Why should you choose dual fuel for your next generator? These machines can use either gasoline or propane, letting you choose the fuel that’s cheapest and most easily available at the time. If you want something for home backup, you don’t need to worry about stale fuel if you use propane. If you’re on the road, and find you don’t have access to propane, or you don’t want to lug around a heavy tank, you can use gas.
Champion Power Equipment is one of the largest dual fuel generator manufacturers today, offering over 30 models that can run on both fuels. To make your shopping easier, we picked the 5 best dual fuel models from the company, covering uses ranging from tailgating to home backup power.
Top Dual Fuel Champion Generators
- 1Champion 76533 Dual Fuel RV Ready Portable Generator - 4750 Watts
- 2Champion 100263 Dual Fuel RV Ready Portable Inverter Generator - 3400 Watts
- 3Champion 200961- Dual Fuel Portable Inverter Generator - 2500 Watts
- 4Champion 200914 Open Frame Inverter Generator - 4250 Watts
- 5Champion 100297 Dual Fuel Portable Generator - 8000 Watts
What Can I Expect from a Champion Power Equipment Dual Fuel Generator?
No matter which dual fuel model you choose, you can expect a few aspects of the ownership experience to be the same.
Their dual fuel models include the following:
The included regulator works with 20 lb. (5 gallon) propane tanks. You can use other tank sizes, as long as you have a regulator that maintains the same flow rate. Champion doesn’t include oil funnels or spark plug wrenches with their generators.
Champion guarantees their generators for three years of consumer use, or 270 days (9 months) of commercial use. Their dealer network isn’t as large as some of the biggest outdoor power equipment manufacturers, but you’ll rarely be more than a couple hours away from a shop that can fix your generator. Champion also sells replacement parts through their website, and they offer full technical support for the life of their equipment. Unlike most manufacturers, they don’t restrict information and parts access to dealers. This gives you the option of doing all the repairs and maintenance yourself.
Champion Dual Fuel Generator Reviews
1. Champion Power Equipment 76533 4750/3800-Watt Dual Fuel RV Ready Portable Electric Start Generator
The 76533 isn’t the most advanced, feature-packed generator on the market, but it’s hard to beat when it comes to value. The dual fuel engine is built to start easy in cold weather, and it’s surprisingly quiet for something with an open frame. This makes it a great choice for people who use their small or medium-size RV year-round.
This generator comes with TT-30R and L5-30R outlets, which are great for connecting this dual fuel power source to an RV. It also has a pair of 5-20R outlets, which let you directly power household appliances. If you want to use the full output of this generator to directly power devices, you’ll need to get a compatible breakout cable that works with one of the high amperage plugs. It doesn’t support a parallel connection, but there’s enough electricity available for most uses, aside from home backup power.
This dual fuel generator makes 4,750 watts of peak power and 3,800 watts of running power on gasoline. When it uses propane, the 76533 makes 4,275 watts of peak power, and 3,420 watts of running power. At 50% load, the generator’s 3.4 gallon gas tank keeps the engine running for 9 hours. When hooked up to a 20 lb. propane tank, it will run for 10 ½ hours. To switch between gas and propane, this dual fuel unit uses a pair of fuel valves, and one of these is always covered by a sliding door. This door only moves if the exposed fuel valve is closed. An oil shut off sensor cuts power automatically to protect the engine.
The dual fuel engine in this generator has electric start, and it has a cold start mode to help the engine kick over in low temperatures. There’s also a recoil starter backup, but it only works with propane. You must have a working battery and use the electric start if you want to run this dual fuel generator on gasoline. This is an older design, so it has a manual choke. The engine needs to run for a couple minutes to warm up before using it to power appliances.
