The Official unofficial CPE 2000i Generator Thread

The professor posted this back awhile ago. I don't have time to look back. But this conversation was a huge topic. See if the search above helps. Do you have a skill saw?

Thanks MrRchitty!

My AC's compressor LRA is 54.4A, fan LRA is 5.8A. 11A rated for the compressor and 2.5A rated for the fan.


Is there something on the inverter board that would show me what my ms response is? The unit was bought from Costco in Canada model 73552i manufacture date was 2010-11. Serial number starts with "NOV10..."

I read that there is a place that does a software upgrade but since I am in Canada I am not sure this would be possible for me. Any chance Champion would help me out direct?

mdelleman wrote:

otrfun wrote:

mdelleman wrote:
@otrfun
How much headroom/surge do these Champion 2000i's really have? If I parallel them do you get a little better surge capability?

Typically, the "running", continuous current output will nearly double when generators are paralleled; however, the increase in inrush current will be significantly less. Why? I have no idea. I've found inrush current only increases roughly 8-12% when two Honda EU2000i's are paralleled (when compared to one Honda EU2000i).

Although I observed inrush current with paralleled/solo EU2000i's, an EU3000iS, and a Champion 3100/75531i, haven't had the opportunity to do so with a Champion 2000 inverter generator. However, there's a quite a bit of online anecdotal evidence that suggests the Champion 2000 inverter outputs significantly less inrush current than the Honda EU2000i (both solo and paralleled).

If by paralleling the Champ 2000i's to get a safe continuous of 3000W (in the manual) Then add 100W inrush per gen for total of 3200W. Would it be safe to assume that since the Champ 3000/3500 starts the AC with hardly a blip the two 2000i's could handle the extra surge? Is an extra 100W surge capability per gen selling it short or about right?


I know that real results are the only way just trying to figure out if it worth picking up another 2000i if I will only have trouble actually getting it to start the AC!

The surge on paralleled 2000 watt gensets is x's which is 4000 watts.

In rush current on an inductive load may be as high as 2.5 to 3 x's the running amps,for example, my a.c. unit on my camper is 53 amps.

Depending on the production year of your inverter generator depends on the ms response to this in rush current. My original modules were 200ms. They would go into over load immediately. They are now 400ms modules. That is the time it takes for them to shut down on a short. In rush is measured during the first 150ms. If nothing happens to start your inductive load, then they will go into over load.

The problem with this forum, when a new page starts, the last posting gets over looked. Go back one page for my other responses with my attached videos under the last posting.

otrfun wrote:

mdelleman wrote:
@otrfun
How much headroom/surge do these Champion 2000i's really have? If I parallel them do you get a little better surge capability?

Typically, the "running", continuous current output will nearly double when generators are paralleled; however, the increase in inrush current will be significantly less. Why? I have no idea. I've found inrush current only increases roughly 8-12% when two Honda EU2000i's are paralleled (when compared to one Honda EU2000i).

Although I observed inrush current with paralleled/solo EU2000i's, an EU3000iS, and a Champion 3100/75531i, haven't had the opportunity to do so with a Champion 2000 inverter generator. However, there's a quite a bit of online anecdotal evidence that suggests the Champion 2000 inverter outputs significantly less inrush current than the Honda EU2000i (both solo and paralleled).

If by paralleling the Champ 2000i's to get a safe continuous of 3000W (in the manual) Then add 100W inrush per gen for total of 3200W. Would it be safe to assume that since the Champ 3000/3500 starts the AC with hardly a blip the two 2000i's could handle the extra surge? Is an extra 100W surge capability per gen selling it short or about right?


I know that real results are the only way just trying to figure out if it worth picking up another 2000i if I will only have trouble actually getting it to start the AC!

mdelleman wrote:
@otrfun
How much headroom/surge do these Champion 2000i's really have? If I parallel them do you get a little better surge capability?

Typically, the "running", continuous current output will nearly double when generators are paralleled; however, the increase in inrush current will be significantly less. Why? I have no idea. I've found inrush current only increases roughly 8-12% when two Honda EU2000i's are paralleled (when compared to one Honda EU2000i).

