Champion generator

[1handyhubby]

I've been saving for a Honda generator (2000i companion) for a while now because several people have recommended them. 1friend recommended a Ryobi and today I was looking at a Champion generator at Costco. $400 cheaper and 1db less than the Honda which is 59 db. Anyone here have any first hand experience with the Champion? It's rated at 2,800. Saving money is always good but I'm a bigger fan of reliability. Thanks.

[TomG2]

Champion owner service is legendary for its good support. Champions are legendary for their one pull starts. They make many models, from some as quiet as any, to those a lot louder. Their detractors like to label any yellow generator a contractor generator. Having been a contractor who owned dozens of generators, including 1000 watt Honda's, there are none that are quiet enough for some settings and others that cannot be heard over the roar of a NASCAR race. Look at the ratings. Use your own ears. If those are not available, refer to the forums.

[bikendan]

oomkin wrote:
I am contemplating buying a Champion generator. The documentation and information on the Champion web site looks good. I like the manuals with parts diagrams and wiring diagrams and such.

The particular generator I am looking at is not listed on Champion's web site. This one from Costco in Canada:
http://www.costco.ca/CHAMPION-5500W-GENERATOR-6500W-PEAK.product.100059944.html
This is a 5,500-watt electric start model, with the Intelligence. I can't find a matching model on the Champion web site and the Costco site does not give a specific model number. Does anyone know how to get the specific manual for this model? I expect it's similar to the 6,500-watt model 41351, but I would like to see the specific manual if I can.

The Champions are all made in China, it seems. Any obvious quality problems with them?

Are the engines from any particular known OEM? Are they standardized in any way? If Champion pulls out of the market or drops models, do you suppose I will be able to get a Golden Lucky Singhua Brand (or whatever) low-oil cutout switch (or whatever) in 10 year's time?

Thank you in advance

There are literally thousands of threads about Champion products, in the Tech Issues forum here.
The longest thread on RV.net, is about the Champion 3500w/4000w open-frame contractor-style generators.
Visit that forum and you'll get all the information you need.

[smarty]

to me the most important element of this decision is the noise level. my experience camping is that Honda can't be beat in that category.

[Groover]

Quite a few of the larger Champions offer wireless remote start. That can be a really handy feature for a camper.

[oomkin]

I am contemplating buying a Champion generator. The documentation and information on the Champion web site looks good. I like the manuals with parts diagrams and wiring diagrams and such.

The particular generator I am looking at is not listed on Champion's web site. This one from Costco in Canada:
http://www.costco.ca/CHAMPION-5500W-GENERATOR-6500W-PEAK.product.100059944.html
This is a 5,500-watt electric start model, with the Intelligence. I can't find a matching model on the Champion web site and the Costco site does not give a specific model number. Does anyone know how to get the specific manual for this model? I expect it's similar to the 6,500-watt model 41351, but I would like to see the specific manual if I can.

The Champions are all made in China, it seems. Any obvious quality problems with them?

Are the engines from any particular known OEM? Are they standardized in any way? If Champion pulls out of the market or drops models, do you suppose I will be able to get a Golden Lucky Singhua Brand (or whatever) low-oil cutout switch (or whatever) in 10 year's time?

Thank you in advance

[kevden]

I have a champion 76530 2800w/3500w open frame propane powered gen. It is not quiet, but works great and never any problems with old gas gumming up the carb. Once yearly oil change, but the oil that comes out looks brand new bc lp burns so clean.

[fla-gypsy]

The Champion inverter models are good units and much cheaper

[Sandia_Man]

If you are talking about the Costco 2800 which is a rebranded Champion 3100 watt inverter generator, it is a solid choice and will deliver rated power to easily run most single AC units. We purchased the remote start version of the Champion 3100 inverter genny and it runs our AC unit in eco-mode without issue, even when camping at 7500 elevation.

Champion customer service is second to none should you need it under warranty. Although our Champion 3100 genny ran OK at higher elevations, one quick call and they readily sent out a high altitude jet which I received just a couple of days later. It's great knowing they will be there for years to come and their parts are very reasonably priced should I need them beyond the warranty.

[Foy_R__Smith]

I to have a Champion 4000/3500 with 30 amp RV plug, 120/220 volt. I bought it new at Tractor Supply in 2013 for $300 + tax. We boondock camped 54+ days that year. I always check the oil, 1st and fill her up with gas. I was pleasantly surprised at how little gas it uses when not running the AC! We ran the AC when needed and watched a movie at night to keep up our batteries! The electricity is clean enough to run our TV and computers with no problems at all! I have done nothing but change the oil when needed except, for when I broke the recoil rope, when I pull the rope a little too hard in the winter time! Just choke, summer or winter, pull the rope 1 time, take the choke off and she purrs like a baby! Love it! The exhaust is not quiet bad not too loud either! We love it! Works for us, perfect!

[wa8yxm]

First. Be sure you are comparing Inverter to Inverter.. The Open Frame jobs are generally NOT inverter and not all enclosed are Inverter (though the non-inverter enclosed ones tend to be 1,000 watts or less).

When Champion first came out with Inverter generators they had some serious issues,, Typical of products from China, quality control was lacking.. They had to replace a rather large number under warranty..

That was, however, some years ago,, Since then they seem to be a decent product and I'v enot been reading a lot of complaints against them... Though I would recommend a Honda EU-2000i-Companion or a Yahama EF-2400i.. I can not recommend AGAINST the Champion or the Robi. Id just rather go with the quality unit.

Honda's do have one feature no other portable generator has (that I know of) and that is the Extended Run Fuel Tank... You see, to use that tank you need a fuel pump, Honda has one.. Others are gravity feed.

[skiles]

We have the Costco Champion 2800 and so far I am quite pleased. It was purchased last October. We were loading up for a trip last week and I used it to run the AC as it was over 90 outside. It had no problems running the AC for a couple hours straight until the inside cooled off. A full tank of gas lasted just over 4 hours in those conditions. Next option is adding the external fuel tank. I would certainly buy another one if needed.

[bbaker2001]

we had the Costco champion, really liked it, but it would not run my microwave. my Honda will. if had to do it over, I would have stayed with the champion. don't use microwave that often. I put the two side by side for sound, and like the champion.
cheaper and just as good

[exhaustipated]

I also have the Champion 2000 watt portable inverter generator and I've never had a problem at all with it over the last several years since I bought her. Mine has always started for me on the first pull and runs like a champ and I run her on eco mode most of the time. I also see no reason to spend more than twice the money for a Honda or Yamaha unless it's burning a hole in your pocket and looking for prestige.

[BC_Explorer]

The Champion 2000i generators are great as are the bigger 3100 watt models. I own a 2000i and is probably one of the better camping purchases I have made in recent years.

Both the 2000 and 3100 models have a switch for econo mode and will auto power up as the load increases.

If I were in need to upgrade, I would not hesitate to purchase a 3100.

Here is the The Official unofficial CPE 2000i Generator Thread. Nearly 300 pages of reading!

[dewey02]

X2 on the Champion 2000i. We've had one for a few years and it has worked well. It always starts. Perhaps not the gold standard of the Honda, but for way less money, I can be happy with a cubic zirconia! 🙂