What can you power with this generator? If you’re looking for RV shore power, the 76533 has a high enough output to run a 15,000 BTU air conditioner. It doesn’t support 240 volt power, but you’re unlikely to need it for the appliances it can power. For work, there’s enough electricity to power a couple large tabletop tools, several handheld tools, or a small air compressor. It’s also great for large tailgate parties, or keeping your refrigerator and freezer running in the event of a power outage. However, since this dual fuel generator doesn’t have an inverter, it’s not safe to use with electronics. This limits its use for home backup power.
While this is marketed as an open frame generator, this dual fuel unit uses a hybrid design with panels surrounding most of the engine. As a result, it makes just 68 dB of noise under 50% load, as measured at 23 feet away. The 76533 is both EPA and CARB compliant, and it comes with a spark arrester. This makes it legal to use almost anywhere. The Intelligauge display shows voltage, hertz and runtime, so you can keep tabs on power output and maintenance.
This generator measures 26.3 x 24.8 x 22.9 inches and weighs 119 lbs. A folding handle and wheels are included, making the dual fuel 76533 easy to move around.
2. Champion Power Equipment 200961 2500-Watt Dual Fuel Portable Inverter Generator - Electric Start
If you’re looking for a power supply that runs off gasoline or propane, plus the low noise of an enclosed generator, there aren’t many choices out there. With the 200961, you get both features in a package that delivers more power than a standard 2,000 watt generator without an increase in size or weight.
This generator has two household 120 volt outlets that together can handle up to 20 amps. There’s also a 12 volt automotive outlet. Champion includes an adapter with two 2.1 amp USB ports, so you can use your generator to recharge smartphones and other devices. This dual fuel generator can connect to both dual fuel and gas models using a parallel kit. It’s compatible with Champion’s 30 amp ParaLINK kit, which includes TT-30R and L5-30R outlets, and the 50 amp kit, which includes L5-30R and 14-50R outlets. The 200961 has an inverter, so it’s safe to use with electronics.
If you run this dual fuel generator on gas, it produces up to 2,500 starting watts and 1,850 running watts. Switch to propane, and you still get the same 2,500 starting watts, but only 1,665 running watts. The 1.1 gallon gas tank keeps the engine running for a little over 11 hours under 50% load. Hook up a 20 lb. propane tank, which is nearly as large as this generator, and it will run for up to 34 hours.
On propane, the output of this dual fuel unit is similar to 2,000 watt class enclosed generators. That means it’s more than capable of handling tailgating and camping duties, powering TVs, radios, small coffee makers and other low-power cooking equipment. Thanks to the extra starting power, this generator can run a 10,000 BTU RV air conditioner, and it’s better at handling reactive loads from tool motors. The 200961 doesn’t cost much more than Champion’s gas-only 2,000 watt generator, so it makes sense to upgrade to this model, even if you’ll never use LPG.
There’s no electric start on this dual fuel generator, but the 79cc engine is easy to turn over. Power monitoring is a rarity in this class, but it’s included on the 200961. Champion’s Intelligauge is mounted on the top of the case, between the fuel cap and the access hatch for the spark plug. This digital display shows you the voltage and hertz of the electricity being generated, as well as the operating hours. This makes it easy to keep up on maintenance and check for power generation problems before they affect your appliances. The carburetor has a drain screw on its base, making it easy to empty the fuel tank before storage.
If you want to use this dual fuel electric generator at high altitudes, you’ll need to rejet the carburetor. Champion makes rejet kits for use above 3,000 and 6,000 feet.
Dual fuel control is simple, thanks to the EZ Start dial. It has settings for engine off, propane, gasoline and choke. The 200961 is EPA and CARB certified, and it has a built-in spark arrester, so it’s legal to use almost anywhere.
Since it uses a full enclosure and a small engine, this generator is the quietest on our list. Measured from 23 feet away, it makes 53 dB of noise at 50% load. This 2,500 watt dual fuel generator measure 17.3 x 12 x 17.7 inches, and weighs 39 lbs. A large built-in top handle makes it easy to lug around.
