Just a few things that I thought about before buying. How big of a generator do I really need? How much generator weight do I feel like moving around? Weight is important and was a significant factor in my buying decision. How much noise am I willing to subject my neighbors to? Where can I put it or what should I build to keep it dry when it rains? I made a list of everything that I will need to power at once. Keeping in mind that bigger generators and powering more stuff, will cost a lot by consuming more gas. A day is not bad, go a week or two and it will rapidly get expensive. Most generators rate gasoline use in gallons per hour at far less than the maximum rated output load of the generator. Looking at what I would need to power, amps multiplied by the volts equals watts. Added together the watts of everything I will need to power at one time. Keeping in mind that refrigerators, freezers, air conditioners, pumps and motors need more power briefly during start up. Some generator sizing charts or calculators can be found on the web. This 2800 watt rated and 3100 watt surge generator should fit my needs and budget nicely. As a foot note; this is a 120 volt generator and cannot power anything that needs 220 volts.
I filled the engine with 10w 30 engine oil, it takes a little over 1/2 of a quart. Added gas, it fired up and ran on the very first pull. You must use the choke when cold. Subsequent starts when hot still needed to be chocked briefly every time on the first pull. By doing this it does start every time on the first pull. Super quiet on the eco or low throttle setting. Still impressively quiet at the full throttle setting. As you add a significant load, (I was using 1800 watts at the time), it gets noticeably louder out of the exhaust. Not a deal breaker but something to keep in mind. I was right next to it, but at a distance of 20 feet or more, It wouldn't be bad at all. This is a multi-pole generator with an inverter. The multi-pole is why it is only 83 pounds. The inverter assures you that the voltage and hertz remain correct. Inverter generators cost more dollars per watt, but are needed more than ever, as opposed to generators that don't have the inverter. Many things you will need to power nowadays have at least one electronic circuit board located somewhere inside. Generators without inverters might possibly burn up that electronic circuit board. Probably rare or maybe never, but if that were to happen, it would be expensive to say the least.
I bought a plug adapter for it so that I can draw the full 2800 to 3100 surge watts from the duplex outlet. If you are only using the standard duplex outlet, you will be limited by the 20amp breaker to 2400 watts. Check out the Conntek adapter, part number 14340, also sold on Amazon. This generator rolls around really easy, using the built in fold out handle. The air filter is a replaceable pleated paper type. No leaks and looking inside it looks to be a very well made quality product. Some made in China engines have roughly cast parts and just in general look cheap. Not the case with this engine. The castings look great and engine overall looks well made. This engine has a cast iron cylinder sleeve for extended life and the crank shaft rides on ball bearings. It is a 171cc overhead valve engine and has a low oil shut down.
One thing to note is that this generator has a spark arrester located in its catalytic converter. Most generators have these arresters, whether they have a cat convertor or just a muffler. After a lot of running hours or if your engine gets hard to start or restart, it may need cleaning. Put something under the plate before you pull the screws so that they don't fall down inside of the generator's plastic outer housing. Remove the two small screws located where the exhaust gases come out. Lift off the little plate and pull the screen out. Clean the carbon off of the screen or replace it with a new one and reinstall. Numerous engines have these nowadays and they are one of the most common reasons people end up taking a unit in for service or throwing one away. Looking at the outside, you can only see one of the screens, you need to pull it to check the long inner screen. Clean it before it gets so much carbon built up that you destroy it trying to pull it out of the hole.
This generator has a 2 year warranty and from what I have seen looking around on the web, they will back it up without any hassle. The manual has a full parts list complete with part numbers which is a great sign. A list of 130 generator parts and an additional 102 engine parts. Champion is located in California and the generators are made for them in China. Other brands of China made generators are disguised and modified versions of a common generator. Champion generators look to be unique, which I take as a good sign, rather than just a slapped on name. If you call Champion for a part, they will ship it out by the next day. If it is still under warranty, the part will be free or they will have it repaired under warranty for you. Some other China generators don't have any parts available. In my opinion, when new, the engine should be run 3 to 5 hours without a load, or limited to a light load as a break in. The manual recommends changing the oil after the first 5 hours. Which would be to get rid of the metal particles that result from the break in. Every 50 or 100 hours after that, depending on the type of use. I have a light weight, 2000 watt Yamaha inverter generator for some of my needs, but I hate to leave it unattended. Generators can disappear, to put it as nicely as possible. So this is a heavier, more power full, less expensive generator and hopefully a little less tempting to others. I can recommend this Champion generator without any reservations. In my opinion, this is a really nice generator.
