champion generators

[nickjj]

I'd like to buy a generator - just to run powertools outdoors.

Costco have a stack of these freshly arrived in store:

http://www.warriorgenerators.co.uk/Shop/PetrolGenerators/cpe-3500-watt-generator-uk

But is Champion a good brand to buy?

I have to say it looks very similar to this:

http://www.ukhs.tv/Generators_2/Generators/Wolf-WP2500LR-Petrol-Generator

So perhaps these are just a rebranded model just for Costco?

Any thoughts?

 

[Farmall450]

Looks decent enough. Odd they have a US flag when it's only designed and engineered here.

They say the engines run at different RPMs so maybe not the same.

 

[nickjj]

I've now found this one:

http://www.sgs-engineering.com/spg2200-portable-petrol-generator-2200w

Cheaper still, and again similar to the Costco one.

Bonus with Costco is that if it breaks the (hopefully) will do something about it.

 

[Hiball]

I have the Champion 3550/4000 Watt Generator and have been extremely pleased with it, I bought mine at Cabelas (Here in the States) and it came with the wheel Package and Cover. I had a slug of Cabelas Cash and bought it on sale for like $260 shipped. I think where Champion is really shining is in the Inverter market, They have top Notch customer service to go along with what ive seen to be a quality product. Is it a Honda? No, but they are getting damn close.

This is the One i bought..

 

[ihateminimumwage]

All of those are minor variations of the same cheap 1 lung Chinese box store gensets, just with some different cosmetics.

They're also sold as Generac, Onan, Honeywell, etc. We seem to have one come in every month that sat in a shed and needs to be gone through.

That said, as long as you keep the valves adjusted, run ONLY premium fuel with Stabil added, keep up on maintenance and drain the fuel out of the tank and carb before storing, they'll do what you need them to.

 

[Vegaman_Dan]

They are noisy clattery hate beasts... that do exactly as advertised by providing reliable power with good output. I've had one for years for event usage and power outages and it always starts. I'd not hesitate for a field site use or construction.

I've got a nice Onan RV genset that I got operational again that I want to put on a cart and make into the longer term genset for outages.

 

[nickjj]

Given all these are Chinese, what's parts supply like for them?

Are the engines all pretty generic?

 

[ihateminimumwage]

I've got a nice Onan RV genset that I got operational again that I want to put on a cart and make into the longer term genset for outages.

Microlite? Emerald? Is it an flathead? I love those damn things, insanely well built. We have an OLD Studebaker made one in the shop right now, and an iron block CCK that goes into an Alis Chalmers tractor.

Given all these are Chinese, what's parts supply like for them?

Are the engines all pretty generic?

Parts are generic and available, but price depends on the brand you order from. Ordered a starter through our Onan dealer, and it took the slow boat from China to get to us, but the price was surprisingly not terrible for Onan.

Anything past a starter, brushes, carb kit, breather hose and filters, and they aren't worth putting work or money into. They are built as cheap throwaways (like the majority of Chinese products), and maintenance is the key to keep them running and reliable.

Oh, and the breather tube on these will rot out within a year usually. Have yet to see one that stays in one piece when the air filter housing comes off.

 

[mikegt4]

Champion has a good reputation among Chinese generators. They are not going to be as good or as quiet as a Honda or Yamaha but they are known in RV circles as a good value for the money. Over on the RV.net forum there is a long running thread for the Champion 3500 watt unit which information on maintaining, upgrading and modifying them. There is info on converting the from gas (petrol) to propane as the fuel source. There are also threads for the newer inverter style Champion generators as well. Everything is in the "tech issues" area which can easily be searched.

http://www.rv.net/forum/index.cfm/fuseaction/listings/forum/39.cfm

http://www.rv.net/forum/index.cfm/fuseaction/thread/tid/15131645.cfm

http://www.rv.net/forum/index.cfm/fuseaction/thread/tid/24022161/srt/pa/pging/1/page/1

 

[nickjj]

Looks like Champion is the one to have, good back up and spares, plus Costco are quite good on returns if something goes wrong.

 

[Wizzard]

I've been down this road. Like mentioned the Chinese generators are mostly the same. Honda generators are in a league of their own. And just because a generator has a Honda motor does not make it nearly the same quality as a Honda generator...it is the gen set that makes all the difference.

Our Honda gen runs all types of sensitive electronics that the Chinese units may destroy (TVs, computer, router, etc).

 

[Next]

Compared to Harbor Freight?

I want rebuild stuff for those if possible?

 

[nickjj]

To be fair to Champion, it does look like they are a cut above the more average Chinese generators, the people on the RV forum seem to rate them, go-cart people like the engines as they are more than just a Honda clone and parts and back up exist, which is more than can be said for most cheepo brands.

Needless to say the Costco I went to today had none in stock...

 

[chris142]

, run ONLY premium fuel with Stabil added.

Why Premium in a generator?

 

[Hiball]

Why Premium in a generator?

I suspect he means "Ethanol Free Gas" Which dependent on your location and the Supplier can be Premium. I strictly run ethanol free gas in all my Power equipment, The upcharge isn't enough for me to even worry about it.

 

[kmkalf]

Most premium around here is ethanol free and therefore won't gunk up the carb as fast as the ethanol fuel. Plus pure gas lasts longer and will not absorb moisture

 

[kmkalf]

Which is why everyone with motorcycles at least around here runs pure gas which is not much more per gallon. About $0.30 especially for the better quality

 

[chris142]

Only e10 here regardless of octane.

 

[theoldwizard1]

Given all these are Chinese, what's parts supply like for them?

One of the big bonuses of Champion in the US, is that they warehouse parts in the US. Most items can be shipped the next day.

Are the engines all pretty generic?

It seems like all of the small engines are clones of various Honda engines. Many common parts interchange.

 

[JAKE-THE-TOOL-MAN]

If I didn't just score a mint Honda generator off of a family friend for $100 I would be going for the Champion. I just checked out the display at costco and they seem like a great value for the money.