Champion vs Generac – Which is Best

Champion vs Generac – In this day and age, nearly everyone is dependent on power or electricity – it is now a necessity. Most of the time, power outages happen without any warning – one minute the lights are on, then the next minute they’re out and you’re left sitting there in the dark. However, with a generator, the scenario will play out differently. You see, if you have a back-up portable generator back-up portable generator, you won’t have to worry about sitting in the dark, going without an air conditioner/fan or your food in your refrigerator spoiling.

There are times where portable generators come in handy and are super convenient. Portable generators are dependent on fuel (mostly diesel) in order to produce power. Portable generators aren’t just handy to use for power outages, some people also use them while traveling in their RV.

Choosing a Portable Generator

Starting out, you need to determine the size you require – this consists of the running watts and starting watts and it all depends on what you are looking to power.  Running watts are the continuous watts you require in order to keep your electronics running. Starting watts are those extra watts you require for a couple of seconds in order to start the products such as a circular saw, air conditioner, or refrigerator – this is the maximum amount of watts the generate is capable of producing.

Wattage Requirements

In order to determine your wattage requirements, choose the items you would like to power.  List those running watts and additional starting watt requirements for every item – add in the running watts of the items you wish to power. You will need a generator that is capable of producing that many running watts. Choose the device that has the highest amount of additional starting watts. Take that number and add it to the total running watts. You will need to choose a generator that products that many starting watts.

Run-Time

The Run time is another feature you need to look into. The longer the run-time is on the generator, the less you’re going to have to refuel it. If you have a generator that has a run-time of at least ten hours with at 50% load, then this will give you a full night’s sleep without having to wake up and add fuel.

Outlets

The outlets are also important when selecting a generator. You need to make sure it has enough outlets to power what you need, and the right types of outlets. If you plan on powering a large appliance like a window air unit, then you need to find a generator that has a 30 amp locking-type outlet.

Portability

Yes, portable generators can be heavy, so finding one that has foldable handles and wheels will make it easier for you to move and put away for storage.

The Different Brands

There are a variety of different generator brands currently on the market. However, after taking some time to do research, we discovered two great brands.  Champion and Generac – which one is better?

Let’s take a look at some popular generators from each brand …

Genarac Generators

Quiet Generator

Generac 7117 Inverter Generator Review

For those of you that are looking for a great portable power solution, then this generator might just be suitable for you. From outdoor cookouts to emergency preparedness, this model is capable of delivering the stable power you require, without having to worry about disturbing your neighbors.

The Generac 7117 generator is fairly quiet, and is compact, making it easy to take along with you. To make it even easier, there’s a build in handle, so you can carry it. The Truepower technology offers stable, clean power, making it great to power even your most sensitive electronics, appliances, and tools.

This generator has a 1.2 gallon fuel tank and it can run up to 10.75 hours with a 25% load, which is really good. If you want it to last even longer, there’s an Economy mode – on this mode, you’ll have amazing fuel economy and the noise will be reduced.

When it comes time to crank the generator, there is an integrated RUN/OFF/CHOKE knob that will make the entire process simple.

The generator is parallel ready, which will allow you to connect up to 2 inverters together. If you choose to do this, you will have double the power.

The Generac 7117 generator has everything you need to bring your electronics, power tools and appliances to life when darkness strikes and as an added bonus, you get it all, without waking your neighbors or disturbing wildlife.

Most Convenient Generator

Generac GP3000i Quiet Generator Review

The GP3000i generator from Genera offers you the power you crave when the lights go out. Not only will it come in handy during power outages on those hot days, but it is also great for operating RV air conditioners, power tools and other electronics.

What’s special about this generator would be the POWERRUSH technology that is capable of offering over 50% starting capacity – this type of technology will give you more with less.

On one easy to use dial, referred to as the “PowerDial,” you have the three RUN/START/STOP functions. Even more interesting, you have a total of two USB outlets that will allow you to charge your tablets, smart phones and other electronics.

If you’re looking for even more power, you can easily connect two inverters together – the parallel kit is available, but it is sold separately from the generator.

Did we mention how quiet the generator is? This generator offers optimal performance all while reducing sound emissions, so you can run it without disturbing wildlife and the people around you.

As an additional bonus, the generator is compact and light in weight, making it easy to carry – it even has a handle, making it even easier.

This generator also has Trupower, which means you can use the generator to power those sensitive electronics, without having to worry about destroying them.

If you’re looking for a type of generator that offers more than 50 percent starting capacity for your RV essentials and other types of motor-driven equipment, then this is a mighty convenient generator. With the RV-ready outlets and quiet inverter power all put into something that is light in weight and easy to carry around, this might just be a suitable generator for you.

