impressed with Champion 3100 inverter generator

[Gaberdeen]

I recently purchased a 3100 Champion inverter generator. I have to say so far I am pretty impressed by it. The noise level is quite reasonable on it and so far no issues with it. MY DW, daughter and granddaughter are heading up to Sebago State park in August. When we reserved a site earlier this year we didn't own a TT yet so we got a site with no hookups, hence the generator purchase. Gives me a little bit of a secure feeling knowing that I'll be able to keep the battery charged with some common sense use of the juice. Anyway hope to add some solar in the near future cause I do believe the less noise the better!

[Taranwanderer]

A buddy and I both bought the 3100 a few months apart. His ran like a top from the get-go. Mine had to go back to the factory (after a local Champ service center "fixed" it,) for a new carb and control board. Now mine runs like a top too. Works well, but it will bog out if you try to use the microwave while the WH is on electric. But all in all, a good unit for the watts, price, and sound level.

[GmanHawaii]

I have a Kipor 3000 quiet as my friends Honda and if i turn off smart throttle and most of the heavy electricity using devices I can start and run AC

[jhoppmann]

I just got the Costco version which is labeled as a 2800 (3100 peak). It was a bit louder than I expected and we did have one afternoon when the microwave kept overloading it (it seemed like it would not throttle up under load). Not sure if I will keep it or not.

[abomb]

I have the champion 3100 also. It has run flawlessly. Seems to be good on gas, and not to heavy. I throw it in the back of my f250. I think it's 85 lbs.

[bcurtiss433]

I just bought this today as well with the remote start. I got it home and put oil and fuel and it started right up. However, I noticed the fuel cap will not tighten, and it will pop right off if I pull it. Anyone else had this issue?

[hbillsmith]

Champion tech support is outstanding. My 3100 had a support bolt that slipped in shipment. I emailed a picture and got a quick call back that same day. They overnighted me a new replacement and sent me a prepaid UPS return label. Unit runs perfect, is easy to start, is 53db quiet in econo mode and only Honda std 58db full on. At 82# I can lift and move by myself.

[Loneeagle]

New to the idea of a generator. Now does an inverter generator work, how do you hook it up?

Thanks,

[mort]

I agree with you Champ owners. We had a Honda 3000eu inverter. Was nice except for the corrosion inside the carb from Ethanol. That went with the old camper so in looking around including at the more expensive Yamaha for $2300 . I noticed the Yamaha engine looked exactly like the engine in the Champion 3100 inverter unit. Could it be the same? Same size exactly?
We bought the unit from Bottomline for Under $990. with electric start and remote control. No tax including delivery FREE to Florida.
Anyway after 9 years with the Honda I would say this Champ is at least 90% as good. Gonna use Mobile 1 oil as I do in everything here, and my toys all last almost forever!
I hope that helps,
Mort

[MOODMAN]

So can I use a 50A plug on the Champion gen? My 5er is 50A

[Nick M]

You can't pull 50 amps from the 3100 Champion is it is just borderline for 30 amps. What you can do is minimize your 5er load and still use the Champion generator. Water heater should run on gas, don't use high current devices and your 5er will work fine. 30 amps works out to be 3600 watts at 120volts so the 3100 is a bit limited.

You need about 6000 watts or 6kw to run a 50 amp 5er at full tilt, I would go with 6600 just to have some reserve capacity if it were me and I had an unlimited bank account.

My future needs include a 3600 watt inverter generator for my 5er and will be very mindful of current draw when using the generator.

[seigell]

The Champion Gen also has only 30A and 15A Outlets, so you would need a 30-50A Converter Plug such as this:
Camco 55185 PowerGrip 30M/50F AMP 18" Dogbone Electrical Adapter

[MOODMAN]

Thanks for the info. But what I would want most of all is to use a gen for A\C. I have two AC units. Don't know if this gen would supply enough current to handle two.

[mort]

Nope
50amps is 6000watts max. You could purchase an adapter at walmart or the net and only run stuff that is less than 3000 total watts. Mort

[Brewhedd]

Generator wattage numbers are starting power not continuous power. A 3600 watt gen may supply 30 starting amps but continuous is more like 24 amps. Two Honda 2000 watt gens in parallel will supply 26 amps continuous. Also when running two 120 volt legs, as in a 50 amp rv, the available amperage will drop. Don't mean to sound like a know it all but I would hate to see someone buy a 3600 watt generator and think they could pull 30 amps all day long.

[Harkerr]

Most of these generators have a Twistlok receptacle for 220 volt out. Not same as rv 50 amp. Can be adapted but do not expect 50 amp output from generator

[hbillsmith]

If you want to run both A/C on a fiver you and you want something sorta quiet 68db you wil need a Lifan 5500 (Lowes online $1600) or a Honda EU6500is or Eu7100is ($3400, $3900). These are heavy beasts, roughly 200#. They do not have an RV 50 amp connector but with the adaptor plug they do deliver full wattage to the 5er. Check the Amazon and Lowes reviews and you will find many RV 50amp success that run both A/C. Myself, I use my Champion 3100 with the 30amp to 50amp plug adaptor and I only run 1 A/C at a time. Close the bedroom during day. Close the livingroom at night.

[Taranwanderer]

So, after some back-yard fabrication yesterday, my Champion 3100 has a better set of wheels to move it around with. Anyone who has one knows that the second you try to run it over anything uneven (oh, I don't know, like in a camp site) the wheels get rocks stuck in them.

This is how it should come from the factory:

[Gaberdeen]

Originally Posted by Taranwanderer

So, after some back-yard fabrication yesterday, my Champion 3100 has a better set of wheels to move it around with. Anyone who has one knows that the second you try to run it over anything uneven (oh, I don't know, like in a camp site) the wheels get rocks stuck in them.

This is how it should come from the factory:

That's very cool. I just ran over one of the kids flip flops. Up in the wheel it went!

[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