Champion 3500-Watt Dual Fuel RV Ready Portable Generator

I've used this several times on my small ranch now. Used it in temps ranging from 30 degrees to 70 degrees with no issues.For me personally, I like to use propane so I don't have to mess around with the problems that always come with stale gas and fuel stabilizers. Propane burns clean and doesn't "gum up" the carburetor.For running on propane, I find this easy to use. As is typical with propane, you need to pull it two to three times to get it started.Some PRO TIPS:1) Get the wheel kit! With the wheel/handle kit, I can load/unload this in my truck using truck tailgate ramps, and I can wheel this unit anywhere I want on the property by myself. I will tell you now, this is HEAVY. I am in great physical shape but I know I would hurt myself if I tried to lift this or move it around much. I was going to "make my own" wheel kit and by the time I thought of a design, it would cost more in time/money than the actual manufacturer's wheel kit, and pretty much any home-made design will end up taking up far more room in the generator's "footprint" area. Just get the wheel kit!2) When you change the oil, use the wheel kit and just wheel it up on a couple of automotive ramps, put your oil catch pan between the ramps, and you can change the oil in 10 minutes start to finish. I use a small piece of aluminum foil to "channel" the oil away from the frame cross beam.3) Change the oil after the first 5 or 6 hours as per the instructions. After that break-in period the oil was pretty dirty from the initial wear-in of the internal parts.4) Always, always, always keep extra oil and the funnel that comes with the unit handy when using. This has an automatic shut off when the oil gets low. You don't want to be in the middle of a job and have this shut off and be without oil and the special funnel that can be used to top it off.5) Put it on level ground. The low oil shut off switch may accidentally "think" the oil is low if this is place on non-level ground, which will shut off the unit or not allow it to start.6) I highly recommend the cover. It's really sturdy, tough, and fits very well. I can drive down the highway at 70mph with the cover on the generator in the open bed of the truck and it doesn't blow off or flutter around. The cover will keep dust and debris off the generator when not in use. NOTE: The cover also makes a great "home" for mice so check every now and then that they don't make a home in your generator. I put mouse repellant on the inside of the cover and have had no further problems with that.This thing has worked great and started every time even in semi-cold weather (using propane, in 30 degree F weather).In my experience it has used one standard size propane tank in about 5 to 6 hours of frequent/constant load. Your experience may differ depending on outdoor temps and electric load.I would definitely buy this generator again. I personally recommend propane unless you will use it frequently. Stale gas and/or fuel stabilizers can create issues, which is why I purchased this dual-fuel model.

I bought this because we live in an area that gets hit by hurricanes. Luckily we're far enough inland that we don't have to worry about flooding but we still have the power outages. I looked around and lots of generators and figured something in the 3500 to 4500 watt range will run our fridge, power some box fans, keep a few lights on, etc.Having a propane grill with 3 propane tanks I really wanted the dual fuel option. I figured even if the power is out and we can't pump gas, that if I were to run out of gas I'd still have propane.I ordered the wheel/handle kit, a cover, and a L5-30P to 3 way extension cord. I have a ton of extension cords but I like the idea of being able to run just one into the house and using the L5-30P plug on the generator. That leaves the other two outlets available for me to use for things like running an extension cord to the garage fridge, etc.It is a heavy beast, it says about 100# and I agree...and that's without gas in it. Everything came in together and it took about 20 minutes to install the wheels and handle. The wheels are just hard plastic, but I prefer that to inflatable wheels that will just go flat...even if we fill them with slime/sealant. The handle really helps with moving the 100#s around the garage where it will be stored.Keep in mind that you need to buy oil for it. I'm not sure why they don't just include a guart of oil when you're spending hundreds of dollars but I read the reviews before hand so I just stopped by the store and picked up a quart.After reading the start up directions, filling it with oil, adding the gas, etc. it started up right away. Took maybe 3 pulls and fired right off. I put a couple of box fans on it and used a sawzall to make a couple of cuts through a tree limb with no issues. It ran for about 20 or so minutes and had no issues.I shut it down, flipped the switch, hooked up a tank of propane and it started right up with no issues. I ran it for about 10 minutes on propane, with the box fans and it worked perfectly.I like the dual fuel option, after topping off the gas and adding Sta-bil to it, I ran it for about 15 more minutes and shut off the fuel switch and let it run itself empty.Of course time will tell if it will be reliable, but initial impressions are good and I'd highly recommend the generator to anyone for a cabin, if you live somewhere that has thunderstorms/power outages, or like me in hurricane country.

The media could not be loaded. I purchased this generator without the battery start option. I called and emailed Champion to verify the following information befor I purchased this generator. The reason why I purchased the non electronic/electric start is because if battery is dead or has been taken out (for some reason) of the generator, you cannot pull start this generator if running it on gasoline. You can pull start it on propane only. The reason is because there is a 12V (battery operated) solenoid valve in the carburetor that turns off the flow of gas to the carburetor when no battery is present or the generator button is turned off . For me, it has to run no mater what on either fuel. Making this generator dependent on a 12 volt battery is a point of failure in my mind. If the battery was dead and my wife had to go out and start if it , she cannot trouble shoot a dead battery and a 12 volt solenoid when she needs the generator to work. Batteries always fail when you need them the most. Other than this the generator is great. I researched it for some time before purchasing it.Update: This June 2018 saw a big storm come through our state . Power was knocked out. Pulled the generator out of the garage. Hooked it up to propane and we were up and running. It has been over 90 degrees here and this generator allowed us to continue our lives comfortably. We even watched out dish tv. All other houses on our block were dark. As far as I am concerned it has paid for its self already. I plan on purchasing one for each of my sons and their homes as well. Well worth the money.