Generators - Page 6

Taranwanderer · 08-22-2014, 10:06 PM

So...the saga continues. Sometimes I think if I didn't have bad luck,...

I take the generator out of the box, read the manual, fill it with oil, and pour in about a quart (thankfully) of gas. Pull choke, starts on second pull. Now we're running, let it warm up, plug a work light into it to make sure it's producing power, all seems good. Then it starts to sputter. Then I notice The Puddle. Of gas. Growing beneath my new generator. Soaking into my asphalt driveway, no less. So I remove the maintenance cover. There's two clear hoses running down from the carb bowl. One appears to attach right near a stop cock valve that you can turn with a screwdriver, drains the gas out of the carb. The second clear hose looks like it comes from behind the carb somewhere, it runs out the bottom and appears to be a breather. Gas is POURING from this tube. I'm pretty sure it's not supposed to be doing that. Call the 800 number, tech walks me through a few steps, comes to the conclusion that I have a bad seat or valve in the carb. So now I get to take it to a local Champion service shop to have it fixed before I even get to use it.

WTF? Is it too much to ask that my brand new, $900 generator actually works and be free of catastrophic defects? Or is this the new norm in American manufacturing and production? Again, wtf?

ironj · 08-22-2014, 10:20 PM

Wow that sucketh!!...one of my champs came wirh shipping damage to the choke....i didn't see any damage tho...ran it by shop and they had it running strong in about 20min...

Either way it sucks....but the other 3 I have were no problems....let us know what happens

sent from fat fingers via a space dish thing with no regard to grammer.

rsscully · 08-23-2014, 05:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Taranwanderer

So...
WTF? Is it too much to ask that my brand new, $900 generator actually works and be free of catastrophic defects? Or is this the new norm in American manufacturing and production? Again, wtf?

Champion is a "US owned" company. Generators are made in China.

http://www.championpowerequipment.com/about/

Kuba · 08-23-2014, 08:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Taranwanderer

So...the saga continues. Sometimes I think if I didn't have bad luck,...

I take the generator out of the box, read the manual, fill it with oil, and pour in about a quart (thankfully) of gas. Pull choke, starts on second pull. Now we're running, let it warm up, plug a work light into it to make sure it's producing power, all seems good. Then it starts to sputter. Then I notice The Puddle. Of gas. Growing beneath my new generator. Soaking into my asphalt driveway, no less. So I remove the maintenance cover. There's two clear hoses running down from the carb bowl. One appears to attach right near a stop cock valve that you can turn with a screwdriver, drains the gas out of the carb. The second clear hose looks like it comes from behind the carb somewhere, it runs out the bottom and appears to be a breather. Gas is POURING from this tube. I'm pretty sure it's not supposed to be doing that. Call the 800 number, tech walks me through a few steps, comes to the conclusion that I have a bad seat or valve in the carb. So now I get to take it to a local Champion service shop to have it fixed before I even get to use it.

WTF? Is it too much to ask that my brand new, $900 generator actually works and be free of catastrophic defects? Or is this the new norm in American manufacturing and production? Again, wtf?

Chill, it's not catastrophic; )

DocGTO · 08-28-2014, 08:35 PM

When I got the new fiver, the wife busted my chops for a installed genny so I just did it up. Onan 5500 with an ATS and 18 gal tank. Pricey but we got caught one time in Virginia and a storm came out of nowhere and knocked out the power during a summer heat wave and our hookups were useless. 115 heat index for 2 days at the race track and my wife said NOT AGAIN. It will run everything in the trailer plus one of the 15k a/c units.

I did look around and found a low hours used unit. 3 years old with lot 130 hours of use. I got the gen, tank, electric start control panel, and all the piping, fuel lines, ect for 2700.

Gens are worth it but you will have to pay more for a quiet one...

DocGTO · 08-28-2014, 08:37 PM

I have used a Generac 6500e at the house for emergency situations. Great, reliable gens for the money but not quiet.

danny butler · 12-16-2014, 12:16 PM

just recently purchased a briggs and stratton 7500 running watts for a grand. opperates both 15k air conditioners dual zone and everything else on 2015 355 re sierra fine, but noisy outside. inside not too bad as the trailer is tight and keeps a lot of noise out. just have to watch bumper for cracks with generator 300lbs on 500lb limit bike rack. may have to add angle iron to trailer frame. did see a 7000 watt honda generator at sams for less. would have been a betterr buy.

CMC · 12-16-2014, 06:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ironj

So did u buy the 3100?..as many know ive been a champ fan for many many years (starting over on the original champ thread on rv.net)...

They have their pros and cons but their cs is second to none in my opinion....I have 3 of the 2000inverters!! And i would ONLY own champ products if they offered a unit that could compete with the honda 6500...that thing is in a league of its own...power for days AND quiet. ...but like half a ton!!...I find 4000 watts is ALMOST enough and 6500 is a little overkill...

Id consider a single 3100 with remote start over the twin 2000s...I really...REALLY like remote start...

2009 silverback 33 LBSA
2005 GMC2500HD Husky 16K slider hitch

Taranwanderer · 12-16-2014, 08:23 PM

So, after getting the Champ 3100 inverter back from my local Champ warranty/service center (where they had to replace the carb,) I took it for a weekend of dry camping. This was roughly the middle of October. So I get it out there, started it, and the thing won't run for crap. Sputtering and dying, choke on or choke off, made no difference. Eventually, it gets warmed up enough to where it will run for a while, but terribly erratically. I only say this because my buddy's (identical) generator is right next to my campsite, and his runs perfectly. So I know what it should sound like. So I bring it home, and call Champion again. Now I finally get the return authorization to ship this thing back to the factory. So I pack it up and ship it on 10/27. After several emails to Champ CS, I finally get the notice that it's fixed--replaced carb (again) and control module. It arrived back here Saturday. I have yet to take it out of the box--weather has not been cooperative for an outdoor project here lately, we haven't seen the sun in 2 weeks. So I'll post up again once I get the chance to fire it up.

Again, this is a lot of BS to go through for a brand new unit...

techntrek · 12-17-2014, 06:33 PM

No problems with my Yamaha EF2400is or Honda EU3000is! One cross-country trip with each of them, multiple stops at truck stops overnight. A problem or two with the Generac on the house over the years, but it runs. But I usually use my Prius with a 4000 watt UPS attached to it to run most of the house...

Taranwanderer · 12-25-2014, 11:31 PM

Finally had the chance to unpack the genny today--sunny and temps in the high 40s, I felt like spring was in the air! Filled it with oil, a bit of gas, and fired it up. No leaks, good power to the 5-er, and it even purred in Eco mode. Let it run out, drained the gas from the carb, and covered it for the winter. It would appear that the generator gods have finally taken their foot out of my @$$ and have given me the thumbs up. It took Champ 4 months to right the ship, but they came through. Maybe Santa had a talk with them.

Here's to powered dry camping next year!

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