Champion 2000w inverter generator

jim1 · 03-04-2020, 08:00 AM

Has anyone had any experience with these gen sets? I can buy the 2 - 2000w stackable inverters with the parallel kit and generator covers for $1125. So just wondering if it' a good or bad investment.

**JRTJH** · 03-04-2020, 09:09 AM

There are two different types of Champion 2000 watt inverter generators, both are stackable.

The older style is the "box type" generator (the ones I have) and the newer style is the "suitcase type".

Both seem to be good choices at half the cost of Honda/Yamaha models.

Ours always start on the first or second pull, power the trailer (one generator in the spring/fall and two when we need the A/C for cooling).

We paid $399 each for the generators and $49 for the parallel kit' That's $850 for the setup, so your price seems "quite expensive". I'd suggest you watch for "sales" which will, no doubt, start happening the closer we get to "camping season"....

We bought ours from Blain's Fleet and Farm which had them on sale with free shipping.

Even if you can't find a sale when you're ready to buy, Home Depot sells the generators for $499 each and, if you're a veteran, there's a 10% discount on all purchases. That would make your total purchases about $105 less than your quoted price, even if you bought the set today.

Tuz5150 · 03-04-2020, 09:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jim1

Has anyone had any experience with these gen sets? I can buy the 2 - 2000w stackable inverters with the parallel kit and generator covers for $1125. So just wondering if it' a good or bad investment.

I have the 3400W one, used it all summer/fall living on my property in northern MI. its quiet... sorta for a 3400W one, and it's comparable to honda for noise.

It runs my AC, as long a DW isn't making coffee.

Really satisfied with it, but it's made in China (a problem for me) Won't need it this year, as power pole being installed in May

Jfreek65 · 03-04-2020, 11:50 AM

My family has had great experiences with Champions for the money.

However, I just picked up the Westinghouse 4500DF from Amazon as I liked the ability to run it on with gasoline or propane. It’s one of the quietest non Honda model inverters I’ve seen. Might be worth looking at their line as they also have 2000-2500 models.

66joej · 03-04-2020, 03:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jim1

Has anyone had any experience with these gen sets? I can buy the 2 - 2000w stackable inverters with the parallel kit and generator covers for $1125. So just wondering if it' a good or bad investment.

If quoting Canadian $ that equates to ~840 USD.

**JRTJH** · 03-04-2020, 04:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 66joej

If quoting Canadian $ that equates to ~840 USD.

If that's the case, then his price is $10 less than I paid (on sale) 5 years ago !!!

Willie & Bev · 03-04-2020, 08:05 PM

I bought two of the Champions at Rural King at their black Friday sale. I ordered and installed hour meters on both of them. So far I haven't had a chance to use them. I did start one up and ran it for the five hours and then changed oil. I only loaded them to about half capacity and varied that. It started easy. Mine are the box style.

Willie

jim1 · 03-06-2020, 07:05 AM

YA that would be a great price in Canada, but the $1125 is US =$1509 Canadian, funny money but it sure has some pretty colours

jim1 · 03-06-2020, 07:09 AM

The 2000w Champion inverter gen set up here is $799 Can for each generator at Canadian Tire store and $1400-$1550 Can each for the Honda 2200 generators

**JRTJH** · 03-06-2020, 08:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jim1

The 2000w Champion inverter gen set up here is $799 Can for each generator at Canadian Tire store and $1400-$1550 Can each for the Honda 2200 generators

That sounds "about right" for price differences between Honda/Champion. Some prefer the "reliability/longevity/name" that goes with Honda, and for them, it's worth the price difference. On the other hand, some prefer the reliability/longevity/cheaper name that goes with the Champion line. In years past, there was much more "difference" than there is in today's generator lines. Champion has come a long, long way in their generator lines in recent years. Even the "new suitcase line" has some significant improvements over the older "box type" generators. While, for me, it's not enough to motivate paying for new ones, if I were in the market to buy for the first time, I think I'd opt for the suitcase style. That said, if the "suitcase costs $599 and the box costs $399"... well, I'd buy exactly what I now have and keep the money to buy more of that "corona virus spray that comes in Jack Daniels bottles".....

jim1 · 03-08-2020, 11:00 AM

YAY for JD spray ��

**flybouy** · 03-08-2020, 11:12 AM

John,
With all due respect, please STOP talking about the JD spray! For the love of God we can't have a run on Jack and create a shortage.

