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Old 12-08-2016, 07:58 AM   #1
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"Off" brand generator - longest time in service?

I've already purchased a 2000w Yamaha and I know the Honda is quality as well, but I often see people say they have a Champion, Predator (Harbor Freight), Generac, etc. that they like.

When you look at how long the generators have been in use, folks with Honda and Yamaha report years of use while the others have been purchased much more recently.

Can anyone report long term use of one of these "off" brands?
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Old 12-08-2016, 08:18 AM   #2
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I have owned a Champion 2K watt for 5 years. No problems. Cranks first or 2nd pull every time. I do keep StaBilt in the fuel and only use non-ethanol gas. After each use I shut off the fuel and run the fuel out of the carb.
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Old 12-08-2016, 08:49 AM   #3
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Although I'd hardly consider Generac an "off" brand, I've had one for more than 20 years. No complaints, starts every time first crank, and made in the USA.
I've also owned a smaller Champion, literally worked it to death. Under normal use it would have lasted years.
I have one of those HF $100 900 watt toys and for the price I'm pretty impressed. Doubt it lasts but cheap enough to be disposable.
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Old 12-08-2016, 08:56 AM   #4
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I started my generator/inverter saga with a Honeywell 2000i nearly 10 years ago. It still runs great and produces power as it should. It has somewhere between 2000 and 3000 hours of use running my trailer.
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Old 12-08-2016, 09:00 AM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Al Boondy View Post
I'd hardly consider Generac an "off" brand...
Fair enough. I actually considered deleting Generac before I posted. Probably should have.
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Old 12-08-2016, 09:15 AM   #6
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Know of two men who've used Yamaha 2000 s in the field. 16-1800 hours of life.

Honda is superior to that. Which they subsequently bought.
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Old 12-08-2016, 09:18 AM   #7
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Well on Air Forums it is an off brand!
I haven't checked out their newer inverter models but have installed a few whole house units and have a 5k portable unit.
The Hondas are great generators, the only complaints I've heard is pertaining to its floating ground. Easy fix.
When I need gen boondocking noise isn't an issue, for some it is.
I need power for AC some need it just to charge batteries.
Thankfully there are many choices.
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Old 12-08-2016, 09:29 AM   #8
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while not a long time period, I've had a Westinghouse 2000w for a year and it's been flawless, even at 10,000 ft starting easily each time. Only paid $500 and it's quiet.
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Old 12-08-2016, 11:37 AM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Al Boondy View Post
Although I'd hardly consider Generac an "off" brand, I've had one for more than 20 years. No complaints, starts every time first crank, and made in the USA.
I've also owned a smaller Champion, literally worked it to death. Under normal use it would have lasted years.
I have one of those HF $100 900 watt toys and for the price I'm pretty impressed. Doubt it lasts but cheap enough to be disposable.
What he said^
Generac is a very major player in the generator game even manufacturing their own engines.
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Old 12-08-2016, 11:51 AM   #10
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I used a 2000 watt Champion at a propertypical for lights a 12 to 16 hours a month. I ran it 3 years and 5 months before the alternator went out. Then engine never gave any trouble. I am satisfied with it. I only paid $149 for it. I replaced it with the same.

I have a Champion 4000 that I have had 6 years. It only has about 200 hours on it. It starts the first pull every time.
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Old 12-08-2016, 12:15 PM   #11
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"Off" brand generator - longest time in service?

Seems like Sean on Loloho (the long long honeymoon) has a YouTube video review talking about a Champion generator he has had riding around in the bed of his pickup for 10 years. The generator starts and runs in the video.
Champion may no longer be an off brand.


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Old 12-08-2016, 12:52 PM   #12
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We've had a Champion 3000W for about 8 or 9 years and use it several times a year for power outages. Starts every time if you follow Champion priming directions. I run the Carb dry each time before I put it up. Downside is the sucker is LOUD. Used to keep it in the back of the TV for when we were way away from people. Carry a Honda now.

My daughter has two Harbor Freight 7000W generators that she uses during ice storms and most recently for a week, continuously, in the wake of Hurricane Matthew in rural east-central North Carolina. They worked flawlessly. I suppose that HF quality has improved, or at least is better than my perception was of them. Comparing them to the Champions, it looks like they came from the same factory. Uh, and oh, yes -- these are loud too.
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Old 12-08-2016, 01:34 PM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by m.hony View Post
Seems like Sean on Loloho (the long long honeymoon) has a YouTube video review talking about a Champion generator he has had riding around in the bed of his pickup for 10 years. The generator starts and runs in the video.
Champion may no longer be an off brand.


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They actually have a Yamaha that had one failure that they were able to have their father in law repair, otherwise it has served them well for about 10 yrs. However they recently reviewed the new Champion inverter generators and gave them positive reviews.
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Old 12-08-2016, 01:37 PM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by m.hony View Post
Seems like Sean on Loloho (the long long honeymoon) has a YouTube video review talking about a Champion generator he has had riding around in the bed of his pickup for 10 years. The generator starts and runs in the video.
Champion may no longer be an off brand.


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That's actually a Yamaha.


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Old 12-08-2016, 01:42 PM   #15
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The oldest one I know of in service is behind my brothers house on a concrete pad covered by a doghouse. My grandfather installed it in 1984. It is a Briggs powered job that is louder than any lawn mower. It still runs, though.
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Old 12-08-2016, 01:47 PM   #16
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I used a champion 4000w gen for 6 yrs(3500plus hrs), coleman 1850w(2000 hrs), now a champion 3100 inverter/gen. 200 hrs
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Old 12-08-2016, 03:36 PM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by trumpetguy View Post
That's actually a Yamaha.


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Uh-huh-
My memory ain't what it once was.
The Yamaha apparently is a good one.


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Old 12-08-2016, 03:51 PM   #18
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We have a Champion 4000/3500 with wheels that we put into service in 2010. We use fuel stabilizer, follow the priming off/on instructions, and have had zero problems. If it doesn't start on the first pull, I just use one spray of ether starting fluid over the fuel filter/carb and off it goes. Running, it is 67 db, so its about as quiet as the other big names. With fuel it weighs about 125 lbs. so lifting it in and out of the pickup bed is just about all my wife and I can manage. When boon docking it is wonderful. I use a log chain and heavy lock to keep it from growing legs and walking.
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Old 12-08-2016, 06:40 PM   #19
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I've been running Briggs and Stratton stuff since back when Honda was the off brand lol
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