Tractor Supply's "Champion" generator?

[frazoo]

My local TS has this generator (3500w, 29.2a) for $299.00. Anyone have any experience with these? It's either this or the Harbor Freight one.

thnks, frazoo

[suburbancowboy]

Don't go for the HF one.  I bought it last year and the breaker kicks off every time I run my skill saw on it.  It only handles very low amp stuff.

[Squirl]

For the price I went for the larger HF one.  Works great. Electric start and everything.

There is a small story behind it.  I went in to buy the 3500 watt one.  They had just advertised a coupon in Field and Stream for $199.  Then when I went, they told me they discontinued that model and they could give me the next model down for around the same price.  I raised hell about bait and switch advertising with the store manager and they gave me the 6500 watt one for the same price.

As suburbancowboy pointed out, check the amp rating of the plugs.  My guess is that both models have 15a receptacles and are made in china.  The larger HF one I have has 20A. 

[robarosa]

Bought the Champion generator couple years ago and use fairly often. Been working fine. Starts on first or second pull. Runs 7-1/4 Skill saw, table saw,1/2 hp air compressor among other things. It has a modified sine if that means anything to you. Read all about it at rv.net. Just search for it.

[upa]

I have the 3000 watt champion, it's a chinese honda(GX200) clone. I have had great luck with mine. It has over 700 hours on the clock with just oil changes every 100 hours or so, it starts on first pull with choke every single time and is pretty economical ~ 1.2 liters per hour and has run every hand tool I have. I have a couple of other gennys a 1.3KW(too underpowered for most things) and 5.5kw(too gas hungry) but the 3K champion remains my go to genny 90% of the time.

[frazoo]

Purchased the Champion today, going to site Mon and Tues. to try it out, let you know how it works out.

frazoo

[Solar Burrito]

The Champion works great after 3 years. starts 2nd pull.