When the power goes out on a winter night, the problem is rarely the lights. It is the furnace blower that will not run, the sump pump that stops holding back the water table, the well pump that takes the taps with it, and the freezer quietly thawing in the garage. The Champion 8.5 kW Home Standby Generator is built for exactly that list. It sits outside on its own pad, watches the utility line, and when the line drops it starts, transfers the load and carries your essential circuits until service comes back, whether or not anyone is home to notice.
This is the generator-only configuration, part number 100199, which is why installers and electricians specify it. The automatic transfer switch is purchased separately, so if you already have a switch, or you want to size and place one yourself, you are not paying for hardware you will not use.
Built for
- Essential-circuit backup in outage-prone areas. Refrigerator, freezer, furnace or boiler blower, sump pump, well pump, lighting, router and security equipment, running unattended for the duration of the outage.
- Homeowners retiring a portable generator. No gasoline runs before a storm, no refueling at 3 a.m., no extension cords through a window, and no manual start in the rain. The unit draws from the gas line already at the house.
- Cold-climate and well-water homes. The 24-volt starting system is rated from minus 22 degrees F without a warming kit, which matters when the outage and the cold snap arrive together and losing power also means losing water.
What it actually does well
Serviceability is the real differentiator here. The gull-wing doors open to both sides, so the annual oil change, filter and spark plug service happens standing up instead of contorted around a fixed hood. That sounds like a small thing until you have done it once in a narrow side yard.
The 10-year limited warranty is roughly double the standard coverage on comparable entry air-cooled units, and it comes with free lifetime technical support. Coverage begins on successful activation through an authorized Champion home standby service dealer, so make activation part of the install rather than an afterthought.
The quiet matters more than buyers expect. At 59.5 dBA at 23 feet the unit runs its weekly 15-minute exercise cycle without becoming a standing argument with a neighbor. And with total harmonic distortion under 5 percent, the power reaching your furnace control board and your electronics is clean, which is not something a cheap portable can promise.
Specifications
- Output: 8.5 kW on liquid propane, 7.5 kW on natural gas; 120/240V single phase, 60 Hz
- Amperage: 70.8A at 120V / 35.4A at 240V on LP; 62.5A at 120V / 31.25A at 240V on NG
- Main line circuit breaker: 35.5A
- Total harmonic distortion: under 5 percent
- Alternator: 2-pole, copper windings, Class H insulation, floating neutral
- Engine: Champion OHV, 439 cc single cylinder, aluminum block with cast-iron sleeve, air-cooled, 3600 RPM
- Starting: 24V DC electric start; requires two 12V Group U1L batteries, 350 CCA recommended, not included
- Fuel pressure: natural gas 5 to 7 inches WC; liquid propane 10 to 12 inches WC
- Noise level: 59.5 dBA at 23 feet at typical half load
- Operating temperature: minus 22 degrees F to 104 degrees F, no warming kit required
- Dimensions: 49.1 x 28 x 28.3 inches
- Weight: 374.9 lbs (170 kg)
- Enclosure: corrosion-resistant steel with gull-wing service doors; all-weather composite mounting pad included
- Protection: low-oil shutdown, overcrank, overspeed, underspeed and AVR over-voltage
- Certification: conforms to UL 2200, certified to CSA C22.2 No. 100, EPA Phase 3 compliant
- Warranty: 10-year / 2,000-hour limited warranty with free lifetime technical support
- Transfer switch: not included with 100199; sold separately
Installation notes
Plan on a licensed electrician for the transfer switch wiring and, in most jurisdictions, permits and inspection for both the electrical and the gas connection. The mechanical side is straightforward; the wiring is where do-it-yourself installs get into trouble. Budget for two Group U1L batteries and, if you are running on propane, allow time to change the master mixer orifice before first start.
Frequently asked questions
Does the Champion 100199 include a transfer switch?
No. Model 100199 is the generator by itself and the automatic transfer switch is purchased separately. A transfer switch is required for the generator to start and carry your circuits automatically, so plan for one as part of the installation.
Will an 8.5 kW generator run my whole house?
It is sized for essential circuits rather than whole-house coverage. It delivers 8.5 kW on propane and 7.5 kW on natural gas, which typically covers a refrigerator, freezer, furnace blower, sump or well pump, lights and network gear. Homes with a large central air system plus a deep well should look at a larger unit.
Does it run on propane or natural gas?
Both. It ships configured for natural gas and converts to liquid propane by changing an orifice in the master mixer using the jets and jet-change tool included in the box. Natural gas needs 5 to 7 inches of water column supply pressure and propane needs 10 to 12 inches.
Are batteries included?
No. The unit requires two 12-volt Group U1L batteries, with 350 cold cranking amps recommended, purchased locally. An onboard automatic charger with state-of-charge indicators keeps them maintained once installed.
How loud is it?
Champion rates it at 59.5 dBA measured at 23 feet at typical half load, which is roughly conversation level for a neighbor standing nearby.
Do I need a cold weather kit?
No. The 24-volt starting system is rated to start in temperatures from minus 22 degrees F to 104 degrees F without a separate warming kit.
Discount Cleaning Products is an authorized dealer for Champion Power Equipment, with US-based support before and after the sale. If you are not certain whether 8.5 kW covers your load list, or which transfer switch fits your panel, contact us with your circuit list and we will help you size it correctly the first time.