Anyone own a Champion Generator?

[Maxtar]

For anyone who owns this brand how about a review? I know they are louder than the Honda's, but how about reliability? (That would be my main concern.)

[buzzard616]

I just noticed in the January 2013, Consumer Reports magazine, that there is a recall on some of the Champions.

Affected models

Model # 41532 – 9000 Watt / 7000 Watt
Model # 41332 – 8250 Watt / 6500 Watt

Stu

[Lantley]

NC Hauler wrote:

Grodyman wrote:
I don't own one, but I think they would be fine for a construction site.

Evidently you know very little about the yellow Champion generators, they are no where near as loud as the commercial construction site type generators....But believe what you want to believe...it appears those that own these generators are below the elitist that look down their noses at those of us who own one...I'd know the product before I would comment on it. I know the Yamaha's and Honda's...Very, Very good generators and very quiet...can't say anything bad about them...just more expensive...so when looking for a standby generator for home or camp IF there is a power outage, (I don't boon dock)....then I'd get a Champion. IF I were going to boon dock and use the generator more often than not...I'd recommend a Honda or Yamaha and a few others out there, Onan and so on, BUT as standby power, Easily a champion is better and much quieter than the generator you're recommending for a construction site....sorry I offend you by not having purchased a higher end generator...It appears in some of the threads on these generators we have a whole new class of campers coming out that seem to think they're better than others.

sad, really sad...

That elitist term gets thrown around a lot. By the way Joe Flacco is now an Elite QB:B
Back on topic. If you are getting a genset for camping. I believe it should be as quiet as possible which equates to an inverter type.
I agree a Champion is a decent product I question if it is suitable for camping use around others.
Ultimately the louder genset has the potential to disturb others. Keeping the peace and quiet is a bigger priority for me than saving $$.
The true elitist feel any genset including inverter types disturb the camping peace. I'll settle in the middle as I believe gensets are OK but you should use the quietest technology available if you are in ear shot of others.
Champions are a viable alternative to the red and blue as long we are talking the inverter quiet type of genset and not the standard open frame style.
Go Ravens !!!

[NC_Hauler]

Grodyman wrote:
I don't own one, but I think they would be fine for a construction site.

Evidently you know very little about the yellow Champion generators, they are no where near as loud as the commercial construction site type generators....But believe what you want to believe...it appears those that own these generators are below the elitist that look down their noses at those of us who own one...I'd know the product before I would comment on it. I know the Yamaha's and Honda's...Very, Very good generators and very quiet...can't say anything bad about them...just more expensive...so when looking for a standby generator for home or camp IF there is a power outage, (I don't boon dock)....then I'd get a Champion. IF I were going to boon dock and use the generator more often than not...I'd recommend a Honda or Yamaha and a few others out there, Onan and so on, BUT as standby power, Easily a champion is better and much quieter than the generator you're recommending for a construction site....sorry I offend you by not having purchased a higher end generator...It appears in some of the threads on these generators we have a whole new class of campers coming out that seem to think they're better than others.

sad, really sad...

[Grodyman]

I don't own one, but I think they would be fine for a construction site.

[TUCQUALA]

"It's about time for another Walmart thread too" I'll second that!!

Looks like a new controversy starting in the General RVing forum aboot wifi & cell phones in Nat Parks!! I'm sure the purists will keep it alive for a good amount of time!!

Oh, but I'm sorry, this off topic.

[2oldman]

It's about time for another Walmart thread too.

[TUCQUALA]

Should have the noise police on here shortly too!! You know that "any" generator thread will bring them out in the open to complain.

I have a 2000 & a 3500/4000 Champion, I try to use the 2000 up in the woods, and save the big one for when I'm hoping I'll be camped near one of the complainers!!!

[Ric_Flair]

I have the 3500/4000. Used it when I had my fiver. Best $300 I ever spent.

[NC_Hauler]

steiny93 wrote:

2oldman wrote:

JiminDenver wrote:
I figured this would become a Honda/Yamaha vs Champion thread. Sigh

They always do... over and over.

as that's always the question; how close to the gold standard are the cheap ones

I totally get it; I went through the exact same decision process.

In our 'crew' we have all the players Honda/Yamaha/champion/kipor all in the 2000. We've run them side by side and for extended periods in pretty harsh conditions. (hot and humid as well as terrible cold)

Personally I can't really tell the difference between the Honda/Yamaha. But anyone can tell the difference to the rest (noise / issues / etc).

The question; are those differences worth the uptick in regards to the price. This would totally depend on your usage and willingness to put up with the issues.

Oh; the other difference we've noticed between the champion and the Honda is fuel use. The Honda uses somewhere between 30-50% less. Not a big deal until you are refueling in -20 with a 25mph wind.

Thing is, I haven't seen the issues you speak of ....Most KNOW that the Honda's and Yamahas are better and quieter, thus the reason they're so much more expensive. But again, I haven't seen all these issues you talk about "putting up with", to more or less, save a buck...not like it's being used at ANY TIME, in my case unless, and I will say it again, There is a power outage...you act as though these generators will be fired up every day, any time, any where for day's on end, which in reality, is a bit silly, unless there was an extended power outage, and at that point, I really don't think someone would comdemn someone for using a Champion generator to stay warm, keep their food fresh and have lights at night time.

