Champion 2000

zuley · 02-15-2016, 09:30 AM

Made up my mind this morning. Wife says, finally I can get back to something constructive rather than 24/7 sitting at the computer researching which one to purchase. Going to stop by our local CTC tomorrow and pick up the Champion 2000. On sale right now for 650 which is half the price of a Honda. Can't justify the extra coin for the Honda for as little as I will use it. Hoping this doesn't turn out to be another one of my cluster **** regrets.

**JRTJH** · 02-15-2016, 09:48 AM

If your experiences with Champion are similar to mine, you'll be satisfied. The FIRST thing to remember is to use "alcohol free" gas if you can find it. If you can't, then always use a "fuel stabilizer" Sta Bil (red) is only good for 30-60 days while Sta Bil (marine gray) is good for 6 months.

NONE of the stabilizers (no matter which brand) will "recombine bad gas" so always add the stabilizer when you fill your container at the gas station.

The next important factor is to read the instructions on how to "empty the carburetor"... On the Champion, you turn off the fuel valve, let the engine run out of fuel, then WAIT for the generator to cool.... ONLY then, close the fuel tank cap valve. If you close the tank cap valve while the engine is hot, it will create a "vapor lock" and you'll have "hell to pay" trying to start the generator next time you use it.

Other than those two "hints" Here's hoping your Champion is as good as mine have been.

zuley · 02-15-2016, 11:22 AM

Thank you John.
I'm sure things will work out. As for the fuel suggestion... I have for the past number of years only purchased 91 octane or better fuel because as I have been told premium grade fuels do not contain any alcohol or certainly a lower percentage. It is amazing how much noticably better everything runs ie my lawn mower, garden tractor, generators and my truck. Will never purchase regular grade fuel again.
Cheers,
Dave

mfifield01 · 02-15-2016, 12:13 PM

It's almost impossible to find ethanol free gas here. I just put stabil in my gas can for my small engines and run them at least once a month.

I have a Champion 2000i. It's been great so far, but I haven't used it much.

dcg9381 · 02-15-2016, 01:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zuley

Thank you John.
I'm sure things will work out. As for the fuel suggestion... I have for the past number of years only purchased 91 octane or better fuel because as I have been told premium grade fuels do not contain any alcohol or certainly a lower percentage.
Dave

ww

Dave, I don't know where you live - but around here fuel is mandated to contain ethanol, unless for off-highway use. Ethanol has an effective octane rating of over 100, so it's commonly mixed to bring octane up.

My state also requires disclosure of possible ethanol % at the pump.

IE - don't believe that just because it's "premium" that it has less ethanol in it... http://www.bellperformance.com/blog/...-ethanol-in-it

You can find "MoGas" - which is what pilots call ethanol free unleaded via this tool. It's premium gas, no ethanol (ethanol is bad for old-airplane fuel systems): http://flyunleaded.com/mapusairports.html

Sometimes Marinas have it.. And I've been known to run AV fuel in my off-road stuff, but either of these options mean paying a substantial premium over unleaded $1-2/gallon more.

nellie1289 · 02-15-2016, 01:07 PM

They sell clear gas here. the price never changes. it is kind of funny to see "clear" going for $4.69 vs regular unleaded at $1.60. LOL Just put some stabilizer in.

Hey OP, that seems pretty spendy for a Champion 2000 in relation to what a Honda goes for? I mean you can usually see Honda's online for $999 and sometimes even $899?

On edit, this site has it for $899

http://www.maxtool.com/honda-super-q...-and-oil-alert

**JRTJH** · 02-15-2016, 01:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nellie1289

They sell clear gas here. the price never changes. it is kind of funny to see "clear" going for $4.69 vs regular unleaded at $1.60. LOL Just put some stabilizer in.

Hey OP, that seems pretty spendy for a Champion 2000 in relation to what a Honda goes for? I mean you can usually see Honda's online for $999 and sometimes even $899?

On edit, this site has it for $899

http://www.maxtool.com/honda-super-q...-and-oil-alert

nellie1289,

You're looking at pricing for those Honda generators in the US. The OP is in Canada, so "all bets are off" with regard to what he'll have to pay for a comparable product. Actually, the $650 price he quoted for the Champion is listed at $499 in the US. Those $899 (sale price) Honda generators with an MSRP of $999 or $1099 in the US are closer to $1399 MSRP in Canada.

When reading his initial post and seeing his $650 price, I was going to "yell it's cheaper at....." Then I saw his location and it all became clear...

nellie1289 · 02-15-2016, 02:31 PM

Your right, I totally missed that. Time to go on vacation in Canada!

