Champion 201241 - 13500/16875W Tri Fuel Generator With Electric Start
The Champion 201241 is a powerful open frame tri-fuel generator with a rated wattage of 13,500 W and a starting wattage of 16,875 W. (Read full specs)
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Description
Zoom on the Champion 201241
In a few words, the Champion 201241 is a powerful portable generator perfectly suited for:
- Professionals who want to ensure that a power failure will not prevent them from working
- 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, and the extra features it benefits from.
Power & Run Time
The Champion 201241
The Champion 201241 delivers 120/240V and boasts with a tri-fuel technology enabling it to utilize gasoline, propane, or natural gas. When powered by gasoline, it achieves a running wattage of 13,500W and a peak wattage of 16,875W. Upon using propane, it gains 12,000 rated watts and 15,000 peak watts. Its operation with natural gas provides 11,000W of rated wattage and 13,750W of starting wattage.
Enjoying a noise rating of 79 dBA (less noisy than a dishwasher), this generator gets running thanks to a practical and straightforward electric starter (battery included).
Concerning its running time, the 201241, featuring a 11 gallons fuel tank, can continuously run for around 8 hours at 50% load with a full gasoline tank (consuming fuel at approximately 1.38 gallons per hour). Alternatively, when utilizing propane, it offers around 3 hours (on a 20 lbs tank - propane consumption around 1.57 GPH) of runtime.
Given the 201241's high Total Harmonic Distortion (THD) of less than 20%, it is advisable to avoid using it to power sensitive electronic devices.
Outlets
The control panel features 7 AC outlets as follows:
While not classified as 'RV Ready,' this Champion generator can still provides the advantage of RV connection via its L5-30R receptacle, ensuring power supply to your RV with an L5-30P to TT-30R adaptor. Besides, with its twist-lock L14-30R receptacle, the 201241 is designed to be transfer switch ready, allowing easy connection to your breaker box for powering your home during a blackout.
Portability
With dimensions of L32.7 x W33.7 x H33 in, the standard open frame design of the Champion 201241 provides stability and easy maintenance access to components, as well as good air circulation. The design is ideal for rough environments and demanding outdoor use.
Despite its weight of 361 lbs, the generator is considered 'portable,' signifying its capability to be moved, albeit its heaviness may hinder easy transport. 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.
A lift hook located on the top of the frame offers an additional safety feature while facilitating the transport, loading and unloading of the generator.
Features
The 201241's control panel
Featuring a digital Intelligauge data center on its control panel, the 201241 offers you convenient access to essential information about the frequency, voltage, power output and lifetime run hours, facilitating effective monitoring of its activity and status.
Equipped with a built-in fuel gauge, the generator facilitates swift gas level checks.
As for its security measures, the device features an automatic low oil shut-off and an overload protection (circuit breaker), letting you use it with a peace of mind. Champion's built-in surge protector (Volt Guard™) safeguards your equipment and appliances against voltage spikes.
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.
While the standard documentation and an owner's manual (opens in a new tab), helpful for starting the device promptly, come with the Champion 201241, the following accessories are also included: natural gas hose with NPT adapter, funnel, propane hose and oil.
The Champion 201241 versus other generators
The following charts are provided to give you an idea of how some of the key specs of the Champion 201241 compare to multi-fuel generators of similar power (between 10000 and 14000 W).
- Tipping the scales at 361 lbs, the Champion 201241 qualifies as one of the heavier options among multi-fuel generators rated between 10000 and 14000 watts. If you are mindful of weight, the DuroStar DS13000MX is among the top contenders in this power range, with a dry weight of 209 pounds.
- When compared to other units producing a similar running wattage, this generator and its lowest emitted noise of 79 dBA stand out for being on the louder side. 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 Genmax GM13500iETC, whose lowest noise levels reach just 62 dBA.
