Thinking about a Champion generator from TSC

[Zachary Hoyt]

I've been reading a lot of old threads here about generators, and it looked like the Champion line was fairly well regarded. Our Generac 5550 which we've had since 2003 finally quit in the fall, it
runs but won't put out 220. I was surprised it had lasted this long. I'm looking at the Champion 5500 size generators and the non-CARB version is available at TSC, which is only 7 miles away
and the price is right, but I didn't know if they were some kind of box-store cheap version that wouldn't hold up as well. We use the generator mainly during power outages, which happen
somewhat often here, to run the freezers and the boiler and the well and such. I will be very grateful for any advice about whether this is a good choice, or if not what I should look at instead.
Thank you very much.
Zach
TSC generator

 

[Ralph, Ohio]

Don't know your age but the older I get, the more I appreciate a battery-start generator.

 

[Rkh]

I have this model as shown in picture. I use only for power outages,easy start, reliable-would recommend. I hook up to whole house to run only what is necessary.

 

[Zachary Hoyt]

Thank you for the suggestion. I'm only 31, and I like pull starts on anything that is small enough that I can turn it over easily. My concern about an electric start generator is that given how unpredictable the usage will be it might be hard to count on the battery being charged when it was needed. Sometimes it seems like we have a power outage every time you turn around, and sometimes we go a year or more without one. Also the generator gets stored inside one building and when the power goes out I need to move it to the outside of another building, so something easy to move around is an advantage.
Zach

 

[Zachary Hoyt]

Thank you, that's great to know. I see a lot of positive reviews on sales sites, but I never can tell if they're from actual people or not.
Zach

 

[JDEM]

I know several people with the Champions and love them.

No more pull starts for me. I have found many of these generators sometimes pull extremely hard. That goes for every Chinese generator I have. I just converted my Champion to electric start. Still can use rope if I need it. Cost me $40 for a new stater, alternator coil, and starter. Cheap investment.

 

[Bruce from Can.]

The Champion line is China built knock off stuff. I put a Champion gas motor on my power feed cart a few years ago, after the original Honda finally died. The Champion started and ran just fine for a little over a year, then the crankcase started to overflow with gas wash. Now I don?t think as a backup genset your engine would ever run as much as we ran the feed cart, but it sure will not last like a Honda, and that?s why they cost less.

 

[JDEM]

How hard it it to fix a little carburetor problem? Sounds like a minor issue to me and can happen with any engine.

Not all Chinese engines are the same. There are many new companies in China making small engines.

I have a 208 cc Champion engine made by Fuzhou Launtop Company in China. It was pull start and I wanted to add electric start. Flywheel and starter for a Honda GX200 fit right on and works great. So yes, seems obvious they copied the Honda but sell much cheaper. OK with me. Hondas are way over-priced.

 

[buickanddeere]

For a very minimal amount of $$$ the generator can be upsized . A consumer grade generator should not be operated anywhere near it’s full rated current continuously. 75-80% continuous is plenty .

 

[John T]

SURE the Champion will still "work" and SURE "some" have had good luck with them, however "many" have had terrible luck, but having seen them used by many in the RV community as well as farm n home applications THEY WOULD NOTTTTTTTTTTT BE MY FIRST CHOICE as far as quality and dependability and parts n service are concerned. I would prefer a Honda or Yamaha myself but its your money and your decision NONE OF OURS.

See what Billy Shafer has to say about them, he's the Go To Guy on this forum as far as generator questions are concerned.

John T

 

[Billy Shafer]

Champion is good for part time work. But I would not depend on it as a house back up unit. From what I have seen you can get parts for them. But I have no idea how good their service network is. Could be like Generac where it is hard to get anyone to work on them. Honda builds a good product. Honda builds a very good unit. They do cost more but well worth it. Parts and service are easy to find and they are a long lasting unit.

If it were me I would shop around for an older Onan unit. They are 1800 rpm and built like tanks.