Voyager · 02-15-2016, 04:37 PM

I bought two at CT last fall for$599 each but got the parallel kit from Amazon for $69 US, both started right up after adding oil, I'm very impressed with them, really like the way they stack

zuley · 02-15-2016, 04:45 PM

Guelph, Ontario Canada folks. Thanks everybody for the input.
Dave

mfifield01 · 02-29-2016, 07:54 AM

I used my single Champion 2000 for some boondocking over the weekend. It surprised me on what it could run. I was outside cooking dinner and hear it ramp up. I asked my wife if something was on inside. She had started cooking chicken nuggets in the microwave for the kids. My preference would be to turn things off to run the microwave . At the time it was running the TV, converter, fridge, and microwave. The microwave is 1350 watts alone. All of this was with Eco mode On.

gearhead · 02-29-2016, 05:29 PM

Not to derail this thread, but...I've been using Startron treatment in everything. This weekend I did spring maintenance on the bay boat. Oil & filter, and both fuel filters. I poured the gasoline from the spin on fuel filter into a clear plastic jug to see if it had any water that would phase out. Nope. Been using Shell V Power in it with the Startron added overdosed. I know some of that gas in the 50 gallon tank is 4-6 months old.
Your mileage may vary.
generators....argh....I may not even need one this year.

CaptnJohn · 02-29-2016, 07:32 PM

Ethanol free gas is readily available. Not only at my marina but at the station 3/4 mile away. Not only for boats but the lawn maintenance companies line up for it. ethanol is the best friend of mechanics, especially small engine and outboard motor mechanics. I never thought it smart to be burning food in gas tanks. Not only less efficient but raises the cost of everything from bread to eggs to meat and all between.

bg71361 · 03-01-2016, 05:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CaptnJohn

Ethanol free gas is readily available.

In some states not all!

mfifield01 · 03-01-2016, 06:54 AM

It's very hard to find in Texas. I looked for it when I had my boat (sold last Spring). I used Sta-bil marine in every tank for the boat.

Mike484 · 03-01-2016, 07:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mfifield01

It's very hard to find in Texas. I looked for it when I had my boat (sold last Spring). I used Sta-bil marine in every tank for the boat.

I live in Harris county and here they must add ethanol, but, not only here, all surrounding counties too. I have to go all the way to Lake Charles LA to get ethanol free.

Mike484 · 03-01-2016, 07:27 AM

BTW, I honestly feel as though the addition of ethanol is all just a scam. The the corn farmers get "grants" to use their crops in the production of ethanol which was a way to conserve oil. Now that there is such an abundance of oil, why are they still pushing the ethanol? It makes your engine run worse and you get less gas milage with ethanol than you do ethanol free, and, if you fuel lines and engine were not made for ethanol, it does damage. Not to mention, you can't leave ethanol gas in an engine that will not be ran for an extended period of time because it will gum everything up. So, more polution, more "gas" used, and its hard on your fuel system; how can this possibly be better for us.

**JRTJH** · 03-01-2016, 08:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike484

BTW, I honestly feel as though the addition of ethanol is all just a government scam. The government subsidizes the corn farmers to use their crops in the production of ethanol which was a way to conserve oil. Now that there is such an abundance of oil, why are they still pushing the ethanol? It makes your engine run worse and you get less gas milage with ethanol than you do ethanol free, and, if you fuel lines and engine were not made for ethanol, it does damage. Not to mention, you can't leave ethanol gas in an engine that will not be ran for an extended period of time because it will gum everything up. So, more polution, more "gas" used, and its hard on your fuel system; how can this possibly be better for us.

You forgot to mention that it's also more profitable for companies that produce StaBil, SeaFoam and other brands of "fuel additives"..... I wonder just how much the addition of ethanol has cost the average homeowner in repairs to small engines, marine and RV products, not to mention how much "stale gas" we throw away rather than use because it's questionable...

Let's not get onto a "government rant" (that's prohibited by forum rules) but try to keep the discussion on the "cause/effect" and "results" of using ethanol, if comments must be made....

Thanks...

zuley · 03-01-2016, 08:22 AM

I could be mistaken here but i"m thinking I was once told in Canada premium fuels, 91 octane and higher do not contain ethynol alcohol. I was having trouble getting my previous little generator to run without the choke on. Talked to a mechanic buddy and it was him that told me about the ethynol in the lower grade fuels. After about 20 minutes of running premium in the gen it smoothed right out and had never ran better. That sold me.

Mike484 · 03-01-2016, 08:23 AM

Fixed it, wasnt really a rant as much as just how it began.

You may also like: