Champion Inverter Generators on sale now!

[busterbrown]

Amazon has both variants of the Champion 3100/2800 watt generators on sale. 75537i and 75531i. They popped up in my news feed at their lowest price in nearly two years.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00JZQUSAC $690
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00BBDCE1S $632

[flynaz]

I got a champion 3400 dual fuel for my fiver, so I can just tap into my propane to run the gen set or bring a spare tank.

[JRTJH]

I got a champion 3400 dual fuel for my fiver, so I can just tap into my propane to run the gen set or bring a spare tank.

My only problem with using propane to fuel a generator is the amount of propane they use. It's easy to go through a 30 pound tank of propane in less than a day if trying to use it to cool the trailer. For me, it's much less expensive to use gasoline and much easier to refill a 5 gallon gas can than to find a place to refill a 30 pound propane tank.

What's your experience with propane to fuel your generator?

[Jfreek65]

My only problem with using propane to fuel a generator is the amount of propane they use. It's easy to go through a 30 pound tank of propane in less than a day if trying to use it to cool the trailer. For me, it's much less expensive to use gasoline and much easier to refill a 5 gallon gas can than to find a place to refill a 30 pound propane tank.



What's your experience with propane to fuel your generator?



They definitely are less efficient on propane, but it’s nice to have the propane as a backup in case you are low on gasoline and it’s inconvenient to fill the can, or for winter backup use as propane doesn’t have the shelf life gasoline (especially with ethanol) has.

[flybouy]

They definitely are less efficient on propane, but it’s nice to have the propane as a backup in case you are low on gasoline and it’s inconvenient to fill the can, or for winter backup use as propane doesn’t have the shelf life gasoline (especially with ethanol) has.

Every dual fuel unit lists a diminished output while using propane. It's obvious that the propane doesn't have the energy/gal that gasoline does. My question is, what is the real world? Have you found the output difference to be that great?

[busterbrown]

I'm been considering switching to a dual fuel propane unit as it would lessen the maintenance requirements with gasoline only power. I'm curious to see how they (LP) perform in the real world and at any significant elevation (compared to gasoline). I've read conflicting reports with LPG use. The question for me is, does the cleanliness of liquid propane outweigh the lower price and higher efficiency of gasoline fuel? An upcoming Alaska trip has me looking for the best solution for our needs.

[Jfreek65]

Every dual fuel unit lists a diminished output while using propane. It's obvious that the propane doesn't have the energy/gal that gasoline does. My question is, what is the real world? Have you found the output difference to be that great?



My family used older models and what was published was pretty close. I just received a new Westinghouse dual fuel inverter so I’ll see if the newer models outperform their published numbers but I made sure even using the lp numbers it had extra power for what I’m trying to do. I hate running generators at the bleeding edge of their capabilities as it is because there are too many variables that can limit accessing that full power.

[flynaz]

The main reasons I went with dual fuel, I tow our fiver with a diesel, so I don’t want to haul around a gas can when I have propane on board! I chose the 3400 because of its output @3100 propane, thinking it’s right at my 30 amp design limits with my inverter system. With my setup I can run one AC unit and enjoy TV. Or run a few electric heaters! If I anticipate heavy gen usage, I throw in an extra propane tank.

[flynaz]

My only problem with using propane to fuel a generator is the amount of propane they use. It's easy to go through a 30 pound tank of propane in less than a day if trying to use it to cool the trailer. For me, it's much less expensive to use gasoline and much easier to refill a 5 gallon gas can than to find a place to refill a 30 pound propane tank.



What's your experience with propane to fuel your generator?



I usually don’t rely on my generator except maybe dinner time and I run it for two or three hours to help kick the batteries. So my propane use is not noticed and certainly not as bad as my propane sucking furnace!

[hankpage]

My only problem with using propane to fuel a generator is the amount of propane they use. It's easy to go through a 30 pound tank of propane in less than a day if trying to use it to cool the trailer. For me, it's much less expensive to use gasoline and much easier to refill a 5 gallon gas can than to find a place to refill a 30 pound propane tank.

What's your experience with propane to fuel your generator?