 

[marloweg]

for that price you could get a 8750 from harbor fright and i know they are good because i have 4 of them and it is electric start. 220/120 volt

 

[Married2Allis]

I agree with Billy, spend the extra $$$ if you need to depend on something for backup .

If you're old 2003 Generac didn't put out clean power, you may be ok with this Champion as a replacement. But if you want to run any electronics including many of the latest furnaces, ranges, dryers, refrigerators, etc. the cheaper generators can do damage.

 

[Married2Allis]

(quoted from post at 09:15:58 01/23/18)
I have a 208 cc Champion engine made by Fuzhou Launtop Company in China.

Did you get a free egg roll with your purchase from the Fuzhou Launtop Company? lol

 

[Billy Shafer]

As I was saying if you depend on it. Buy a good name brand unit. Something that you will know has a good support system. You need to know if it can run the items that you need to run. When I first started in this business. Power didn't matter 120 was 120. In today's world clean power means something.

Champion does have a good reputation as a generator. But I would check it out before I bought it.Check out the support system where you live. Can you get it worked on. Can you get parts for it. A 400.00 dollar unit is not cheap If you can't get it worked on or buy parts. I have people come to me crying because they bought a cheap generator and now no one will work it. Or can find parts. If you have the money buy a Honda or Yamaha. Good units with a good support system will be cheaper in the long run.

I wont get in to Genajunk.

 

[steve19438]

there is a certain percentage of folks here who say nothing good about foreign made equipment mo matter what. yet you seldom here gripes about cell phones, computers, cameras or other digital equip. heck most of the electronics in our pick-ups are foreign made.

i have a 3500 Honda generator at our cabin. i bought a Generac quiet run unit at Lowes as i saved $80.00 with my military discount.

Happy with both.

 

[JDEM]

Kind of getting d?j? vu hearing some of the comments about Chinese equipment. Reading some of the comments in these forums, you'd think ALL things made from China are the same. Yeah, right. I remember hearing the same nonsense in the 50s and 60s about "cheap Japanese junk."

I have six items here at my place with engines from China. Each one from a totally different company. Certainly NOT all the same. Even my two engines from Harbor Freight were made by different companies.

I have made a point of looking to see what contractors are using for power in the Michigan UP. Many areas there require use of a portable generator. Most have Champions and none I spoke with had any complaints.

For those here that say they are no good - how about some useful info. Like model #, exactly what failed, etc.

My Champion has the Launtop LT210 engine. I know most parts from a Honda GX200 will fit it and that makes getting part if needed real easy. It seems to me that the Champion is one of the better lines of Chinese equipment.

Here are the companies that made my stuff. Note that companies like Generac and Yamaha also use Chinese engines.


2000, Fujian Everstrong LEGA Power Equipments Co., Ltd., founded 2000. Fuzhou Launtop makes Champion
NO.56, JINSHAN INDUSTRIAL PARK,CANGSHAN DISTRICT,FUZHOU,CHINA

1945 began , making small engines since 1959. Jiangsu Jiangdong Group Ltd. Made my Kingcraft model year 2008. 196 cc. Engine family: EF8JDGS.1961 GA EM. Huancheng W Rd, Tinghu Qu, Yancheng Shi, Jiangsu Sheng, China, 224003

1993, Loncin Motors Ltd. Harbor Freight Predator engine, 420 ccs., model year 2014 Engne: EGCPS 420GR Has carb made in Japan. No. 116 Juye Road
C area of Jiulong Industrial Park,Jiulongpo District,Chongqing, 400052 China

2007, Chongqing Rato 212 cc Harbor Freight Predator engine. Model year 2012. Engine famiy: CCRPS2121 GA . NO.99 Jiujiang Avenue, Shuangfu District, Chongqing, China.

1990, Yongkang Xingguang Electrical Manufacture Co., Ltd.. Honeywell 2000i model year 2009. 125 cc. Also sold as Generac ix2000. Engine family 9YKXS.1251XXX No. 23 Hardware Road, Tongqin Industry Park, Wuyi City, Jinhua, Zhejiang, China.

