Champion 201602 - 5000/6250W Tri Fuel Generator With Electric Start
The Champion 201602 is a portable open frame tri-fuel generator with a rated wattage of 5,000 W and a starting wattage of 6,250 W. (Read full specs)
Page Content
Description
Champions 5000-Watt Electric Start Tri Fuel RV Ready Portable Generator with CO Shield® is your dependable power source for home essentials backup, camping, and events.
Zoom on the Champion 201602
In a few words, the Champion 201602 is a portable generator perfectly suited for:
- RV travellers looking for even more independence
- People occasionally participating in sporting competitions, open-air performances and outdoor festivals
- Food truck owners who want to ensure that their business is fully self-contained and does not rely on potentially unreliable external power
- Homeowners who want to be able to use the most necessary devices in their household, even during a blackout
- Professionals in need of safely powering high-intensity work or lighting equipment
In the upcoming sections, you'll discover its power characteristics, the array of outlets it presents, its overall portability, and the additional features it possesses.
Power & Run Time
The Champion 201602
The Champion 201602 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 5,000W and a peak wattage of 6,250W. When propane-powered, it benefits from 4,500 rated watts and 5,625 peak watts. Its natural gas operation offers 4,050W of rated wattage and 5,075W of starting wattage.
With a noise rating of 74 dBA (just slightly more noisy than a vacuum cleaner), the generator features a standard recoil pull-rope starting mechanism, but also a convenient and efficient electric starter (battery included).
Concerning its running time, the 201602, featuring a 7.7 gallons fuel tank, can continuously run for around 12 hours at 50% load with a full gasoline tank (consuming fuel at approximately 0.64 gallons per hour). Alternatively, when utilizing propane, it offers around 6.5 hours (on a 20 lbs tank - propane consumption around 0.72 GPH) of runtime.
Considering its high Total Harmonic Distortion (THD) of less than 20%, it is not recommended to rely on the 201602 for powering sensitive electronic devices.
Outlets
The control panel provides the upcoming 4 AC outlets:
Featuring a TT-30R receptacle (TT for 'Travel Trailer'), this Champion generator is RV Ready, designed specifically for use with recreational vehicles. In addition, the 201602's twist-lock L14-30R receptacle makes it transfer switch ready, enabling hassle-free connection to your breaker box for powering your home during outages.
Portability
Measuring L28.1 x W27.1 x H25 in, the classic open frame build of the Champion 201602 delivers stability and easy maintenance access to components, facilitating air circulation. The design is ideal for rough environments and demanding outdoor use.
While weighing 152 lbs, the generator is classified as 'portable,' indicating its mobility, albeit its heftiness may limit portability in specific situations. However, the constrained maneuverability is addressed with the assistance of its wheel kit (⌀8") and its folding handle, allowing for easy shifting once the generator is placed on the ground.
Features
The 201602's control panel
To facilitate status and activity monitoring, an Intelligauge meter showing you voltage, frequency and lifetime hours are embedded in the control panel of the 201602.
The built-in fuel gauge of the generator ensures simple and quick gas level assessments.
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.
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 201602 also comes with several accessories, including: propane hose, funnel, oil and natural gas hose with NPT adapter.
The Champion 201602 versus other generators
The following charts are provided to give you an idea of how some of the key specs of the Champion 201602 compare to multi-fuel generators of similar power (between 4500 and 5500 W).
- At a dry weight of 152 pounds, the Champion 201602 is one of the heavier multi-fuel devices which can produce between 4500 and 5500 running watts. If weight is a key factor for your needs, the Pulsar PGX60BiSRCO is noteworthy for being one of the top contenders in this power range, with a dry weight of 93.5 pounds.
- As this generator can emit noise as low as 74 dBA, it finds itself in the average expected noise for this kind of power. If noise emissions are one of your priorities, you may be interested in the DuroMax XP7000iHT, one of the least noisy generators similarly powerful as this one, rated for 62 dBA.
- Thanks to an impressive running time of around 12 hours at 50% load, the 201602 benefits from a higher run time than many multi-fuel generators of a similar output. If concerned with autonomy, one of the products of a comparable power output, which offers the highest run time, is the WEN DF5600X, boasting with around 12.5 hours.
- Though run time is a significant parameter, it's closely tied to the generator's fuel tank size. To get a comprehensive understanding, fuel efficiency must also be taken into account. This generator is somewhat less fuel-efficient than devices of comparable output: its estimated fuel consumption reaches 0.64 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 DF5600X, which has great fuel efficiency, with a gas consumption of only 0.35 gallons per hour.
The bottom line
- Tri-fuel
- CO Shield™ technology
- Several accessories included
- GFCI Outlets
- RV Ready
- Electric start
- High run time
- Acceptable noise (74 dBA)
- No remote start
- On the heavy side (152 lbs)
- Low fuel efficiency
Do you own the Champion 201602 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 | Yes |
| Fuel | Tri-Fuel (gasoline/propane/natural gas) |
| Engine | 292 cc OHV 4-stroke |
| Starting system | Recoil, Electric |
| Warranty | 3 years |
| Voltage | AC: 120/240V 60 Hz |
| Gasoline | LPG | NG | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Running watts | 5,000 W | 4,500 W | 4,050 W |
| Starting watts | 6,250 W | 5,625 W | 5,075 W |
| Running amps (@120/240V) | 41.7/20.8 amps | 37.5/18.8 amps | 33.8/16.9 amps |
| Peak amps (@120/240V) | 52.1/26 amps | 46.9/23.4 amps | 42.3/21.1 amps |
| Run time @50% load | 12 h | 6.5 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 | VFT |
| Indicators | No |
| Fuel tank | Steel, 7.7 gal |
| Fuel gauge | Yes |
| Weight | 152 lbs |
|---|---|
| Approx. dimensions (L x W x H) | 28.1 x 27.1 x 25 in |
| Noise (lower limit) | 74 dBA |
| THD | < 20% |
| Compliance | EPA, ANSI/PGMA G300-2023 |
| Security | Low oil and overload 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 | 817198029245 |
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 201602 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 | Dish washer | 1500 | 3000 |
| AC (10,000 BTU) | 1500 | 2200 | |
| Refrigerator (energy star) | 192 | 1192 | |
| Toaster oven | 800 | 800 | |
| Total | 3992 W | 5492 W | |
| For camping | RV AC (11,000 BTU) | 1010 | 1600 |
| RV refrigerator | 180 | 600 | |
| Hair dryer | 1800 | 1900 | |
| Water heater (10 gallons) | 1000 | 2000 | |
| Total | 3990 W | 4990 W | |
| For work | Table saw | 1800 | 4500 |
| Grinder | 1400 | 2500 | |
| Drain cleaner | 250 | 250 | |
| Bug zapper | 80 | 80 | |
| Total | 3530 W | 6230 W |
Couldn't find the right answer for you? Ask your own question.
