Today (Aug/2020), we recommend the Champion Power Equipment 100263 (3400W / Dual-Fuel) over the 75537i (3100W/Gas). You’ll likely find the 75537i harder to find going forward as manufacturers often ditch their older, less powerful models for newer models. I’ve noticed Amazon stopped selling the 75537i recently which is usually a sign that the 3400Wmodels are replacing the older ones. That’s just my opinion. Time will tell.
All of these models have quite a following. Champion makes excellent generators so you can’t go wrong with any of them.
⭐️ Below you’ll find some of the top selling models right now.
The Champion Power Equipment 75537i (3100W) is a thoughtfully designed inverter generator that’s RV ready straight out-of-the-box — Quiet (58 dBA), economical to run, streamlined for optimum efficiency (runs up to 8 hours at 25% load), packed with enough ports to handle all types of electrical equipment.
Oh, did I mention the wireless remote? Hmm, anyway, we review the Champion Power Equipment 75537i alongside the 75531i (3100W) and compare it to the WEN 56310i (3100W) inverter generator. We hope you find this inverter generator buying guide helpful.
🔸Note : Some of the models originally reviewed are no longer available. Read our current guide to the best inverter generators in 2020.
Table of Contents...
History | Champion Power Equipment
The Champion Power Equipment company was founded back in 2003 by a small group of people, and since then it has earned a reputation for designing some of the industries finest and most reliable power generation equipment. Ever since the first Champion facility was established in Santa Fe Springs, California, all of their products have been designed and manufactured on American soil, and this is one of the main reasons for the consistency in quality and performance that we as customers have come to expect from a Champion product.
2020 — Dual-Fuel Inverter Generator | 3400 Watts | ► Champion 100263
Not only does Champion manufacture conventional generators, but it also makes inverter generators, home standby generators, winches, and even log splitters. Champion delivers quality products consistently, but it also delivers something new and innovative each year to set itself apart from the competition. And this time, its newest entry into the pack of mainstream inverter generators is the Champion 75537i — a moderately sized (and priced) inverter generator that delivers 2800 watts of continuous and clean AC power for running everything from a 14” laptop, to a 13,500 BTU RV rooftop AC.
What’s a Btu? (Wikipedia)
The British thermal unit (Btu or BTU) is a traditional unit of work equal to about 1055 joules. It is the amount of work needed to raise the temperature of one pound of water by one degree Fahrenheit. One four-inch wooden kitchen match consumed completely generates approximately 1 Btu. In science and engineering, the joule, the SI unit of energy, has largely replaced the Btu.
In this article, we are about to examine the Champion 75537i and tell you if this is the correct inverter generator for your needs. First we shall mention its specifications, such as the engine type and displacement, fuel tank capacity, rated load, efficiency, etc. This will give you a rough idea of what to expect from this machine, and you can use this data to compare this generator with similarly priced models from other brands.
Then, we’ll take a deeper look into the various aspects of this generator which will determine whether or not it is worth your attention, such as the reliability, operability, efficiency, runtime, etc. Basically, we shall explain in detail what all of those specifications that we mentioned earlier, actually amount to in terms of real-life performance. Finally, we will compare the Champion 75537i to a similarly priced inverter generator from another reputable brand, to see how well it stacks up against the competition.
Champion Power Equipment 75537i | 3100W Inverter Generator
No longer available on Amazon.
Before we begin to discuss in detail all of the stuff that makes this generator a favorite among tailgaters, campers, and RV owners, let us first take a look at the spec sheet for this 96-pound beast from Champion:
Features:
- Starting wattage of 3100 watts, with a running wattage of 2800 watts.
- AC output of 120V, with a 12V/8.3A DC output as well.
- Pure sine wave current output, with a total harmonic distortion of less than 1.3 % under load.
- Single-cylinder Champion 171cc OHV engine (4-stroke, runs of gasoline)
- Fuel tank capacity of 1.6 US gallons (6 L).
- Automatic overload protection.
- Rated run-time of 8 hours under 50% load, likely to vary depending on the use case and operating conditions.
- Can be started with the pull cord, although it does come with as remote control and electric start system.
- Pretty silent at just 53 dB (A) from a distance of 23 feet (not full load)
- Measures 25.1” x 17.3” x 18.3” in length, width, and height respectively. It weighs 96 pounds, or 43 kilos when dry.
- Fully compliant with emission norms of 50 states, and is certified by both the EPA as well as CARB.
✓ View or download the MANUAL for the Champion 75537i.
Includes: Oil funnel, Spark plug socket, Wireless remote, , 12V DC charging cables, Battery, USB adapter (Automotive style 2.1A and 1A ports).
Overview | Champion Power Equipment 75537i
Taking a look at the wattage rating for this inverter generator, it instantly becomes clear that the Champion 75537i is designed to be used on RV’s and mobile homes. The peak power output is around 3100 watts, and this is perfect for starting up any 13,500BTU RV rooftop AC. Normally you will only find rooftop AC’s with a BTU rating of anywhere between 13000-14000 on the typical 20-27 foot long motor home/ RV.
They usually have a starting wattage requirement of around 2500-2800 watts, although you might need to increase that number if it is extremely hot outside. Fortunately, the Champion 75537i generator is designed to take the heat. It can operate within a temperature range of anywhere between -15°F, all the way up to 105°C. Of course it can operate at temperatures slightly beyond these two extremes, but this range is where our Champion generator can maintain its maximum efficiency and output current quality.
Talking of output current quality, the Champion 75537i is capable of maintaining a total harmonic distortion of less than 1.3%, even while running on its maximum rated continuous load of 2800 watts. That is a truly amazing feat, something that is matched only by industrial grade inverter generators and extremely expensive home standby generators (THD of less than 3% is considered to be exceptional). But those industrial grade units tend to cost more than 2 to 3 times as much, and we can thus come to the conclusion that Champion has used some really high quality components inside the 75537i’s inverter circuitry.
The result is much cleaner current, with fewer spikes in voltage and a near-100% pure sine wave output – something that every inverter generator manufacturer strives to deliver, but is hard to implement unless you use top notch electronic circuits in the generator. But exactly what does all of this mean? What is THD, and why should you care about sine-wave output? Well simply put, cleaner current means longer lifespans and more efficient functioning for all of your delicate electronic devices such as mobile phones, laptops, TV’s, etc.
You’ll probably be carrying something like a microwave or toaster along with you on the RV, and even those appliances can benefit from spike-free, clean power. Modern electronic equipment usually contain low-voltage circuitry, while nearly all electronic appliances which we use on a daily basis employ microprocessors in some form or the other. In order to keep these low-voltage electronic circuits running at maximum efficiency, they must be provided with pure sine wave current – that is what their manufacturers have designed them for, since the power that comes out of your wall outlet is also based on a pure sine wave signal.
Cheaply manufactured generators will output current that consists of blocky or square waves, and this could cause your delicate electronic devices to run hotter, thereby decreasing the lifespan of the tiny electronic components on the circuit board. Not to mention, the motors of cheaply designed generators will spin at an uneven rate, causing random and often dangerous voltage spikes which could either overload or short the internal circuits of your appliances.
Okay, so the Champion 75537i can provide clean power that is almost as good, if not better than what your public utility company supplies to the home. But can this generator maintain such performance on a stable basis? Well, the 171cc single cylinder engine inside this mid-sized marvel runs incredibly smooth and is under constant observation by a highly advanced engine control unit embedded within the generator.
This engine control unit is what makes the Champion Power Equipment 75537i so efficient. It monitors the amount of load on the output of the generator, and tries to match the engine rpm with the load percentage, so that no fuel is wasted. Inverter generators can vary their engine speeds, unlike conventional generators that have to maintain a speed of 3600rpm in order to sustain the 60Hz frequency of their output current. Let’s say you have been running the RV AC for two to three hours and now the interiors are cool enough so you can switch it off.
Video | Champion Power Equipment 75537i
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AvcFu9lzMM8
✓ Power related emergencies happen all of the time and of course, they are unpredictable. Personally, I like to be prepared for an emergency and a generator is absolutely essential if you want to be ready for anything. When the power goes out it’s too late to go out and buy one. Everyone else is also doing the same thing. You must plan ahead, and if you do, and you purchase a generator, I promise you, when that moment comes where you find yourself in the dark and without power, because of a storm or earthquake, or whatever — in that moment, your generator will be priceless and worth every penny you paid for it.
The only things connected to the generator right now are a 300W LCD television, and a couple of 50W lights. So the generator engine will automatically spool down, allowing it to save precious fuel whenever you aren’t operating something that is power hungry. This can come in especially handy when you’re taking a long trip and happen to run into some malfunction along the route that causes you to stop and spend 6-7 hours repairing your RV.
In those times, you would much rather use the limited supply of fuel on your hands to power essential appliances such as lights, phone chargers, laptops, etc. instead of using it on air conditioning. Yet another case in which the added fuel efficiency of this generator could come in handy, is when a storm takes out the power grid of an area that you’re traveling through. More often than not, the power outage will also affect RV parks and you will end up having to spend the night inside your RV, using the generator to run the microwave, lights, TV, etc.
While the spec sheet states that this generator will last for 8 hours on a full tank, what it doesn’t tell you is that this number is only achieved under ideal operating conditions with a mere 25% load. However, actual consumers have stated that they are able to average anywhere between 5 to 6 hour run-times on a single tank, which is not at all bad for a 3100W generator. Of course, that run-time will go down even further if you constantly run it under the full load of 2800W at all times, but that would require you to plug in the rooftop AC, lights, laptop, TV, and toaster into the generator, all at the same time.
— Portability is Important. Champion Makes it Easy to Move the Generator Around.
Learn more about the Champion 75537i on Amazon.
Champion Power Equipment 75537i — Portability
Despite boasting a net weight of over 96 pounds, the 75537i is surprisingly easy to maneuver and you can take it on/off the RV or back of your pickup truck quite easily. There are two puncture-resistant radial wheels on the base of this generator, along with dual rail-style handlebars on the top.
There is a folding handle on the front which swings outwards, and this allows you to pull the generator behind you like you would pull a wheeled luggage bag. Any average male can pick up this generator and move it a few feet by himself, using only the top handles for support. If two people get together and hold the top handles, then transporting this generator across moderate distances can be fairly easy. That should come in fairly handy during picnics and outdoor marriage parties, when you often need to grab the generator set and quickly move it around to a different location.
The wheels and folding handle will be useful if you plan to unload or offload the generator with a ramp. Often, RV’s and motor homes might include a ramp-like extension around the back or on the sides for loading heavy objects and wheel chairs. The same ramps can be used to roll the Champion 75537i in or out.
Champion 75537i vs WEN 56310i
Let’s begin by taking a look at the specifications of the WEN 56310i.
- Surge output of 3100 watts, with a continuous power output of 2800W
- Includes : dual 3-prong 120V receptacles, along with one 120V 30A NEMA twist lock receptacle, and a 12V DC output along with dual 5V USB outputs.
- Pure sine wave current output, with a total harmonic distortion of less than 1.3 % under load.
- 212cc : 4-stroke air cooled gasoline engine, manufactured by WEN.
- Fuel tank capacity of 1.85 gallons.
- Low oil shut-off sensor.
- Weight: 81.4 lbs.
- Automatic overload protection, along with a transparent fuel gauge and low-oil shutdown
- Run-time of 7.5 hours under 50% load.
- Fully compliant with emission norms of 50 states, and is certified by both the EPA as well as CARB.
✓ View or download the MANUAL for the WEN 56310i.
Right from the start, two things are clear — the WEN generator runs louder than its Champion counterpart, and it also consumes slightly more fuel in comparison to the 75537i. This minor increase in fuel consumption is probably due to the larger engine inside the WEN. Compared to the 171cc 4-stroke in the Champion 75537i, the 212cc 4-stroke air cooled WEN engine consumes more fuel per cylinder cycle, just because of the increased cylinder displacement which is nearly 23% higher than that of the Champion engine.
Video | See the WEN 56310i — out of the box.
However, the efficiency has not decreased by nearly as much as you would expect. Instead of the Champions 8 hours on a full tank at 50% load you now get 7.5 hours out of a full tank, which is a mere 6% decrease – something that you probably won’t even notice during real life usage unless you wait for the absolute last drop of fuel to get consumed before refilling your generators fuel tank. This is partly because of the larger fuel tank in the WEN, which is 1.85 gallons compared to the 1.6 gallons on the Champion 75537i.
Also, at 57 decibels, this generator runs louder than the Champion 75537i which generates 53 decibels at a distance of 23 feet or nearly 7 meters. You see, decibels don’t scare linearly. Every 10 decibel increase represents a 100% increase in loudness. So, 40 decibels is twice as loud as 30. In the same way, 57 decibels should be 40% louder than 53 (4 decibel difference translates into a 40% increase in sound). However you’ll be surprised to know that 57 decibels is only as loud as the interior of a moderately sized restaurant, or about as loud as a conversation between two adults standing nearly a meter away from each other.
Great Generator for the Money | WEN 56310i
That explains just how silent the Champion generator runs, since it is a full 40% quieter than the WEN. In terms of current output quality, we would call it a tie, since both the Champion as well as WEN generators show only about 1.2% or 1.3% THD under load. Also, the WEN is somehow 15 pounds lighter when dry, despite its larger engine and fuel tank. Both generators feature the exact same wattage ratings, and offer similar output port configurations.
However you should know that the Champion offers a 3-year limited warranty, while the WEN offers a 2-year warranty. But yeah, that’s about it. They are similarly priced and offer near identical performance. If you need a compact and lightweight generator that’s easy to lift and move around with you, then go for the WEN 56310i.
WEN 56310i | CARB Compliant Inverter Generator
If you want better efficiency, lower noise, and an extra 1 year on the warranty you should get the Champion 75537i. It is our top choice in the 2800-3200W range of inverter generators, thanks to its incredibly sturdy design, reliable performance, extended warranty, and efficient low-noise operation. When you look at the complete package, it is clear that the Champion 75537i wins this race.
Read our comprehensive article on Champion Power Equipment inverter generators to learn more.
