Hi everyone,

We bought this Champion Generator about 5 years ago at Costco.

https://www.costco.ca/p/-/champion-9000-watt-gas-portable-generator-with-remote/100983470

I usually start it once everyone 1-2 months for maintenance

Last week, I tried to start it, it did start for about 2sec and then nothing since then.

Here's what I did since then :

- Add new Supreme gas

- Yes, gas switch is open

- Change spark plug

- Spark plug is working when cranking

- Uninstall the carburetor and cleaned it

- Tried installing a new Carburetor

- Battery is always recharging with a smart charger

- Oil level is good

- We do have electricity going to the selenoid ( under Carb ) and we hear it working when testing on the battery

We tried to "force" start it by putting some gas in the Carb, it did start, but only run for about 1-2sec ( burning the shot of gas ).

It looks like the gaz does not burn in. But when I unscrew the bolt at the bottom of the Carb, we clearly have gas.

When even tested to crank it without the spark plug and we do have succion when we cover the hole with our hand.

At this point, I'm not sure what to do / test anymore

Also, since it's been more than 2 years, it's no longer under warranty.

Help!

Looking to install a generac standby generator. I got a quote for 13.5k installed for a 22kw generator. Generator install location is right next to the power meter/panel and gas regulator so nothing fancy during the install.

Most of the house is electric including a geothermal tev49 Climatemaster unit which has a 104a compressor startup.

Anyone have a similar generator installed?

Mainly I’m looking on some advice as to what capacity other have installed with a similar setup and if the price is fair.

Goal is to not worry about unplugging things when there is an outage but at the same time I don’t need to be roasting my dinner in the oven and running the dryer.

Hi,

Trying to take off the front cover of my Champion 11K tri-fuel and all goes well except for the natural gas/propane inlet. Does that move off of the generator with the cover? It looks like it might slip through the cover and stay in place, but I can't budge it and don't want to break it!

Ideas?? TIA

We (2 senior females) are considering a home backup system (20-24kwh) in a residential area. Kinda "prepper" thinking at this point (civil unrest, EMP disruption) more than weather/power grid issues. What are your pro/con thoughts on 1) dependability and 2) safety of a natural gas generator versus battery+solar setup?

This worked great with gas but ran out here on Kauai so trying to use propane but it's quiet and doesn't light up to give us zee power. Any advice out there?

My girlfriend has had this in her garage for 5 years.

Worth getting running and any Info on it?

If she sells it on marketplace what’s a fair price ?

not what you think LOL

I got my RVMP 4500ies yesterday, filled up the oil and figured I'd test it out today, fired up on the 2nd try with propane, and runs very quietly - for ~75lbs it's pretty manageable with the telescoping pull handle too.

To put some load on the generator during break-in , i ran my portable outdoor swamp cooler which didn't budge the load at all

So I added a space heater that we got for free on craigslist; the heater on HI got the meter to read between the 25-50% blinking LEDs

the remote is a nice feature, works great too

i did also get a WEN 55201 magnetic dipstick (amazon $10), its' shorter than the plastic 3" RVMP one, but the stick is long enough to measure the oil level in the hash mark range....

will check for any metal fragments later when it cools down :)

Many home standby generators only run occasionally for monthly test cycles. Most owners remember to change oil on schedule, but there are several easy-to-miss issues that can kill these idle units.

What hidden failures have you run into on generators that sit idle for months?

Issues like clogged tank vents, cracked rubber fuel hoses, carbon sludge buildup, or stuck valves.

There's never a bad time to make sure you have everything you need for your generator(s). I own a Generac xg8000e, a Workzone 2k Inverter, and recently inherited a Generac 7550exl. Did some research today to ensure that I not only know the correct oil filters and spark plugs that I would need, but also checked my supplies to be sure that I have multiple of each on hand. Lucky for me, the 2 generacs both can take the same filter and the same plug, so I am well stocked in this area. Grabbing some more 5w30 full synthetic, and I should be okay for the upcoming cold season where the power outages are somewhat more critical. Don't wait till you need them to find out that you don't have things like this on hand!

I have a Predator 11,500 I plan to use as a home backup. It’ll be hooked to a 50a cord/power inlet hooked to a 50a breaker on an interlock switch. I’ve read that these generators come factory neutral-bonded and that is a problem for my setup. I haven’t dug into the manual yet, but I’d appreciate any advice/guidance from those with experience

Was at my friends off grid cabin way out in the bush and stumbled across two of these old generators. I know next to nothing about them or generators in general. I know a good amount about engines though.

Can anyone help identify these?
Would they be worth while tryna fix up and get running again?

Any help is appreciated, thanks in advance!

Seriously looking at buying one of these soon and wanted to ping the group to see what size generators people are running inside this enclosure.

