Find out in this review whether the Champion 100416 Tri Fuel Generator is the right choice for your situation.
Keep in mind that there are other Champion tri fuel generators too. This review will focus on the popular 10000 peak watt model.
Champion 100416 Tri Fuel Generator review in short
The Champion 100416 is a very impressive tri fuel generator in areas like reliability, run time, and value.
That being said, you will likely still prefer one of the other good tri fuel generators.
Firstly, many people will have enough power with the smaller Champion 201169 8125.
Secondly, the 50 amp outlet of the Westinghouse wGen9500TFC generally makes it the better option for home backup power.
The Champion 100416 Tri Fuel Generator from this review “only” has 30 amp and 20 amp outlets.
Pros
- Very good reliability
- Tri fuel feature adds a lot of flexibility
- A lot of power
- Good run time
- Has electric start
Cons
- Higher THD is not suited for sensitive electronics
- No 50 amp outlet
- Loud noise levels
Some of the best uses for the Champion 100416 Tri Fuel Generator include:
- Off-grid living
- Certain events
- Job sites
- Farm projects
- Home backup power (keep high THD and no 50 amp outlet in mind)
Champion 100416 Tri Fuel Generator performance in important categories
On top of the more general principles above, it can be helpful to see how the Champion 100416 Tri Fuel Generator does in important performance categories.
| Performance Category | Champion 100416 Tri Fuel Generator Score* | Performance Category | Champion 100416 Tri Fuel Generator Score* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Power Capacity | 9.5 | Fuel Efficiency | 8 |
| Run Time | 9 | Ease Of Use | 8 |
| Quiet Operation | 3.5 | Portability | 5 |
| THD | High THD | Price Category | $$$ |
| Reliability Reputation | 9.5 | Overall Expert Rating | 9.5 |
| Current Price | Check Price |
Individual reviews compare the specific model to portable generators in general and sometimes scores are based on customer input
Champion 100416 Tri Fuel Generator key features
Figuring out whether the Champion 100416 Tri Fuel Generator is good for your situation can feel challenging with all the different details.
That being said, the key features below already offer a relatively good idea of what this tri fuel generator offers.
| Feature | Champion 100416 Tri Fuel Generator Detail |
|---|---|
| Fuel Type | Tri Fuel: Gasoline, Propane, And Natural Gas |
| Starting Watts | 10000 (Gas), 9000(LPG), And 8750 (NG) |
| Running Watts | 8000 (Gas), 7200 (LPG), And 7000 (NG) |
| Run Time @50% Load | 12.5 Hours (Gasoline) |
| Noise Levels | 74 dBA |
| Outlets | (1) 240V 30A L14-30R Locking, (1) 120V 30A L5-30R Locking, (1) Duplex Of GFCI 120V 20A 5-20R Outlets |
| THD | High THD |
| Warranty* | 3 Years Limited Residential And 1 Year Limited Commercial Warranties |
| Price Category** | $$$ |
| Check Current Price |
*Warranties can vary from seller to seller
**Price category at the time of writing
Champion 100416 Tri Fuel Generator THD
Before going into the other parts of the review it is important to mention that the Champion 100416 Tri Fuel Generator produces high THD power.
In simpler words, this means the electricity from this generator can damage sensitive electronics like microwaves, TVs, and often refrigerators.
If you want to run devices like this with the Champion 100416 Tri Fuel Generator anyway, you have to get your own inverter (or another way to “clean up” the power).
Another option is getting a smaller inverter generator to run these sensitive electronics.
Lastly, you could consider choosing the Champion 201176 9000 which is an inverter tri fuel generator instead.
What can the Champion 100416 Tri Fuel Generator run?
If you don’t mind the high THD, you can take a look at what the Champion 100416 Tri Fuel Generator can run.
When it comes to maximum size, the Champion 100416 Tri Fuel Generator should be able to power most normal household appliances and tools.
For example, a 3-ton central air (around 6750 peak watts) or a clothes dryer (around 6750 peak watts) should be no issue.
Even when running the Champion 100416 Tri Fuel Generator on natural gas which involves lower watt capacities.
When it comes to combinations of smaller and medium devices, the article on what a 9000 watt generator will run can be helpful.
High THD aside, the Champion 100416 Tri Fuel Generator should have no problem with a 2-ton central air, an electric oven, a sump pump, and an electric drill.
