Review of the Champion 100519 Open Frame Inverter Generator

This is a very good generator. It's a great buy for anyone wanting an affordable inverter with more power than most other inverters can offer. And the consistently high 5-star ratings are a real plus. It's true that with any brand of generator, a unit may rarely fail, or not live up to expectations. However, Champion's commitment to customer service is generally outstanding and should help to solve any issues. And its lifetime technical support on top of its 3-year limited guarantee is a real attraction.

So the clear answer is yes, this could be a great buy where it matches your power needs.

The Champion 100519 has an open frame design and compared to other generators an innovative shape. It integrates Quiet Technology and is said to be 50% quieter than comparable 5000-watt generators. Champion also say they managed to make it 20% lighter by redesigning a smaller footprint, in other words reducing its size.

This model is aimed at RV owners, jobsite work, and home backup in an emergency or power outage.

The Quick Touch control panel is well organized with easy-to-use controls and switches.  It features an Intelligauge giving you a digital readout of voltage, frequency, and operating hours. The latter is highly useful to ensure you keep to maintenance schedules to prolong the useful life of the generator.

Three LEDs indicate an overload condition, generator ready, and low oil level. If the oil level does get too low a sensor automatically shuts down the engine to protect it from damage and prevents restarting until more oil is added.

Like other models in Champion's range, the 100519 comes with Cold Start Technology to ensure easier starting in cold weather. And an Economy Mode adjusts the engine speed in real time according to the load demand resulting in reduced noise, better fuel consumption, and longer engine life.

Covered outlets include a 120/240v 30A locking outlet (L14-30R), four 120v 20A GFCI protected household outlets (5-20R), and a 12v DC automotive-style socket with a supplied dual USB adapter and battery-charging cables.

A Quick Drain oil tube is included to make oil changes easier and less messy.

This model is EPA certified and CARB compliant, allowing it to be used in all 50 states.

The manual for the 100519 can be found here.

The generator has no carbon monoxide (CO) sensor fitted so exercise care in how and where you operate it.

The generator comes with Champion's 301cc engine producing 6250 starting watts and 5000 running watts. It runs for up to an impressive 13.5 hours on 25% load with its 4.2-gallon gasoline tank.

Inverter technology produces clean power and the 100519 has a Total Harmonic Distortion (THD) of less than 3%. Such a low THD allows you to connect your sensitive electronic equipment without worrying about the kind of damaging fluctuations associated with traditional generator technology.

Unlike most inverters, this one is not parallel capable.

The 100519 weighs 121lbs.  It comes with a foldaway handle and never-flat tires to make it easier to move around. Never-flat wheels aren't liked by everyone. Have a look at our blog post on this subject, which you can see here.

The specifications indicate a noise level of 69dB from 23 feet. While our perception of noise is subjective, this level of noise is said to be about the same as a vacuum cleaner.

The majority of buyers give this relatively powerful model a thumbs up with 5-star ratings and positive recommendations. It's one of the few affordable inverter 240v output generators on the market. But, for now at least, it appears to be available only in the U.S.

One customer recommends this product to all RV owners (theirs is a rig size 30 ft travel trailer). However, they note you'll need to buy an adapter to use the RV's cord.

Buyers welcome the inclusion of an easy access fuel shut-off and a carburetor drain to empty the gas tank. 

The instructions are clear and good, which make it easy to set the generator up and use. And its innovative design and wheels make it fairly portable despite its weight.

Although there is no electric start on this model, one owner says it's very easy to get going with about 20lbs of pull force on the recoil cord.

Buyers are generally positive about customer service. But a few are less happy with long wait times trying to get through on the phone, and unanswered emails. 

They like the 3-year guarantee and free lifetime technical support.

Some would like an electric start. Unfortunately for some buyers of this model, Champion say you cannot add an electric starter to any of their non-electric-start generators.

Several customers want Champion to include the first bottle of oil so they can immediately get the generator going. Others note that the oil fill is badly positioned because the control panel effectively blocks access. The unit has a Quick Oil Drain Tube which is difficult to get to. And Champion do supply a funnel as standard to get around the problem. But some people still manage to make a small mess.

There is no voltage selection switch between 120v/240v on this model as it automatically outputs the voltage demanded by attached devices. For example, if an appliance is 220v, it provides that.

There is a good selection of outlets. But buyers say the 12v DC is unregulated, so it might damage low-load sensitive 12v electronics. The full manual warns users to only use the supplied 12v Plug/Battery Clips cable. This effectively limits it to (carefully) charging 12v automotive batteries.

Views on how loud this inverter is vary quite a lot. Some say it's loud but not ear piercing. One wishes it had a better muffler.