What is this for? If I'm just using my generator to run simple appliances during short power outages do I really need it? I never used my generator but have it to run my sump pump just in case of dire emergencies. My sump pump is on a regular outlet.Thanks What is this for? If I'm just using my generator to run simple appliances during short power outages do I really need it? I never used my generator but have it to run my sump pump just in case... » Read More What is this for? If I'm just using my generator to run simple appliances during short power outages do I really need it? I never used my generator but have it to run my sump pump just in case of dire emergencies. My sump pump is on a regular outlet.Thanks « Show Less
1292049
Cord converts from the round (L-5) 120 volt socket of many generators to three standard three prong plugs. Very convenient if you need to plug two or three things into the generator during a power outage.
1292050
There is a 30 amp outlet on the generator, and with this adapter, you can use 3 regular 110 outlet extension cords with it, by plugging it in.
575911
It must be connected to a natural gas line (pipe). If you don't have natural gas where you live, this unit is not for you. If you do have natural gas, it does operate without electricity so is good if you lose electricity.
96542
Yes Richard, I use it exclusively as a back-up. I have a generator & manual transfer switch, but that doesn't help if I'm away when my sump pump loses power. While it doesn't have the same through-put as my primary pump, it does a great job, even with a 9ft + head! Definitely happy with my purchase.
2172212
You only need to know how many watts your equipment is going to require. Example: this unit is rated at 4000W PEAK, with 3500W service. The peak rating is for the 'surge' when you first power up. You must go to the manufacturers website for your equipment to find out how many Watts it pulls to determine if this is the right sized generator for your intended use. Another example: I want to power my freezers and refrigerators in emergency power outages. My reefer units and freezer total 2400 watts of power draw, therefore I am within the capabilities of the generator. I also exercise the unit once a month to insure it's working, and keep the engine oiled. I am pleased with the unit overall. You only need to know how many watts your equipment is going to require. Example: this unit is rated at 4000W PEAK, with 3500W service. The peak rating is for the 'surge' when you first power up. You must go to the manufacturers website for your equipment to find out how many Watts it pulls to determine if this is the right sized generator for your intended use. Another example: I want to power my freezers and refrigerators in emergency power outages. My reefer units and freezer total 2400 watts of power draw, therefore I am within the capabilities of the generator. I also exercise the unit... » Read More You only need to know how many watts your equipment is going to require. Example: this unit is rated at 4000W PEAK, with 3500W service. The peak rating is for the 'surge' when you first power up. You must go to the manufacturers website for your equipment to find out how many Watts it pulls to determine if this is the right sized generator for your intended use. Another example: I want to power my freezers and refrigerators in emergency power outages. My reefer units and freezer total 2400 watts of power draw, therefore I am within the capabilities of the generator. I also exercise the unit once a month to insure it's working, and keep the engine oiled. I am pleased with the unit overall. « Show Less
545680
Depends on what you need it for...if for basic emergency light, yes, but will not serve as a generator for power, except for another battery system. If you have anything that could be powered by plug, then it will power that for a while (radio for emergency, other electrical equipment, etc.). This is a great unit. I use mine often on the ranch to pump tractor tires, jump start old vehicles, etc.
722463
From what I understand 14000 is rated, I don't know what the surge is on the generator I'm not 100% sure and would have to go back and look it up, however, the 14000 is continuous rated. As far as I'm concerned, most appliances that are running will have to be restarted and will not come back on their own. The only appliances that will come back on their own immediately and create a surge is central air/heat, TVs, refrigerators and coffee pots; everything else, including microwaves, ovens, electric ovens, washer/dryers, etc. will have to be restarted, which eliminates half your load on surge; then you have your own decision making power of what you want on during an emergency. The RTSD100A3 Smart Switch allows you to automatically transfer from the utility to the generator automatically and safely, and you also have the option to shed loads that you do not want on the generator; thereby routing the load and switching it over to the switch in order to isolate the load from the house load. I've been an electrician for roughly 30 years, and forewarn you that this is very intricate to set up, and I also forewarn you that I had a plummer do the hook up for the gas line. All in all, I'm very glad to have made this purchase, and have been told by friends and family that they will be crashing at my house if they ever lose power like they did during hurricane Sandy, and now they are teasing me saying that I'm turning into one of those survivalist people. I'm not, I just like to be cool in the Summer, and warm in the Winter, and I don't like it when my food spoils because there is no power. Best regards, Mike
1943744
Unless you're an engineer who likes doing flow dynamics equations (I am &#128521;), the GPM really isn't that important. This is a recirculating pump, NOT an evacuation pump. Less is better as more than adequate generates high electric usage. But for the layman, here's a simple answer. I have a 7,000 Sq ft house, 2 stories 30' high to roof. The the Laing LH08100092 is able to placed at the farthest point away from the water heater, upstairs in a bedroom. That little quiet running electric pump is able to pull the water 100' horizontally and 25' vertically and deliver almost instant hot water. Now the question is does your requirements EXCEED these conditions? BTW, I leave my pump on 24/7 even though it comes with an on/off timer. The amount of amps that it draws is negligible. The only time I turn it off is when my house is unoccupied for a long duration.
