Champion 201241 13,500-Watt Electric Start Tri Fuel Generator review: our full analysis

What will a 16,875-watt generator run?

The Champion 201241 13,500-Watt Electric Start Tri Fuel Generator delivers 13,500 W continuously and up to 16,875 W for a few seconds to start motors on gasoline. On propane, the manufacturer rates it at 12,000 running watts (15,000 W starting), 11% less. On natural gas: 11,000 running watts (13,750 W starting). It handles 14 of the 14 loads on our typical list one at a time; add up the running watts of everything you run together, plus the extra starting watts of the biggest motor.

Typical figures; check the label of your own appliances. One load at a time: add up everything you run together.

Champion 201241 13,500-Watt Electric Start Tri Fuel Generator13,500 running W · Tri fuel · typical price over $2,500 Check best price

Runtime and fuel

The fuel tank holds 11 gallons of gasoline. At half load, it runs about 8 hr on a full tank. That is about 1.38 gallon per hour at half load, or 33 gallons for a full day of running, so plan your fuel storage for a multi-day outage. On propane, a standard 20 lb tank holds about 4.7 gallons of LP; propane does not go stale, which makes it the easiest fuel to stock.

79 dB(A): how loud is it?

The manufacturer rates the Champion 201241 13,500-Watt Electric Start Tri Fuel Generator at 79 dB(A), usually measured at 23 feet (7 m) and a light load. That is loud, like a lawn mower: place it as far from the house and the neighbors as the cords allow.

Can you connect it to your house?

Its panel offers 4 × 120 V household outlets (5-20R), L5-30R 30 A 120 V twist-lock, L14-30R 30 A 120/240 V twist-lock, 14-50R 50 A 120/240 V. The 14-50R outlet supplies 120/240 V, which is what a manual transfer switch or an interlock kit with a power inlet box connects to, installed by a licensed electrician. Never backfeed the house through a wall outlet.

Safety features and warranty

It has electric push-button start, with a recoil cord as backup. A CO shutoff sensor stops the engine if carbon monoxide builds up around it; it does not replace distance (20 feet from the house) and CO alarms indoors. It is listed as EPA compliant; check California availability if you live there. The warranty runs 3 years (residential use).

Typical price over $2,500: good value per watt?

Relative to its running watts, the Champion 201241 13,500-Watt Electric Start Tri Fuel Generator scores 5.8/10 on value: a high price per watt, which its other strengths may justify. Generator prices on Amazon move a lot, especially before hurricane season: check the current price before you buy.

Champion 201241 13,500-Watt Electric Start Tri Fuel Generator13,500 running W · Tri fuel · typical price over $2,500 Check best price