[sledman8002002]

OK, good to know

 

[GenKnot]

Just a side story...

I bought my GN625i along with two of my neighbors. All three arrived with shipping damage. For mine and one of my neighbors, the damage was easily fixed as it was the engine support bracket that got bent. It was obvious that the two gens had taken a hard fall during shipment. I actually watched the driver slide my neighbor's gen to the back of the truck and then flip it out onto the street. It was too heavy for her to handle properly.

My other neighbor refused acceptance on his gen when it was delivered because the box was severely torn up. He contacted WEN and they immediately sent another gen using a different carrier as he requested. It arrived in pristine condition.

I wrote WEN an email about this as an FYI. They immediately sent back a very apologetic email and said the shipping damage issue had been brought to their attention. They were looking into negotiating a contract with another carrier because of it. They offered to send out any parts I needed to fix the damage, but I told them it was not necessary...I just straightened out the brackets.

When I read negative comments/ratings about a product that has shipping damage it makes me think about this. Why do people give the product a negative rating because it arrived damaged? I don't get it.

My older gen is a Champion that I bought in 2008. It still looks and runs just fine. I converted it to tri-fuel just like my WEN.

My interactions with both WEN and Champion have been positive. Both companies were equally responsive.

 

[LaSwamp]

I have two Wen inverters and one Champion inverter so I'll chime in. The larger Wen inverter is the GN400i which is a mid-level model. The smaller Wen is a 56225i. I have used both of them during outages and they have worked fine. The only thing I don't like about the 400i is that it has only a 2 gallon fuel tank which means I cannot go all night without having to refuel. I found a workaround that solved the problem. I can run a fuel line from a larger tank that will allow the Wen to run all night. I have only used the 56225i for short outages. I've had no issues with either unit.

I also have a Champion 200913. Wal Mart was running a sale on them for around $550 so I scooped one up. I did have a problem with it when I got it. The fuel valve leaked internally so when I shut it off, it kept delivering fuel to the carb. I contacted Champion CS and they were great. They shipped me a new valve assembly and that solved the problem. Plus, the tech had a lot of great advice for taking care of the model. Otherwise, the Champion has also run well when I've used it.

Back in 2021, the Champion and the Wen 400i were running together in parallel after Hurricane Ida. I had to modify a Champion parallel kit to get them to work together. The setup produced plenty of power, all that we needed to run a fridge, two window a/c units, TV, fans, router, lights, and chargers. We were very comfortable. What's nice about the Champion is that it has a four gallon fuel tank so it would easily run all night when needed.

I don't think you can go wrong with either model, to be honest. If you order direct from Wen, they ship for free and the price you see is the price OTD. So that is a consideration.

My next inverter purchase will likely be a Honda because Paul is going to make me buy one. I'm trying to resist but Paul is Borg. And we all know when it comes to Borg, resistance is futile.

 

[GenKnot]

the price you see is the price OTD.

I had forgotten about that. I did not get charged shipping or tax when ordering direct from the WEN website. Sweet!

 

[Corded]

OTD ?
On The Dock?

Importing things with anything other than mail service will result import broker fees

 

[LaSwamp]

OTD ?
On The Dock?

Importing things with anything other than mail service will result import broker fees

OTD = out the door.

 

[Bluwolf]

Another vote for Champion. I have 3 of them. A 7500/9375 dual fuel that I only run on propane. I also have a 2000W and 2500W inverters, also only propane. All 3 have been great. A few shorter outages and then hurricane Ian. They never missed a beat.

One thing about the 2 inverters, they were always difficult to start. zz28zz mentioned the same problem so I thought it was normal. But then I helped a co-worker buy the same model 2500W inverter because he knew nothing about generators. I told him it might be hard to start. We did the break-in at work. The thing started on the first pull. I thought beginner's luck. But he keeps it at work and we run his and the work generator every 2 months. It starts on the first pull every time! So I borrowed his regulator and tried it on mine. 2 pulls and it started right up. So I tried on the older one and it too started right up.

About their customer service. I've dealt with them a few times. Always for parts I wanted as backups and they've been great. After my test with my co-worker's regulator I emailed Champion. The 2500W was still under warranty, the 2000W was not. Long story short they sent me a new regulator for the newer one and said they would send me a new regulator, free of charge for the older one too but they were on backorder. I thought, I'll never see the one for the older one. Then it showed up on my doorstep a month later.

 

[LaSwamp]

Another vote for Champion. I have 3 of them. A 7500/9375 dual fuel that I only run on propane. I also have a 2000W and 2500W inverters, also only propane. All 3 have been great. A few shorter outages and then hurricane Ian. They never missed a beat.

One thing about the 2 inverters, they were always difficult to start. zz28zz mentioned the same problem so I thought it was normal. But then I helped a co-worker buy the same model 2500W inverter because he knew nothing about generators. I told him it might be hard to start. We did the break-in at work. The thing started on the first pull. I thought beginner's luck. But he keeps it at work and we run his and the work generator every 2 months. It starts on the first pull every time! So I borrowed his regulator and tried it on mine. 2 pulls and it started right up. So I tried on the older one and it too started right up.

About their customer service. I've dealt with them a few times. Always for parts I wanted as backups and they've been great. After my test with my co-worker's regulator I emailed Champion. The 2500W was still under warranty, the 2000W was not. Long story short they sent me a new regulator for the newer one and said they would send me a new regulator, free of charge for the older one too but they were on backorder. I thought, I'll never see the one for the older one. Then it showed up on my doorstep a month later.

Champion is really good about sending out parts. They will tell you anything you need to know about the inverters. The tech I spoke with told me it's impossible to overfill the 200913 with oil. He said you can fill it all the way up to the threads and it's all good. Some of the models you can overfill if you're not careful so you have to watch for that when filling oil. I would not hesitate to pick up another Champion if the sale is truly righteous.

 

[tabora]

He said you can fill it all the way up to the threads and it's all good.

That is the case with most small engines that follow the basic Honda design... Fill it until it almost runs out the side fill port(s).

 

[sledman8002002]

When I read negative comments/ratings about a product that has shipping damage it makes me think about this. Why do people give the product a negative rating because it arrived damaged? I don't get it.

Completely agree, however there were/are a few reports/pics of the gen's box not showing any signs of shipping damage. Those bent frames 'may' have of happened during the crating/boxing process in China. Hard to believe a company would send them out as such, but I suppose its possible.
Regardless, good to see/hear that particular issue has been resolved and purchasers were taken care of.

 

[GenKnot]

That is the case with all small engines that follow the basic Honda design... Fill it until it almost runs out the side fill port(s).

Yes, but there are a few gens that have an extended oil filler. Note that this one (a Generac GP18000EFI) must have the dipstick fully inserted when checking the level...

 

[LaSwamp]

Yes, but there are a few gens that have an extended oil filler. Note that this one (a Generac GP18000EFI) must have the dipstick fully inserted when checking the level...

View attachment 16680

The 200913 has a long fill neck as well. The tech told me that they get a fair number of people who have issues with the low oil sensor probably because the right amount of oil per the dipstick is actually on the low side.

 

[GenKnot]

The 200913 has a long fill neck as well.

Yup, there's another. That gen actually has an oil filler extender on it.

 

[sledman8002002]

I also have a Champion 200913.

I like the specs on that unit LaSwamp. The Canadian version (201226) is tempting me a lil bit as the DB number is not too bad compared to the bigger girls. Not big on it having that CO sensor tho, but the price is reasonable.

 

[LaSwamp]

I like the specs on that unit LaSwamp. The Canadian version (201226) is tempting me a lil bit as the DB number is not too bad compared to the bigger girls. Not big on it having that CO sensor tho, but the price is reasonable.

Mine doesn't have the CO sensor. Unless that's a feature on the newer models, I don't think the 200913 has one. Of course, that might be a feature on the Canadian models?

 

[tabora]

Yes, but there are a few gens that have an extended oil filler. Note that this one (a Generac GP18000EFI) must have the dipstick fully inserted when checking the level...

Yup, those DON'T follow the basic Honda design...

 

[sledman8002002]

Mine doesn't have the CO sensor. Unless that's a feature on the newer models, I don't think the 200913 has one.

Nice! I just double checked, no, that model is still showing no CO monitor in the US.

Of course, that might be a feature on the Canadian models?

Seems to be unfortunately.

 

[GenKnot]

there were/are a few reports/pics of the gen's box not showing any signs of shipping damage.

Gee. How did that even fit in the box? My WEN came with honeycombed cardboard about 1" thick for shipping protection, but it had been dropped. The impression of the frame was in the bottom protective piece of cardboard. And, they don't normally come with the wheels and feet attached.

 

[Dutchy491]

My EM6500SX Honda has the extended fill/dipstick neck. Owners need to become familiar with their equipment….😬

 

[tabora]

My EM6500SX Honda has the extended fill/dipstick neck.

Yes, that's a feature of the special crankcase cover for that application.
K2 Rev

or K1 Rev