Now that would be a national emergency!

**JRTJH** · 03-08-2020, 01:02 PM

Hmmm...….

oldnjrver · 03-08-2020, 01:50 PM

I have used a pair of champion 2000 watt units for the past 4 years, with a parallel kit. They have been very reliable.
Because I didn't exercise them on a regular basis, this past year, the carburetor on one got plugged up and when I took it in for service the service guy told me that the cost of a replacement carb and the labor would be almost as much as buying a new one generator. The other runs as good as new. Never had any problem when I used Sta-bil. Last year I tried using Seafoam stabilizer and one of the carbs plugged up..

Just bought a cummins onan 4500 watt inverter for $1049.00. It and the Westinghouse 4500 watt inverters look like clones, and came on the market at about the same time.
It seems that the larger ports in the larger engine carbs are less sensitive to blockage especially when you use Sta-bil, gasoline stabilizer. It comes with a remote electric start.. Its a bit of a tradeoff because it weighs 100 lbs where the champions only weigh 45 lbs each, so it takes a bit more effort to get it into the back of my pickup.
I can also run my AC and Microwave at the same time with the Cummins. Couldn't do it with the 2 champions.

I can make you a heck of a deal on a 2000 watt champion with parallel kit if your interested....

Safe and happy travels

oldnjrver · 03-08-2020, 02:07 PM

I forgot to mention that exercising these generators is critical. At least every month or two..

I did get a recommendation to purchase some Stihl 50:1 2 cycle fuel, which is non ethanol gas and 2 cycle oil.

And before storing the gen sets, run it thru the carb, after draining all of the gas out of the gas tank and carb. It lubes the cylinder and prevents blockage in the carb ports.

**JRTJH** · 03-08-2020, 02:42 PM

Around here, "ethanol free gas" is called "Rec Gas" is 90 octane and about 15-25 cents more a gallon than regular, 10% ethanol. I started using "Rec Gas" in all my small engine equipment about 10 years ago. Before that, I was replacing a carb and/or fuel lines on equipment almost every year. Since I started using "alcohol free gas" I haven't had a carb failure. I do still use StaBil Marine stabilizer (gray stuff) in my rec gas in the fall. That's because it "may wind up in the equipment when I put it away for the season"... During the spring/summer, I just use the Rec Gas without stabilizer as I go through it fast enough that it's never more than a couple weeks old.

If you can find it, it's worth the extra price to buy "ethanol free gas" for all your small engine equipment. In some places, premium grade gas is ethanol free, in some places NOTHING is ethanol free, so do some checking with oil/gas distributors in the area before you give up trying to find it.

**flybouy** · 03-08-2020, 02:57 PM

Try this site. https://www.pure-gas.org/index.jsp

**JRTJH** · 03-08-2020, 02:59 PM

I'm not sure how "handy" you are, but if you are up to the challenge of replacing the carburetor on your "fouled Champion" you can buy a replacement carb at Amazon for $13. https://www.amazon.com/Janrui-Carbur...garden&sr=1-19

Make sure it fits your model, this is the one that is supposed to be for my 73536i generators. There are several reviews that say it doesn't fit and just as many that say it fits and runs fine, so I don't know for sure if it will work, but as with anything "Amazon Prime" if it doesn't work, you can return it and they'll pay the postage.

ADDED: Here is the link to the Champion instructions on how to replace the carb: http://help.championpowerequipment.c...or-replacement

If you're not sure about which P/N carb to buy, you can order an OEM carb from Champion at this link: http://help.championpowerequipment.c...or-spare-parts It's not an online order, you'll have to call them to order. My guess is the carb will cost around $40 from them.

oldnjrver · 03-09-2020, 03:32 AM

Thanks for all the good information..
I'm certainly going to get some of that ethanol free gas..
As for the carb, I'll definitely check it out..
will keep you all posted on the progress with purchasing the carb, though it may take a while.

safe and happy travels to all

oldnjrver · 03-09-2020, 07:01 AM

Wow!! you guys were right!! replacement carb was only $25 + $3 shipping from Supergen products!!

The install instructions look to be pretty simple as well!!
Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!!!!

Safe trips, Happy travels and all the best..

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