Champion 75531i 3100 watt Inverter Generator

[fx2tom]

I am looking this for SC321BHTS with 15k BTU AC. I have seen a few people who say it will power the 15k A/C unit. As far as I can tell it should. Any thoughts on it? Amazon has it for $850, free shipping

I was also looking at the Champion 46539 (400/3500) which I can pick up for about $400.

I will use it once or twice a year and won't convince my wife we need to spend the type of money for a Honda or Yamaha.

Ideas or thoughts?

[JiminDenver]

That can be corrected by not using the eco mode while running the air. You would still get the benefits while doing other things like charging.

[wwest]

There is a problem with running A/C with inverter/generators.

A/C compressor START-UP current flow/draw, more properly stated, RE-START current flow/draw with head pressure already elevated.

And...

The "old" style gensets always ran at a fixed RPM in order to produce 60Hz line frequency, less delay for opening the throttle to pickup the SUDDEN HUGE load demand caused by an A/C compressor motor re-starting.

Oftentimes the A/C motor CB might trip 3-4 times before the head pressure declined enough for the "slow" genset reaction to suffice.

Inverter genset engines might well be simply idling along producing 300-400W when the A/C motor needs to restart. Load requirement goes INSTANTLY to 3000W with an A/C restart.

Result: A/Csystem fails, internal CB open, shortly after warrantee period.

[JiminDenver]

Honestly if you can swing the extra for the 3100i, I would. I use the 3500/4000 because it can handle the altitudes I camp at but I would have loved having lighter, quieter and less gas consumption.

The 3500 works for us because we rarely use it and 99% of the time are not around others. In a dry campground we will rely on our solar and pray we don't need the air. Should a emergency happen I have a simple inclosure that knocks the noise down some but not much.

So if you plan on always camping as you are the 3500/4000 will do well for you. Take many gas cans to the desert because it is a thirsty beast when running the air. When we need air for more than a few hours a day we would go to a electric CG or higher up in altitude.

Since we can't use the 3100i, I replaced our original 3500 with the remote electric start model for $429 at Cabelas. Boy is that a nice feature and it comes with the wheels and handle so only $75 more than the basic model and wheel kit.

[chiefward]

I second the motion. Get the Champion 3500/4000 unit.

[hmknightnc]

fx2tom wrote:
Most of the time we use the TT at campgrounds. We have a couple very large sports tournaments each year the we are "overnight security" for and have the TT parked at the facility for a few days and are basically camping at the tournaments. Downside is no power. We're looking at one July 4 in the Southern California desert and I am thinking that I will have to have the generator there.

With that use I'd recommend the 3500/4000 unit
- sporting events, not quiet campgrounds
- less expensive for very little actual use
- it will run the 15k AirCon, no question

[fx2tom]

Most of the time we use the TT at campgrounds. We have a couple very large sports tournaments each year the we are "overnight security" for and have the TT parked at the facility for a few days and are basically camping at the tournaments. Downside is no power. We're looking at one July 4 in the Southern California desert and I am thinking that I will have to have the generator there.

[fla-gypsy]

Depends on where and how it will be used? I love my little 46540 4k/3.5k Champion. It will power my entire 30A TT but I only have it for emergency use not for normal camping. I find the power pedestal at the CG much quieter and economical.

[2oldman]

A lot of people ask about running air with a generator, but in reality I see very few people who ever actually do that. It's mostly by Class A's with built-ins.