Champion 3400W Dual Fuel Review: Worth Its Price Tag?

27 comments

1. I read this review of the Champion 3400W Dual Fuel Inverter Generator, and like most prospective buyers out there, I am looking for a great inverter/generator at a great price that will last me for years. That being said, I am skeptical about purchasing a Champion, or any other inverter that does not have the name Honda, Yamaha or Briggs and Stratton on it, and that is because when they break down and you require components to be replaced, you can find them almost anywhere. Whereas, units such as Champion, Energizer, Westinghouse, Honeywell….all are products that you would be hard pressed to find parts for. In other words, they are disposable because of that reason.
   So, in your opinion, you give it a two thumbs up and that is for the unit itself and of its operation; plus, the fact that you state that they (Champion) have a reputable support line. I guess the proof is in the pudding. It’s trying to convince myself to purchase it, though.

   1. Hi Chris,

      I find Champion Generators to be a decent bang for your buck. They do have a really good customer support and their products are engineered for the US market.
      They sold millions of generators in the US and have a research center in Wisconsin where they design motors. I do recommend them, and this particular model is a good pick if you need dual fuel.

      1. My cabin runs off propane (500 gallon tank) can I connect this? How long will it take to charge a Tesla X?

      2. Well,I own 4 generators all champion.I have owned them for 3- 4 years..They all still run perfect.We use them all on an off grid cabin.First one was a 3500-4000 watt,Second was a 3650 -4500 watt.The last two are both 1400-1800 watt each.Im now thinking about the champion 3400watt dual fuel electric start inverter.Because of the quietness and fuel economy..They are the only kind I will buy..

2. Generally, do you think it’s cheaper to run this unit on gas or propane?

   1. Hi Tom,

      Assuming champion’s announced consumption at quarter load, and prices here:

      At 1/4 load, it runs 7.5 hours on gasoline (1.6 gal full-tank capacity) or $5.70 of gas at $3.8/gal = $0.76 per hour
      At 1/4 load, it runs 14.5 hours on propane (20-pound tank) or $18.50 of propane = $1.30 per hour

      A 20lb propane tank can be refiled from $12 to $20 depending on where you buy propane, at the lowest price it will be close to running it on gas in terms of cost, at the highest price about 2 times as much.

      1. One part you leave out of you equation is maintenance costs.
         True… propane costs more but it burns way cleaner than gasoline so fuel system maintenance will be way lower, not to mention down time while you do needed carb cleaning and other related maintenance items on the fuel system. Also the propane mode does not require the battery to start or run. Try that with the genny in gasoline mode. So battery maintenance will be an issue for gasoline operation.

         on an unrelated matter…
         The remote start feature is not available with dual fuel but it can be aftermarket retrofitted. All a matter of money and whether you need the convenience of remote start.

3. to run a parallel kit, do you have to use another champion? or can I use another brand?

   1. You should use a compatible generator, same model from Champion

4. Hi, I have regular Champion generator 4000w purchased last year. I bought a Champion dual fuel inverter generator of 3400w now. Could I able to use the parallel kit to the regular Champion generator and this inverter?

   1. Hi Venkata,

      Unfortunately, they do not sell or produce any type of adaption kits to connect a non-inverter type with an inverter generator. Only inverters can be paralleled with one another as long as they have the black and red-squared syncing ports.

   2. I purchased the 3400 dual fuel generator. I bought it to run my 15000 btu AC on propane. When the compressor cycles. The Gen over load light flashes for a second then stops. Is this normal?

      1. invest in a soft start kit for your A/C. easy to install

5. I sent for one from the supplier on a credit card a 3400 gas electric now 4 weeks ago when I order the bank security rang and said did I now there was a price difference in the yen to gbp I said no I will stop it but the money was taken anyway this was 3/4 weeks I wonder how long I will have to wait now

   1. Hi John,

      Not sure why you would buy this from Japan, they are available in the US or UK on Amazon… you may also end up paying import duties. Best communicate with the shop you purchased the generator from.

6. Hi John I am looking into buying this for my house not RV. Will it run house hold stuff well? Or should I look in to possibly buying one with a higher watt?? Thanks

   1. Hi Rebecca,

      It really depends on what you are trying to power with it, you can hook it up to your house with a transfer switch or power directly most home appliances. You can use my calculator to estimate your power needs. In general, I would say 10,000 watts and up is recommended to power a whole house.

7. So please explain why it creates less power on propane than on gasoline? Seems odd that gasoline in the engine causes the generator to create more power than propane in the engine does.

   1. propane has less btu thank gas

8. Just bought my first generator and was wondering about grounding. I have never seen anyone use a grounding wire for the ones i have seen before. Is this absolutely necessary? If so what is the easiest way to do so when the power goes out?

   1. Hi Tom, I published an article about generator grounding that should answer most questions on the topic 🙂

9. ok all commentators on this on the tube say the same thing get inverter. I am looking at the dual fuel champion 3100 inverter vs the 3400 conventional dual. using for hurricane backup –always goes out depending on the hurricane last year 5 days . FInally getting tired of it. just want to run a few things: like computer ,tv, –but these don’t rum if wi fi is out and it was. Some lights, coffee in am fridge pretty continuously; fans. No big items. AS I said everyone is selling the inverter as the best since sliced bread but at a $400 difference I wonder if that worth it for such little use? any help

10. The low noise feature got me thinking about replacing my conventional dual fuel Champion 76533 generator until I determined how unhappy I’d be about losing running watts; losing the volt, hertz, and hour Intelligauge meter; losing the 120 volt 30 amp Twist-Lock receptacle; and paying almost twice the price for quieter but less capable machine. Who in their right mind would trade a Ford Powerstroke for a Smart car?

11. Hello, I am thinking of purchasing this 3400 Champion. My question is can this unit be wired into a switch box sourcing specific circuits in my home.

    Thank you

12. Hi and thanks for the review. We are buying this as a back up generator for the house. However, we have two electric vehicles as well. Is this generator compatible with an EVSE? Grounding etc? If not are there work arounds. Thanks.

    John.

13. Someone said a remote start can be aftermarket fitted. What part of who sells the kit for this? I run mine on propane and to turn it off you close the gas. Would the retrofitted item both start and stop the generator and if so can the propane tank valve be left open with th unit not running?

14. Have a mobile home in Northern California and trying to prepare for this year’s planned power outages.
    Will this 3400 Inverter Generator be effective.
    I am planning on using extension cords from the generator to my appliances.
    It is imperative that I be able to run my washer and dryer.
    The washer is an older model whirlpool 10 amps 120 volts. That would be the only appliance being run when it is needed, as would the dryer.
    Can you please give me an answer without all the run around I have gotten from so many others.
    I’d ask my husband but he has Alzheimer’s.

Comments are closed.