 

 

Champion Generators

Most Convenient

Champion 3800 Review

First on our list of Champion generators, we have the Champ 3800 watt dual fuel generator. Starting out, this generator has an electric star and features Dual Fuel. Duel fuel means that the generator is capable of running on either propane or gasoline. If you’re looking for a good combination of convenience and versatility, then this might just be the generator for you.

The generator has a total of 4750 starting watts and 3800 running watts. On a full tank, if you were to run it on gasoline, you would have a total of 9 hours of run time. However, if you choose to run the generator on propane, you will have a total of 10.5 hours of run time. The gasoline fuel tank is 3.4 gallons.

The Champion 3800 watt dual fuel generator is powered by a 224cc Champion engine and the electric start (the battery is included) makes starting it up even easier.

The generator is fairly quiet, with a noise level of 68 dBA from a distance of 23 feet. To give you an idea, that would be about as loud as a vacuum cleaner. It has enough power to run a 15,000 BTU RV air conditioner and it is also capable of powering important appliances you would need during a power outage.

The unit even has a surge protector built-in, which will keep your precious equipment safe as it prevents overloads.  With what is called the Intelligauge, you will be able to keep track of the power output as well as the maintenance intervals. It also allows you to keep track of hertz, voltage, and run-time hours.

Champions generator is CARB compliant and EPA certified – it even has a 3-year limited warranty nesting behind it, which makes it even better. If you purchased this generator, you would receive the engine oil, wheel kit, battery, oil funnel and a propane hose, along with the generator itself.

Great for Power Outages

Champion 7500 Review

Another good generator from Champion would be the Champion 7500 watt dual fuel generator – this is a perfect portable generator if you’re looking to make your life easier during power outages. It also allows you to monitor power output and has a low oil shut-off sensor, which comes in handy.

Since this generator is dual fuel, this means you can use either propane or gasoline to power it. There’s a fuel selector switch, making it easy to switch between the two fuel sources.

This is a 439cc engine that is capable of producing 9375 starting watts and a total of 7500 running watts. When you have 6.0-gallons of gasoline in the fuel tank (that’s as much as it can hold), it can run up to 8 hours with a load of 50%.  For propane, you have 8400 starting watts with 6750 running watts. On a 50% load, it can run up to 5.5 hours using a 20-pound propane tank. Speaking in propane, the generator comes with a 3.3 foot propane hose and it has a built-in regulator.

As far as the noise level goes, it stands at 74 dBA if you’re 23 feet away. That is a tad bit louder than the standard vacuum. This generator also has a built-in surge protector, which helps keep your equipment safe.

There should be more than enough outlets available on this generator. You have a total of four 120V 20A protected household outlets, a 12-/240V 30A locking outlet and a 120V 30A locking outlet. The directions are easy to understand, so you shouldn’t have any problems getting started. Then, when it’s all said and done, you can store the generator in a safe place and the foldable U-shaped handle makes it even easier to store.

This generator is great for power outages and is highly recommended. It comes with the engine oil, a wheel kit, oil funnel, propane hose, and a battery.

Cost Effective Generator

Champion 4000 Review

Here’s another good generator that comes to us from Champion. The Champion 4000 watt RV ready inverter generator is an advanced product. In fact, it is one of the most advanced generators currently on the market. With this feature rich generator, powering your life is going to take on an entire new meaning.

This is a cost effective generator that is quiet, light and small, making it portable. This 4000-watt generator comes with a wireless remote key fob. With this key, you will be able to crank the generator without even having to touch it. To be exact, you can start it from up to 80 feet away. The on/off power button makes for a fast electric start and the Cold Start Technology makes it so that it won’t have any problems getting started in cold weather. With the Quiet technology, the noise of this generator is cut in half.

When the 2.9-gallon fuel tank is at max capacity, at a 25% load, the 224c engine with 4000 starting watts can run up to 17 hours.

This generator puts off 64 dBA from 23 feet away – that is a tad bit louder than normal talking. This generator is safe to use due to the fact that it produces only Clean Power, so you can connect those sensitive electronics, without having to worry about damaging them.

There’s a Quick Touch Panel, which is great for gaining fast access to controls. On Economy mode, you can monitor the power consumption, which is great for reducing electrical load and it makes for a quieter operation, higher fuel economy and extended engine life.

The outlets include a 12V DC auto style outlet, a dual USB adapter, a 120V 30A RV, 2 120V 20A household outlets and battery charging cables.

There’s an optional Parallel Kit that comes with a 50-amp RV outlet and by connecting up to two 2800-watt or higher inverters, you can increase the output. This generator comes with battery charging cables, a wheel kit, remote key fob, an oil funnel and a USB Adapter.

 

Conclusion Generac vs Champion generators 

which is better?

In all honesty, it will all depend on what you’re looking for – both offer great generators. We encourage you to take our list above and pick one based on your needs.