Hybridhunter wrote:
mdelleman wrote:
Here is an update from me:
I contacted Champion about the delay on my control board and to see if they would send me a replacement. The rep on the phone was no help and I asked to speak with a manager there. I was passed on to F___ the manager. He let me know that indeed the unit I have has a module with a 150ms delay. I mentioned the module update that SuperGen would do for me and he told me that unless I was to also update to the new Stator Comp (generator windings?) that it really would not make much difference. The new black units apparently have the new module and Stator Comp in it and are much better units I am told. ...!
AHA! I knew it! The modules upgrades were a waste of time, and the only positive reports seemed to be somewhat partisan.
If Costco gets these again in the spring, I may have to test a couple. For me, the most basic test will be, can they run my dad's wfco converter, the simplest test of whether a genset is truly useful to the average camper IMO.
I wouldn't say they are a "waste of time". I spoke with Paul from SuperGen at length as well and he felt that the older units are improved with the firmware updates. They had done a lot of testing themselves and found improvement from the old units after upgrade. Do they perform as well as the newer units, no, but it still offers an improvement. They do not charge for the upgrade service and provide their time to us free of charge so I figure he has nothing invested in it to be doing 100's of these upgrades for people. No reason not believe what he says.
I found Paul at SuperGen much easier to talk to then the "manager" at Champion Tech Support. The guy at Champion was a condescending A$$ to be honest. His solution was to charge me a bunch of money for new parts while Paul tried to provide a FREE service. I'd have no hesitation buying anything from SuperGen in the future!
otrfun wrote:
Do these newer "black" #73540i (USA) and #73534i (CAN) 2000 watt Champion inverter generators have significantly more headroom than the previous "yellow" #73536i version?
Even a Honda EU2000i (with a lot of anecdotal evidence in this thread suggesting it has much, much more headroom than the "yellow" #73536i) struggles to start my 13 amp Craftsman circular saw with the ECO mode off. It typically overloads with the ECO mode on.
I find the new "black" #73534i that I have has more headroom than the older #73552i model. It loads up nicer and doesn't overload as fast. My tests are unscientific I suppose and just some trial and error fun.
@Hybridhunter - I have no idea how one of these gens can't charge your batteries with the WFCO converter. What are the specs on the converter?
While I went another route I would agree with @MrRchitty and get the module upgraded if you have an older unit. Call Paul at SuperGen, he picks up his phone or will get back to you right away. Amazing support from them.