 

[D beatty]

I looked at a lot of them ended up buying a 8,000 run 10,000 surge Briggs & Stratton with electric start. With mine when it is not in use it is on a battery charge which it comes with.

 

[Billy Shafer]

I am not saying a Champion or others. Are not good generators. The problem comes up when you try to get them worked on. Or you try to get parts. I have had several that were very good units. But trying to find parts was impossible. I had one bring me a letter from the OEM telling me. They could not sell me parts. Because that model was not supposed to be in the states. What I am saying. Is be sure you can get parts and service.

steve If you knew the history I have had with Generac over forty years. I think you would understand. Why I have such bad feelings towards them.

 

[buickanddeere]

https://www.championpowerequipment.com/products/generators/portable-generators/?fwp_portable_generator_filter_starting_watts=1500.00%2C15000.00&fwp_portable_generator_filter_running_watts=7225.00%2C11525.00&fwp_portable_generator_filter_fuel_type=gasoline&fwp_portable_generator_filter_inverter_technology=0&fwp_product_filter_product_regions=us

 

[Ralph, Ohio]

I don't depend on the generator battery to always be ready. There is always a car or tractor or "jump box" nearby. Hooking up jumper cables is still easier than pulling a rope to start an engine that may not have run in a while.

 

[D beatty]

Generator battery is always ready if you keep it on it's charger.

 

[JDEM]

Service means little to me since I do all my own repairs on everything. Parts? Yes, important and I don't see any problem as far as the engines go.

Last new US made generator I had was an inverter-generator from Coleman. When only 1 1/2 years old, parts were not available for it. So much for a US brand having superior parts support. I also have a US made Baldor that I also cannot get parts for.

Honda has great parts support. Honda generator costs three times what a Chinese-clone equivalent costs. With those kind of prices - kind of hard to lose with the clones.

 

[moresmoke]

Number of comments below recommending Honda or Yamaha. When you get to that point, you might as well shop Lincoln and Miller too. I have a Miller I bought reasonable off a dealer as a rental return. Can power just about the whole place if need be, and it welds too!

 

[Zachary Hoyt]

Thank you all for your input. I didn't intend to open any worm cans, but I know which road is paved with what. You've all given me a lot to think about.
Zach

 

[Bill VA]

I?ve got a champion generator and it does a fine job. One thing to look for is variants on the Champion offerings, ie similar wattage, but different features, outlets, meters and running gear. I bought mine at Lowe?s. Same/similar price, but with another duplex outlet, if I recall correctly and running gear was included, about a $35 adder from TSC. Also, look at the Champion website and they show all these variants. I guess it?s to give each store something a tad different vs another. Mine starts easy and I always turn the gas off and run the carb out of fuel. For the price, I think you?ll like a champion generator.

 

[2x4]

Got one. When new it started on the 2nd pull. Works fine.

 

[Bob M]

Several years ago I was given a lightly used - but dead - Champion 3500. Problem turned out to be the tip broken off the intake valve.

Upon disassembly I discovered the Champion engine is a Honda GX200 clone. Replacement Honda parts (intake valve, spring, head gasket, etc) fit perfectly and got it running again.

The generator has since accumulated 100+ hours during several extended power outages. It powers lights, freezer, water pump, etc with no issues whatsoever. It also runs quieter and uses about 1/2 the fuel of my old 4,000 watt generator. For the price I don't think you can beat a Champion.

 

[John T]

Mornin Billy, when you state " Or you try to get parts." thats often INDEED the problem

John T

 

[Texasmark1]

I don't know the model number sitting here in the house but I bought a 6500 w 16 hp HF unit many years ago, on sale for about $300 as I remember. Fine machine, no problems, well built, electric start and all the W & B.

 

[Billy Shafer]

Mornin John T. 45 and clear skies. That is the main point I try to get across to people. Doesn't matter who makes a unit. If you can't get parts or get it worked on. It is not a good deal.

 

[gregww]

You mentioned "clean power" in a previous post. How does one know if the generator he is buying puts out "clean power"?

