expired Posted by phoinix | Staff • Oct 2, 2024
Oct 2, 2024 7:25 AM
Item 1 of 1
expired Posted by phoinix | Staff • Oct 2, 2024
Oct 2, 2024 7:25 AM
Prime Members: 9000-Watt Champion Power Equipment Open Frame Inverter Generator
+ Free Shipping$1,119
$1,649
32% offAmazon
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Found a decent thread discussing usage of this generator: https://www.reddit.com/r/Generato...?rdt
Also found a link from a previous generator slickdeal regarding best fuel for a generator: https://www.generatorjo
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There are so many other generators for less with the same ratings and abilities, as well.
Don't buy just because someone said they saw it as a good deal.
This one is also dual fuel. Purchase the 3 year warranty and it's still cheaper than the Amazon version.
https://www.homedepot.c
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This one is also dual fuel. Purchase the 3 year warranty and it's still cheaper than the Amazon version.
https://www.homedepot.c
Our community has rated this post as helpful. If you agree, why not thank eytx
Sharing my experience. I have this generator, purchased from Amazon after Beryl hit us and left us w/o power for 4.5 days. I installed an interlock kit, supporting Romex cabling, 50 amp 240v circuit, and external 50 amp plug. I bought this back in July and paid $1350 before taxes. Amazon used freight service (2 man team) to deliver to my home. I believe MSRP is $1399.
This is an open-frame, pure sine-wave portable tri-fuel generator. For my intended use case, this generator will only ever be fed with NG as I had my plumber run a dedicated pipe from my meter to my backyard to support the generator which also doubles as a feed for my gas grill.
I load tested this generator on my 3200 sq ft home which has 2 Trane AC units (3 T + 3.5 T). I installed ICM870-32A (bought from HVAC Surplus) soft starts on each Trane condenser unit outside. BTW, it's only 4 wires, and it's straight-forward. Do note that the install instructions, for whatever reason, are different for Trane/American Std vs other carriers, and ICM (Emerson) notes this in the install guide.
Every light bulb in our house was switched to LED, and we have 2 water heaters which are NG (not electric). Dryer is electric, but I wouldn't think to use that in any emergency situation. Exceptions will include our stove top (electric) and of course, microwave as other high-power consumption devices.
During my load test, I was able to run my ENTIRE panel + both AC units AT THE SAME TIME under this generator's power, and the generator panel showed me at 80% running load. This tells me that Champion is under-rating the running watts on this generator. To be clear, I did not test running the microwave/stove-top while both AC units were on. This was also performed under Natural Gas exclusively so I would assume performance would be even better under conventional dino-juice. That being said, I do not intend to put that much stress on it in an emergency situation, I would load balance the 2 AC units and never run them simultaneously, this was more out of curiosity.
Other positives include that it is relatively easy to work on, access things, and move around with the provided handle/wheels.
A couple things to note:
1. It's LOUD. Champion claims it's 20% quieter than a traditional generator, but I'm not sure where that figure is being derived/compared against. Standing next to it, you won't want to. From the street, it's not so bad but audible. Will your neighbors hate you? Depends…
2. The generator has a bonded neutral from the factory. If you intend to use this as a whole-home power solution, make sure to convert the neutral to 'floating'. Champion provides easy to follow instructions on their website here https://help.championpo
Note that these instructions are MODEL specific.
3. Please buy a quality 50A power cable. Champion actually sells one on Amazon that is thick, high-quality.
4. Not sure if this is just me or will affect everyone. My generator ran somewhat rough during the initial 1st hour of break-in. I had a difficult time getting the genny to keep up with any load over 50% as frequency and rpm would bounce. At first I thought it was defective, because the genny was dropping with light loads applied. This went away after the 1st hr or so. My guess is that since this was my 1st time using the newly installed gas line, I did not adequately prime it to remove excess air in the line. This point is further evidenced by the fact that I had a hell of a time on the initial engine start.
5. Get a Battery Tender and use it. My generator is just for emergency situations, and as such, the battery will die as it sits otherwise. A $20 investment will provide much value going fwd.
6. Champion also sells a cover for this model (so you can run this in rain/snow) which is a clone of the branded "Gen-Tent" cover. It actually COSTS less than the comparable Gen-Tent model. Strange, but awesome I guess.
Conclusion: Short answer – Buy it, especially at this price. I'm happy with it as it has exceeded my expectations. I do strongly believe they are underrating the running watts on this thing.
Long answer – I might be swayed in the future (5+ yrs) to replace this with a closed-frame inverter generator that are arguably much quieter. The downside I see to these is cost, ease of maintenance or lack there of as it is enclosed, and long-term reliability due to increased heat or less cooling being in an enclosed frame.
This one is also dual fuel. Purchase the 3 year warranty and it's still cheaper than the Amazon version.
https://www.homedepot.c
There are so many other generators for less with the same ratings and abilities, as well.
Don't buy just because someone said they saw it as a good deal.
Sign up for a Slickdeals account to remove this ad.
I only need to run Internet, half the house power, and fridge if the power does go out in the Bay Area.
There are a few generators being offloaded on local craiglist and Market Place Facebook. Those are also good for emergencies.
Stay safe everyone!