Champion Generator

GrumpyG · 10-24-2016, 01:43 PM

I got an e-Mail from Home Depot today advertising a big sale. Part of the sale was a Champion 3100 Generator, electric/remote start for $699, with free shipping. I know it ain't a Honda, but at one third the price I jumped on it. I can find any terrible reviews, and it has a 2 yr warranty.

I guess we'll see...

Mike484 · 10-24-2016, 02:39 PM

That's usually the sale price without the electric/remote start, that's a great price.
I'm sure you will be happy with the Champion.

first time 5er · 10-24-2016, 02:42 PM

I have a 3400 pull start. It came missing some parts and not put together correctly but it started up first pull,its quiet and can use everything in the 5'ver with no problems. see my thread "a monday champion" I have no complaints

nellie1289 · 10-24-2016, 05:23 PM

I have that generator the 3100 and got at Costco for same price. It's not remote start though. How do you like that feature. I have loved mine so far no complaints. Great for the rv. Plenty of power. Sips fuel. Very quiet.

tgoodwin321 · 10-24-2016, 05:47 PM

Saw that too, great price. I think you'll like it. We bought the dual fuel electric start but has no remote. Quiet (enough), runs the 13.5k A/C, no complaints. Bet I'd get more use from the remote start but nice to have the propane option if I run out of gas I suppose. Enjoy!

busterbrown · 10-24-2016, 07:20 PM

I got lucky on my Champion 3100 generator with wireless start (75537i). Over the summer, Home Depot had them discounted down to $800. I used a 10% off coupon that they had sent me a week prior for the internet purchase. With state sales tax and the discount applied, I walked out with mine for $763.
Funny thing, I initially had ordered it on Amazon (for $849) but it was on back-order for at least 2 weeks. I cancelled my Amazon order the minute I bought it at Homedepot.com. Couldn't have worked out any better.

Sarvi · 10-25-2016, 09:45 AM

I bought one last spring, pull start, and used it several times over the summer. it works great!

dirt33 · 10-25-2016, 02:08 PM

Boy, that is a great price for that unit. I have the 3100 recoil start, and have been totally satisfied with it. I don't use it often enough that the electric start would be a "must", but still, it would be a great feature to have. I am very surprised that you were able to get it at that price, and good job jumping all over that!

Mike484 · 10-25-2016, 03:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GrumpyG

I got an e-Mail from Home Depot today advertising a big sale. Part of the sale was a Champion 3100 Generator, electric/remote start for $699, with free shipping. I know it ain't a Honda, but at one third the price I jumped on it. I can find any terrible reviews, and it has a 2 yr warranty.

I guess we'll see...

Was that email a mass mailing or like a members only mailing?
I'm just curious of others can use the sale price or if its not publically distributed.
That is about what I paid for mine and its the pull start. Shame of it is, I bought it in March and still have not put oil or gas in it (still in the box). Bought it because I thought I was getting a great price and that some day I would use it.

the sodfather · 10-25-2016, 03:38 PM

Champion just came out with a 3500 watt generator. Champion said it was made specifically for running the 15K A/C's. Same size as the 3100. $1199 with remote start. For those of us with the bigger A/C, it may be worth the extra cash. I've been planning on buying 2 Honda 2000's when they go on sale at Northern Tool but now I'm leaning hard to he new Champion 3500...

bwright · 10-25-2016, 04:07 PM

I have had one for almost 2 years now, good piece of equipment. In economy mode, it is so quiet you will not hear it over the other "loud" generators if you are camping in a crowd. When mine is operating in economy mode, I can fill it up at night and wake up by 7am to fill it back up without stopping during the night.

roadglide · 10-25-2016, 04:43 PM

Champion customary service is good with 2 year warranty. My 2000 watt took a dump on the control module . I called champion and when I got home i had the part. They also sent me a nice cover for the generator for the trouble I had.

Desert185 · 10-26-2016, 08:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike484

Was that email a mass mailing or like a members only mailing?
I'm just curious of others can use the sale price or if its not publically distributed.
That is about what I paid for mine and its the pull start. Shame of it is, I bought it in March and still have not put oil or gas in it (still in the box). Bought it because I thought I was getting a great price and that some day I would use it.

By all indications the Champion appears to be a good generator, but I think before too much more time passes I would service it and start it to ensure it works as advertised. At least run it to break it in and change the oil.

Mike484 · 10-26-2016, 10:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Desert185

By all indications the Champion appears to be a good generator, but I think before too much more time passes I would service it and start it to ensure it works as advertised. At least run it to break it in and change the oil.

I've been considering it, just didnt want to put gas in it until I knew I was going to be useing it, todays ethanol gas is a killer on carborators. But I guess I can run it until it runs dry.

**JRTJH** · 10-26-2016, 10:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike484

I've been considering it, just didnt want to put gas in it until I knew I was going to be useing it, todays ethanol gas is a killer on carborators. But I guess I can run it until it runs dry.

You are very correct in saying ethanol gas is a killer..... In almost every place I've been, "recreational gas" (as it's called in Michigan) is ethanol free. Here, it's "92 octane/real gas" with no ethanol. When I was in Surfside (west of Galveston) last year, it was available at most marine stations. I've found, through trial and error, that using "recreational gas" and adding StaBil Marine (gray formula) will keep the fuel "fresh and non clogging" for up to a year (StaBil says up to 6 months). I've used only "recreational gas" in all my small engines, outboards and ATV's/UTV's for the past 5 years and I haven't had a "carburetor failure" since I started using it. In Michigan, the "summer stuff" sits for 6 months or more and the "winter toys" sit for sometimes 8 or 9 months during the "off season"...

You might do some checking around your area of Houston and see where you can buy "ethanol free" gas. For me, it's well worth the extra fifth cents a gallon.

As for your Champion, I've had exceptionally good performance and reliability with all three of mine, as have most of the members who own them. But there are those isolated reports of a "broken part" or a "mis-installed component" that are just frequent enough to warrant making sure that your Champion "works as designed" before that warranty expires !!!

Good Luck !!!

Desert185 · 10-26-2016, 12:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike484

I've been considering it, just didnt want to put gas in it until I knew I was going to be useing it, todays ethanol gas is a killer on carborators. But I guess I can run it until it runs dry.

Stabil in the gas and drain the carb when you put it away. I Stabil my gas as soon as I buy it and have never had a problem. I usually keep 30 gals on hand for "contingency" purposes.

bitten · 10-26-2016, 03:57 PM

Lucky enough to find recreational gas here. The 3500 runs the 15k a/c and some appliances but not the second a/c.

roadglide · 10-26-2016, 06:26 PM

JRTJH thanks for the advice on the gas it got me thinking about the gas stations at the lake they sell clean gas for boats that I use but I never though of the generators.

zuley · 10-27-2016, 04:58 AM

It is my understanding that here in Canada premium 91 grade fuel is ethanol free. Is that not the case in the US?? It generally sells for 12 cents per litre higher than regular. I could be mistaken but it's cheap insurance by my thinking.

bg71361 · 10-27-2016, 05:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by the sodfather

Champion just came out with a 3500 watt generator. Champion said it was made specifically for running the 15K A/C's. Same size as the 3100. $1199 with remote start. For those of us with the bigger A/C, it may be worth the extra cash. I've been planning on buying 2 Honda 2000's when they go on sale at Northern Tool but now I'm leaning hard to he new Champion 3500...

Do you have a link? Can't seem to find anything.

You may also like: