Champion 1200 Watt Generator Review, First Start Up

Review of a Champion 1200 Watt Generator.

[@davesmith8330]

Champion generators are known to last quite some time and are a good quality brand. I had a 3000 watt champion generator given to me that had been sitting outside for a few years uncovered and neglected, I cleaned the carb put new oil in it and it fired right up. I tried putting it under load and it ran flawlessly while under load.

[@johnabalos1455]

Every winter when real cold or ice mixed with snow is forecasted I bring my 900 an my 1800 Harbor freight non-inverter generators inside the house to keep them warm with clear plastic covering them ,if needed they will start quicker when taken outside!!!!

[@DallasAya]

I got this model on Offerup for $80.00. 2012 model. After cleaning the carb and oil change I tested it. The Armature doesnt use brushes. No sparks. That's good. Fuel burn at 600 watts resistive load 17oz per hour. 2 hours per quart or 8 hours per gallon. Do the math. Nothing else at this price point goes this good. On a backfeed test the little genset powers the fridge and the Natural gas furnace. Lights Modem Tv Computers. They say it won't or isn't recomemded to power the fridge and furnace however this has not been my experence. It has a Capicator for loading the field current and it work very well. Someboby reported these are showing 4000 plus hours service life. I ordered for $20 aliexpress a propane/Natural gas carb kit and have plans to run it off Natural Gas, some fabracation needed. I painted it flat black and made it look bad. I installed it in an outside barbaque box and have the fuel tank removed and mounted on top of the box so fuelling on the go is safe. Everybody should own one. Make it ugly so the theves will think twice. This thing gets my vote.

[@chaucer44]

I just bought this same exact generator for $180 on amazon to deal with these ridiculous california PG&E power cutoff hostage situations.

[@scarber1590]

From one Kalifornia hostage to another, How did it work for you, I just want t run the Firdge in a similar situation.

[@chaucer44]

@@scarber1590 only had to use it once and it worked great!!

[@riverrivers250]

Can it run a Kuerig Cofffee maker..

[@alexmaclean1]

It seems they have updated this generator in the past 3 years, it looks nearly the same but now has 2 outlets and a digital power readout instead of a gauge. Engine wise it all appears to be the same machine. Just picked it up at Canadian tire tonight after our 3rd outage so far this winter. I only want to run a few lights and charge stuff/run the modem. It seems to be fairly quiet. 1 hour in I'm pretty happy. I used the 10w30 it came with but I'll switch it out for 5w30 synthetic in the daylight lol hopefully it lasts several years, but the price was right. $349 at Canadian Tire, but the price increase isn't too surprising given the last couple years of inflation haha

[@darrylmcleman6456]

Viewing from Vancouver Island in B.C.I agree the choke instructions very confusing.I just purchased the 1200 too.I can run the pellet stove together with laptop and internet modem or microwave on its own.The oil fill must fill slowly! check oil on mine with cap not screwed in. Thanks for vid

[@number4861]

darryl mcleman the Choke is nice it’s all metal just have to turn it to run as soon as it fires up

[@rosie4runner965]

Thanks for the demonstration showing how easy it is to use.

[@billydarley6925]

current top API rating is SN Plus. in case anyone is wondering what brand of oil to use. helps weed out the crummier oils.

[@jaeoaktrees1649]

Just picked one up today for 100 off Facebook.. Was being sold as not working properly. Cleaned the carburetor and bowl it runs like a champion. Going camping tomorrow

[@The_Happy_Aviation_Enthusiast]

Sounds fun. And please be careful using portable generators kzbin.info/www/bejne/f2LNhWZ3g6qBrKs here’s an advice about keeping your family safe while using generators. Especially it’s important to keep children safe most of the time because of carbon monoxide poisoning. Just hoping everyone stays safe. Thank you

[@ernestwalden3894]

Mine is a 3000 watt and I love it. They'll last for yrs if you take care of it. I was told to run it once or twice a month to keep it running right. And drain all the gas before storing. And the carbrator to.

[@Captainkleen]

Predator 4000 watt generators are selling for 269.00. Wether your Leary of Harbor Freight Predator Generator on the + side it’s about 100lbs dry although many gen sets out there are Chinese made. When you buy a Predator gen set the engines are 100% Honda clone using the older Honda molds. From experience I look at how we’ll Generators are built and they were awarded the last 3 years on price reliability performance and problems and they are solid units. One example Champion has a duel fuel 5,500 max 4,000 running watts output for 700+. I have a Predator 8750 max 7,000 running watts on sale I paid 499.00 + tax and spent 30.00 on a Chinese duel fuel carb and besides gas it runs LPG and NG. The duel fuel carb on most hybrid Generators have Chinese carbs and the ironic thing is people frown on Chinese made when In Fact Honda gen sets are very good and very high in price because their very solid units. If I’m going to buy a generator I’m looking for the most watts at a much lower price I’m not paying for a Name I’m paying for what I need reasonable. My Predator 8750 is now hybrid will run Tri fuel and if you buy my wattage generator and a Champion or Westinghouse you will pay around 1,000.00 for the same thing mine will do. Now you bought a Champion one outlet 1500 max for a little more then a Predator 5500max 4,000 running watts with 2 or 3 110 plug ins 1 14-30 amp outlet and 1 110 240 3 prong RV outlet. You can run 3 times the power on less money.

[@projectengine2540]

I just bought a predator 4000 watt generator I got it for $289.99 and it is one of the most reliable generators I have ever owned

[@The_Happy_Aviation_Enthusiast]

Hope you all stay safe kzbin.info/www/bejne/f2LNhWZ3g6qBrKs here’s a video about keeping your family safe while using generators. Just hoping everyone stays safe especially children should be kept safe most of the time because of carbon monoxide poisoning. Just reminding everyone to stay safe. Thank you

[@cynthiaayers7696]

Bought one back in 2003 for $100 brand new from the car parts store. Went great with my small solar. Work with my 940 watt battery charger no problem. Had it for 8 years, I sold it, sorry I did that. Best little generator out there for the money. I think I change the oil once or twice that's about it. Never had any problems with any carburetor or anything getting sticky in there, everything worked just great! I'll say it again. I never had a problem with mine in 8 years. One last thing. I thought the prices would go down, when sales go up. But apparently not!

[@garyenwards1608]

ivee got 5 canadian winters and 7300 hours on mine. conks out around -25C

[@The_Happy_Aviation_Enthusiast]

Here’s an advice about keeping your family safe while using generators kzbin.info/www/bejne/f2LNhWZ3g6qBrKs children should be kept safe most of the time. Thank you

[@user-wi7zy6qr3s]

It’s been over a year now, are you still liking it? Looking to buy the same make and wattage

[@number4861]

G I had one it developed an oil leak under hard use. That was full out use for full tanks though for multiple days while the power was out. Tightened all the bolts and it’s ok for now. Quiet and tiny compared to my 3500 firman

[@user-wi7zy6qr3s]

Number 4 I found a 3000 running watt inverter generator from a company named BE, there a Canadian company but the generator is made in China, nothing but good reviews on amazon, the store has it on sale now for $500, regular price is $1300 and right now he has 20% off the $500 for a Black Friday sale, never heard of this name brand but I’m guessing it’s like every other named brand generators that’s made in China

[@number4861]

G nice how’s that’s been treating you? Is that an inverter I can’t find anything about it online

[@user-wi7zy6qr3s]

Number 4 yea there’s nothing online about it, I couldn’t find anything either, I haven’t bought it yet but thinking about it, here’s the website of the place that sells it www.farmerequipmentsales.com/generators.html it’s the open frame one, he also has some vids on them. Sorry 15% off not 20%

[@garyenwards1608]

@@number4861 ivee got 5 canadian winters and 7300 hours on mine. conks out around -25C. theres lots of info online for it keep lookin

[@edyoung682]

Ive had mine running on rainy days my solar panel keeps my invertor going.but today i started it up it ran for 5 minutes n turned off.the pull cord seem s to have half the pressure now ..it wont kick over either.any ideas would be helpful.

[@ernestwalden3894]

Did you get it working ok now ?

[@Xos_BassHead999]

check your spark plug

[@ashleycuellar7203]

Outstanding!

[@fil79]

Thank you for the review, can it handle cold weather operation even if it's left outside for hours? I just bought one on Kijiji for $200 and I plan on using it for winter camping.

[@Derek-rv3ee]

Were you ever able to start it after leaving it out in winter? I'm the original poster, different account. I never did try and start mine when it was -40 this winter, I should have but didn't think of it! It did start below 0 though

[@HonorMacDonald]

@@Derek-rv3ee still good after a year, though?

