Whether you need to power an RV, small power tools, or keep up with frequent outages, both inverter and portable generators can be invaluable tools. However, choosing the right one can often be difficult without the right help! Let’s take a look at the Champion 100520 8750W gas inverter generator.
Champion 100520 8750-Watt Gasoline Portable Inverter Generator Review
The Champion 100520 8750W gas inverter generator is an open-frame gas inverter with a push-button electric start.To stay safe, like all inverters and generators, it’s suitable for outside use only.
Many inverters are a closed-frame system, which cushions some of the engine sounds, making for a quieter machine. The open-frame generators are easy to service, but the trade-off is less cushion for sound. Packing 8,750 watts and a 420-cubic-centimeter engine, this machine can power quite a few appliances. With that in mind though, the open frame does make the machine slightly louder. Still, it’s quieter than a traditional portable generator of the same size.
Inverter generators and other portable generators use combustion to convert fuel or heat into electrical power. While both use an alternator to make alternating current (AC) — an inverter takes that AC power and converts it into direct current (DC), sends it through a microprocessor to then convert it back to AC power. The result is a clean and stable power that’s suitable for sensitive technology.
A generator classified as an inverter also uses variable speed. This means that the machine throttles up and down to meet your power demands. These devices can produce enough power to run even your home appliances, but as you add more load, the engine will speed up to make more power. When this happens, the machine will likely get louder.
A generator makes consistent power that’s ready to use. When you need to plug in your appliances during an outage or on a camping trip — your devices will simply draw power from your generator and operate just as they would normally. When it comes to portable inverter generators, consumers will likely find that this style is generally smaller, easier to move around, and usually quieter than other portable generators.
With its open frame, the Champion Power Equipment 100520 8750 Watt DH Series inverter is a good option for home use or outdoor adventures where you want something quiet.
Description and Specifications
The Champion 100520 has a 4-stroke, 420cc, variable engine. Champion describes this 100520 8750W gas inverter generator as 30% quieter and 25% lighter than a traditional 7,000-watt portable generator. Like we said earlier, this device uses quiet technology with a digital inverter to create clean power and less noise.
It also has automatic low-oil shutdown, a handy electric push-button start with a battery backup, and Cold Start Technology for easier and faster winter startup. Operating with recoil or pull-start and a choke valve, you’ll find that the valve “chokes” the air supply and changes the fuel-to-air ratio, which makes more fuel available to the engine for an easier start.
This inverter also comes with battery charging cables, a flexible oil funnel, and a USB port adapter so you can charge portable products like your smartphone or tablet.
Dimensions and Weight
Power Consumption and Power Output
The Champion 100520 offers 8,750 starting watts and 7,000 running watts with an output of 120 and 240 volts. It also has a 120-volt GFCI output for ground fault protection in damp conditions and a 12-volt supply.
With GFCI outlets, your devices will stay protected the whole run time. Offering further protection with an Eco mode setting, this generator allows the engine to idle during periods of non-use or lower electrical output. Once the electrical load is connected or increases, the engine speed will return to normal and run continuously.
Fuel Economy and Type
The Champion 1000520 inverter uses regular unleaded gasoline with an 87 octane rating. It has a 4.2-gallon tank, which can last 10.5 hours on Eco mode at 25% load. It also has a 1.2-quart engine oil capacity and uses 10W-30 oil.
Control Panel and Outlets
The inverter control panel is user-friendly and easy to read. Champion calls it the Quick Touch Panel because of its simplicity.
The Intelligauge shows the frequency, voltage, and session run time, which gives you a good idea of fuel efficiency and how much you can power on a tank of gas. It also shows total run time or operating hours, which is important for monitoring your service schedule.
