingwewillg
Explorer II
Jun 27, 2017
The Champion Generator's generally are considered to me less noisy than the contractor type open frame generators. Many RV'ers use the Champion generators and for an inexpensive alternative, they get the job done. I have one from year's ago but I also purchased one of their Inverter Generator's when they first came out(2000 watt) and I've been very happy with both of them!
roadjunkie
Explorer
Jun 27, 2017
Thanks kerrlakeroo.... They're also twice the price of the open frame units and I can't think of any reason that I would want to convert 120V to 12V. Isn't that the only difference in a generator/inverter combo. If I had deep pockets, which I don't, I'd go for the smaller, enclosed units like the Honda or Yamaha. Even Champion has some of the smaller enclosed inverter combos but they're quadruple the price for half to wattage.

I'm really hoping to hear from those who have used a generator similar to this one; open framed and around 3500W to 4000W.

kerrlakeroo wrote:
Unless you want lots of noise and to burn twice as much gas as needed look at inverter generators. In eco mode engine speed is controlled by demand to conserve fuel, which also minimizes noise.
Also the inexpensive models such as you listed have open frames, which makes them even louder.
Matt_Colie
Explorer II
Jun 27, 2017
Roadjunkie,

You need to make your own value judgement.

Champion is great for price.
My experience says that their sound level measurements are off by some, and I know that their fuel consumption is higher than the inverter units. I also have heard (not first hand experience) that parts are not easy to source and that the basic quality is typical of Chinese products.

By the rating, that unit will do a lot, but not all at once.

It is inexpensive enough that it will tell you if it fills your needs. Just be sure to do the prescribed maintenance and it will last long enough. It is unlikely your ownership will be problem free. Change the oil, and drain the gas when you aren't using it and it will be good for a long time. True, it probably won't last like an Onan or a Honda, but you can wear out a few before you would have paid for a Honda.

Matt
kerrlakeRoo
Explorer
Jun 27, 2017
Unless you want lots of noise and to burn twice as much gas as needed look at inverter generators. In eco mode engine speed is controlled by demand to conserve fuel, which also minimizes noise.
Also the inexpensive models such as you listed have open frames, which makes them even louder.
roadjunkie
Explorer
Jun 27, 2017
Thanks for the suggestions but I thought this was a discussion forum and not a library. I can research on Google if I want to spend all that time. I'd rather "dicuss" it with people who have an interest in helping out.
2oldman
Explorer II
Jun 27, 2017
Go to Advanced search, type 'champion' in the keywords box, Tech issues forum. Many discussions.

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