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From the manufacturer
About Champion
Champion Power Equipment is a market leader in power generation equipment. Champion has years of experience providing dependable and durable power products designed and engineered in the US for the North American and world markets. For home, work or play, Champion products are the standard of performance excellence. We make the power that makes your life easier.
Champion 3100-Watt RV Ready Portable Inverter Generator
Quiet, lightweight power is all yours with the Champion 3100-watt RV Ready portable inverter generator. Rely on the Champion 171cc engine and enjoy the quiet 58 dBA for up to 8 hours of run time at 25% load. Featuring Quick Touch Panel and Economy mode, it’s your perfect portable power solution.
- 4 Stroke
- Single Cylinder
- Air Cooled
- Low Oil Shut-Off
- Recoil Start
- Cast Iron Sleeve for Durability
Key Features
• Fuel Tank – 1.6 Gallon (6 L)
• Oil Capacity – 0.6 qt. (0.6 L)
• Noise Level – 58 dBA from 23 ft.
• Running Hours – 8 hrs at 25% Load
• Built-In Carrying Handles
• Mobility Kit – Foldaway “U” Shape Handle and Never Flat Tires for Easy Mobility
• Push-to-Reset Circuit Breakers
• Economy Mode – Engine Automatically Idles Lower When Electrical Load is Reduced, Saving Fuel and Engine Wear
• 12V DC Battery Charging Cables
We make the power that makes your life easier.
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For Home |
For Work |
For Play |
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| Champion 2000-Watt Stackable Portable Inverter Generator | Champion 3100-Watt RV Ready Portable Inverter Generator | Champion 3100-Watt RV Ready Portable Inverter Generator w/ Wireless Remote Start | Champion 3400-Watt Dual Fuel RV Ready Inverter Generator with Electric Start | Champion 4000-Watt RV Ready Digital Hybrid Open Frame Inverter | |
| Start Type | Recoil | Recoil | Recoil, Remote | Recoil, Electric | Recoil |
| Fuel Type | Gasoline | Gasoline | Gasoline | Gasoline, Propane (LPG) | Gasoline |
| Item Weight (lb.) | 48.5 | 83.8 | 96.6 | 95.7 | 81.6 |
| Gasoline Run Time at 1/4 Load (h.) | 9.5 | 8.0 | 8.0 | 7.5 | 17.0 |
| Gasoline Capacity (gal.) | 1.0 | 1.6 | 1.6 | 1.6 | 2.9 |
| Noise Level (dBA) | 53.0 | 58.0 | 58.0 | 59.0 | 64.0 |
| Parallel Capability | ✓ | NA | NA | ✓ | ✓ |
| RV Ready | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wheels | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
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4250 Champion Inverter Generator Review
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I do a lot of camping here in Colorado. Plus we have blizzards, storms, etc. Having backup power is a must!!! I had the Champion 4750/4000w standard generator (with many others) on hand. I used the older standard RV ready 4000w genny for 3 years and it did me well. I sold it to a buddy for 66% of what I paid for it and bought this. Super impressed. I did the recommended 5 hour break in with standard oil, then replaced with synthetic oil. It was super quiet compared to a standard non-inverter generator. I got it for $529, costs $777 now (shame on amazon for gouging during riots.) It is much quieter than my standard gennies.I have a 28 foot (2102) travel trailer with 15,000 BTU A/C. I did NOT try to start it on economy mode as other reviewers have. It took the fan coming on with ZERO issues. When the compressor kicked on it labored for a second then ran the A/C fine. I wouldn't / didn't try the microwave at the same time as I care for my equipment.Added bonus: You get a funnel (and battery chargers) with it and do not need anything other than a screwdriver to change the oil/plug (see pictures circled in red.) It comes with a built in drain hose that you remove with pliers (or fingers) then let it run out. 600ml of synthetic oil (that's 20.25 ounces) is what it takes. The oil fill has a built in black plastic drain scoop if you fill too fast (see red circles.) I DID add an after market hour meter for my own benefit but I change oil every year regardless.I boondock a lot but sometimes I don't want to be "that guy" with the loud generator. This thing is very quiet on economy mode which will provide clean/quiet power throughout the night when I all I need is lights and a T.V. I guess my biggest worry is someone may try to swipe it while I am out off-roading.Filled with 1.6 gallons of gas. It did the break in (5 hours) plus a short AC stint with a few quarts of gas left. I LOVE THIS GENNY. Champion: Thanks for making an affordable option to blue and red generators!!! If things change I will update this review.
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Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on October 14, 2013
Good unit, but a fire hazard, and difficult to work on. Simple modification brings it up to four stars, eliminating fire hazard.
Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on May 7, 2018
