Champion 4500W Dual Fuel review
Champion 4500-Watt Electric Start Dual Fuel Inverter Generator
By Tom Calder
Key specs
The maker's figures.
- Running watts
- 3,500 W
- Starting watts
- 4,500 W
- Fuel
- Gasoline or propane
- Weight
- 99.2 lb
3,500 running watts is enough to run a fridge, a furnace fan, lights and chargers together, and it runs on gasoline or propane, so you can store fuel that doesn't go stale the way gasoline does. At nearly 100 lb it lives on its wheels, not in a car trunk.
- Best for
- Running a fridge, furnace fan and lights at once
- Skip it if
- You need to lift it into a vehicle
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Researched, not used. We haven't used this product. This review is built from the maker's specifications, owner reports and our own sizing.
What we like
- 3,500 running watts
- Gasoline or propane
- Electric start
Worth knowing
- About 99 lb
- Output is usually lower on propane: check the listing
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Our review
Champion's 4,500-watt dual fuel inverter, model 201319, is rated at 3,500 running watts on gasoline and 3,150 on propane, with electric start and a CO Shield that shuts the engine off. This review covers its ratings, outlets, run times and weight as Champion states them, and the outdoor-only rules for any generator.
What it is and who it suits
The figures in our product record match Champion's page for the 201319, a 212cc engine inverter with recoil and electric start, an EZ Start dial to switch between gasoline and propane, and a voltage, frequency and hours display. Check that the model number on yours is 201319 before relying on these figures.
Champion pitches it for RVs, tailgating and camping, and as backup for essentials. For a home, it suits a household that wants a mid-size unit that can run on propane as well as gasoline, not one that wants to power a whole house.
Ratings, outlets and fuel
Champion lists 4,500 starting watts on both fuels, with 3,500 running watts on gasoline and 3,150 running watts on propane. In amps at 120 volts it gives 29.2 running on gasoline and 26.3 on propane. The unit is 120 volts only. The outlets are one 120V 5-20R duplex, one 120V 30A RV outlet (TT-30R) and a 12V DC automotive outlet, and Champion lists no GFCI receptacles.
Champion's page gives the tank as 2.25 gallons in the specification and 2.3 gallons in its description. It says to expect up to 14 hours on gasoline and up to 21 hours on a 20-pound propane tank, both at 25% load, which are maker figures at a light load.
Size, noise and warranty
Champion's product page gives the weight as 99.2 pounds, while the specifications in its operator's manual list 103.6 pounds. Both give the size as 23.2 by 17.7 by 20.1 inches, and the unit has 5-inch never-flat wheels and a fold-down handle. Noise is 61 dBA measured from 23 feet, which Champion likens to normal speech. The engine takes 0.5 quart of 10W-30 oil, included, with a low oil shut-off. The warranty is 3 years limited with free lifetime technical support.
An optional parallel kit, sold separately, lets you connect up to two Champion inverters for more output. Champion's operator's manual says a transfer switch must be used when connecting to a building, and that connection to a home's electrical system requires a listed 30A transfer switch installed by a licensed electrician.
Carbon monoxide: CO Shield is not a substitute
Champion says CO Shield monitors the carbon monoxide in the exhaust and shuts the engine off if unsafe levels build up. It adds that CO Shield is not a substitute for an indoor carbon monoxide alarm or for safe operation, and that generators must always be used outdoors, far from occupied buildings, with the exhaust pointed away. Its manual adds that there should be no objects creating obstructions within 5 feet of the generator.
Ready.gov says generators and fuel should always be used outdoors and at least 20 feet away from windows, doors and attached garages. CDC says never to use a generator inside your home, basement or garage, or less than 20 feet from any window, door or vent, and to use a battery-powered or battery backup CO detector in your home. CPSC says to test alarms every month. Our generator safety guide covers cords, wet weather and refueling.
How it compares
Our generator comparison sets it beside the other generators we review, including the Champion 2,500-watt inverter, the Honda EU2200i and the Westinghouse WGen9500DFc. Its 120-volt-only output means it is not the choice for a 240-volt transfer switch.
Who should skip it
Skip it if you will be lifting it into a vehicle regularly, since Champion lists 99.2 pounds on its page and 103.6 pounds in its manual, or if you need 240-volt output. Skip it if you only want to run a couple of small devices, where a lighter inverter is easier to move.
A researched review, built from the maker's specs, manual and US listings; facts checked 30 Oct 2026. Sources: Champion: 201319 4,500-watt dual fuel inverter product page; Ready.gov: Power Outages; CDC: What to Do to Protect Yourself During a Power Outage; CPSC: Keep Warm and Safe This Winter; Champion: 201319 operator's manual (PDF).
Who shouldn't buy this
Don't buy it if you need to lift it into a vehicle: a 2,200 W class inverter is half the weight.
This is a Researched review: we haven't used this product. We check every specification against at least two independent sources, re-check the US price on a schedule where we can track it automatically, and say plainly who it isn't for. Commissions never change a rating.
If this isn’t the one
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Read the review →Questions
What are the running watts on each fuel?
Champion lists 3,500 running watts on gasoline and 3,150 on propane, with 4,500 starting watts on both. Size your loads against the running figure for the fuel you will use.
Does CO Shield replace a carbon monoxide alarm?
No. Champion says CO Shield is not a substitute for an indoor carbon monoxide alarm or for safe operation. CDC says to use a battery-powered or battery backup CO detector, and to keep the generator at least 20 feet from windows, doors and vents.
Does it have 240-volt output?
No. Champion lists 120 volts, with a 5-20R duplex outlet, a TT-30R RV outlet and a 12V DC outlet. It lists no GFCI receptacles.
How long does it run on a tank?
Champion says up to 14 hours on gasoline and up to 21 hours on a 20-pound propane tank, both at 25% load. A heavier load will shorten the time.