A homeowner looking to upgrade their backup generator is considering switching brands because a less expensive alternative offers tri-fuel operation.
The homeowner is weighing a larger Honda against a Champion generator that can run on their home's natural gas connection.
Here's what to know
The choice that was laid out in a Reddit discussion was between less expensive tri-fuel Champion generators and gasoline-only Hondas rated at 7,000 or 10,000 watts. The homeowner already had a reliable 3,500-watt Honda but needed more power.
Installing a quick-connect fitting on the home's natural gas line would let the homeowner use that fuel with a Champion, which would lower the risk of running out of fuel.
"Right now I am leaning towards a Champion, but wanted to ask here. Any thoughts about the two brands and which would be a better purchase?" the homeowner asked.
The comment section was split. Some commenters praised Honda's reliability, while others shared positive experiences with Champion.
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For one commenter, Champion had been trouble-free for backing up a house and for camping.
More background
One Champion owner said they avoided carburetor problems from improperly drained fuel by using propane and keeping gasoline fresh. Their generator drew fuel from a 1,000-gallon tank.
The commenter also reported that "the oil stays clean way longer and you don't need to deal with gas."
Many commenters swore by Honda's reliability.
"Hard to argue with the Honda brand," one commenter wrote.
"I have Hondas, it's the best generator for me. Reliable," another added.
Meanwhile, comments also focused on the benefits of the Champion, noting that "try-fuel opens so many opportunities."
What can be done?
A quick-connect to the built-in natural gas supply line for the owner and an existing propane tank for another commenter were key reasons to go for the tri-fuel option.
One Honda EU7000 owner described installing a kit to enable natural gas use, according to their comment. The modification voids the warranty, although the owner's warranty had already expired.
One commenter recommended weighing household needs and budget rather than brand reputation alone.
"Pragmatically buy the best that you can afford that will do what you need it to do," they added.
Where can I learn more?
Choosing a backup generator also means planning for maintenance and the equipment needed to run it. These stories cover Honda storage and setup advice, a suspiciously low price, and dual-fuel troubleshooting.
• A new Honda EU2200i owner received advice to drain fuel before storage to avoid problems.
• In Canada, Honda EU2200i owners were urged to choose a bigger switch for future upgrades.
• Reddit users flagged a $650 generator deal as a likely scam rather than a bargain.
• A dual-fuel generator handled an outage on propane before a carburetor replacement fixed gasoline operation.
• Propane generator owners say priming the fuel line can resolve apparent regulator problems at startup.
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