3100-Watt Wireless Start Inverter Generator: Model 75537i
We purchased Champion 3100-watt inverter generator. It is convenient, "lightweight" and produces quiet power. The remote key fob allows us to start and stop your generator from up to 80 feet. The 171cc engine is rated at a quiet 58 dBA for up to 8 hours of run time.
Here is a review David wrote for Champion on the generator:
I did a lot of research before purchasing this generator. Having lived on a sailboat for 10 years, I know a lot about battery management and the Honda 2000’s reliability. However upon moving to an RV, my Honda wouldn’t allow my air conditioning (13,500 BTU) to start. Since we will be in Florida this summer where storms take out the power, and the RV heats up in a hurry, I began my search.
I wanted something as reliable, light weight, quiet, and fuel efficient as the Honda while still producing clean power at a lower cost. The large number of 3,000+ watt inverter generators on the market at a cost of about half the equivalent Honda surprised me. I started to notice the number of RVer’s using the Harbor Freight Predator 3500 and Champion generators. While my search was broader than these, I kept coming back to the two of them.
Over the years on my sailboat, I and others have experienced generator problems. Most of the time it occurs when we don’t have access to ethanol free gas. I wanted to be sure that I had manufacturer support in case of problems. Harbor Freight sells an attractive 2 year warranty for the Predator, but it’s only good for one use. The Champion comes with a 3 year warranty. The cost of the Predator with a 2 year warranty made it a little more expensive than the Champion with it’s 3 year warranty. Other differences that were important to me were the Predator has a built in hour meter while the Champion doesn’t. However, the Champion had remote start and an hour meter could be added for about $10. The remote start won out (especially with my wife). Finally, the Champion is slightly shorter making it a better fit in the back of my pickup.
I know the importance of properly breaking in a generator. The 5 hour recommended break-in period was quick and easy (Note: The Predator has a 30 hour break-in period). Based on other recommendations, I modified the break-in process by adding two additional oil changes. I purchased 2 quarts of quality Pennzoil 10w-30 traditional oil and a gallon of ethanol free mid-grade gas. After the first ½ hour of running the generator with a very light load, I changed the oil. It was BLACK. The next hour, I ran the generator varying the load every 15 minutes between 10-35%. Another oil change still saw pretty dirty oil. Finally, I ran the generator for 3.5 hours varying the load every 15 minutes between 10-50% using a 60 watt light bulb, electric heater, and hair dryer. The final oil change saw much cleaner oil. I refilled the generator with 5w-30 synthetic oil and another gallon of ethanol free mid-grade gas. It’s ready to power my RV.
I had a few questions that I sent to Champion support. They promptly got back to me with answers that might benefit you, too. They are:
While I’m not in a hurry to put the generator to a real world test where a storm knocks out the power to my RV, it’s nice to know that my Champion is ready to fill the void.
Here is a review David wrote for Champion on the generator:
I did a lot of research before purchasing this generator. Having lived on a sailboat for 10 years, I know a lot about battery management and the Honda 2000’s reliability. However upon moving to an RV, my Honda wouldn’t allow my air conditioning (13,500 BTU) to start. Since we will be in Florida this summer where storms take out the power, and the RV heats up in a hurry, I began my search.
I wanted something as reliable, light weight, quiet, and fuel efficient as the Honda while still producing clean power at a lower cost. The large number of 3,000+ watt inverter generators on the market at a cost of about half the equivalent Honda surprised me. I started to notice the number of RVer’s using the Harbor Freight Predator 3500 and Champion generators. While my search was broader than these, I kept coming back to the two of them.
Over the years on my sailboat, I and others have experienced generator problems. Most of the time it occurs when we don’t have access to ethanol free gas. I wanted to be sure that I had manufacturer support in case of problems. Harbor Freight sells an attractive 2 year warranty for the Predator, but it’s only good for one use. The Champion comes with a 3 year warranty. The cost of the Predator with a 2 year warranty made it a little more expensive than the Champion with it’s 3 year warranty. Other differences that were important to me were the Predator has a built in hour meter while the Champion doesn’t. However, the Champion had remote start and an hour meter could be added for about $10. The remote start won out (especially with my wife). Finally, the Champion is slightly shorter making it a better fit in the back of my pickup.
I know the importance of properly breaking in a generator. The 5 hour recommended break-in period was quick and easy (Note: The Predator has a 30 hour break-in period). Based on other recommendations, I modified the break-in process by adding two additional oil changes. I purchased 2 quarts of quality Pennzoil 10w-30 traditional oil and a gallon of ethanol free mid-grade gas. After the first ½ hour of running the generator with a very light load, I changed the oil. It was BLACK. The next hour, I ran the generator varying the load every 15 minutes between 10-35%. Another oil change still saw pretty dirty oil. Finally, I ran the generator for 3.5 hours varying the load every 15 minutes between 10-50% using a 60 watt light bulb, electric heater, and hair dryer. The final oil change saw much cleaner oil. I refilled the generator with 5w-30 synthetic oil and another gallon of ethanol free mid-grade gas. It’s ready to power my RV.
I had a few questions that I sent to Champion support. They promptly got back to me with answers that might benefit you, too. They are:
- Champion Generators have a floating neutral which won’t allow power to pass through my Progressive surge protector. Both Progressive and Champion support the use of a Generator Bonding Plug. You can either make one by connecting the neutral to ground in a 20amp plug or purchase one at: www.microair.net/products/generator-bonding-plug?variant=12272654155860
- When ethanol free gas isn’t available, I wanted a fuel stabilizer that wouldn’t invalidate my warranty. While there are several, Champion pointed me to STA-BIL Marine Formula Ethanol Treatment.
- Champion requires traditional oil for the break-in period, but allows either traditional or synthetic oil thereafter. However, if you wish to use synthetic 5w-30 after the break-in period they encourage it whenever possible.
- Finally, I thought that I would need to drill small hole to use to run the wire for my hour meter, but didn’t want to void my warranty. Champion said that it was all right to drill a hole, however, they prefer it be a horizontal hole to minimize the possibility of water getting into the generator. As it turns out, I didn’t need to drill a hole as I was able to run the wire through one of the vents above the batter compartment. The path doesn’t interfere with anything else and doesn’t get hot.
While I’m not in a hurry to put the generator to a real world test where a storm knocks out the power to my RV, it’s nice to know that my Champion is ready to fill the void.