I'm in the market for a generator. Does anyone have any experience with the Champion Generators from Costco? Obviously, it's not a Honda - and it’s made in China.

^... isn't Honda made in China now as well? I think even Japan is outsourcing cheap labor these days ...

... personally, if you're going to just buy it and keep it for a "real" emergency - you'd probably be just fine ... but don't take it home, start it up to watch it run ... and then expect it to cold-start 1yr later w/o being run every week and having the carb adjusted, etc ... just buy it ... leave it in the box ... open only when/if ever needed and every few months pull the starting cable to keep the motor from seizing due to any possible moisture that may be in/on it...

What I've heard, regarding generators, is that you need to find one that has quality enough not to overheat and breakdown if actually used for an extended period of time. I'm paraphrasing and don't recall all the details of what was told to me.

What size?

What will it be used for?

How often will it run?

The Champion brand is a GREAT bang-for-buck generator. It's loud, but quieter than most open-frame contractor type of generators.

They've got outstanding customer service.

For all gas generator that aren't used often, you should do the following:

1. Use Stabil or some other fuel stabilizer.

2. Use synthetic oil and change yearly.

3. Run engine dry (use the fuel shut off) when storing for longer periods.

4. Start up and run under medium/heavy load for 10 minutes every other month.

If you need quiet, then look at the inverter type generators. They run at lower RPM when amperage isn't required because they produce a DC voltage that is inverted to AC.

Non-inverters like the Champion requires constant (high) RPM to maintain the 120V AC at the proper frequency (60 Hz).

Some prefer their sound because it is constant even though it's louder.

Good Luck.

We just decided to rent one (a Honda) for the camper for this weekend. The one we currently have is really loud and a little overkill for what we need--the thing is huge.

We figured out that we would have to rent it 10 times (for a week) before it would pay for itself. We need it twice a year. It seems to me like we would be better off to rent it each time--that way they deal with it if anything goes wrong with it. But we'll see--I think David wants to buy one. I told him we can always just keep the big one in case we need it for the house or other times.

Good luck. But if you don't need it all the time check into renting. But not at Home Depot--they were really expensive. The place we got it from was half the price.

I'm looking at the one they are currently selling for ~$500 I believe it is the C49055. Would be used probably once twice a year tops. •Running Wattage 4800 Watts Starting Wattage 5500Watts

I have 400 plus portable generators of various sizes for the 400 work trucks in the fleet that we break out prior to a hurricane. We used to have several brands. We now have one: Honda. They fire up year after year. They cost a little more, but they remain in service twice as long. I bought some of the retired ones at public surplus auction and they are my emergency home power source. I fired all three up last month after changing the oil and all three started on the first pull (or smash of the start button on my big one). They are eight years old. I don't think a Champion would do that.

Buckwheat,

Look here before you buy one from Costco:

http://www.electricgeneratorsdirect.com/ 

They ship to Louisville and since the sale is made in Illinois there is no Kentucky sales tax.

What Xddco said about Honda.

Buckwheat, pay the extra for the Honda powered stuff.

Honda is an engine company that just happens to make cars.

Awesome engines.

Honest Injun

just a note: If you buy the Honda (or any generator for that matter) make sure you drain the gas from the tank and the carb float bowl before you store it. Especially if you have Ethanol in your gas. I actually had green moss growing in the gas tank screen of my Honda lawn mower. Honda carbs are notorius for plugging up from bad gas. (ask me how I know)

Hey nOOb - How do you know?

LOL Experience my friend experience.

I've killed me more Honda than I want to think about. Now Briggs and Straten on the other hand I can't kill if I try. I swear B&S will run on spit if it had to.

Honda is the cream of the crop.

Champions are a better "bang for the buck".

Different strokes.

ROR @ Mark #13

Just ordered a Honda 2000 inverter.

Should have it in 1-2 days.

Local store wanted $1200.00. Got it from Jersey for $899.00 including shipping.

Anyone looking for a slightly used Subaru 6000 for $400.00?

$899? Dayum that's an awesome price. Heck that's the price of the EU1000i here!

I've got a chinese knock off 2000W inverter type.

Runs like a champ, is light, and is VERY quiet unless under a heavy load.

Paid under $300 shipped on ebay.

Two years and running strong.

noob....

Mayberrys.com