Disappointed with Champion brand generator!

Industrial Toys · Feb 10, 2014

I have a high end commercial Kubota/Onan genset. I have a 3000 watt Alpha UPS. A huge ferris/resonant transformer based unit that was used as a telecom backup. I cannot charge the batteries in that thing off my genset which is most annoying! It doesn't like the power and is doing what it is supposed to, that is switch to batteries upon seeing "suspect" power. There is no electronic govenor on the genset and I think it may be only the slight frequency drift that it doesn't like.

MNBobcat · Feb 10, 2014

Industrial Toys said:
I have a high end commercial Kubota/Onan genset. I have a 3000 watt Alpha UPS. A huge ferris/resonant transformer based unit that was used as a telecom backup. I cannot charge the batteries in that thing off my genset which is most annoying! It doesn't like the power and is doing what it is supposed to, that is switch to batteries upon seeing "suspect" power. There is no electronic govenor on the genset and I think it may be only the slight frequency drift that it doesn't like.

I had to replace the 100 amp service in my home with 200 amp due to all the power my internet servers were using. The 100 amp main lines were nearly melting it was drawing so much power.

I powered my UPS units with a generator and kept the servers running for hours while the electrician replaced the main panel. Worked awesome.

It must depend on the UPS unit. Mine were APC units that sold for about $200 each.

Mattc8832 · Feb 10, 2014

I have a Champion 2 inch trash pump and trust me it is junk - it has a plastic flywheel on the engine. I had a harbor freight generator with a older honda engine on it and it lasted 12 years before I sold it for $150 dollars and bought a honda investor 2000

DarkBlack · Feb 11, 2014

V1Rotate said:
Every time I shut down my portable Generac I first shut off the fuel, then I wait until the engine starts to die. When the engine starts to sputter due to fuel starvation, I close the choke and the engine comes back to life for a few more seconds before it finally dies.

I think this procedure sucks every possible drop of fuel out of the carburetor to help keep it from gumming up. Seems to work for me.

I do the exact same thing.

pwright · Feb 12, 2014

My Champion 3500 is just about 2 years old and I use it intermittently for a variety of things including running the well pump, air compressors, power tools, camp trailer and so on. Often goes a couple weeks at a time without use and so far has always started on first pull without fail.

'course now that I've said that it will probably die this weekend.

Vtnewbie · Feb 12, 2014

The first one (the leaker) was not functional, but you know, this second generator always started great before the on/off switch broke, and starts great now that the switch is fixed. I know any machine can have a defect or 2, and it wasn't an expensive repair.

What bothered me most was the extremely poor customer service I got. Each time I corresponded with them they basically just put me off with new and conflicting reasons why it must have been my fault - then a final "Okay, we'll pay if you provide us with...[a whole bunch of paperwork]"

grsthegreat · Feb 12, 2014

my new briggs and stratton leaked fuel from carb when i first filled it up. pissed me off. then i thought, maybe the float is just stuck. i smacked it hard, and it stopped leaking.

ive had units do that in the past (most reciently my Toro snowblower that was sitting for a year.

Ive used the B&S unit 2 times now, and no more leaking.