champion generator??

[JRTJH]

AHHHHH Then that's a darned good price. From what I can tell, if Champion did the refurbishing and you get some kind of warranty, you should be fine. Sam's Club had them on clearance a couple of years ago, I saw them in Detroit, thought I'd wait and pick them up in Traverse City. Went to Bass Pro, decided to go back and get them. All were gone Anyway, they were about $300 each on clearance, then add the parallel cable and tax, it would have been about the same as you're paying.

I think you'll be satisfied. At least let's hope so

[kancop]

Thanks John. Yeah, I am optimistic, but they are machines. My brother in law has already been hanging trash on me since I didn't buy Honda's. But the truth is I just couldn't afford it. Specs on both are similar but the prices are anything but!

[mobile42]

Anyone interested in the Champion Generator. Tractor Supply Co has the 3,650W/4,500W model on sale right now for $249.99 for Black Friday Specials only!

[dcg9381]

Originally Posted by mobile42

Anyone interested in the Champion Generator. Tractor Supply Co has the 3,650W/4,500W model on sale right now for $249.99 for Black Friday Specials only!

Thats a good deal - give you the standard 30A 120V outlet (28A if I remember right) and the flexibility of a 240v.

The 3500 version of that is my favorite low-budget generator..

[sw342]

I took a flyer on a Champion 4500 about 5 years ago for $29 brand new and its been very reliable. I didn't have a built in generator at the time. It was pretty loud for any extended period of running time, but never failed to run when needed. It now sits in the garage as a backup and gets started a couple times a years. I am sure the newer inverter style ones down at Costco are quieter than the contractor model I have.

I actually prefer to pack along an older Honda 650 for running some lights, TV, Blu-ray, Xbox etc than firing up the on board Onan.

[banjo1948]

I have been running a Sportsman 4000W..propane gen...for the past 7 years, without any problems...I do run it at least once a month just for maintenance for 15-20 minutes, when I'm not dry camping...it starts every time with one to two pulls....ran it last year at Christmas time to light up tree lights and outside light when the neighborhood was having a power outage.....it's about 67db...very fuel wise....no carb problems.....
I see Home Depot online has them with a 30amp RV plug on sale for $279....
Well that's my 2 cents....

[pga33]

I have a Champion 3000, had it for five years and it only started twice. I used a substance called "starter fluid" and it cranked right up. Since then, I've used it on dry camping trips for 50 straight hours without a problem.
One item of note, the 30 amp "RV" plug was just marketing. It's actually a 23 amp outlet. It can be tough if you have to run your a/c a lot. I wonder if this is still an issue on later Champion models.

[dcg9381]

Originally Posted by pga33

One item of note, the 30 amp "RV" plug was just marketing. It's actually a 23 amp outlet. It can be tough if you have to run your a/c a lot. I wonder if this is still an issue on later Champion models.

23 Amps * 120V = 2760 watts

The 3500/4000 watt generator has a 25A breaker on the 30A outlet..

I know that the 3500/4000 has worked great for me (30A use). It's easy to buy a 5000+ watt generator only to be disappointed when you connect it to a 30A trailer because the legs of the 240v plug are often rated for < 20 amps.

[ReadyToRoll]

first gen-set we purchased was from the dealer. it was a 35/4000 k unit. Living in the higher elevations and sometimes wanting to run the ac plus the microwave, it just didn't have enough engine. Even with the "high elevation" jetting it just couldn't supply enough power to run the generator even with just trying to initially start the ac compressor. The dealer had it replaced and claimed that it had a shorted field??? The replacement generator did the same thing. We then purchased a 75/8000k generator from Harbor Freight. Have only used it twice but it has easily enough engine power and wattage to run just like home. As for size and weight, weighs only about 60# more and only about 3" higher and 4" longer. Also has a 12 hour run time at 50% load which is easy to do with 7500 watt. Has electric start and starts easily. Built a "dog house" in the front of the truck bed and fabricated an exhaust extension to get the noise out of the bed confines. I feel it's reasonably quiet now. Also gets the exh. heat out of the bed as well. So far, very satisfied and as cost went, only about $100 more. Only added expense was a battery had to be purchased but Walmart had a battery in stock that met the amp hour requirements. So far, very satisfied. PS doesn't have a problem with charging and or powering our computers, tv, or anything else.

[JRTJH]

Originally Posted by dcg9381

23 Amps * 120V = 2760 watts

The 3500/4000 watt generator has a 25A breaker on the 30A outlet..

I know that the 3500/4000 has worked great for me (30A use). It's easy to buy a 5000+ watt generator only to be disappointed when you connect it to a 30A trailer because the legs of the 240v plug are often rated for < 20 amps.

I know your post is "almost ancient history" by now (almost 3 weeks old) but something didn't sound right with your example from the way I 'remembered" my generator. So, when I had a few minutes to look at the schematics on Champion generators, I did a little research. It seems Champion uses two (possibly more) generator heads on their 4000/3500 watt generators. Some are equipped with 120/240 VAC capability and some aren't. On those with a "double secondary winding" and the 240 VAC capability, each leg of the 120 is coupled with a 15 amp circuit breaker. So, the power supplied to the 30 amp "RV plug" is actually 30 amps. The combined rating is then routed through a 20 amp breaker to supply power to the 20 amp "conventional plug". The 240 VAC plug "splits" the secondary winding output into two legs, each protected by the 15 Amp breakers. So, in 240 VAC operation, the generator output is limited to 15 amps on each leg (total of 1800 watts per leg) for an maximum "protected output" of 3600 watts.

When operating in 120 VAC mode, using the "RV plug" the maximum amperage would be double the "15 amp per leg" and available power at the "RV plug" is 30 amps at 120 VAC, or 3600 watts".

As there are a number of different "Champion 4000/3500 watt" generators, the above applies to generator models # 46514 and 46598. They are both 120/240 volt models. The model # 46533 (a 120VAC only model) does, as you indicate, have a 25 amp breaker on the "single secondary winding" and maximum output is limited to 25 amps at 120 VAC for a maximum wattage output of 3000 watts.

I believe the "late model" Champion generators in the 4000 watt range are "mostly" single voltage units, capable of producing 120 VAC only and are, for the most part restricted as you indicated. However the "older units" that were capable of 120/240 VAC operation are wired differently and do produce a greater available wattage in continuous use.

The various models are listed on the Champion website. To get to the "actual breaker capacities" you'll need to download the schematics (located on the website) for the individual model and look at the owner's manual download link. http://www.championpowerequipment.co...ailability=USA

You're right in stating that "some" Champion generators can't produce the "rated output" because of the circuit breaker wiring, but that's not the case with all of the Champion generators.

[Yosemitebob]

I also have a Champion, still using it after two years, going strong. I use computers, but have them on their own surge protection, just because the boss wants it that way, I have had no problems.