I have a Champion dual fuel 10,000 watt generator for storm back-up at the S&B. I keep four 20lb tanks for gen and BBQ. The beginning of hurricane season I get 25 gal. of non-ethanol gas and stabilize it. I use propane to exercise the gen each month so I don't have to drain the tank and carb. In my experience, both fuels supply enough power for my needs. (warm weather at sea level) Per gallon gas is much cheaper per run hour but the propane stores indefinitely. DW does not understand why her car gets such great mpg every fall. :angel:

What I'm saying is in my experience, for short term use, propane is convenient and lower maintenance. For longer or heavier use gasoline is much more efficient with longer run times.

[NH_Bulldog]

I will spare the math but can cite it if anyone wishes. Basically, propane is 74% as efficient as gasoline, meaning you will use more propane at a higher cost per gallon to receive the same result as gasoline. As an aside, diesel is an even more cost effective generator fuel source than gasoline.

But speaking only about propane vs. gasoline, the big differences lie in shelf life, transportability, odor, and spill potential. Also, propane burns much cleaner with less emissions and less carbon build-up than gasoline. So if you have the propane capacity and don’t mind the cost, it seems like a viable choice for short-term use.

[flynaz]

Every dual fuel unit lists a diminished output while using propane. It's obvious that the propane doesn't have the energy/gal that gasoline does. My question is, what is the real world? Have you found the output difference to be that great?



My champion is rated at 3400/3100, which is right at my 30 amp limits if/when I boon dock. The propane burns clean and won’t gum up the carb. I have not put any gas in the tank for that reason.All I carry onboard my fiver is propane and my truck is diesel! This setup works perfect for me!

[JRTJH]

My champion is rated at 3400/3100, which is right at my 30 amp limits if/when I boon dock. The propane burns clean and won’t gum up the carb. I have not put any gas in the tank for that reason.All I carry onboard my fiver is propane and my truck is diesel! This setup works perfect for me!

I'm not suggesting that your generator doesn't "do what you want it to do". But you're a tad bit off on your specificaitons. Nearly all of the Champion generators are rated the same.

Portable Generator Technology Dual Fuel
Gasoline Starting Watts 3400W
Gasoline Running Watts 3100W
Propane Starting Watts 3060W
Propane Running Watts 2790W
Gasoline Starting Amps at 120V 28.3A
Gasoline Running Amps at 120V 25.8A
Propane Starting Amps at 120V 25.5A
Propane Running Amps at 120V 23.3A

Inverter generators aren't as sensitive as the older copper wire wound generators, but they all are "very sensitive" to be operated consistently at the upper end of the rated limit. What happens is the heat created by producing the electrical output can lead to "heat soak" which is a common problem, especially for people who turn off the generator without allowing it some time to cool down before shutting it off.

[BAPotter]

I'm not suggesting that your generator doesn't "do what you want it to do". But you're a tad bit off on your specificaitons. Nearly all of the Champion generators are rated the same.

Portable Generator Technology Dual Fuel
Gasoline Starting Watts 3400W
Gasoline Running Watts 3100W
Propane Starting Watts 3060W
Propane Running Watts 2790W
Gasoline Starting Amps at 120V 28.3A
Gasoline Running Amps at 120V 25.8A
Propane Starting Amps at 120V 25.5A
Propane Running Amps at 120V 23.3A

Inverter generators aren't as sensitive as the older copper wire wound generators, but they all are "very sensitive" to be operated consistently at the upper end of the rated limit. What happens is the heat created by producing the electrical output can lead to "heat soak" which is a common problem, especially for people who turn off the generator without allowing it some time to cool down before shutting it off.


John, I already lose 25% output at my typical 8,000 altitude camping on gasoline (3% per 1000 feet) My 2 Champion 2000 (1700 continuous) is only producing about 2,500 Watts. Is there an equal 3% drop on propane?

[JRTJH]

John, I already lose 25% output at my typical 8,000 altitude camping on gasoline (3% per 1000 feet) My 2 Champion 2000 (1700 continuous) is only producing about 2,500 Watts. Is there an equal 3% drop on propane?