 

[Married2Allis]

For the generators that put out clean power, the product description will always tell you. It's called a THD rating (total harmonic distortion), clean power is less than 6% THD and usually stated as +/- 5%. THD refers to the sine wave.

An easy way to test for clean power output is to buy a $20 AA battery charger plug it into the gen. If the indicator lights come on normally and do not flicker or malfunction then the output is suitable for sensitive equipment.

 

[BarnyardEngineering]

What's the big deal about getting parts and service?

First off, how often do you even need to find parts for a rarely-used, homeowner-grade, standby generator? Things either go bad right away and you exchange it for a complete new unit, or it runs for 10 years and you buy a new one like Zach is doing.

If you're really paranoid you can buy 1, 2, and sometimes 4 year replacement plans which will get you a whole new unit if yours ever quits for any reason. Abuse it, neglect it, they'll give you a new one.

The engines are commonly generic Honda clones. You can get most of the commonly-needed engine parts (i.e. carburetors, ignition coils) for a few dollars each off ebay. If it's anything major the cost to repair will instantly exceed the cost to replace.

Once you get past the breakers and outlets in the generator head, servicing any of it would cost more than replacing the whole generator.

Replacing also has the advantage of getting you a working generator right away, instead of having to wait for weeks or months while the incompetent bum at the power equipment dealer phiddle-pharts around with your broke-down generator.

 

[The Famous Grouse]

(quoted from post at 09:39:57 01/25/18) What's the big deal about getting parts and service?

First off, how often do you even need to find parts for a rarely-used, homeowner-grade, standby generator? Things either go bad right away and you exchange it for a complete new unit, or it runs for 10 years and you buy a new one like Zach is doing.

If you're really paranoid you can buy 1, 2, and sometimes 4 year replacement plans which will get you a whole new unit if yours ever quits for any reason. Abuse it, neglect it, they'll give you a new one.

The engines are commonly generic Honda clones. You can get most of the commonly-needed engine parts (i.e. carburetors, ignition coils) for a few dollars each off ebay. If it's anything major the cost to repair will instantly exceed the cost to replace.

Once you get past the breakers and outlets in the generator head, servicing any of it would cost more than replacing the whole generator.

Replacing also has the advantage of getting you a working generator right away, instead of having to wait for weeks or months while the incompetent bum at the power equipment dealer phiddle-pharts around with your broke-down generator.

This^^^.

Everything above is true. Parts are not as hard to get as guys who have never tried make out. And totally agree, beyond simple repairs, if anything goes wrong with the generator unit itself or major engine failure, it's not going to be worth fixing no matter what brand.

Buy the extended warranty if you're really worried about breaking down. As said above, then you get a brand new replacement if you need it and if it doesn't blow up in 3 or 4 years, what are the chances it's gonna bust in 5 or 6?

Keep in mind, when something significant on a Yamaha or Honda breaks, you're going to get handed a $200++++ repair bill if you have a dealer fix it. No wonder even the commercial users are running Harbor Freight generators, lower cost, lower loss if stolen, and you can buy 2 for what one Honda costs.

Homeowner generators 99.376% of the time have problems related to LACK of use, not wearing out through use. If you install a fuel shutoff (or use the one on the unit), run the carb dry, and keep fresh, non-ox gas in the tank, you will rarely if ever have an issue. Fog the cylinder/top end if you're going to store for more than 6 months. Takes 2 minutes.

#1 problem I hear about after that is guys that have a generator that was shut off 5 years ago, but they go ahead and turn on the fuel and try to run it with the old gas. Runs for 5 minutes and dies. If the gas in the tank is older than 2 years for non-ox or 1 year for ethanol fuel, take the time to drain the tank!!!

I have a Colman brand generator at my off the grid hunting property. Turn on the fuel shutoff and it's one pull every time.

Grouse

 

[buickanddeere]

A light load can be operated from an over size generator. An undersized generator can not operate an oversized load.
If the lights noticeably dim when motors start, more generator is required.