3. Champion Power Equipment 200914 4250-Watt Open Frame Inverter Generator with Electric Start
This rugged, cube-shaped generator is a great option for work power. A built-in inverter lets you use it to recharge your tool batteries, while rubber covers protect the outlets from moisture. It’s also sized to double as a home, cabin or RV backup generator.
The TT-30R socket makes it easy to connect this dual fuel generator to an RV for shore power. There are also two household 5-20R outlets, so you can power appliances directly, as well as a 12 volt automotive outlet. These outlets have rubber covers to protect them from water. An adapter comes with the 200914 that plugs into the 12 volt outlet, providing two 5 volt, 2.1 amp USB outlets.
This generator supports parallel connections with most of Champion’s generators, whether they’re dual fuel or gasoline only. The ParaLink connection kit includes L5-30R and 14-50R 50 amp outlets. Both outlets only offer 120 volt power.
Champion doesn’t call this a “hybrid generator” because it’s dual fuel, but because its design is somewhere between an open frame and an enclosed generator. By using panels to partially enclose the engine, the 200914 is quieter than a full open frame generator, but not as heavy as an enclosed model. It makes 64 dB of noise at 23 feet when running at 50% throttle.
This dual fuel generator makes up to 4,250 starting watts and 3,500 running watts on gasoline. When it’s running on propane, output drops to 3,825 starting watts and 3,150 running watts. Under a 50% load, the four gallon gas tank can keep this generator running for 22 hours. There’s a gauge built into the gas cap, so you can keep tabs on fuel usage. Connect a 20 lb. propane tank, and you can expect it to run for 21 hours under the same load. The carburetor has a drain bolt on its base, making it easy to empty the gas tank before storage.
This generator’s shape and power output makes it perfect for keeping in the back of a truck. With over 3,000 watts on tap, you can power one or two large tools and a battery charger or a couple handheld power tools. This is also a great choice for an RV generator, since it has an inverter to regulate power. That means you can safely power TVs, computers and other electronics devices, and still have power to spare for a mid-size air conditioner. For home backup power, there’s enough electricity available to keep your refrigerator and a few electronic appliances running.
This generator does not have electric start. However, it does have Champion’s Intelligauge, a digital display that can show operating hours, Hz and voltage. This lets you keep track of maintenance intervals and make sure your appliances are getting the power they need. The 200914 also has an automatic low oil shut off to protect the engine.
If you want to use this dual fuel generator at high altitudes, you’ll need to install a carburetor jet kit. Champion Power Equipment makes kits for use above 3,000 and 6,000 feet.
The 200914 measures 20.9 x 18.3 x 19.4 inches and weighs 79 lbs. Unlike other large Champion generators, this dual fuel unit doesn’t come with wheels and a handle. However, the company does offer a kit to add them.
4. Champion 100297 8000-Watt Dual Fuel Portable Generator with Electric Start
When you need maximum power and you want the flexibility of dual fuel power generation, you should check out the 100297. The high output of this portable generator makes it a great option for home backup power, while GFCI outlets make it suitable for the most difficult workplaces.
This dual fuel generator has both TT-30R and L5-30R outlets for RV shore power. The L5-30R socket supports both 120 and 240 volt output, so you can use it to power high draw RV air conditioners. The four 5-20R sockets have GFCI protection, cutting power if there’s a short. This makes the 100297 a great choice for working outdoors, where you may need to use tools in wet environments.
Looking for a dual fuel generator you can use for home backup power? Champion Power Equipment doesn’t offer transfer switches, but they recommend switches from Reliance Controls. If you want to connect the 100297 to your home wiring, you need to hire an electrician to wire in the transfer switch. This dual fuel generator has a connection for an external ground. You may need to wire in a grounding rod to this connection, depending on how your home is wired. Keep in mind this electric start generator isn’t PGMA G300-2018 compliant. This is a recent standard for maximum carbon monoxide output from generator engines. For your safety, this generator must be placed outside, several feet away from external walls, before being started.
