Honda vs. Champion

[BigPapa]

Just to add, as far as I can tell, the Generac line is made in the USA. I don't know if that is for all of their units, but when I looked up the reviews on this one, it claims to be made here.

Sorry, jg, but I found 3 online listings that show it as made in China. I find that when a product boasts “USA ENGINEERED” instead of “Made in the USA” it’s not made here.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m not condemning. I know NOTHING about generators so I get the opinions of folks I know that do. I picked up a Champion 7000/6000 that only has 3.8 hours on it for cheap on the recommendation of a friend who’s been repairing and maintaining generators for over 35 years, everything from the suitcase inverters to the big stationary units. His big thing with any of the brands, as with any type of technician, is factory warranty support and parts availability. Just to mention it, he ranted on and on of his dislike for Generac and Onan (since some change in ownership?).

-Scott

 

[jgillott]

Well, we shall see what happens over time. As I mentioned, at this price point, I am certainly willing to take a chance, especially with the Generac dealer 10 min from the house in the chance that there would be a warranty issue. I don't have any grand illusions that this thing can be compared to the industry standard Honda or Yamaha. But, I'm willing to give it a go.

 

[Dan_69GTX]

Hey jgillott - questions about your new generator.

- What is the rated watts? I'm guessing max is 2200 due to the model number?
- How close to rated were you when running the A/C?

When I ran my A/C (13500 btu), the A/C would restart sometimes when it was hot outside, and it was almost always running at or above the rated load.

I know the Honda will power a load above rated (and up to max) for 30 min before it starts to overheat the inverter and that my Dad's generic (not generac) unit will not. Just curious what yours does.

 

[jgillott]

According to the manufacturers specs, my Colman Mach 13.5K AC has a rated running watts of 1650.

The Generac is rated at 2200 peak 1700 running.

 

[AH64ID]

According to the manufacturers specs, my Colman Mach 13.5K AC has a rated running watts of 1650.

The Generac is rated at 2200 peak 1700 running.

It's the startup that is hard on smaller generators, as the AC unit can double its amperage at startup.

You also have to consider if anything else is using AC power, such as the reefer, converter, etc.

I had a smaller 9,000 BTU AC unit and a EU2000 is and sometimes it would run the AC but I had to turn EVERYTHING else off, and sometimes it just wouldn't run it. That was with a hard start CAP installed.

A friend had a 2400w Yamaha that would only run his 13.5K BTU Coleman on rare occasion, and never restart it unless it had been sitting for over an hour.

 

[jgillott]

It's the startup that is hard on smaller generators, as the AC unit can double its amperage at startup.

You also have to consider if anything else is using AC power, such as the reefer, converter, etc.

I had a smaller 9,000 BTU AC unit and a EU2000 is and sometimes it would run the AC but I had to turn EVERYTHING else off, and sometimes it just wouldn't run it. That was with a hard start CAP installed.

A friend had a 2400w Yamaha that would only run his 13.5K BTU Coleman on rare occasion, and never restart it unless it had been sitting for over an hour.

When I tried it the other day, I had all if the breakers turned off except for the AC. Again, my primary intention for this generator is not to run the AC. I'm just fairly impressed that it did so without overloading in this first test. One of the things I have on my wish list is a Micro Air soft start unit. That will certainly help if we were to try and run off the generator on a regular basis. But again, as an initial test, I'm pretty excited that it could start and run it without issue at least in this weather and elevation.

 

[AH64ID]

One of the things I have on my wish list is a Micro Air soft start unit.

At the cost of one of those I would have skipped the Generac and gone with the Champion... then again I am overly biased against Generac.

 

[jgillott]

At the cost of one of those I would have skipped the Generac and gone with the Champion... then again I am overly biased against Generac.

One of the reasons why I decided against Champion is the lack of local dealer support. In my area I have the Honda dealer and Generac dealer within just a few miles of the house. I prefer to buy these types of things somewhere where I have service support in case of an issue.

 

[AH64ID]

One of the reasons why I decided against Champion is the lack of local dealer support. In my area I have the Honda dealer and Generac dealer within just a few miles of the house. I prefer to buy these types of things somewhere where I have service support in case of an issue.

Hopefully you won't have use that support too much.

 

[Dan_69GTX]

Hopefully you won't have use that support too much.

We all hope that for everything we buy.

 

[jgillott]

Hopefully you won't have use that support too much.

Agreed .