The outlets are covered and include a 12-volt DC automotive-style outlet; four 120-volt, 20-amp GFCI (5-20R) outlets; and a 120/240-volt, 30-amp locking outlet (L14-30R). The GFCI outlets are suitable for household appliances and devices, and the locking outlet is an RV outlet for powering your travel trailer. There aren’t any USB ports, but the inverter comes with a dual USB adapter that fits the automotive-style outlet so you can plug in directly.
The panel also has other features, including:
- Electric start
- Eco mode switch
- Output indicator
- Overload indicator
- AC overload reset button
- Low-oil indicator
- Fuel valve to turn fuel supply on or off
- Built-in fuel gauge
- Circuit breakers to reset and protect the generator
Portability
Compared to other traditional generators of the same wattage, this Champion Power Equipment 100520 8750 watt inverter is lighter with a smaller frame. It’s considered portable, but at 155 pounds, it’s too heavy for most to manually lift and move around. The handle makes it easier to move and store, especially on rough terrain.
The inverter comes with a wheel kit. Champion advertises the wheels as “never-flat tires,” but customers say they’re plastic wheels. The benefit is that they’re solid so they won’t go flat, but they also might not move very smoothly. Customers say the plastic wheels can’t support the unit very well and tend to bow out.
Specifications
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Engine Type | 4-stroke |
| Engine Displacement | 420cc |
| Amperage | 58.3A |
| Running Watts | 7,000 |
| Peak Watts | 8,750 |
| Fuel Type | Gas |
| Tank Capacity | 4.2 gal. |
| Max. Runtime | 10.5 hours |
| Dimensions | 26.6″ x 25.6″ x 23.7″ |
| Weight | 155.4 pounds |
| Noise Level | 72 dBA |
| Certifications | EPA Certified, CARB Compliant |
| Warranty | 3-years limited |
This Champion 100520 inverter generator has more pros than cons, but there are some drawbacks. Overall, the machine is easy to use with a long run time. Generators take a lot of fuel, but the Eco mode allows for fuel efficiency, so you get a long run time on a tank of gas at a low load.
This machine has enough wattage to power work site projects or large home appliances. It can run a central air system and several appliances at the same time. Although it’s fairly heavy, it’s light for the wattage and not too difficult to move and store. The open frame makes it easy to service and change the oil, which is a great feature.
The machine has a built-in fuel gauge on top that makes it easy to quickly check fuel levels. It will automatically shut off if it’s out of fuel, but the gauge helps you troubleshoot shut-off at a glance. The low-oil auto-shutdown is a major bonus. It’s easy to forget to add oil, so this feature stops accidental damage. The inverter is also CARB-compliant and EPA certified.
The biggest con to this machine is probably the noise. While the open frame makes it lighter and easier to service, the lack of insulation does make the machine loud. Champion describes it as a little louder than a vacuum, but this is likely while in Economy mode. The machine will get louder as you increase the load, but compared to a 7,000-watt traditional portable generator, the Champion 100520 is fairly quiet.
The plastic wheels are also a drawback, but these wheels are standard across competing brands.
Champion 100520 8750-Watt Gasoline Portable Inverter Generator
Pros
- Easy to use
- Long run time
- Clean power output
- Low-oil auto-shutdown
- Easy to service
Cons
- Plastic wheel kit
- Noisy open frame
Warranty
Champion has a three-year limited warranty after the purchase date on mechanical and electrical material and workmanship defects. The warranty includes a fair use policy, so it doesn’t apply to normal wear and tear.
The warranty also doesn’t apply to damage from overloading the machine, modifications to the machine, misuse, improper connections, incorrect assembly, or poor maintenance. If you don’t take care of the generator or don’t use it properly, Champion won’t cover any resulting damage.
Items that normally have to be replaced like filters and O-rings aren’t covered. The limited warranty also excludes accessory parts like storage covers and starter batteries, cosmetic problems like paint or decal defects, and problems from parts that aren’t original Champion parts. Champion doesn’t warranty inverters or generators used for prime power.
How Does the Champion 100520 Compare to Its Competitors?
