Opinions on 2800w Champion Generator

[Ron3rd]

My kids are looking for a new generator to go with their new 5th wheel trailer. Not interested in running the a/c, will use it mostly for charging their batteries.

Looking for owners who have the Champion 2800 inverter genny. Costco has it for $699


While I love my 14 year old Honda EU2000, this Champion looks like great value for the money and has a bit more power for the $$

Any owners with good or bad to say about this genny?

[MrWizard]

Yes
The choke is automatic when using the remote

[wanderingbob]

Can you engage the choke with the remote ?

[ctilsie242]

I would personally go for the dual-fuel 3200/3500 watt dual fuel inverter generator. Main reason is that for storage, you can drain the gas, then run it on propane for a few minutes, so the carb bowl doesn't get full of varnish.

[DiskDoctr]

Daveevans wrote:
As for the 2800 I am unable to speak from experience on that model but if it is anything like the 3100w then the kids will have no problems with it.

I believe the 2800 and 3100 are the SAME generator. 2800w is the continuous rating, 3100w is the surge. Some retailers requested the continuous vs surge rating be on the decals/name.

At least that is the response I got when I asked that question 😉

[Ron3rd]

Great info. Thanks!

[Daveevans]

I agree with Sandia Man. Champion Power Equipment is great value for money. They are sound alternatives to the Honda's and Yamaha's.
As for the 2800 I am unable to speak from experience on that model but if it is anything like the 3100w then the kids will have no problems with it. I have also found Champion has excellent customer service.
I would recommend looking into the 3100W unit. They have the wireless startup option that Sandia mentioned as well as a manual recoil start for a lesser price. I must say though the wireless startup is quite the luxury and it is equipped with (I believe) a 15 second delay with enables you to leave your electronics plugged in during startup and shutdown.
Here's a link to a review I found really helpful;

Champion 75537i 3100W Inverter Review

The website also has an info page on inverters that I found useful
Hope this helps and all the best!
Dave

[Sandia_Man]

Picked one up about this time last year and it has been a workhorse to say the least. We have the 3100 watt remote start version and it runs our rig's AC unit without a hint of duress, even on eco-mode. Have run it over 8K' elevation without issue.

We already have an Onan onboard that runs our entire rig as if plugged into shorepower, capable of providing 33 amps, it is major overkill most of the time unless AC or other heavy current draw items are in need of power. Rock solid service for nearly a decade.

Last April we saw a deal we couldn't pass up on the Champion 3100 with remote start and quickly purchased it. Our Onan has made us too lazy to actually start our own generator manually, and having to go outside to do so is something we are not willing to deal with.

We have solar that reduces our need to use genny for battery charging, but we often camp in extreme weather where our generators experience the most usage. Haven't had to rely on the Onan as our Champion has met all demands since, we still use Onan from time to time to keep her exercised.

[DiskDoctr]

We just got a 3100 (2800 constant) with electric start and remote.

Haven't used it yet. Was going to try it out this past week, but then decided it would be better to get NEW gas for it.

This < 6 months gas storage life is heck on all kinds of small engines.

We're going to use about 10 gallons of gas as bonfire starter so we can get FRESH gasoline.

That is the #1 thing I'd say about any generator- ALWAYS use fresh gas.

Why the rant? Well, if you use old gas in your generator, you'll be wondering why nobody pointed out that "landmine" when you asked for some advice 😉

Good luck on your choice!

[pianotuna]

I'd buy the 3400 watt with remote electric start.

[RoyB]

If they are Inverter type Generators then they will run the quietest... The Built-in Inverter process produces good clean 120VAC voltages and are well regulated for their specified wattage rating... The older generator technology is you have to change the generator speeds per-say to maintain good output AC voltage regulation...

What you don't want to get is one of those much cheaper contractor type generators which will be very loud. If it is too loud then you will be told to shut it down haha...

Running generator at public campground is all controlled by the camp grounds for the times available to use and such... You just can't show up and run your generator for the most part. Some public camp ground even have certain places where you can run the generator. You can bet on It won't be the ocean front view sites...

Out West it seems the restrictions on using the generators is much relaxed. Here on the East side of the US you really need to check the camp ground to see what the rules are.

Even when we camp here on the East side in the Natl Forest areas we run into generator run time restrictions... The East side has very few what is called DISPERSED CAMPING where anything goes... Out West the country side is full of DISPERSED CAMPING locations... Some of the East side Public Hatl Forest areas are just now starting to allow the generators to be used from 8AM to 8PM... Most public places still have the 8AM to 10AM and then again 4:30 PM to 8PM perhaps each day... No where we have found here on the East side where a generator can be run at a public place after 8PM at night and before 8Am the next morning. You can do this at private places like NASCAR but not at the public camping areas. I guess the public camp grounds can chose what times they want the generators to be run - there is no laws that I know of that regulate generator use...

Just alot of things to consider when wanting to run a generator... Solar panels and large battery banks is much quieter but you still will need a smaller generator to charge the batteries when you have no high sun days...

Got to blend in with all the public folks haha...

Roy ken

[Ron3rd]

Thanks for the input folks!

[cubbear]

I have the champion 3100 starting watts with remote runs air and micro no problem more than need for just charging batteries

[MrWizard]

Very good piece of equipment, I put over 4000 hours on champion 2600
Then bought the new model on general principle, that the old was wearing a little and it might be a really hot summer, and a new one with a few extra watts would be nice, I got the remote electric start model

[corvettekent]

I bought a Champion from Costco a few years ago. I put the oil and fuel in it started it up and it ran great. I then shut it off put in my garage and closed the door. The next day when I opened the door fuel was all over the garage floor.

I returned it to Costco and bought a Honda.