Champion 3400 Smart Inverter?
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Champion 3400 Smart Inverter?
Anyone have experience with the Champion 3400 Smart Inverters? I'm looking at picking one up and adding an extended run fuel tank to it. Will primarily used for running the RV AC for sleeping times. I figure that with the 6.5 gallon tank should be a pretty solid option with only limited refilling needs.
- Popeye
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Re: Champion 3400 Smart Inverter?
They're ok, noisier than a Honda. Temperature limit is 104 degrees, we had occasional cut outs at about 110d. You may want to bring high altitude jets and experiment w/ them if running gas. BM altitude is right on the borderline between needing them or not. Change the oil and filter after about 20 hours.
“Tell me, what is it you plan to do / with your one wild and precious life?” Mary Oliver
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Re: Champion 3400 Smart Inverter?
Thanks... We will likely have a smaller shade structure that will cover the generator from the direct overhead sun (completely open sides) so hopefully it won't hit over 104, but yeah after last year's 115 degree heat that may be tough. I'm going to do the initial oil change and break in, plus testing the extended tank for leaks while in default but will make sure we have leak protection as well.
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Re: Champion 3400 Smart Inverter?
Exqueeze me.......115? Were we at the same burn?
Is this the Champion that runs on dual fuel, and are there similar performance issues / rejetting needed if run on propane?
Is this the Champion that runs on dual fuel, and are there similar performance issues / rejetting needed if run on propane?
- Popeye
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Re: Champion 3400 Smart Inverter?
The two "official" temp figures I saw where 116d and 119d. If you told me 130 I'd believe you. It was HOT.Zubeneschamali wrote:Exqueeze me.......115? Were we at the same burn?
Is this the Champion that runs on dual fuel, and are there similar performance issues / rejetting needed if run on propane?
Champion says that their generator loses power with altitude. About 80% of rated power at BRC, it's a fuel/air ratio problem. Propane has about 80% of gasolines energy per volume so you get derated to death if using propane.
I haven't taken a Champion apart to be sure, but I assume there is a propane regulator that automatically adjusts for altitude. The tech for this is trivial and pretty common.
“Tell me, what is it you plan to do / with your one wild and precious life?” Mary Oliver
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Re: Champion 3400 Smart Inverter?
One of my buddies who works for the BLM told me 117 I think. But yeah it was hot.
- Just_Joe
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Re: Champion 3400 Smart Inverter?
I did "Black Rock Weather" last year. We had a Davis Vantage Pro2 with 24hr fan aspiration. Not NWS quality, but pretty close.Popeye wrote:The two "official" temp figures I saw where 116d and 119d. If you told me 130 I'd believe you. It was HOT.Zubeneschamali wrote:Exqueeze me.......115? Were we at the same burn?
Is this the Champion that runs on dual fuel, and are there similar performance issues / rejetting needed if run on propane?
The high temperature on playa during event week was 103.
I've been recording weather in N. Nevada for the last 13 years. The highest I've *ever* seen was 104.5, so yeah, it was HOT.
- Popeye
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Re: Champion 3400 Smart Inverter?
Joe: How does that compare with high temperatures for other years?
Just_Joe wrote:I did "Black Rock Weather" last year. We had a Davis Vantage Pro2 with 24hr fan aspiration. Not NWS quality, but pretty close.Popeye wrote:The two "official" temp figures I saw where 116d and 119d. If you told me 130 I'd believe you. It was HOT.Zubeneschamali wrote:Exqueeze me.......115? Were we at the same burn?
Is this the Champion that runs on dual fuel, and are there similar performance issues / rejetting needed if run on propane?
The high temperature on playa during event week was 103.
I've been recording weather in N. Nevada for the last 13 years. The highest I've *ever* seen was 104.5, so yeah, it was HOT.
“Tell me, what is it you plan to do / with your one wild and precious life?” Mary Oliver
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Re: Champion 3400 Smart Inverter?
yeah 103 seems about right. I would have turned on my AC around 108.
there would have been reports of temp related deaths at 115.
there would have been reports of temp related deaths at 115.
- Just_Joe
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Re: Champion 3400 Smart Inverter?
Usually, temps are in the low 40's early in the morning and climb to ~92° in the afternoon.
I saw a few snowflakes during build week in 2010.
I saw a few snowflakes during build week in 2010.
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Re: Champion 3400 Smart Inverter?
Weird as I know a number of people told me the temp was well above 110. There are even some posts of thermometers at 115 here. Was your weather meter elevated above the ground?
- Just_Joe
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Re: Champion 3400 Smart Inverter?
Those numbers are very close to what I recorded in Gerlach at the Friends of Black Rock office.pedroescobar wrote: Weird as I know a number of people told me the temp was well above 110. There are even some posts of thermometers at 115 here. Was your weather meter elevated above the ground?
http://www.gerlachweather.com/wxnoaacli ... 2017&mo=08
I have an identical station set up there that runs 24/7/365, assuming internet and power are on.
My station sensors are sited 5' above ground level- standard NWS height.
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Re: Champion 3400 Smart Inverter?
Sorry for some reason the link didn't work. It had photos on playa that showed temps at 115. Obviously your station is probably much more accurate, but an 8-12 degree difference seems like a lot. Here is the photo from the Reddit post
Re: Champion 3400 Smart Inverter?
A thermometer with the sun beating on it will read higher than actual ambient temperature. If I remember correctly I had 108 inside my trailer, in the shade, on most days.
Sooner or later, it will get real strange...
11th Principle: Depussyfication - Keeping Burning Man potentially lethal. Token
11th Principle: Depussyfication - Keeping Burning Man potentially lethal. Token
- homo ardentum
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Re: Champion 3400 Smart Inverter?
My Champion 3000 watt failed both times I brought it up. Honda for me now!
- homo ardentum
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Re: Champion 3400 Smart Inverter?
i wouldn’t doubt the low temp shutoff...a real pisser
- Captain Goddammit
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Re: Champion 3400 Smart Inverter?
I think you’ll eventually be sorry you bought the Champion, particularly if it’s gonna be used in such a destructive environment.
GreyCoyote: "At this rate it wont be long before he is Admiral Fukkit."