Champion Hybrid Inverter ???

JDEM

Well-known Member
I heard a rep this morning on a radio show from company that makes Champion generators. He claimed they have a new tech
generator that takes the advantages of a conventional AC generator and from an "inverter" generator. He spoke quite awhile
pushing it , yet little he said made any sense to me. So I went to the Champion website and it still makes no sense to me. I
am well aware how conventional generators work. I am also aware how inverter generators work. I still have no idea what
makes this thing somehow "unique" or "hybrid?"
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OK, a standard generator makes AC electricity. And an inverter takes DC and inverts it into AC. Bad thing about AC generators is, the small ones have a harsh sine wave pattern that is hard on more sensitive electronics and small appliances. What I believe they're talking about here is having a gas engine generate all the DC power it can, then using an inverter to change it to AC power with a clean sine wave pattern that is accepted by all electronics.

So basically, rather than turning a generator head, the engine is turning an alternator and then cleaning up the power for use.
 
Like I said, I already know how an inverter generator works. What I do not get is why Champion calls this some sort of new
tech and a "hybrid" as a sort of compromise between a conventional generator and an inverter generator. The guy from Champion
spoke about it for half an hour on the radio and it just sounds like a typical inverter-generator to me (which is not a new
breakthrough).
 
...Hype advertising?

There's only so many ways you can skin a cat, and only so many ways you can convert the output of a gas engine to clean electricity.

I did a bit more digging on this model and, near as I can tell, it's only real claims to fame are 1) that it's more quiet than normal generators and 2) that it saves fuel by using ECO mode, whatever that is. There's not much mention about ECO mode. Seems they're trying to hype up the sales as this being so much quieter than normal generators.

As for it being "hybrid", again, I believe that's just the wording they use for the method of generating electricity using a synchronous motor rather than a standard generator head. The price certainly doesn't reflect any sort of amazing new technology, so I would guess what you heard on the radio was primarily salesman hype.

I also noticed what appears to be an interesting little quirk in the reviews. Don't know if it has to do with all their products so not going to say anything more on the subject. ...Could be totally wrong here.
 
I don't know about champion Inverters, but I do have two 3500w 120v RV champion generators. I was told they are honda clones. I love mine. I can't hear it running outside house when I use it for back up power. Very easy on gas. My first one is about 6 years old now. I bought a second one with electric start. I keep at my other property 25 miles north.

For the money, I think they are a very good deal. I don't know why I would buy the inverter model. I use mine for refrigerators, electric chain saw, microwave and well. Works just fine.
geo
 
A inverter generator makes AC by converting DC to proper voltage and frequency by an electronic switching circuit.

With a straight AC generator, motor speed is regulated as closely as possible to specs by engine speed, and characteristics of generator head. Engine speed for most common smaller generators is 3600rpm - provides 60Hz AC. Typically, you could set your governor by an RPM (tach) meter, or a frequency meter off the output.

Now, since electronics in inverter gene control voltage and frequency, motor speed can be varied to provide amount of electricity necessary for load you are trying to run. Small load, engine may loaf along. Heavy load and engine will speed up to cover need.
I have measured my 1 cylinder 8 and 10 hp AC generators several times, and they seem to be just fine. Someday, I guess I'll have to drag out the oscilloscope and see what's really going on. Lacking one of those, a Kill-o-Watt meter ($20 or so from electrical store, or home improvement store) is a cheap, convenient way to keep tabs on your generator.

JohnT - does that pretty well sum it up?
 
Again, I already know what an "inverter generator" is. Some companies call it an "oscillator" instead of an inverter (Norcold). Panasonic calls their inversion process "pulse width modulation" in their inverter-microwave.

I had my first "inverter generator in the early 90s. Now - 25 plus years later, Champion says they have a new technology that uses attributes of a conventional and an inverter generator ?? I have no idea what this "new breakthrough" is they speak of. Might be something to it, or it might just be marketing hype. That is what I am trying to figure out. The Champion rep was describing it on a home-repair radio show and most of what I heard was nonsense. Note - I have nothing against Champion generators. From what I know of their conventional rigs, they are good quality. I am just trying to figure out why the word "hybrid" and what makes this thing something new?

The Champion rep repeated that this thing takes the best attributes of both types of generators and puts them in "one device." I cannot even guess what those attributes would be? A conventional generator typically has one advantage over an inverter generator - and that is a high surge rating. An inverter generator has the advantage of making 60 cycle power at any engine RPM. This "hybrid" does not have both those attributes.
 
"JohnT - does that pretty well sum it up?"



Well spoken. As an engineer and attorney I cant hardly describe anything in ONLY a few words lol If I were to purchase a new stand alone genset it would definitely be an Inverter style, perhaps Honda or Yamaha or Hyuandi or the cheaper Champion???? My RV already has its own conventional genset which performs fine so no need to fix it now.

Heres a few You Tube Champion reviews:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iC6A1SMldcc
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KfdCDW-JUuI
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HqeSZlbOcZo

John T
Champion Generator Reviews
 
Interesting thought here (though probably wrong! *lol*), but just got finished looking for a new stick welder. Am finding the old transformer names like Lincoln, but there are also a lot of new kids on the block now, and using what they call inverter technology. Seems these little powerhouses are not only much less expensive, but also lighter, more efficient, and lay down a better bead as the output is better regulated.

So then run across this thread again and my mind starts wondering if maybe this is what is meant. In the USA, transformer welders have been the mainstay for decades! However, in other parts of the world, inverter technology became king long ago, and is just now making a huge uprising in the USA now. Amazon has TONS of these little lightweight machines, and those that have reviews have some pretty darn impressive reviews. Not saying that these will replace Miller machines, but I think they're certainly going to give them a run for the money!

Ah, can't keep my mind on track.....again! Anyway, just wondering if this "new to the USA" technology involving inverters is some of what is meant by that sales dude?
 
I was kind of wondering the same. I am not sure the Champion sales rep really knows what an "inverter" is, in this context.

A portable "inverter" that turns 12 volts DC into 120 volts AC is more of a big step-up transfomer along with an oscillator
to simulate a sine-wave. Most of the bulk is the step-up transformer part. If you look at a 120 volt DC input inverter,
that outputs 120 volts AC, it is much smaller and lighter.

Norcold made 12 volt DC refrigerators for years for RVs and boats. They use 32 volt AC compressors and a tiny on-board
inverter (they call it a oscillator) to turn 12 volts DC into 32 volts AC.

Panasonic makes an "inverter" microwave oven. This truly is different then other microwaves. A conventional microwave sold
as "700 watts" runs at 1300 watts, even on the lowest heat setting. The Panasonic "Inverter" microwave actually runs at 1/2
power when run at 1/2 heat, and 1/4 power at 1/4 heat. It is pretty neat. It calls the inverter system "PWM" for "pulse-
width modulation."

I still have no idea what the Champion salesman was laying claim too. I still have an inverter generator here built in 1992,
so it is not exactly a "new" tech.

To be fair, maybe Champion does have something new and the salesman is just not capable of explaining it.
 
It is a typical inverter except that it not enclosed and does make almost as much noise as a standard generator, with that said it seems to be a good little unit. I purchased one 2 1/2 months ago and run a break in period of six hours on it and it performed well from no load to a full load voltage never went below 120 or above 124. The alternator has an exhaust port on it and it does make a lot heat (I think). I will be putting it through its paces next weekend at our radio club field day. I'll let you know how it performed.
 
Hmmm. That makes sense. If it is open-frame like a conventional generator, if nothing else, I guess it makes it easier to work on and see what is going on. I have noticed more and more professionals using Champion generators instead of namebrands and it seems to be working for them.
 
I have a Japanese Air Conditioner that works opposite of this. It converts AC to DC and runs a DC compressor at variable speeds. One of the interesting things, It is a heat pump and while a standard American heat pump becomes totally ineffective at about 30 degrees and switches to restive (spin the meter) heat. This thing is 85% efficient at -5 degrees.
 
Pat, has it ever gotten below 0F down there in Texas? I grew up farther south, and it never got below 20F ever, and even that was horribly rare!!

What brand is your A/C? Where'd you get it? We start turning on the A/C when the outside temps hit mid-60's, but then we're used to being out in sub-zero weather, too. Sounds like a right fine machine you got there. I WANNA KNOW MORE! :lol:
 

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