- As for its autonomy, the 201241, with an autonomy of around 8 hours at a 50% load, is placed on the low end among the generators of its kind. If extended autonomy is what matters most to you, the WEN TF1450X could be an excellent choice, offering one of the longest run times among units in its power category, reaching around 12 hours.
- Even though run times are undoubtedly important, they are dependent on the fuel capacity to a large extent. For a more wholesome picture, we must take into consideration the fuel consumption of the generator. When it comes to fuel efficiency among generators with similar wattage, this generator lags behind, with a consumption rate of 1.38 GPH at a 50% load. If gasoline efficiency is at the top of your list, you may want to have a look at the WEN TF1450X, which has great fuel efficiency, with a gas consumption of only 0.68 gallons per hour.
The bottom line
- Tri-fuel
- CO Shield™ technology
- Several accessories included
- GFCI Outlets
- 4 different AC outlet types
- Electric start
- No recoil back-up
- No remote start
- On the heavy side (361 lbs)
- On the noisy side (79 dBA)
- Relatively low run time
- Low fuel efficiency
Do you own the Champion 201241 and agree (or disagree) with these strengths and weaknesses?
Let us know and write your own review.
Features and Specifications
| Inverter | No |
|---|---|
| Parallel capable | No |
| RV ready | No |
| Fuel | Tri-Fuel (gasoline/propane/natural gas) |
| Engine | 739 cc OHV V-Twin |
| Starting system | Electric |
| Warranty | 3 years |
| Voltage | AC: 120/240V 60 Hz |
| Gasoline | LPG | NG | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Running watts | 13,500 W | 12,000 W | 11,000 W |
| Starting watts | 16,875 W | 15,000 W | 13,750 W |
| Running amps (@120/240V) | 112.5/56.3 amps | 100/50 amps | 91.7/45.8 amps |
| Peak amps (@120/240V) | 140.6/70.3 amps | 125/62.5 amps | 114.6/57.3 amps |
| Run time @50% load | 8 h | 3 h | N/A |
| Run time @25% load | Unknown | Unknown | N/A |
| GFCI outlets | Yes |
|---|---|
| Covered outlets | Yes |
| Automatic Voltage Regulation | Yes |
| AC outlets |
|
| DC outlets | No |
| Data center | Power output, lifetime run hours, voltage and frequency |
| Indicators | No |
| Fuel tank | 11 gal |
| Fuel gauge | Yes |
| Weight | 361 lbs |
|---|---|
| Approx. dimensions (L x W x H) | 32.7 x 33.7 x 33 in |
| Noise (lower limit) | 79 dBA |
| THD | < 20% |
| Compliance | EPA, ANSI/PGMA G300-2023 |
| Security | Low oil, overload and Volt Guard™ surge protection, CO monitoring |
| Spark arrestor | Yes |
| Neutral | Bonded to frame |
| Accessories included | Oil, funnel, natural gas hose with NPT adapter, propane hose, battery, and wheel kit |
| Country of origin | Vietnam |
| UPC | 817198026473 |
We've taken extra care to research and verify each of the specifications above. That said, occasional mistakes or omissions are still possible. If you spot any missing or inaccurate information, feel free to suggest a correction so we can address it.
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 201241 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?
| Item | Running Watts | Starting Watts | |
|---|---|---|---|
| At home | Sump pump (1/2 hp) | 1050 | 2150 |
| Furnace fan (1/2 hp) | 875 | 2350 | |
| Refrigerator (energy star) | 192 | 1192 | |
| Clothes dryer | 5400 | 6750 | |
| Electric range | 2100 | 2100 | |
| Vacuum cleaner | 1075 | 1175 | |
| Radio | 100 | 100 | |
| Total | 10792 W | 12267 W | |
| For work | Electric welder | 9000 | 9000 |
| Air compressor (1 hp) | 1600 | 6100 | |
| Bug zapper | 80 | 80 | |
| Total | 10680 W | 15180 W |
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