Introduction
The Champion 4650 inverter generator is a great source of emergency power that will ensure your home and business appliances and devices are running during outages. Champion Power Equipment is an American company that manufactures power equipment.
The company was founded in 2003; today, it's popular in the portable generator industry. Plus, it also makes other general power equipment. Its primary focus is on heavy-duty equipment like chipper shredders, snowblowers, and many more.
The article is about one of the popular portable generators by Champion power equipment, the Champion 4650 inverter generator.
It’s an ultra-quiet generator with 4650-Watt, making it perfect for powering items, tailgating, and camping. In this review, you will get information about the amazing features of this compatible generator.
Champion 4650 Inverter Generator
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The Champion 4650 inverter generator has a great design, runs smoothly, and is super quiet at 61 dBA noise.
The generator is ideal for most places and activities such as camping trips, parties, RV parks, etc., since it won't disturb you, your family, and neighbors.
Product Specifications
- Features: Gasoline
- Run time (25% loads): 14 hours
- Starting Wattages: 4650W
- Running Wattages: 3650W
- Warranty: 3 years
Features
Convenience
- Intelligence Meter
The control panel features the intelligence, which shows lifetime hours and voltage frequency. With this feature, you will monitor the generator's activity and status.
- Light Indicators
The generator has light indicators which inform when the generator's oil level is low, when it's on overload and when it's ready.
- Fuel Gauge
You can easily and conveniently check the generator's gas level through the fuel gauge.
- Built-In Circuit Breaker
The feature secures your generator and devices since it offers overload protection. Therefore you won't have to worry when using the generator. Plus, it also has a low oil shut-off feature.
Run Time and Power
The generator has a four-stroke engine with a capacity of 212 ccs; it offers 120V. The engine uses gasoline with a 3650W running wattage and 4650W peak wattage.
The generator is parallel capable, and this means you can double its power by linking it to a second compatible unit. The generator is super quiet with a 61 dBA noise rating.
Plus, it features the pull start technology and has another interesting feature known as the EZ Start Dial. The EZ Start Dial feature allows you to power the generator's engine using easily accessible controls intuitively.
The generator has a 2.3 gallons fuel engine capacity, and on a full tank, it can run for up to 14 hours.
Portability
It's an inverter generator, and this automatically makes it compact. The generator is more of an esthetical open frame device and less conventional.
The generator's design is contemporary, making it ideal for generating power recreationally. The generator weighs 95 lbs., which makes it easily portable. The generator also has folding handles and two wheels that effortlessly move it on a flat surface.
Outlets
The generator has a control panel with three AC outlets. It also has one DC outlet that allows you to charge your batteries. Plus, the generator is known to be RV-ready.
Warranty
The generator comes with a three years warranty. However, the warranty is limited and covers all the generator parts.
To learn more about the warranty, you can visit the official champion generator website. Alternatively, you can call customer support.
Pros
- Fuel efficient
- Super quiet
- Affordable
- Parallel capable
Cons
- Lack electric start
- Low run time
Factors to Consider When Buying a Portable Generator
Power and Outlets
The most important thing you need to know when buying a generator is its size. You need to know the amount of power to know its size.
A professional electrician can help calculate the total amount of power your home devices need. You need to know the startup wattages of all your equipment; this will help you select a generator with the right startup wattages and running wattages.
The other important thing you should consider is the types of outlets. Small generators usually have 120V AC outlets and several USB ports.
However, if you want to connect the generator to your panel directly, the 240V plug is the ideal choice. If you intend to use the generator for outdoor projects, choose one that features GFCI-protected outlets.
Fuel Type
Modern generators use various fuel types. Today the gasoline generator is quite popular since its fuel is easily available. However, it can be tricky coming across during calamities like storms, floods, etc.
The most popular type of fuel is diesel. Diesel generators are fuel-efficient. Most whole house generators use diesel. Diesel fuel is harder to find than gasoline during calamities.
Propane is another fuel alternative. Lastly, there are battery-powered generators that are environmentally friendly. The battery-powered generator is rechargeable using solar, and this is an advantage.
In addition to producing no emissions, the battery-powered generator runs silently, making it ideal for small homes and camping, etc. However, these generators are quite expensive are have a slow recharge rate. Plus, they won't offer you more than 2000 watts.
Fuel Tank Capacity
The size of the fuel tanks determines how often you'll be refueling the generator. The bigger the tank size, the longer it will take you to refuel.
Most portable generators have fuel tanks that offer seven to nine hours at 50% load. If your appliances consume much power, the generator will run shorter and vice versa.
The fuel tanks are also made from different materials, which are plastic and metallic. The plastic tanks are great since they aren't corrosive; however, they can easily break.
The Noise Level
Typically, small generators' design makes them quiet. A quiet generator will surely be a great option if you love camping or staying in the gated neighborhood.
Powerful generators such as the 4000-wattage generators are usually noisy. The other thing you need to consider is the fuel source. Diesel generators are noisier than generators that use other fuels like propane etc.
Wheel Kit
In general, generators are usually quite heavy. Therefore moving it from one place to another is easier if it has a wheel kit. Unfortunately, not all generators have wheel kits.
Some generator models sell the wheel kits separately, while others include them in the packaging. You should know this before making the purchase. The generator can come with four wheels or dual wheels.
There are several after-market wheel kits for models that do not have wheel kits that you can add to them. Installing the wheel kit is quite simple, and you can use simple tools. You can install the wheels on your generator in minutes.
Carbon Monoxide Detection
Today many generator manufacturers add the carbon monoxide detector to this equipment. The CO detector measures carbon monoxide near the engine and immediately shuts down the generator if the levels are exceedingly high.
The generator's CO detectors are more sensitive than those installed at homes. A generator with a CO detector guarantees you a healthy life that's free from CO complications. Almost all the newer models have the CO detector component.
Electronic Fuel Injection
It's popularly known as the EFI, and it's an amazing feature. A generator with an EFI does not need a carburetor.
The carburetor is usually quite tricky and expensive to maintain because of clogging. However, other than clogging, several things will affect the carburetor. In addition, generators with electronic fuel injection are easier to start up during extremely cold weather.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is plugging a generator into a wall socket safe?
It's not advisable because it can be dangerous in various ways. The process is known as back feeding.
If you do back feeding and there's earth leakage, or the grid power resumes when the switch is on, it will surely damage the generator. It can also cause electrical fires and give out harmful hazards in other instances.
- How do you know the right generator size?
You need to call a professional to calculate the total wattages your home devices use. However, heating appliances such as kettles, geysers, stoves, hairdryers, etc., consume a lot of power.
You can also control the number of lights on when using the generator. Certain devices like PCs and televisions do not use much power but are voltage sensitive. If a generator voltage isn't constant, you will notice spikes and dips in the system.
- What generator size should someone get?
It depends on the total load your appliances offer and is measured in watts. You need to add the loads you want the generator to run simultaneously.
Please find out the electrical appliances that use the most electricity in your house, and add their total wattages.
- Do you need an electrician to install the generator?
It’s advisable to always use an experienced and licensed electrician for installation. The person should have absolute expertise in wiring the switches since a small mistake can be life-threatening.
- Do home generators produce a lot of noise?
The amount of noise from the generator depends on the load it handles. It will be noisier if it handles too much load and vice versa.
Conclusion
The champion 4650 inverter generator is compact and easily portable with amazing features and specifications.
The generator is ideal for various functions and purposes such as outdoor activities, emergency backup power, and camping. It has a 4650W startup wattage and 3650W running wattage, which is enough to power most of your home appliances.