This inverter generator’s price ranges from around $1,100 to $1,700, which is mid-to-high-range compared with other machines.
What Are Consumers Saying About The Champion 100520 8750W Gas Inverter Generator?
Based on the Champion 100520 reviews, customers generally think this inverter is a good machine. It’s easy to assemble, and the instructions are easy to follow, but the wheel kit is a drawback.
Users say it’s powerful enough to run a central air unit along with common appliances like laptops and dishwashers without any problems. They feel Eco mode is less powerful and unable to start some machines, but this could be due to improper use. Generally, Eco mode should be off during high-load periods like startup.
The open frame makes it easy to do an oil change, and the flexible oil funnel that’s included is handy. But the open frame also leads to the biggest complaint that the machine is too noisy. The reviews rate the machine from extremely loud to moderately noisy. However, some reviewers have noted that it is so quiet that you can’t hear it from inside the house.
Customers seem to have trouble with third-party shipping, which is likely due to the size and weight of the inverter. Several reviewers state they had trouble getting through to Champion customer service for issues, too.
Overall, the consensus is that this is a good machine at a great value for its price. It’s easy to use, has clean power for sensitive tech, and has enough power to run your house in a power outage or for a small job. People are also able to take it out camping with an RV because it’s portable.
Is The Champion 100520 Generator For You?
The Champion 8750W gas inverter generator has enough rated wattage to power your recreational activities, personal appliances, or some small tools. An electric start makes this machine easy to use, which is helpful if you’re new to using a generator or want something simple. The battery backup and Cold Start Technology make cold winter startup easier, too.
The Champion 100520 8,750-watt generator is a great choice for camping, powering some appliances at the cabin, and running your house during power outages. Even with an open frame, inverters are much quieter than traditional portable generators, so it’s a good option for daytime running in noise-sensitive places. It’s an excellent choice for home projects or when you need occasional power and can deal with temporary noise.
Additional Resources
Why Choose Champion Power Equipment?
Champion Power Equipment was founded in 2003 in Santa Fe Springs, California. The company expanded over the years into an international brand with manufacturing plants in Jackson, Tennessee; Milwaukee, Wisconsin; and Toronto, Canada. The brand also has an in-house engineering team at its product design and development facilities in Milwaukee.
Champion Power Equipment
Champion is a familiar brand regularly found at hardware and home department stores. The company now makes a variety of products from engines, winches, and log splitters to portable and standby generators and inverter generators. Champion generators range from small and easily portable to large power machines. With 2.5 million generators sold, Champion is a household name for recreational and home-use generators.
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FAQs
Champion products are available through many retailers. You can purchase the Champion 100520 at stores like your local Home Depot or online at Amazon.
The Champion 100520 8750W inverter generator can run on one tank of gas for 10.5 hours on Eco mode at 25% load. At 50% load, it will run for about 5.5 hours on a tank of gas.
It’s important to note that run time is a theory and doesn’t always translate to actual use. Actual run time can vary with the age of your appliances, your fuel quality, and the load you apply. It’s best to add your appliances one at a time and turn them off when you don’t need them. Using Economy mode can also extend your engine life and help run time.
Warranty repairs or part replacements must be done by an authorized Champion Power Equipment facility. You should contact Champion customer service directly first and get a case number for warranty service before proceeding. Any authorized warranty repairs or replacements may not be covered otherwise.
Normal maintenance like oil changes or cleaning spark plugs isn’t covered by warranty, so you can do those yourself. You should change the oil after the break-in period, which is the first five hours of use. After that, Champion recommends a general service every 50 hours or once a year and a comprehensive service every 100 hours. Refer to the Champion 100520 manual for instructions.
The inverter can be used to power small jobs, as backup power during outages, or to power your RV. The Quiet Technology makes it ideal for job sites or campgrounds where you need quieter machines. It also produces clean power, which makes it ideal for sensitive technology.