Although I observed inrush current with paralleled/solo EU2000i's, an EU3000iS, and a Champion 3100/75531i, haven't had the opportunity to do so with a Champion 2000 inverter generator. However, there's a quite a bit of online anecdotal evidence that suggests the Champion 2000 inverter outputs significantly less inrush current than the Honda EU2000i (both solo and paralleled).

I picked up a Champion 73552i 2000i off of Craigslist for $200 the other day. It looks brand new and starts up first pull. Runs nice and quiet in ECO and gets louder as the load gets bigger. It's nice to actually have one after all the reading about them. Really get an idea of what this unit can do and look forward to messing around with it more The trailer is parked off site for the winter but I don't fear that the one unit will charge the batteries with the converter I have. Should have some tim to try it out soon and will report back.

i would like to pick up another and parallel them at some point. I really like the size of the unit and flexibility with only bringing one if I don't need to run the AC, which isn't often. I am a little concerned that paralleled it won't run my AC unit or that paralleled it will be LOUD! Maybe the Champion 3100 inverter would be a good idea but then I have to lug it around all the time even if I just need something to charge the batteries!

I have owned a couple generators over the last couple months, trying to find out what works for us.

Right now I have an open cage Champion 3000/3500 that is very LOUD but runs everything in the trailer no problem. Can't imagine I will be holding on to that genset.

A Kipor KGE3000ti (2800/3000) which I haven't been able to test on the trailer yet but figure should handle all I need as well? It is actually surprisingly quiet, very close to the Honda eu3000 I am told/read. The problem is that it is just a little too large for the truck with bed cover and quite heavy!

Also had a King Canada 2000i (2000/2100) unit that I ended up selling. It actually started the AC up but I tested it when it was only 20C/68F out. The compressor did kick in and the genny recovered the surge. I do not have a hard start on the AC yet but plan to install one for next year.

@otrfun
How much headroom/surge do these Champion 2000i's really have? If I parallel them do you get a little better surge capability?

Hybridhunter wrote:
Never paralleled them, but I have ran them near each other, similar loads. I'm not sure what to say other than it sounds like 2 instead of 1!
Others will disagree, but I deem the champs a failure, as they have very poor abilities with high PF loads, and they have next to no surge capacity. The frustrating part is they don't even load up, they just overload.
I will be buying a 2000 class genset, partially to run our Power Saver AC, but I am looking elsewhere, maybe Chinese, maybe a Honda. Either way, I don't think that 80cc is sufficient for sustained 1600 watts, so I would suggest others.
I am looking at the powerhouse 2000, or 2100phri (with remote estart).

Too bad the Champion 2000w inverters have so little headroom. The Champion 3100w inverter generator, on the other-hand, is a beast. It has more headroom (inrush current) capability than a Honda EU3000iS and/or two, paralleled Honda EU2000i's.

Never paralleled them, but I have ran them near each other, similar loads. I'm not sure what to say other than it sounds like 2 instead of 1!
Others will disagree, but I deem the champs a failure, as they have very poor abilities with high PF loads, and they have next to no surge capacity. The frustrating part is they don't even load up, they just overload.
I will be buying a 2000 class genset, partially to run our Power Saver AC, but I am looking elsewhere, maybe Chinese, maybe a Honda. Either way, I don't think that 80cc is sufficient for sustained 1600 watts, so I would suggest others.
I am looking at the powerhouse 2000, or 2100phri (with remote estart).

Individual experiences may vary.

Champion 2000 watt inverter starts pancake compressor from eco mode.

Champion 2000 watt inverter starts WFCO converter to charge batteries.

Part 2 of above, Champion inverter generator continues and charges batteries.

This was all covered here in the forums. Hybrid appears to be the only one to post individual issues with charging his batteries with the champion inverter generator. I know the professor posted his results.

As far as the a.c. goes, I have to be off eco mode.

For the money, decent value.

We made two major hurricanes running for 7 days straight, running the whole house less the dryer and well pump. We ran vacuums, microwaves, fridges, freezers, coffee makers... etc.

Individual results may vary. These are mine.

Thanks for the feedback Hybridhunter.

You said you had multiple gensets. Have you paralleled them? I'm curious to know the sound level when both are running together. I'd like the capability to run our AC but often only need the gen to just charge the batteries or other small things.