Champion 200988 4500-Watt Dual Fuel Portable Inverter Generator
Champion 200988 4500-Watt Dual Fuel Portable Inverter Generator is a very popular, highly efficient, dual-fuel, inverter power generator that is used as a camping generator, RV generator, during emergencies and blackouts, and similar.
Champion 200988 power generator is a very quiet unit, offering a long runtime on a single fuel tank or a single propane bottle. Also, for people requiring extra power, Champion 200988 is a parallel-ready unit, requiring a parallel-ready kit to be purchased separately.
Published: October 24, 2022.
Champion 200988 4500-Watt Dual Fuel RV Ready Portable Inverter Generator Features and Specifications
Champion 200988 is powered by a 4-stroke, air-cooled, 212cc internal combustion engine. The engine features an electric start based on the onboard starting battery and a backup manual recoil starting system.
Champion 200988 power generator is a dual-fuel unit and, as such, uses either gasoline or LPG (Liquid Petroleum Gas), producing 3500 Running Watts and 4500 Starting Watts when running on gas and 3150 Running Watts and 4500 Starting Watts when running on propane.
While the engine operates, the unit's controller recharges the onboard battery, requiring no additional action from the user.
Note: Champion 200988 uses lithium starting battery with a very low self-discharge rate. If the unit is being stored for a longer period of time, the battery must be recharged twice per year. Although the Champion 200988 is a relatively simple to use and maintain power generator, when it arrives, be sure to read the manual/Owner's Guide thoroughly.
The fuel tank capacity is 2.3 gallons (~8.7 liters), allowing the unit to operate up to 14 hours @25% load.
When the unit is powered with a standard 20 pounds propane tank, the unit can operate up to 12h @25% load.
Note: the fuel tank is made of steel, improving the mechanical durability of the unit.
As a dual-fuel generator, Champion 200988 offers the user the option to choose which fuel to use - during blackouts and especially in prolonged emergencies, the gasoline is usually the first fuel to be sold out.
LPG as fuel is easier to buy and store at any moment, while gasoline, even when stored properly, can't last as long as LPG.
The oil tank capacity is 0.5 quarts (~0.5 liters), with the 10W-30 oil being recommended.
The Champion 200988 4500-Watt power generator features an automatic low-oil engine shut-off safety system and an overload protection system - when the oil reaches a minimum allowed level, the unit shuts off the engine, and when the system detects an overload condition, the power outlets get disconnected.
Thanks to the inverter technology, variable engine speed, Economy Mode, and fully enclosed design, Champion 200988 is a relatively quiet unit considering its output power, with noise levels of 61 dB @23 feet (~7 m). Also, it features very low THD levels of ≤3%, allowing the unit to power even sensitive home appliances directly.
Note: if there is a problem with powering very sensitive units, use a voltage surge protector to power such sensitive devices.
The physical dimensions of the Champion 200988 are (L x W x H) 23.2 x 17.1 x 20.1 inches (~59 x 43.5 x 51 cm) and it weighs 103 pounds (~46.7 kg) with an empty fuel tank.
Champion 200988 features a pair of small 5-inch (~12.7 cm) transport wheels, built-in fixed handles, and foldable handles, allowing the user to move the unit around easily.
If required, two adults can even carry the unit over short distances or even load it on a truck, but the unit is not the lightest inverter generator around.
The power outlets include:
- 2x 120V 20A 5-20R,
- 1x 120V 30A TT-30R,
- 1x 12V 8A DC port.
Also unit comes with a 12V DC USB charging adapter with 2 USB charging ports, allowing the user to charge USB devices directly from the unit.
Personally, having the option to charge the USB-charged devices directly is great, but running a 3500W/4500W generator just to charge one or two smartphones, tablets, or similar devices is an overkill. Unless one needs those devices for an emergency call...
All power outlets come with a protective cover.
Thanks to the 120V 30A TT-30R receptacle, the Champion 200988 power generator is a truly 30 Amps RV-ready power generator.
Also, the unit is able to provide "almost" 30 Amps directly to its 120V 30A TT-30R receptacle - to be accurate, it is able to provide ~29.16 Amps. In real life, this is 28-30 Amps.
But, if more power is required, it is good to know that the Champion 200988 power generator is a parallel-ready unit with several optional parallel kits available.
Recommended parallel kit for the Champion 200988 is the Champion 100319 50-Amp RV Ready Parallel Kit (Amazon link, link opens in the new window), which features an additional 120V 50A RV (14-50R) and 120V 30A (L5-30R) ports.
Note: Other parallel kits are also available, but Champion 100319 accepts various Champion generators and features a 120V 50A RV 14-50R port, which isn't available on smaller power generators.
Champion 200988 is an EPA-certified and CARB-compliant unit, which comes with a 3-year limited warranty.
An additional very interesting feature is Intellgauge with Power Meter, which displays session runtime, total runtime, volts, and frequency.
Champion 4500-Watt Inverter Generators: 200987 vs. 200988 vs. 201184
This article is about the Champion 200988 power generator, which is a 4500-Watt dual-fuel, inverter generator with electric and recoil engine start.
However, Champion also manufactures a Champion 200987 power generator, which is a gas-only inverter generator with a remote start, electric start, and recoil start, with all other features being practically the same.
If You prefer gas-only power generators, You will also enjoy the remote start feature of the Champion 200987 power generator.
Personally, dual-fuel generators give more freedom to their users since their fuels are generally easier to find and, if required, store. And yes, if You like camping or You are an RV fan, starting a power generator from the bed using a remote key fob can be priceless :)
But, Champion also offers a Champion 201184, which is an improved Champion 200987 model - it is a gas-only powered inverter generator with remote, electric, and recoil start, but it also features a CO Shield, a Carbon Monoxide (CO) automatic shut-off system, giving the users an additional layer of safety.
Long Story Short: Thanks to its rather balanced design, quality of manufacture, and affordable price, the Champion 200988 4500-Watt dual-fuel inverter power generator is a very popular unit.
Don't get me wrong, this is not a "cheap" unit - considering all its features, and what it has to offer, it comes with an "affordable" price.
Also, the unit comes with a 3-year limited warranty.
For more reviews and recommendations, feel free to check the Champion 200988 4500-Watt Dual Fuel Portable Inverter Generator and Champion 201184 4500-Watt Wireless Remote Start Inverter Generator With CO Shield Amazon links (the links open in the new windows).