Together, the dual fuel engine and generator make 10,000 starting watts and 8,000 running watts when powered by gasoline. Switch to propane, and you can expect to get 9,025 starting watts and 7,250 running watts. Fill up the 6 gallon gas tank, and the 100297 will run for 8 hours at 50% load. Hook up a 20 lb. propane tank, and it will run for about 5 hours. This generator has a voltage regulator, but it doesn’t have an inverter. You should avoid using this model to power electronic devices, including battery chargers.
If you want to use the full power of this generator to directly power appliances, you’ll need to use a breakout cable with one of the RV outlets. By themselves, the four 5-20R outlets can only deliver a little over half of this generator’s total output. The electricity is single phase, so it won’t power a 240 volt welder or electric motor. However, it makes enough electricity to run a small shop, including several large power tools.
Likewise, you’ll need to use some of the household outlets to get full power, if you’re using one of the 30 amp outlets. Both the TT-30R and L5-30R sockets are on the same circuit, so they’re limited to a total of 30 amps.
The digital Intelligauge display shows the current voltage and frequency of the electricity coming from this generator. It also displays the dual fuel engine’s total run time, which is handy for keeping track of maintenance. The 459cc engine has an electric starter, and a backup recoil starter.
This dual fuel generator has some sound shielding, so it’s quieter than most open frame models in this size category. At 50% load, this generator makes 74 dB of noise at a distance of 23 ft. That’s a little louder than a vacuum cleaner.
This generator is EPA and CARB compliant, and it has a spark arrester, so you can use it anywhere.
The 100297 measures 27.8 x 28.7 x 26 inches, and weighs 209.4 lbs. It comes with wheels and a folding handle.
5. Champion 100263 3400-Watt Dual Fuel RV Ready Portable Inverter Generator with Electric Start
On the opposite end of the spectrum from the 76533 is the 100263. This feature-packed generator has an inverter, so it can power your electronics and your RV’s air conditioner. It also has a fully-enclosed dual fuel engine, making it one of the quietest generators in its size class.
This generator has a TT-30R outlet for RV shore power, two 5-20R outlets for connecting household appliances, and a 12 volt automotive socket. Champion includes an adapter that has a pair of 2.1 amp USB Type A sockets for charging phones, drones and other small electronic devices. This dual fuel generator comes with an inverter, so it’s safe to use it with electronics.
The 100263 makes 3,400 watts of peak power and 3,100 watts of running power when using gasoline. Switch to propane, and output drops to 3,060 watts of peak power and 2,790 watts of running power. The 1.6 gallon gas tank keeps this generator running for 7.5 hours at 50% load. Hook up a full 20 lb. propane tank, and it will run for up to 14.5 hours.
The 100263 electric start generator has a built-in parallel connection, letting you link two generators together to increase the power you have available. The parallel cable for this model has built-in TT-30R and 14-50R sockets, so you can connect these units to almost any RV. When paired together, these dual fuel generators have enough power for basic home backup use. Unlike most manufacturers, Champion sets up their parallel connection to work with a range of models. That means you can buy two different generator models for separate uses, then pair them when you need extra power.
By itself, this dual fuel generator can easily power a 13,500 BTU RV air conditioner. Paired with a second generator, it should power any 120 volt RV A/C unit. You won’t be able to power your home with this generator, but there’s enough electricity to keep your refrigerator, a space heater and a few electronics running. It’s also large enough to power a couple banks of tool battery chargers and a few hand tools. Serious about tailgating? You can run a large blender or a full size coffee pot, plus a TV or a sound system.
Like other fully-enclosed generators, the Champion 3400 Watt generator is quiet, but heavy. Under 50% load, this generator makes a low 59 dB of noise at 23 feet. This generator measures 25.1 x 17.3 x 18.3 inches, and weighs 97.5 lbs. It comes with a built-in folding handle and wheels. There are also two large handles on top, making it easy for two people to carry this electric start generator, or lift it into a truck bed.