Champion 3100W Inverter/Generator...run 15K AC on Propane?

otrfun wrote:
Costco has an extremely liberal return policy. Time and time again, I've witnessed them offer full refunds on items after 6-12 months. Even if every person here said the Champion would run a 15k a/c on propane, that's still no guarantee that yours will. Too many variables. Buy the Champion from Costco. If it works to your satisfaction, fine. If it doesn't, simply return it

If there wasn't such an easy but better alternative perhaps I might agree but since there is, a 3400 watt Champ that is just that much more likely to be able to handle the OP's requirements, it doesn't make sense to go with the smaller 3100 watt, regardless of Costco's liberal return policy. As others have said, the smaller 3100 watt may suffice under ideal circumstances but when conditions are much less favourable the larger 3400 watt would unquestionably be the better choice. Go big or go home. :W

double post

Baja Man wrote:
Considering a Champion inverter/generator 3100W/2800W sold by Costco. It is a dual fuel model with gas/propane and electric start. I've read it will start AND run a 15K AC (with no capacitor mods). I want to know whether it will start and run same AC on propane.

Can anyone here confirm this?

Thanks!

Costco has an extremely liberal return policy. Time and time again, I've witnessed them offer full refunds on items after 6-12 months. Even if every person here said the Champion would run a 15k a/c on propane, that's still no guarantee that yours will. Too many variables. Buy the Champion from Costco. If it works to your satisfaction, fine. If it doesn't, simply return it

SoundGuy wrote:
Regardless of any testimonials you may receive the fact is every genset's performance will be significantly degraded by increases in elevation and ambient temperature. Running the genset on propane will additionally degrade it's performance, regardless of elevation and/or temperature. Any "capacitor mod" done to an A/C won't help it run, just help it start ... if it's a hard start cap like a Supco SPP6 that effect will be relatively minor, with a soft start kit like a Micro-Air Easy Start the effect will be significant.

Concur especially on the underlined items !

I have the 3400 watt and it will start the AC and run it on propane with everything else off to include lights and the frig running on propane. If I start with gas, everything else is good on electric minus the microwave. So I would say a 3100 watt would not start it on propane (maybe with a hard start capacitor on the AC). Now, I have not tried either gas or propane in higher altitudes.

On gasoline yes, do it all the time with our 15k, but on propane with the power loss may not.

I can only speak to my Champion 3500w(NOT duel fuel) mine will run 1- 15K AC and I am at 6000' I don't know if 3100 will per Champion use guide you need 3400 or higher

I'm looking at the Champions, too. We would only use this to run AC or charge batteries.

How important are covered outlets? Seems to me it's kind of a no-brainer.

20% less power from running on propane. I'd look at the 3400 watt (actually VA) champion instead--or start it on gasoline then transfer over to propane.

Baja Man wrote:
Considering a Champion inverter/generator 3100W/2800W sold by Costco. It is a dual fuel model with gas/propane and electric start. I've read it will start AND run a 15K AC (with no capacitor mods). I want to know whether it will start and run same AC on propane.

Can anyone here confirm this?

Regardless of any testimonials you may receive the fact is every genset's performance will be significantly degraded by increases in elevation and ambient temperature. Running the genset on propane will additionally degrade it's performance, regardless of elevation and/or temperature. Any "capacitor mod" done to an A/C won't help it run, just help it start ... if it's a hard start cap like a Supco SPP6 that effect will be relatively minor, with a soft start kit like a Micro-Air Easy Start the effect will be significant.