impressed with Champion 3100 inverter generator

[Taranwanderer]

Originally Posted by HONDAMAN174

How's that genny working for you? Been telling people it's an up and comer but need some real world feedback on it

When I first bought it, it wouldn't run right. Took it to a local Champion service center, they made it worse. Emailed Champion customer service, they sent a paid shipping label for it, I sent it back, they installed a new carb and control board, and it's been fine since. It runs my 13.5 AC no problem, and even the electric HWH at the same time, but then it'll shut down on overload protection if I try to add the microwave to the mix! But shut off the HWH, and then the microwave is fine. I'm well pleased with the combo of "enough power" and "portable enough to move around."

Plus the home made wheel kit is awesome...

[Nick M]

Taran - care to provide details on your homebrew wheel kit?

[Taranwanderer]

Sure. Place the generator on a work surface with the wheels hanging over the edge. Unbolt the axle carefully--it's 4 small bolts, the nuts are up inside the plastic housing, and you want them to stay in place up there. Remove the hub caps on the stock wheels, then use a snap ring pliers to remove the rings that hold the wheels on. Remove the wheels and clean the axle ends. Now hang the other end off the work bench and remove the 2 rubber feet. Now here's where you get to spend $30 at TSC.

I bought the 10" pneumatic tires ($9.99 apiece,) 2 5/8" x 4" long bolts, 4 large washers, 2 nylock nuts for the 5/8" bolts, and 2 longer bolts for the feet (I think they're 6mm or something like that, but I had to bring the old ones along to verify the thread.). My buddy welded the 5/8" bolts to the ends of the existing axle. I painted the weld area so it didn't rust, then bolt the axle back in and put on a washer, then the tire, then the 2nd washer, then the nylock nut. For the support feet, we used some suspension bushings we had lying around as spacers, bolted them in with the longer 6mm bolts.

Now I can run it over my foot with no problem...

[Nick M]

I was good to go until you got to the weld part. Since I don't have a 3100W yet can you tell me if the original axles can be removed/replaced with a longer axle and no welding?

I'm on the hunt for a 3100W now, hope to locate one before we head south for the winter.

[jhoppmann]

Originally Posted by Nick M

I'm on the hunt for a 3100W now, hope to locate one before we head south for the winter.

I ordered the 2800 from Costco online. Based on the specs it appears to be the same unit. 2800 running 3100 peak

http://www.costco.com/Champion-2%2c8...100139466.html

[Nick M]

I'm not a Costco member (yet), we don't have one locally but I hear maybe next year. Best price on Ebay is $827 with free shipping. Still on the hunt....

[Taranwanderer]

Originally Posted by Nick M

I was good to go until you got to the weld part. Since I don't have a 3100W yet can you tell me if the original axles can be removed/replaced with a longer axle and no welding?

I think you have two options:

1. Remove the axle as I described, and take it and the 5/8" axle bolts to a welder/fab shop. It's a short job and shouldn't cost you too much.

2. Take a long piece of threaded rod, use that as an axle, but you'll need to figure out a way to bolt it on... Like maybe some "U" shaped brackets that can bolt into those original 4 holes and hold the rod/axle in place. You'll need a few more nuts too, to keep the tires spaced far enough away from the genny's body.

I think the "take it to a welder" option would be easier. Good luck!

[Nick M]

I worked in the coal mining industry for 40 years so no problems with finding an alternate way to do things. I'll skull this out when I get my genset. Thanks for the great ideas though.

[Switta]

i just bought one of the champion gens this year and it has been great ! i leave it in the back of my truck with the tailgate down and the bead cover over it makes it very quiet .
runs my ac great and very good on gas .

Dave

[Krawler]

Originally Posted by Taranwanderer

Sure. Place the generator on a work surface with the wheels hanging over the edge. Unbolt the axle carefully--it's 4 small bolts, the nuts are up inside the plastic housing, and you want them to stay in place up there. Remove the hub caps on the stock wheels, then use a snap ring pliers to remove the rings that hold the wheels on. Remove the wheels and clean the axle ends. Now hang the other end off the work bench and remove the 2 rubber feet. Now here's where you get to spend $30 at TSC.



I bought the 10" pneumatic tires ($9.99 apiece,) 2 5/8" x 4" long bolts, 4 large washers, 2 nylock nuts for the 5/8" bolts, and 2 longer bolts for the feet (I think they're 6mm or something like that, but I had to bring the old ones along to verify the thread.). My buddy welded the 5/8" bolts to the ends of the existing axle. I painted the weld area so it didn't rust, then bolt the axle back in and put on a washer, then the tire, then the 2nd washer, then the nylock nut. For the support feet, we used some suspension bushings we had lying around as spacers, bolted them in with the longer 6mm bolts.



Now I can run it over my foot with no problem...

That is such a great idea

[Taranwanderer]

Originally Posted by Krawler

That is such a great idea

Smart a $ $...cmon, I gave you credit for the welding.

Krawler is the Dude with the Welder...⚡️

[Krawler]

Originally Posted by Taranwanderer

Smart a $ $...cmon, I gave you credit for the welding.



Krawler is the Dude with the Welder...[emoji298]️

At least I got credit for the welding!!!!Maybe we should start a generator lift kit business .

[Krawler]

Here is a better profile pic to show the increased ground clearance

[Nick M]

Looks like it's ready for a tractor pull.

[retired firefighter]

Next would be a handle, maybe a piece of metal with and L bend on end that could be slid under existing handles. the picture looks like a stocky little unit. Just thinking of my back bending over to pull it. Nice work on the wheels.

[Krawler]

This unit does have a handle that swings up for pulling.

[Nick M]

Just was thinkin' how nice it would be if this genset could tram up a board and load itself into the bed of the truck without lifting on my part.

[Krawler]

Originally Posted by Nick M

Just was thinkin' how nice it would be if this genset could tram up a board and load itself into the bed of the truck without lifting on my part.

Haha, electric ATV winch

[Taranwanderer]

Originally Posted by Nick M

Just was thinkin' how nice it would be if this genset could tram up a board and load itself into the bed of the truck without lifting on my part.

Don't think we weren't considering it.

"If we started the generator, we could plug in an electric motor, and it could self propel," was, I believe how the discussion went. Then we ran out of beer.

[Taranwanderer]

Originally Posted by retired firefighter

Next would be a handle, maybe a piece of metal with and L bend on end that could be slid under existing handles. the picture looks like a stocky little unit. Just thinking of my back bending over to pull it. Nice work on the wheels.

Thanks. Here's a better stock photo of the handle in the "up" position. I guess someone was comparing it to a Honda: