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Champion 201161 - 12000/15000W Tri Fuel Generator

The Champion 201161 is a powerful open frame tri-fuel generator with a rated wattage of 12,000 W and a starting wattage of 15,000 W.

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Description

The Champion Power Equipment 201161 MKE 12000 Tri-Fuel Portable Generator with CO Shield® is designed with your safety and convenience in mind. Owning this rugged 12,000-watt generator means the next time there’s an outage, the power in your house stays on. (source: Champion (opens in a new tab))

Zoom on the Champion 201161

In summary, the Champion 201161 is a powerful portable generator especially useful for:

  • Professionals who want to be able to deliver results, even during a power failure
  • Homeowners in need of an emergency backup power for their essentials

The following sections will present you in detail its power characteristics, the different outlets it offers, its overall portability, the extra features it benefits from, and any relevant emission compliance details.

Power & Run Time

The Champion 201161 in use

The Champion 201161

The Champion 201161 delivers 120/240V and benefits from a tri-fuel technology that allows it to run on gasoline, propane, or natural gas. When gasoline-powered, it enjoys a running wattage of 12,000W and a peak wattage of 15,000W. When propane-powered, it benefits from 11,000 rated watts and 13,750 peak watts. Its natural gas operation offers 10,000W of rated wattage and 12,500W of starting wattage.

The generator is rated for a noise of 78 dBA (less noisy than a shower). Its starting mechanism is based on a simple and elegant electric starter (battery included).

The running time of the 201161, with its 11 gallons fuel capacity, can reach around 9 hours at 50% load on a full tank of gasoline (fuel consumption around 1.22 GPH). With propane, it can reach around 3.5 hours (on a 20 lbs tank - propane consumption around 1.34 GPH).

The powering of sensitive electronic devices with the 201161 is not recommended due to its high THD (<20%).

Outlets

The control panel provides the upcoming 7 AC outlets:

Two Duplexes 120V 20A (5-20R) GFCI
120V 30A (L5-30R) receptacle
120/240V 30A (L14-30R) receptacle
120/240V 50A (14-50R) receptacle

This Champion generator isn't quite RV Ready, but it features an L5-30R receptacle, allowing a simple RV connection through an L5-30P to TT-30R adaptor. Besides, as it features a twist-lock L14-30R receptacle, the 201161 is transfer switch ready: in case of a power outage, you will be easily able to connect it to a breaker box and power your household.

Portability

The Champion 201161 has a conventional, open frame design, of the following dimensions: L32.7 x W33.7 x H33.1 in, which offers support and allows it to be raised above ground level. The featured design is ideal for the outdoors and all tough environments.

Since the generator weighs 331 lbs, it will be incredibly difficult to manually lift it and transport it, even though it is technically considered to 'be portable' (in the sense that it is movable). Nevertheless, it can still be moved quite conveniently with the help of its wheel kit (⌀12") and its folding handle, once it is placed on the ground.

The generator comes with an additional safety feature, a lift hook on the top of its frame, which is helpful during its transport, loading and unloading.

Features

Panel of the Champion 201161

The 201161's control panel

To help you monitor the 201161's status and activity, its control panel is equipped with a digital Intelligauge data center, giving you information on the lifetime run hours, power output, frequency and voltage.

The generator includes a built-in fuel gauge, a quick, easy and convenient method of checking the device’s gas level.

From a security point of view, the generator is equipped with an automatic low oil shut-off and an overload protection (circuit breaker), giving you a peace of mind during use.

The unit also benefits from the CO Shield™ technology, which monitors accumulation of poisonous carbon monoxide (CO) gas produced by the engine's exhaust when the generator is running. If CO Shield™ detects elevated levels of CO gas, it automatically shuts off the engine and illuminates a red LED.

With the basic documentation and an owner's manual (opens in a new tab), letting you start the generator quickly, the Champion 201161 also comes with several accessories, including: propane hose, oil, natural gas hose with NPT adapter and funnel.

Emissions

The Champion 201161 is EPA approved, but NOT CARB-compliant. Thus, it cannot be purchased or sold in California.

However, it features a spark arrestor, which makes it suitable for use in forested areas.

In addition, the unit meets the ANSI/PGMA G300-2018 safety and performance requirements.

Product Video

The Champion 201161 versus other generators

The following charts are provided to give you an idea of how some of the key specs of the Champion 201161 compare to generators of similar power (between 10000 and 14000 W).

  • As its dry weight is 331 pounds, the Champion 201161 is one of the heavier of the products which can generate 10000 to 14000 running watts. If weight is your top priority, one of the champions in this power category is the A-iPower SUA13000EFI, weighing just 218 pounds.
  • If compared to generators capable of producing a similar running wattage, this generator with a lowest emitted noise of 78 dBA can be considered somewhat noisy. If you’d prefer a less noisy device, one of the most quiet devices, which share the same power range with this one, is the DuroMax XP16000iH, whose lowest noise levels reach just 67 dBA.
  • Offering around 9 hours of running time on a full tank at 50% load, the 201161 is within the average autonomy range of similarly powerful generators. If autonomy is your priority, one of the devices of a similar power output with the highest run time is the Powerhorse 13000ES, reaching around 15 hours.
  • Run times are important, yet thanks to their dependence on the fuel capacity, they should be judged along with the fuel consumption of the device. This generator is somewhat less fuel efficient than devices of comparable output: its estimated fuel consumption reaches 1.22 GPH at a 50% load. If fuel consumption is your top priority, we suggest to check out the A-iPower SUA13000EFI, which has a fuel consumption of only 0.78 GPH and thus, is one of the most efficient devices in our database.

Price comparison

As you can see from this interactive chart, when compared to other 10000-14000W generators, the Champion 201161 is on the average side of the price range.

Therefore, this generator nicely fits in the expected budget for this kind of product.

The bottom line

STRENGTHS:
  • In the expected price range
  • Tri-fuel
  • CO Shield™ technology
  • Several accessories included
  • GFCI Outlets
  • 4 different AC outlet types
  • Electric start
AVERAGE SPECS:
  • Decent run time
WEAKNESSES:
  • No recoil back-up
  • No remote start
  • Not CARB-compliant
  • On the heavy side (331 lbs)
  • On the noisy side (78 dBA)
  • Low fuel efficiency

Do you own the Champion 201161 and agree (or disagree) with these strengths and weaknesses?

Let us know and write your own review.

Features and Specifications

General
InverterNo
Parallel capableNo
RV readyNo
FuelTri-Fuel (gasoline/propane/natural gas)
Engine717 cc OHV V-Twin
Starting systemElectric
Warranty3 years
VoltageAC: 120/240V 60 Hz
Power
GasolineLPGNG
Running watts12,000 W11,000 W10,000 W
Starting watts15,000 W13,750 W12,500 W
Running amps (@120/240V)100/50 amps91.7/45.8 amps83.3/41.7 amps
Peak amps (@120/240V)125/62.5 amps114.6/57.3 amps104.2/52.1 amps
Run time @50% load9 h3.5 hN/A
Run time @25% loadUnknownUnknownN/A
Features
GFCI outletsYes
Covered outletsYes
Automatic Voltage RegulationYes
AC outlets
  • 2x Duplex 120V 20A (5-20R) GFCI
  • 1x 120V 30A (L5-30R)
  • 1x 120/240V 30A (L14-30R)
  • 1x 120/240V 50A (14-50R)
DC outletsNo
Data centerPower output, lifetime run hours, voltage and frequency
IndicatorsNo
Fuel tankSteel, 11 gal
Fuel gaugeYes
Misc
Weight331 lbs
Approx. dimensions (L x W x H)32.7 x 33.7 x 33.1 in
Noise (lower limit)78 dBA
THD< 20%
ComplianceEPA, ANSI/PGMA G300-2018
SecurityLow oil and overload protection, CO monitoring
Spark arrestorYes
NeutralBonded to frame
Accessories includedOil, funnel, natural gas hose with NPT adapter, propane hose, battery, and wheel kit
Country of originChina
UPC817198025773

Unlike many websites, we did our best to research each of the specs above. That being said, we are not immune to making the occasional mistake or omission. Should you notice any missing or incorrect values, don't hesitate to suggest improvements so we can address the issue.

Spec Improvement×

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About Champion Power Equipment

Founded in 2003, the Champion Power Equipment is a US based power equipment manufacturer. The relatively small company has made a name for itself both in the portable generator industry, but also the power equipment sector in general, with a particular focus on heavy duty equipment, such as log cutters, snow blowers, chipper shredders, etc. All of their products are engineered in the US. However, the company does not provide information on the origin of their components.

Warranty Information

The Champion 201161 is covered under a warranty for up to 3 years. This warranty may be limited and may not cover all parts of the generator.
For more information about the warranty of Champion generators, please consult Champion's warranty policies (opens in a new tab). Alternatively, you can also contact their Customer Support: 1-877-338-0999.

Questions & Answers

What can it power?
Examples of items that can be simultaneously powered.
The examples below are based on a maximum load of 80% and estimated wattages. For a more accurate estimation, use our generator sizer.
ItemRunning WattsStarting Watts
At homeDish washer15003000
AC (10,000 BTU)15002200
Microwave (1000 watts)15001500
Electric fry pan15001500
Sump pump (1/2 hp)10502150
Refrigerator (energy star)1921192
Electric range21002100
Satelite receiver250250
Total9592 W11092 W
For workElectric welder90009000
Drain cleaner250250
Electric fence (25 miles)250250
Bug zapper8080
Total9580 W9580 W

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