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Old 01-18-2017, 03:04 PM   #1
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New Champion Generator - 3500W Digital Hybrid

Wondering if anyone has any experience or feedback with this Champion generator. Have not seen this model previously, I might have missed it.

3500W Digital Hybrid - Champion Power Equipment

Seems very comparable to the smaller 2800/3100 generators but with more running/startup watts

Digital Hybrid Inverter technology
3500 running / 4000 startup
2.9 Gallon gas tank
17 hour run run or over 5.8 hours/gallon @25%
64dBa @ 23 ft (versus 58/59 dBa on smaller 2800/3100 units)
81 pounds (little lighter)
Wheel kit will be coming soon according to Champion
Priced at $630 at Walmart

Any experience or feedback?
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Old 01-18-2017, 03:12 PM   #2
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WAY TOO NOISY for campgrounds!

Champion's actual inverter generators have noise levels in the mid-50s.
MUCH quieter.

That generator would be fine for boondocking, desert camping and motor race camping.
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Old 01-18-2017, 03:17 PM   #3
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I have the older version 2800/3100 and have been very happy with it. We use ours infrequently so it spends most of it's life under a bench in my shop. That said every time without fail it has performed.

Since it is mostly stored each time after using I run it completely out of gas then put in a little of Stihl 2cycle gasoline and then run it out again and put it away. All of my equipment (yard) has gone through the same process for years w/o issue.

I will say this, if I had to do it all over again I would most likely get 2 2000w generators and pair them together when needed. Lots of times one 2k gen is more that enough.
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Old 01-20-2017, 02:33 PM   #4
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WAY TOO NOISY for campgrounds!
No doubt, a 6 db difference is a bit over 3x as loud.
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Old 01-20-2017, 02:47 PM   #5
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No doubt, a 6 db difference is a bit over 3x as loud.
Actually, for every 3 db increase the total noise doubles so 6db would be 4x louder.
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Old 01-20-2017, 02:54 PM   #6
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Weird....I don't think the OP mentioned that it would be used in a CG at all.......
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Old 01-20-2017, 02:54 PM   #7
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Looks like the downside is noise.
It is an 'open frame' type of construction with inverter generating capabilities. Hence the 'hybrid' designation.

Most inverter generators are fully 'enclosed' in a shroud or body housing, which helps muffle the noise and gives them a better DB rating.

I read this on their web site...
"It is an open frame portable generator that also utilizes inverter controlled output instead of using a smaller engine and being contained in an enclosed housing. So you get the power of the larger open frame machines with the output quality of an inverter."
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Old 01-20-2017, 02:57 PM   #8
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Doubling power behind the sound gives a 3db increase in sound. 6 db doubles the pressure, and human perception doubles volume at 10 db.
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Old 01-20-2017, 03:17 PM   #9
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My apologies it seems I ran a stop sign and commented incorrectly.

I skimmed right over the words Digital Hybrid. Mine is the 3100 Inverter Generator.
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Old 01-21-2017, 01:44 PM   #10
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Originally Posted by bikendan View Post
Champion's actual inverter generators have noise levels in the mid-50s.
MUCH quieter.
Champion's website says their 3100W inverter generator has a noise level of 58 dBa at 23 ft. but I agree this new hybrid one will be too loud if you have neighbors close by in a campground. At a NASCAR track, no problem.
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Old 01-21-2017, 03:10 PM   #11
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Originally Posted by bikendan View Post
WAY TOO NOISY for campgrounds!

Champion's actual inverter generators have noise levels in the mid-50s.
MUCH quieter.

That generator would be fine for boondocking, desert camping and motor race camping.
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I respectfully disagree.

One: It's an inverter (very similar on build to a Yamaha 2800I even the inverter section on the side is almost the exacct same....

Two: It has the inverter economy switch on the control panel and will run and generate power according to load

Three: I may be a bit prejudice because I own a Champion (2000 watt Inverter) but I've had no issues with mone whatsoever and it's hard to beat the Champion price, in fact, you cannot.

If I was in the market for an open frame (cradle inverter), I'd have one in a minute. I sold (on Flea-Bay ) a while ago, my Yamaha 2800 I because it was to big for my needs. Lasted about 6 hours and was gone,,,

My advice is buy it and be happy.
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Old 01-21-2017, 03:40 PM   #12
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I respectfully disagree.

One: It's an inverter (very similar on build to a Yamaha 2800I even the inverter section on the side is almost the exacct same....

Two: It has the inverter economy switch on the control panel and will run and generate power according to load

Three: I may be a bit prejudice because I own a Champion (2000 watt Inverter) but I've had no issues with mone whatsoever and it's hard to beat the Champion price, in fact, you cannot.

If I was in the market for an open frame (cradle inverter), I'd have one in a minute. I sold (on Flea-Bay ) a while ago, my Yamaha 2800 I because it was to big for my needs. Lasted about 6 hours and was gone,,,

My advice is buy it and be happy.
Did you not see the noise rating of 64db?

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Old 01-21-2017, 03:59 PM   #13
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Originally Posted by rootree View Post
Wondering if anyone has any experience or feedback with this Champion generator. Have not seen this model previously, I might have missed it.

3500W Digital Hybrid - Champion Power Equipment

Seems very comparable to the smaller 2800/3100 generators but with more running/startup watts

Digital Hybrid Inverter technology
3500 running / 4000 startup
2.9 Gallon gas tank
17 hour run run or over 5.8 hours/gallon @25%
64dBa @ 23 ft (versus 58/59 dBa on smaller 2800/3100 units)
81 pounds (little lighter)
Wheel kit will be coming soon according to Champion
Priced at $630 at Walmart

Any experience or feedback?
No experience, but one thought. You might want to familiarize yourself with the pros and cons of the different types of sine waves produced by various inverters.
This one might not be the best choice for your needs.
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Old 01-21-2017, 04:11 PM   #14
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My advise, don't buy the Champion 3500w Digital Hybrid if you plan to camp beside other people. You will have some very unhappy neighbors. Rated at 64 db that genny would be screaming with a load.
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Old 01-21-2017, 04:18 PM   #15
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Did you not see the noise rating of 64db?

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Sure did and that is at WOT, not in economy mode. 64DB is about a vacuum cleaner

53 DB at 23 feet for my 2000 watt, but then again, it's totally enclosed and...

My 2800 I was 64-68 DB at 1/4 load and before I sold it, I used it plenty campinng both in parks and the woods.

If my requirements dictated more power, I'd have one in a flash. They don't however so the 2000 is fine for me.
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Old 01-21-2017, 04:40 PM   #16
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The 64 db rating is at 25% load.
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Old 01-21-2017, 05:18 PM   #17
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Debating dB ratings of generators is a waste of time and tells you nothing. There is no standard criteria for it, and the manufacturer can basically say whatever they want.

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Old 01-21-2017, 08:04 PM   #18
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In the comments section on the product page somebody posted a video of load testing that hybrid generator. You can hardly hear him talking it's so loud.


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Old 01-22-2017, 04:34 AM   #19
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All I know is that I'd get really cranky really quick if this was running at the campsite next door.


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Old 01-22-2017, 05:04 AM   #20
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All I know is that I'd get really cranky really quick if this was running at the campsite next door.


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No doubt I bet you could hear it a mile away or more at load based on that video mentioned. He has to scream while making the video before he even loads it. The guy who posted the video says one of the pros is "noise", It gets 5 out of 5 stars for being loud I guess.
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