1667705
I run this from the outlet, and it's been exceptionally reliant. There's a back-up battery for emergency power outage.
1611211
Your question is confusing since this is intended to be a power source. You can plug a regular plug into the 4 outlets on the generator.
1277438
I am not sure what that question means. I have a large house with an addition but I have to shut off the electric heat in the addition. I have a 200amp breaker box with a 100 amp linked service in my addition. One of my water heaters is gas but the other is electric. I shut off the electric unit while using the generator. You have to be careful as some devices use strange amounts of electricity while starting up. I would not run my washer and dryer during this type of event. This unit has plenty of power but you a good electrician to tell you if you can run business as usual with this unit. I purchased this unit because it has a 50amp plug. Most units only have 30amp plugs. good luck.
910677
I own a Campbell Hausfeld 15Amp Compressor which cannot be powered by this Generator (even when new). The reason is the very high starting current needed to get the compressor up to proper operating speed. Even if you can manage to start the compressor when your generator is new , this will dramatically shorten the life of your generator which was not designed for such high overloads (even though they may last for only 5 to 10 seconds or less). You will also find that after the compressor reaches its' pressure cutoff point , it can only be restarted if you let all of the air out of the compressor. Please note that this is not a design defect in the Champion Generator per se , the same applies to every such generator in this capacity range. Please not also , that if such a compressor is plugged-into a 15Amp duplex outlet this will usually cause the 15Amp Circuit Breaker (in the breaker box) to operate. Del G. Cartwright
780313
Good grief no. It's to cover the unit when not in use. If I was to use the generator under those conditions I would make a lean to with plenty if space around it.
1524641
These would be useful if you're making a gadget which you will end up plugging something else into (as though it were a wall socket). For example, you could make a gadget that turned on and off a normal plug-in lamp when the gadget detects there is a duck in your house. Internally within the gadget you'll need to use something like a quick-disconnect terminal to crimp onto the wires and then slide onto the blades sticking out the back of these. With all that said, these are meant for 110v systems, please be careful both from an electricuting yourself and starting fires standpoint. It would be wise, if you're an electrical dummy to have someone check your work, and also use a GFI (Ground Fault Isolator?) to put in line between your newly created gadget and the actual wall outlet until you're very sure everything is setup correctly.
1330955
Millie, here are additional questions from my husband Mike. Basic load calculations are: how many appliances do you plan on running in an emergency situation? Do you have central air? What size unit is it? Do you have electric heat? What is the full load running current of that heating system? Do you have an electric dryer? Do you have an electric stove? Do you use gas for your heating? What are your basic needs in an emergency? Again, best regards, Sprit
306505
Hi Art, I had an electrician run a wire and install an outdoor, weather protection covered, outdoor GFI power outlet on exterior wall. I plugged the heater's power cord into it. Don't hard wire it, as it's handy to be able to unplug the heater when you need to service or repair it. Make it a "two gang" outlet so you can use the other socket for other purposes. If you're asking about a back-up source of power in the event of a complete power outage, I'm not sure what to use for that. Amazon reviews mention using power back-up that's used for computers. The controller was included in box. It looks like a remote, but it is wired to the heater. The wire are not long enough to attach the controller to the wall. So it's just dangling under the heater. I'll need to figure out a way to attach it to the wall.
895006
Just as a car can't go from 0-60mph in a few seconds without a huge engine, anything with an electric motor has a "surge draw" to start the motor accelerating it up to speed in a couple seconds (including fridges, pumps, etc). That surge demands 3-4 times the normal power. I've tried plugging in a small AC fridge (that measures ~18 inches in all 3 dims with only 1 amp AC draw normally or 120 watts) into an inverter. It was a 400 watt inverter with 800 watt surge rating, yet it would go into the overload alarm instantly not even starting. I'd expect any pump to need more power than that and this units inverter according to the manual says "450 watt continuous, 600 watt for under 5 minutes and 900 watts max surge". So based on my trying a similar inverter on a small motor, I'd bet under a 5% chance this would work for you. I've even been reluctant to try running a typical fridge off of a 1200 watt generator because of that surge demand. Also, if going off of just this units battery which is under 30amp/hour, if you could run something like that it's battery will be drained in 20 minutes. So this is a real short term power source for such loads and won't keep your place from flooding all night or such.
681504
No... this product is mainly used for your outlet. Either from your sump or in my case the outlet from my back compartment of my biocube 14. and a hydor koralia nano 240 isnt an outlet its a circulation pump