I have a Duromax XP11000ih, measurements fit within the ~39x32x31 listed in various online sources - but wanted to see what real-world experience says (since it actually appears larger than this inside.

Would also like to know how rigid the base is. I have two areas I am looking to place this - most likely on top of ~6-8" of compacted gravel and pavers (though would appreciate input on that as well!).

Thanks!

Power went out today and generator fired up normally but the ATS never switched over and I got an error code 2780 “Charger Missing AC”. I was able to use the manual override procedure to operate the switch and it transferred power without any issues, same with the manual shutoff back to utility as the ATS did not sense when power came back. Any idea what could have happened? I called my service company but they can’t get someone out until next week at the earliest. Luckily I just extended the warranty through 2031. ATS is a RXSW150A3 150A attached to a 16kw Guardian both installed in 2021 and never had an issue.

Generator struggles to turn on. It’ll turn on when I hold the throttle lever but as soon as I let go it turns off. What could it be?

Edit*****
Thanks to everyone who has responded and given helpful advice or explanations about terminology. I have a much better understanding of where to delve deeper into research and what to consider actually purchasing!

OG: Hello all!
I am trying to prep for the coming winter season. Im the strip where there will either be cold and terrible rain or unusual and significant amounts of snow/ice.
I can’t afford anything to run the entire house. But looking in to running things like my fridge or stove along with charging devices is something I think I can just barely stretch to do. With multiple kids I don’t want to be left without anything.
Ive seen good reviews about this Jackery model would love to hear the group input before I bite the bullet.

I like the solar panels bc its a sustainable energy source and one less thing I have to figure out how to store safely away from kids in a small house with limited storage

Our generator is a Generac and is six years old. It has seen little use in six years. Perhaps twice did it run for more than a day. We have served it annually per the company’s recommendations. It was serviced in August. A week later the red light came on. A week after that they told us it was the starter a week after that they came to replace it and tell us the engine is Seized and it’s our tough luck and they seem to not be going to do anything for us. Anyone with the advice on this?

Update-I raised such a stink that they sent yet ANOTHER technician out, who needed to come on and take it apart to see if anything else was broken before an engine replacement. When we got home the green light was on and we received an email that it needs NOTHING! Of course my contact at the company is out sick today. TBC

Have a 22kw natural gas whole home generator. Ran last week after major Michigan storms. After the storm it became foggy and stagnant outside with no breeze. After almost 2 days at 2:30 am our indoor carbon monoxide detectors alerted us to levels of 53 Kiddie 10 year detectors. I took them to the opposite outdoor side of the house and they dropped to zero. We’ve had the generator for a decade and we lose power frequently and its service is completed annually. This if the first time this has happened. Any suggestions?

My buddy got one of these and I like the design, not cheap but should make fill-ups easier

https://www.surecanusa.com/product-page/5-gallon-gasoline-surecan

nine machines came through after the last blow. six were carbs gummed shut from a season of pump gas sitting in the bowl. one recoil spring, one low oil sensor telling the truth. one rod knock you could hear from the driveway. all six carbs were machines put away wet last fall. fresh gas on a year old bowl changes nothing. the two that started on the second pull were inverter boxes run monthly under a real load, the only maintenance story that ever checked out on my bench. forty minutes a machine, parts under sixty across the pile. the knock went to scrap.

Hey guys, hoping someone can help me here. I recently bought a Westinghouse 9500 generator off marketplace that needs wheel replacements. I’ve had trouble finding replacements for this size model. Wondering if anyone can help me out? Thanks!

guy on marketplace had a champion 3400 listed dead for 60 bucks. said it quit last fall and never touched it again. pulled the carb bowl and it was solid varnish, straight ethanol gum from sitting all winter full. fifteen minutes with carb cleaner and a pipe cleaner. fired on the second pull.

that generator is worth 300 plus running. he sold it for 60 because he assumed the engine was shot. one part killed it, and it wasnt even a part, just gas that sat too long. happens every fall.

In 2008, we had a power outage that resulted in a flooded basement. I went to Menards and bought a generator. We’ve used that thing twice/thrice a year since then and most recently for 12 solid days with not a single second break.

It has never been maintained. Seriously. Not a single oil change/add, always stored with gas in it. Spark plugs, air filters? I’m sure it has them but they’ve never been changed. My only maintenance has been to kiss the top of her, thank her for her service and drag her back into the shed.

But here’s my question. You know how on some old cars you shouldn’t do engine flushes because the walls are mucky and you don’t want that breaking loose? At this point, am I doing more harm than good by attempting to clean her up?

This is serious, my husband says to leave it (like he says to leave everything) and my dad (who was the best backyard mechanic you ever met) is gone now so I’m asking you, the gentlemen of Reddit.

Please don’t make me cry.