According to Champion there's only one dual fuel 2000 watt generator currently being produced. It's the 100402. Specs are:

Gasoline Starting Watts 2000W
Gasoline Running Watts 1600W
Propane Starting Watts 1800W
Propane Running Watts 1440W
Gasoline Starting Amps at 120V 16.7A
Gasoline Running Amps at 120V 13.3A
Propane Starting Amps at 120V 15.0A
Propane Running Amps at 120V 12.0A

So, at sea level, a pair of these, running on propane would produce 2880 watts, 24 Amps. Given the 3% loss per thousand feet altitude, that comes very close to your 25% reduction for 8000 ft. So, yeah, it's even less if you're running on propane.

[flynaz]

I'm not suggesting that your generator doesn't "do what you want it to do". But you're a tad bit off on your specificaitons. Nearly all of the Champion generators are rated the same.



Portable Generator Technology Dual Fuel

Gasoline Starting Watts 3400W

Gasoline Running Watts 3100W

Propane Starting Watts 3060W

Propane Running Watts 2790W

Gasoline Starting Amps at 120V 28.3A

Gasoline Running Amps at 120V 25.8A

Propane Starting Amps at 120V 25.5A

Propane Running Amps at 120V 23.3A



Inverter generators aren't as sensitive as the older copper wire wound generators, but they all are "very sensitive" to be operated consistently at the upper end of the rated limit. What happens is the heat created by producing the electrical output can lead to "heat soak" which is a common problem, especially for people who turn off the generator without allowing it some time to cool down before shutting it off.



Good info, thank you... I also left one important thing out of my requirements for a genset. That’s the weight! I have to load / unload it into my fiver basement and it’s just at 94 lbs. anything bigger is too heavy to lift!

[RET.LEO]

Amazon has both variants of the Champion 3100/2800 watt generators on sale. 75537i and 75531i. They popped up in my news feed at their lowest price in nearly two years.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00JZQUSAC $690
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00BBDCE1S $632
Those are great prices.........Thanks!:bow:

[Kzneft]

They look like pretty decent generators, but they are loud as hell. Every time a friend goes camping with us and he starts his it sounds like a bucket of bolts bouncing around a wheel barrel. Honda's and Yamaha's are so quiet but yes a lot more expensive.

[JRTJH]

They look like pretty decent generators, but they are loud as hell. Every time a friend goes camping with us and he starts his it sounds like a bucket of bolts bouncing around a wheel barrel. Honda's and Yamaha's are so quiet but yes a lot more expensive.

Something's wrong with your friend's generator. Every one that I've heard is essentially the same as Honda/Yamaha's 3000 watt generators. The Honda/Yamaha 2000 watt series are a bit more quiet than the 3000 watt models, and the Champion 2000's are less noisy than the 3000 watt versions.

Bigger motor, bigger alternator, more mechanical noise in all three lines.

[Big1]

I'm looking to find a deal on the Champion dual fuel right now I guess that the best price is Amazon.

[JRTJH]

What size generator are you looking for? There's probably 40 "champion dual fuel inverter generator models" some exclusively for the Canadian market, some for 49 states and some for California. What's your choice in size and in location ??

[Lee]

I'm late to the ballgame... no longer on sale.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00JZQUSAC

[JRTJH]

I'm late to the ballgame... no longer on sale.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00JZQUSAC

Home Depot has a similar champion generator for $699.
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Champion-Power-Equipment-3150-Watt-Gasoline-Powered-Wireless-Remote-Start-Inverter-Generator-with-Champion-171cc-4-Stroke-Engine-100477/304491678

[jim1]

Check out SuperGen products at SuperGenProducts.com Great selection and really good to deal with. They will answer all your questions.

[debnana]

We have the champion 3400 dual fuel and love it. We had a big diesel gen for years at a remote cabin. Always hated that noisy thing, and lifting those 5 gal cans of diesel (no problem for grandpa). The champion is quiet, and even this grandma can hook up and operate this unit easily. Use for nd in camper, and sure came in handy during winter power outage....roll to front porch and throw a big cord out the window.

[Big1]

I'm looking for a Champion dual fuel I just need to pull the trigger on one.