Champion 3400-Watt Wireless Start Inverter/Generator

Ryan · Feb 6, 2019

So this is the 3400-Watt inverter/generator from Champion Power Equipment. What sets this generator apart from the field are two obvious things really:

First, you can find this generator brand new for under $1000 if you [URL="http://www.landmsupply...
To read the rest of this blog entry from The Garage Journal, click here.

casmurbax · Feb 6, 2019

Ryan, another great review.

I was amazed at the remote starter, makes sense to be able to do that.

Thank you for sharing.

On a side note, how do you like the Festools?

Ryan · Feb 6, 2019

casmurbax said:
Ryan, another great review.

I was amazed at the remote starter, makes sense to be able to do that.

Thank you for sharing.

On a side note, how do you like the Festools?

Thanks man...

Festool. I think it's mostly over-priced unless you really, really value dust collection. I do, so I'm pretty happy with *most* of the Festool stuff that I own.

WIKDRacing · Feb 6, 2019

Good review. I've had this generator on my car trailer for almost two years now. I love it.

Falcon67 · Feb 6, 2019

We've had a couple of Champion units - all good stuff. Would have gone with this one but we use more power at the track than it can handle. For power in this range, I'd pick the Champ in a minute over the HF item.

Bretny · Feb 6, 2019

Any electric start generator can be made into remote start with a cheap vehicle remote start, there about $50. But inless your going to put an ATS and keep the generator hooked up a remote start will only be usefull a few times. It still only runs so many hours before refuel

Ryan · Feb 6, 2019

Bretny said:
Any electric start generator can be made into remote start with a cheap vehicle remote start, there about $50. But inless your going to put an ATS and keep the generator hooked up a remote start will only be usefull a few times. It still only runs so many hours before refuel

Absolutely... It's just really nice that the Champion comes ready to go.

As for usefulness, I disagree. At least how I use the generator, it is incredibly useful to have the little remote. At first, I was concerned that having the generator "on" and ready for the remote start would drain the battery, but it hasn't been a problem at all... When we are camping or at an event, I just set the generator to the on position and use the remote to start and stop it all day long... It's been fantastic really.

bigpapaporsche · Feb 6, 2019

I've got the Honda 2000 and have used it for 9 years now. When we first bought it, we used it together with our Airstream Trailer for Camping. After our first use I had buyer remorse, imagine spending $700.00 for a generator. However, we soon realized the other benefits and now wouldn't want to be without it.
Your Champion 3400 looks like it is very good value! I really like the Electric Remote Start and the Wheels!

HOTFR8 · Feb 6, 2019

Looks like you enjoyed yourself making that video. Do you think it was wise to run the unit inside whilst using power tools? I would never run my Gen Set inside with out decent ventilation.

LegacyIndustrial · Feb 6, 2019

HAHA. My wife puts me in the trailer when I drink too!!
But seriously besides you running the thing indoors :shocking:

it looks pretty nice.
As usual the presentation was great!

Ryan · Feb 6, 2019

HOTFR8 said:
Looks like you enjoyed yourself making that video. Do you think it was wise to run the unit inside whilst using power tools? I would never run my Gen Set inside with out decent ventilation.

That was for the video footage... I ran it outside.

HOTFR8 · Feb 6, 2019

The wheelbarrow type wheels sure make the Gen Sets easier to move about.

Ryan said:
That was for the video footage... I ran it outside.

Some how I knew that you did know not to run it inside.

Git · Feb 7, 2019

I have been thinking about buying a generator for a while now - just as an emergency backup thing....

It's funny you ended up with the Champion because I keep looking at a Champion on Costco that is very similar. Costco's is a little smaller/cheaper has electric start (no remote) but what really has me interested in this particular model is it is 'dual fuel' -> Gasoline or Propane.

They claim 19 hours on a 20lb tank of propane, which is a pretty long run time vs 8 hours on a tank of gas (1.6 gals). The other thing if you just mainly used propane - you don't have to worry about all the problems with stale/bad gas.

I am wondering what your thoughts are on this one - were you aware of it and decided on the wireless remote one that you bought, didn't fit your needs or what? (it has great reviews on Costco - https://www.costco.com/Champion-DUA...ertified,-Low-Decibels.product.100284958.html)

Falcon67 · Feb 8, 2019

>After our first use I had buyer remorse, imagine spending $700.00 for a generator.

LOL. Our Honda was $3800 used. No remorse.

Ryan · Feb 8, 2019

Git said:
I have been thinking about buying a generator for a while now - just as an emergency backup thing....

It's funny you ended up with the Champion because I keep looking at a Champion on Costco that is very similar. Costco's is a little smaller/cheaper has electric start (no remote) but what really has me interested in this particular model is it is 'dual fuel' -> Gasoline or Propane.

They claim 19 hours on a 20lb tank of propane, which is a pretty long run time vs 8 hours on a tank of gas (1.6 gals). The other thing if you just mainly used propane - you don't have to worry about all the problems with stale/bad gas.

I am wondering what your thoughts are on this one - were you aware of it and decided on the wireless remote one that you bought, didn't fit your needs or what? (it has great reviews on Costco - https://www.costco.com/Champion-DUA...ertified,-Low-Decibels.product.100284958.html)

I saw this and considered it... I just liked the idea of the remote start and at the moment don't have a real need for dual fuel...

oberst · Feb 10, 2019

Diggin' the Airstream. You put a lot of effort into it, and it has a great look in and out.
I think if it was mine, I'd throw on a set of milk-wagon wheels with wide whites just to give it a rodney look.