Don't really understand what the big deal is about -20 and 25 mph wind....this past summer, wind was blowing at 55 plus mph and wrecked havoc in WV and VA...power out for a week or better....generator was refueled in 55 mph wind and pouring rain, temp wasn't cold though....don't know what that has to do with anything..but if it's a way or reason to deter someone from purchasing a cheaper generator that will do the job, then more power to you. In an EMERGENCY, hope I'm not going to have to answer to you about using my generator to make life just a little better for my family....

Again, haven't seen or experienced any of the issues you speak up just to hype up the Honda or Yamaha...some people don't have that kind of money for a generator, surely you're not going to "look down your nose at them" if they don't purchase the more expensive Yamaha or Honda generator , are you??

[steiny93]

2oldman wrote:

JiminDenver wrote:
I figured this would become a Honda/Yamaha vs Champion thread. Sigh

They always do... over and over.

as that's always the question; how close to the gold standard are the cheap ones

I totally get it; I went through the exact same decision process.

In our 'crew' we have all the players Honda/Yamaha/champion/kipor all in the 2000. We've run them side by side and for extended periods in pretty harsh conditions. (hot and humid as well as terrible cold)

Personally I can't really tell the difference between the Honda/Yamaha. But anyone can tell the difference to the rest (noise / issues / etc).

The question; are those differences worth the uptick in regards to the price. This would totally depend on your usage and willingness to put up with the issues.

Oh; the other difference we've noticed between the champion and the Honda is fuel use. The Honda uses somewhere between 30-50% less. Not a big deal until you are refueling in -20 with a 25mph wind.

[2oldman]

JiminDenver wrote:
I figured this would become a Honda/Yamaha vs Champion thread. Sigh

They always do... over and over.

[JiminDenver]

I figured this would become a Honda/Yamaha vs Champion thread. Sigh

Are the Champs perfect, no. Search the forum for problems with the big names and you will find they are not perfect either.

Still for the money saved, the vast majority of people that use the Champs are happy with them even if they are inferior to the big names. Mine may not be as good, but it fills my needs and that is good enough not to have to spend the big bucks on the big names.

BTW I am the third owner of my older 3500/4000. The original owner used it to run his trailer. He sold the both to the second owner that used it to run that and after he sold the trailer, he used it to run his cabin. By it's appearance and the oil that came out when I changed it, I can tell you it was not pampered. Still it starts with one or two pulls every time if it's below freezing or 100 outside. It'll run our AC at 5280 ft and even 9200 ft as long as the converter isn't pulling power to charge the battery. A good buy for $62 used. I'd buy another tomorrow if it died, that is unless the new Champion 3100 inverter model proves to be as dependable. Then I might spend the $899 for it.
Actually come to think of it, my solar will do the charging and any inverter model will have to ramp up to run the AC, especially up there, so I may not be gaining much for the money spent considering the need for AC at that altitude is rare.

[NC_Hauler]

steiny93 wrote:
I have a pair of the Honda 2000's; a close friend just purchased a pair of the champion 2000's.

We ice fish together a lot; I've been using my Honda's for about 3 years now without issue. Keep in mind we are running these gensets for days on end in -20's degree F temps. (pre wind chill)

The Honda's always just work

Both of his champions have been giving him trouble; typically they quit running and need to be restarted several times a day. Additionally if they get cold they will not output 120v until they warm up a bit. Neither of these issues have appeared in the Honda's or the Yamaha 2000 which another of our buddies has.

Perhaps it's the extreme cold that is giving the champions trouble; but they definitely are not performing as well as the Honda or Yamaha versions.

Well, a Champion WILL cost substantially less than a Honda or a Yamaha....I will admit I've not had either the 3500/4000 or the 7500/9000 in no where near the cold one would experience in Fargo, but having worked both in single digit temps, and the 3500/4000 in a little below zero temps, I never had the first problem with not being able to start one or keep it running, but do use Stabil in both during the winter months.

Again, a 3500/4000 can be had for $290 at times with free shipping from Camping World. I paid $799 for the 7500/9000 with free shipping...and again, are only used during power outages....They are louder than the much more expensive Honda or Yamaha gens, but a lot quieter than the commercial gen sets that contractors will use. IF one was going to use the generator a lot while boon docking, I would recommend a quieter generator if for no other reason than to keep peace with the neighbors...My generator is used strictly for power outages while camping or at home.

[steiny93]

I have a pair of the Honda 2000's; a close friend just purchased a pair of the champion 2000's.

We ice fish together a lot; I've been using my Honda's for about 3 years now without issue. Keep in mind we are running these gensets for days on end in -20's degree F temps. (pre wind chill)

The Honda's always just work

Both of his champions have been giving him trouble; typically they quit running and need to be restarted several times a day. Additionally if they get cold they will not output 120v until they warm up a bit. Neither of these issues have appeared in the Honda's or the Yamaha 2000 which another of our buddies has.

Perhaps it's the extreme cold that is giving the champions trouble; but they definitely are not performing as well as the Honda or Yamaha versions.

[catallison777]

I don't own one personally, but i can tell you I have heard nothing but good things about champion. From the customer support to reliability. They also are priced very well.