READ my experience with a Champion generator.Not bashing it but giving my exp as a soon to be former Champion owner.
I believe talk is cheap and the proof is in the product.
Garage kept & never been exposed to the elements.When used it sometimes ran 6-8 hrs/day.
Purchased Nov 2011 (less than 1 yr old)
Model 41532 HEAVY DUTY(as classified on the Champion website)7000w/9000w
Total Hours used: 425-450 (not sure as meter quit)
Generator usage: Personal,powering RV,freezer/fridge during power outage,power tools/saw to build small cabin.
Hrs used & PROBLEMS
67 hr- Air breathe vibrated off(broke)at point of connection(fixed with J B weld)
81 hr- AVR (auto volt regulator)left us camping without power.Champion replaced it under warranty.
200 hr-won't start and noticed brass fillings on carb.Wear is from a brass pin that controls carb and auto choke which has worn off.
Champion replaced under warranty.
425 hrs- Volt/hour meter quit. Choke lever is loose about to fall off. Once AGAIN brass filings accumulating and appears the pin that holds and controls the choke is not holding up.
I called Champion for warranty replacement and was told I could buy the broken parts as these generators are not intended for 'commercial' use OR to be used for 'primary' power such as building your cabin. WHAT?
I rechecked their website to confirm this model is classified as 1 of the 3'Heavy Duty' models.I have never used it commercially.It did run 6-8 hrs/day while building my cabin which is a tank of gas @ 50% load(as stated in manual) but that shouldn't be asking too much as I have friends with Coleman and Generac brands who use their gens as much without any problems!
Basically what it boils down to is this. Champion told me I have put too many hours on my generator before the warranty has expired and they weaseled out of coverage because somewhere in the manual it says not to use as primary power source.WARNING! The quality of these Chinese products aren't made to last more than 200 hrs use before problems occur.They calculate the odds are that most will be out of warranty and you will have to buy these replacement parts.
This is simply my experience in which I would not purchase a Champion product if you're wanting quality.