Keep in mind that you may need to pay attention to the startup order for this.
Additionally, your devices could have power needs different from the ones used for these examples.
Champion 100416 Tri Fuel Generator outlets
The outlets are one of the areas in this review where the Champion 100416 Tri Fuel Generator is not that good.
More specifically, the lack of a 50 amp outlet is often a big downside for tri fuel generators since these are often used for home backup power.
One reason is that 30 amp outlets can “only” provide 3600 watts at 120 volts or 7200 watts at 240 volts.
In simpler words, you will not be able to get the full potential of the Champion 100416 Tri Fuel Generator through one outlet.
Secondly, it is sometimes less convenient to connect a generator with a 30 amp outlet to a house.
Besides that, the Champion 100416 Tri Fuel Generator just does not have that many outlets in general.
How much of a downside this is depends on how you plan to use the machine.
Champion 100416 Tri Fuel Generator customer reviews insights
So far in the review, the Champion 100416 Tri Fuel Generator looks good in terms of features.
However, even in cases like this, you want to check the customer reviews to make sure there are no high rates of technical issues.
When it comes to the Champion 100416 Tri Fuel Generator, there are barely any negative reviews and even less about the generator itself.
In combination with the many customers, it is fair to say that the Champion 100416 is one of the more reliable tri fuel generators on the market.
Champion 100416 Tri Fuel Generator alternatives
Even with how good the Champion 100416 Tri Fuel Generator is, there are a few alternatives you may like even more.
For example, the Champion 201169 8125 is our top pick for the best tri fuel generator because many people simply don’t need the 10k starting watts of the Champion in this review.
Secondly, the Westinghouse wGen9500TFC tends to be a better choice for home backup power thanks to its 50 amp outlet.
Even the more budget-friendly Firman T07573 tri fuel generator has this 50 amp outlet as an advantage over the Champion 100416.
Is the Champion 100416 Tri Fuel Generator worth it?
The Champion 100416 Tri Fuel Generator can definitely be worth it in terms of all the value you get for the price.
You could even consider adding a Champion tri fuel generator cover to protect your machine from the weather conditions.
That being said, it is still true that you may prefer some of the alternatives mentioned in this review.
Especially for something like home backup power where being able to get a lot of power through one outlet is a valuable benefit.
Other Champion 100416 Tri Fuel Generator specifications
You may find it easier to make a decision about the Champion 100416 Tri Fuel Generator with some of the more detailed specifications.
Additionally, the Champion 100416 Tri Fuel Generator manual offers even more information about certain parts, troubleshooting, and more.
| Specification | Champion 100416 Tri Fuel Generator Detail |
|---|---|
| Voltage | 240 Volts |
| Portable | Yes |
| Fuel Tank Capacity | 8.5 Gallons (Gasoline) |
| Gasoline Fuel Efficiency (kWh Per Gallon) | 6.250 |
| Outlet Covers | Yes |
| Engine Displacement | 459cc |
| Recoil Pull Start | Yes |
| Electric Start | Yes |
| Low Oil Shutdown | Yes |
| Fully Enclosed Design | No |
| AC Frequency | 60 Hz |
| Built-In Digital Smart LCD | Yes |
| Hour Meter | Yes |
| Fuel Gauge | Yes |
| Wattage Meter | No |
| Run Time Remaining | No |
| Engine Type | 4 Stroke |
| Remote Generator Operation | No |
| Parallel Ready | No |
| Wheels | Yes |
| CO-Minder | Yes |
| Country Of Origin | China |
| Dimensions | 27.6″ L x 28.2″ W x 26″ H |
| Weight | 207 lb (93.9 kg) |
| Check Current Price |
Champion 100416 Tri Fuel Generator FAQ
How long will a Champion 100416 Tri Fuel Generator run?
At 50% load, a Champion 100416 Tri Fuel Generator will run for about 12.5 hours on a tank of gasoline and 5 hours on propane (should be on a 20-lb LP tank).
How much oil does a Champion 100416 Tri Fuel Generator take?
The Champion 100416 Tri Fuel Generator has an oil capacity of 35.2 fluid ounces which is about 1.04 liters.
How many decibels is a Champion 100416 Tri Fuel Generator?
A Champion 100416 Tri Fuel Generator is about 74 A-weighted decibels (typically measured at 25% load and 23 feet away).
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