[@Derek-rv3ee]

@@HonorMacDonald yep. I pulled the carb to drain the gas in the carb bowl out, started perfect after that. Still working good, haven't used it much though, I just start it every other month for a while to make sure she's still ticking good for if and when I need it

[@garyenwards1608]

ivee got 5 canadian winters and 7300 hours on mine. conks out around -25C

[@The_Happy_Aviation_Enthusiast]

Be careful using portable generators especially during power outage kzbin.info/www/bejne/f2LNhWZ3g6qBrKs here’s an advice about keeping your family safe while using generators. Thank you

[@cockshuttboy20]

Just wondering how it worked out ,still going good?

[@garyenwards1608]

ivee got 5 canadian winters and 7300 hours on mine. conks out around -25C

[@number4861]

Gary Edwards how did you rack up that many hours?

[@solden49]

I have the same one. After I put the rubber feet on, is now higher on the engine side. Yours that way?

[@darrylmcleman6456]

The same is true for mine

[@The_Happy_Aviation_Enthusiast]

Keep your family safe while using generators kzbin.info/www/bejne/f2LNhWZ3g6qBrKs here’s an advice. Just hoping everyone stays safe while using generators during power outages. Stay safe. Thank you

[@chucknadeau686]

Is it good out in the cold wanna use one for ice fishing bud let me no thanks

[@dloseth4573]

I'll have to wait for winter again here and try it on a -30 day, sorry I can't give you the answer quite yet

[@number4861]

Mine wouldn’t run at about 0 degrees because of the low oil shutoff being sticky I guess. Unplug that and it loves the cold weather

[@garyenwards1608]

ivee got 5 canadian winters and 7300 hours on mine. conks out around -25C

[@NatanaelArce]

Is there a specific kind of oil for it or the same kind you use for a lawnmower?

[@Derek-rv3ee]

I've only used regular lawn mower oil, does up for me, I did drain the carb after winter cause it wouldn't fire, dubs like a dream again, starts right away.

[@ernestwalden3894]

10 w 30 is what I was told

[@garyenwards1608]

ivee got 5 canadian winters and 7300 hours on mine. conks out around -25C

[@lukeWiz44]

Gary Edwards could ya tell me one more time?

[@garyenwards1608]

@@lukeWiz44 NO no more tymes for you

[@lukeWiz44]

Gary Edwards oh, I thought you would. You've only said that to every other comment in this comment section. :)

[@garyenwards1608]

@@lukeWiz44 Oh Reallly???? I did not know it was every other comment brostar i did not know

[@lukeWiz44]

Gary Edwards hey man, the proof is in the pudding

[@wyzkrax]

How do you power your furnace with it?

[@dloseth4573]

I run an extension cord from the generator to my basement. I have my furnace wired from the furnace to a plug in, that plug in should be switched but it's an old house so the breaker upstairs is my switch which is the same idea. So I unplug the furnace from the furnace plug in the basement into the cord to the generator, and then she's good

[@wyzkrax]

Ah I see, the reason I asked is because I plan to buy a generator for my parents house. They live in the country and their power goes out almost every time there is a storm. I'm not sure how their heater is wired up, if it can be hooked to an extension cord?

[@wyzkrax]

@regalblue41 I don't believe their furnace is too old because the house was built 20-25 years ago.

[@solden49]

Very helpful video. I just got one identical to it. Gives me a good idea of what to expect

[@rydstallion75]

Those chokes are confusing sometimes, I don't know why they can't just put a label on there that says choke on, and choke off, rather than those silly pictures.

[@DallasAya]

The Choke system lables are designed so that ignorant people can identify themselfs

[@BOB12349307]

so its 30 below zero and your wasting your generator on a freezer?

[@delraydad7516]

sorry but this was not a good product. I returned mine, 40 start attempts and only 1 start and the engine shut off within 5 seconds. Help line couldn't resolve the issue, and Lowes in store help couldn't start it either. Pre purchase research showed this to be a highly rated product. After having the problems and looking online further, I found many people had the same problem I did.

[@Derek-rv3ee]

Dang sorry to hear, did you drain the carb and then try to start? I was having lots of trouble staying mine and keeping it running this spring, finally drained the carb, good as gold now, starts first pull and runs good.

[@garyenwards1608]

ivee got 5 canadian winters and 7300 hours on mine. conks out around -25C

[@The_Happy_Aviation_Enthusiast]

Make sure you use your generator carefully kzbin.info/www/bejne/f2LNhWZ3g6qBrKs here’s an advice about keeping your family safe while using generators. It’s also about keeping children safe most of the time because of carbon monoxide poisoning. Just hoping everyone stays safe. Thank you