Redwolf947 · Feb 23, 2019

We bought our 3100 Oct 2017 for just over $800. We love it, I can power it up while camping to run the coffee maker in the AM without going outside. Or fire it up to watch a movie. Makes it easy for the better half to use it to do anything in camper while up north. Agreed about to you have to fill it up sometime with fuel. The battery gets charged every time you run it..

Davegvg · Feb 26, 2019

Nice bargain genset. Well packaged and nicely featured.

For occasional/ and light use it should hold up pretty well.

If you are putting high hours on it, the delta you pay for a Honda or Yamaha becomes worth it based on the valve inspection interval alone which is double or more what this genset is at 100 hour intervals.

Dave

SkyMaster · Mar 2, 2019

Eventually, parts will need to be replaced. Are replacement parts available for Champion generators?

finn · Mar 2, 2019

At some price point, replacement parts availability is a moot point.

This site is populated by tinkerers, but the reality is that if a generator lasts a few thousand hours, that’s a lifetime for 99% of users, and paying 3x as much for a Honda is economic foolishness.

No data, other than anecdotes, to suggest that the 3x premium gets you any additional life, either.

SkyMaster · Mar 2, 2019

finn said:
At some price point, replacement parts availability is a moot point.
...

What kind of response is that? :headscrat

It is a gas powered, $950 generator that will need to be maintained.

finn · Mar 2, 2019

SkyMaster said:
What kind of response is that?

It is a gas powered, $950 generator that will need to be maintained.

Oil changes and a new spark plug are all I would expect to be needed as far as maintenance over the life of a generator.

Although not an electrical device, my Stihl dealer strongly recommended that I not have them look at my Stihl (xxxPro Model) weed Walker, as the labor cost would possibly exceed the value of the tool. Same with my scored MS460 Magnum chainsaw.

Small engine labor / shop time here here is $125/ hour. If the thing is functional for five years, it is cheaper to replace rather than rebuild.

And do you know for a fact that service parts aren’t available, or is that speculation?

For reference, my neighbor had a rectifier failure on his name brand roll around battery charger (I can’t remember the brand). A replacement rectifier was well over half the cost of a new charger, not including labor.

Like it or not, consumer goods are no longer economically serviceable, given today’s labor rates. That ship has sailed.

theoldwizard1 · Mar 2, 2019

SkyMaster said:
Eventually, parts will need to be replaced. Are replacement parts available for Champion generators?

Third hand, YES ! And they try to stock them in the US !

SkyMaster · Mar 2, 2019

theoldwizard1 said:
SkyMaster said:

Eventually, parts will need to be replaced. Are replacement parts available for Champion generators?

Click to expand...

Third hand, YES ! And they try to stock them in the US !

Thank you theoldwizard1 :thumbup:

I also downloaded the Owner's Manual and it specifies to adjust valve clearance (100 hours) and Clean combustion chamber (250 hours) with the note "To be performed by knowledgeable, experienced owners or Champion Power Equipment certified dealers."

The Owner's Manual also contain a detailed parts list diagram and list all the components part numbers.

Champion's website also say the following: "All replacement parts are stocked in our facilities in Southern California and Burlington, ON, Canada."

Having replacement parts in Canada is very convenient, as I am in Canada.

It seems obvious that Champion does not consider this generator as being a throw away item.

turfgnome · Mar 3, 2019

SkyMaster said:
Thank you theoldwizard1

I also downloaded the Owner's Manual and it specifies to adjust valve clearance (100 hours) and Clean combustion chamber (250 hours) with the note "To be performed by knowledgeable, experienced owners or Champion Power Equipment certified dealers."

The Owner's Manual also contain a detailed parts list diagram and list all the components part numbers.

Champion's website also say the following: "All replacement parts are stocked in our facilities in Southern California and Burlington, ON, Canada."

Having replacement parts in Canada is very convenient, as I am in Canada.

It seems obvious that Champion does not consider this generator as being a throw away item.

Try ordering parts and you will find they do view them as disposable generators, we no longer try to repair them as we could never get the parts.

NUTTSGT · Mar 3, 2019

Link not working for anybody else ?

P0234 · Mar 3, 2019

I don't see the value in remote start. Time and money wasted keeping the battery maintained has to outweigh the hassle of a few pulls of a rope.

Git · Mar 3, 2019

I can see it

If you're in your trailer or RV out camping somewhere and you want to fire up the generator in the morning to make a cup of coffee, cook breakfast, etc - it's would be a lot easier to just push the button on the wireless remote. It's a convenience thing

Bear · Mar 3, 2019

P0234 said:
I don't see the value in remote start. Time and money wasted keeping the battery maintained has to outweigh the hassle of a few pulls of a rope.

As with my Honda "elect" start gen I wonder if you just plug it in to the RV batt. you are maintaing anyway?

WaterBoyz · Mar 4, 2019

Ryan said:
So this is the 3400-Watt inverter/generator from Champion Power Equipment. What sets this generator apart from the field are two obvious things really:

First, you can find this generator brand new for under $1000 if you [URL="http://www.landmsupply...
To read the rest of this blog entry from The Garage Journal, click here.

Linkee no workee

HOTFR8 · Mar 4, 2019

Try the below link >

https://www.garagejournal.com/2019/...-wireless-start-inverter-generator/#more-3013

MnStumpjumper · Apr 7, 2019

Great review, looks like a good generator.

pcmeiners · Apr 10, 2019

Liked the review, surprised at the low price.

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