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Inverter Generator

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bczoom

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I've been thinking about getting one as I hear they work well but with the pile of gensets I already have, coupled with the high price of these things, I couldn't justify.

So I'm walking around Costco the other day as I knew I needed something from there but had to just walk around as I didn't recall what it was.

Sitting there on the shelf was a Champion 2000w Inverter Generator. Yea, I know, they're not as good as the Honda, but the reviews I've read on all online stores rate the Champion's very high. It's a "few times a year" genset so I'm not worried about it.

Hmmm, no price. No boxed ones, just that display generator sitting on the shelf. Curiosity got me so I went up front and talked to a manager to see what they could do on the display model. She said $60 off their price of $400. I told her OK, if she can find the box, manuals and cables. She couldn't find them. We haggled down to $300 and I said I would take it.

Brought it home, added fuel and oil and it fired up and purred nicely on the first pull. VERY QUIET. Grabbed my 40 year-old belt sander and powered it up. From idle, it raised the RPM's some, but just the right amount to generate what was needed based on the load.

So, I'm liking it. I just looked online and it appears the going price is $700 most everywhere online. Wouldn't have bought it for that price but I think I did well.

I see this thing spending time riding in the back of the RTV with an extension cord and sawzall so I can do some trimming at the trails. (The stuff that's too small for the chainsaw).

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bczoom...I think you got a deal on that...as i've been looking around for some thing to have ..when power is not avaliable...It's not a honda but seems suffient...just went and read some reviews and found this video...seems to be doing everything this guy wanted... [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Y79u3oac54"]Champion 2000 Inverter Generator - YouTube[/ame] ...Don't know but i'm sure his camper air might be 220..(maybe not)?..Seems like a nice unit to me..
 
His A/C unit had to be 110v. This genset doesn't have 220v.

Maybe I had the audio up too high on my computer but I'm actually a bit surprised you could hear the generator outside. I could easily speak to someone without raising my voice while standing right next to it.

For 220v and/or a bit higher amp requirements, I have a couple of these. They're really quiet as well.

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loboloco said:
My BIL has gone thru three Champion Gensets in three years. Not really sold on their quality.
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I obviously don't like to hear that.

What was the issue? Was there a trend? How much does he use it?

BTW, the guy in the video didn't use the fuel shut off. I use those religiously and let it run until it quits. That crap ethanol stuff likes to eat carbs. 2 ATV's and my rototiller wouldn't run right after the winter. Drained the fuel and replaced with new and they were much better.
 
Used 8-10 hrs per day, appr 10 days at a time, with a 4 day break. It was installed on a road tractor to provide power during DOT mandate down time. On the first one the motor gave out, the other two, the generator itself packed up and quit. 3500/4000w. He now has a Centurion 3550w. But hasn't really ran it long enough to get a good idea on how it runs.
 
Just before I retired I got involved with various inverter generators with the company I worked for. I learned early on that there are two types. Honda/Yamaha and all the rest.

The problem with most inverter generators is usually they lack the output to provide a 240V 4 wire output. They tend to be more of a portable RV type of generator. Of course if that is all you are looking for than that should not be a problem. You'd be surprised the amount of people that buy them and then discover they are too small for their needs.

Your Champion is a low end inverter and not worth the $700 MSRP. However the price you paid is one that I would have paid as well. You did very well.
I would like to see the sine wave output on that as all inverter generators are not created equal.

Interestingly enough, a former work aquaintance called me a few months ago telling me about the ETQ generator line. They are low end, non inverter type but are advertised as "true sine wave". Below is a picture of the sine wave as output by these generators. MSRP is around $399 each. They are more of a semi portable type with 240V output and 4000W. I may purchase one this summer and give it a test. I am very impressed with the quality of that sine wave. A little "sharp" at the peaks, but overall really quite good for a non inverter type genset.


That crap ethanol stuff likes to eat carbs.
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Do not run ethanol gas in your gensets if you can help it. Try and find a gas station that sells non ethanol gas if that is feasible for all your small engines. You will be glad you did.
 

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A guy i work with bought one of these from Harbor Freight..a few years ago.. and bought there extended warrenty I'm thinking 2 yrs...and sez it does all he wants to run his 28ft. camper.. i'm not sure what extended warrenty he got..but he sez he can .. return it anytime before the warrenty runs out and get a new one.. for the cost of a new warrenty..I'm thinking $30...on the new replacement.. http://www.harborfreight.com/420cc-7000-rated-watts-7500-max-watts-portable-generator-66603.html Hope i'm not stealing the thread..:beer:
 
I'm surprised you could run all that on the 2000 watts.

Of course the lights, radio and water pumps were 12 volt off the batteries.
My 3800 watt gen cannot hold my RV's AC with nothing else on.

That must be a good unit.

The trailer can draw 41 mps at 110V. Water heater, AC, Frig, 110V ac lights and 12 volt DC charger. I have a 5,000 watt diesel to run the whole she-bang.
 
I got to thinking about the numbers on those Champion gensets that pooped out.

Using the numbers provided, they lasted in the ballpark of 2600 hours. For the $300 I paid, that puts the engine in the dime-per-hour range which is what I consider normal, regardless of who makes the engine.

You made me nervous, but for what I paid, I feel OK. Like I said, this one of many I have so it's not like my life or freezers will depend solely on it. Under normal circumstances around here, 2600 hours will last me the rest of my life.

For fuel, there is an E0 station I can get to within 45 minutes (and will). Almost stopped at the airport yesterday when I drove by as I hear their pump for av-fuel is just like a regular station where you insert your card and start pumping. Not sure if I want to put 105 octane in a small engine though.
 
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