 

[Mark31]

I have a OLD big wheel push mower with a GX 160 Honda. I have a Vanguard 6.5 (?) hp on a Cyclone Rake with less than 15 hrs on it. Guess which one is the driest.

 

[jgillott]

Well, I only have approx 8 hrs of runtime on this little thing so far. I'd say it's a little early to pass judgement.

 

[Tuesdak]

I certainly will. At the price point, I figured it was worth the shot.

The manual doesn't have a specific break in procedure listed. It just says to change the oil after 30 hours.

I'm running it right now for a few hours with a space heater varying the load. Quiet, starts on the first pull so far.

Reading up elsewhere I suggest you do need to change the oil often during break in: like at 5 hours. And break in is a good plan. I wouldn't bother even trying to power the AC with it due to risk of damage to both the AC and generator. Local dealer that will work on it is a big plus. Hope it does the job for you and the following is just intended as info.

At the cost of one of those I would have skipped the Generac and gone with the Champion... then again I am overly biased against Generac.

Looks like Champion generators are known for rough machining that requires a light load break in. Hit a Champion with 80% of rated load via resistance heaters and it can't deliver (Stay in frequency.) Run it at max load that will stay in frequency and the engine blows up in 25 hours. (Thus a engine break in before max load may help.)

Page 14 (Hour 25) of the 'antique USA Made Onan' Death Match is where the New In Box Communist China Champion pops a rod.

https://www.smokstak.com/forum/showthread.php?t=158819

They have considered a Death Match for Generac over there as well.

https://www.smokstak.com/forum/showthread.php?t=167643

 

[Dan_69GTX]

Thanks for the links!

 

[DonFitzwater]

Reading up elsewhere I suggest you do need to change the oil often during break in: like at 5 hours. And break in is a good plan. I wouldn't bother even trying to power the AC with it due to risk of damage to both the AC and generator. Local dealer that will work on it is a big plus. Hope it does the job for you and the following is just intended as info.



Looks like Champion generators are known for rough machining that requires a light load break in. Hit a Champion with 80% of rated load via resistance heaters and it can't deliver (Stay in frequency.) Run it at max load that will stay in frequency and the engine blows up in 25 hours. (Thus a engine break in before max load may help.)

Page 14 (Hour 25) of the 'antique USA Made Onan' Death Match is where the New In Box Communist China Champion pops a rod.

https://www.smokstak.com/forum/showthread.php?t=158819

They have considered a Death Match for Generac over there as well.

https://www.smokstak.com/forum/showthread.php?t=167643

Hahahahahahahahhaaa! This is very similar to my dads experience with Chinese gensets. Always a generator or engine problem with no long term durability.

On a side note, those guys over there have NO LIFE...........what’s that say for us.......leaching off of their website!?!? Hahahahahha

 

[Tuesdak]

Hahahahahahahahhaaa! This is very similar to my dads experience with Chinese gensets. Always a generator or engine problem with no long term durability.

On a side note, those guys over there have NO LIFE...........what’s that say for us.......leaching off of their website!?!? Hahahahahha

Yeah, but when the power is out I bet you can get a cup of hot coffee at their places.

 

[Mark31]

At one time, the Beacon in Spartanburg, SC, was the second largest drive-in restaurant in the US. (The Varsity in Atlanta was #1). Sign on the wall: "Quality is remembered long after price is forgotten". Anything I need to buy to be used in an emergency situation when the highest level of dependability is required will not be made by Wo Fat and the boys

 

[DonFitzwater]

At one time, the Beacon in Spartanburg, SC, was the second largest drive-in restaurant in the US. (The Varsity in Atlanta was #1). Sign on the wall: "Quality is remembered long after price is forgotten". Anything I need to buy to be used in an emergency situation when the highest level of dependability is required will not be made by Wo Fat and the boys

I always heard of the Chinese companies refered to as “The Chicom BBQ and dangerous fireworks company llc”. Hahahahaaha

 

[Jan Mitchell]

I bought 2 Honda 2000i generators in '06 and all I wish they had was a remote starter. I have spent time cleaning the jet on one of othem which made it hop down the driveway when it is in low idle mode. I installed an inline fuel filter and filter the gas through cheese cloth too. I managed to rip one of the rubber feet off sliding it in the bed of my truck and bought the steel handles for them and they haven't been stolen....yet. They perform great but having to put my clothes on to start one of them so I can use the microwave or watch the boob tube is a hassle. Keep clean oil in them.
My 2 cents