3000W Chinese Gensets Info.

[professor95]

professor95 wrote:
EDIT ADDED 45/5/2013- When this thread started in March of 2005, I never expected to see it survive this long or amass the quantity of information that has been shared here.

In the eight year run of this thread we have amassed almost 10,000 postings and surpassed a million views. This creates somewhat of a dilemma for anyone who has just discovered the forum.

Since the amount of information is virtually overwhelming, I suggest you set your preferences for this thread to read "newest first" and then begin to page backwards.

What you will find in these pages is a wealth of info on virtually any make or model of Chinese manufactured synchronous (non-inverter) generator in the 3,000 watt performance class. Info will include how to rewire series coils to parallel to obtain maximum wattage from a single 120 volt outlet. Tips on further reducing sound levels, how to care for these generators, which ones are "RV ready" and provide the best overall performance for the dollar invested. Which companies NOT to deal with, where the best prices are, how to safely wire the generator into a home or RV, how to check your RV for electrical faults, sources for generator accessories, which 20/30 adapters are safe to use and which are not. How to convert a gasoline generator to propane or NG. This is only the beginning. The forum has a life of its own with the focus sub-topic switching frequently. Still, the main topic of utilizing the amazing, inexpensive Chinese gensets is always there. The amount of creativity and innovation presented in these pages is indicative of the talents shared in the diverse backgrounds of the folks who make up our combined RV community.

Many of the original brands and models of Chinese gensets mentioned in the introduction and early pages of the thread have since disappeared. New EPA and CARB emissions requirements, company bonds assuring the emissions warranty will be honored even if the company goes out of business, and fierce competition in the industry have changed the playing field. Champion Power Equipment has become the apparent "trophy team" providing an ever expanding retail outlet, an ample parts supply, a strong warranty and excellent customer service. CPE has continued to improve their product and now offers a new model (#46538) with exclusive convenience, safety and performance features aimed at the RV market. Big names like Cummins/Onan, Honda and Generac all now have Chinese built open frame synchronous gensets available. Ironically, the prices often found on these gensets has not significantly changed during the past eight years - even with the devaluation of the American Dollar and new EPA/CARB requirements.

I also encourage you to use the search function and even the advanced search options to find information. Key works such as "rewiring", "PowerPro", "Champion", "Onan Homesite", "Duropower", "ETQ", "Jiung Dong or JD", "Tractor Supply", "Costco", "Lowe's" and "Home Depot" are all examples of keywords that will give you specific information on different models being sold by retailers today.

Or, you can fill your glass with your favorite beverage (keep more close by - maybe some munchies as well :D, sit back at your computer, tell your wife (or significant other) that you will see her in the morning and spend the next 10 or so hours reading through the postings.

No one on the forum gets mad if you ask a question that is a repeat. Please do not hesitate to post to the forum. All questions are considered important and those active on the forum will do their best to respond with a valid answer.

Also note we are not out to knock the Honda, Yamaha, Kipor or other brands of high end digital gensets. We recognize the quality of these products and their suitability for quite, efficient RV use. But, there is a flood of reliable, inexpensive and comparatively lower cost gensets coming out of China that are excellent alternative choices for the RVer wanting power to run an air conditioner, microwave, etc. without excessive noise or breaking the budget.

Oh, one last thing. The folks on this forum are true gentlemen. We do not flame one another or the product discussed - period. Ugly contributors usually have their comments and remarks ignored by our masses. It is not a forum to start arguments to obtain a clear win. We do disagree on many issues, but we have all agreed to do that in a respectable manner.

We now have the introduction of more and more inverter gensets. There is a rather extensive thread named "The Official Unofficial Champion 2000i Generator" on this forum. Today, I added info on the new Champion 3100i inverter genset. Discussion on this product may get moved to its own thread at a later date.

Many have looked upon this thread with distain saying Chinese is cheap and doomed to failure. I remember saying exactly the same thing about Japanese products a few decades back. But, over the past eight years the track record for Chinese built generators has shown otherwise.

Please, join us in a fascinating journey down the Chinese built genset road of knowledge.

This is the question I posted that got it all started back in March 2005.......

Randy

For a little over a month now, I have been somewhat intrigued by the availability of a 3000 watt, 6.5 HP generator at Pep Boys and Northern Tool for under $300.00. The engine on this generator looks identical to a Honda 6.5 HP OHV engine. Knowing that the Chinese have become very adept at “cloning” reputable technologies from other manufacturers, I was not surprised at the similarities. Neither store could give me any information on the generator nor did they have a “running” display model.

I have done a little research. This is what I have discovered:

Many of these generators are imported by ELIM International (www.eliminternational.com) out of Buffalo, New York from Jiung Manufacturing in China. (The unit at Northern is identical but carries the JIUNG name.)

The engines are indeed a Chinese knockoff of the popular 6.5 HP 196cc Honda Engine. “Supposedly” Honda has licensed the engine technology to the Chinese manufacturer of the product.

The Chinese company that makes the ELM3000 generators is a rather large, diverse, long-standing company with a reputation for “above average quality” Chinese made products (Jiung Manufacturing). There are many more Chinese companies making almost identical gensets.

The generators at PepBoys do have a six month limited warranty. But, it is only on the engine (not the generator) and requires paying for shipping to and from Buffalo. Probably not a very practical thing to do if you have warranty issues.

ELIM does supply replacement parts (a PDF parts manual is available on the ELIM web site). No prices are given for replacement parts nor is there an “availability listing”.

The generator head itself is a brushless design. The only really significant wear parts in the generator are the bearings – most likely universally available.

The published dB rating is 67 at 23 feet. This is “reasonably” quite for a generator of this size as most comparabl.... The 67 dB rating is the same as Honda gives their 3000 watt CycloInverter with a “look alike” eng...

[professor95]

XR4rider wrote:

Hi- I am looking for Professor95's opinion (although anyone's opinion would be greatly appreciated)

I have read this forum back to front and front to back. I am actually a litte dizzy as a result. So, after all the reading,
I have come to the conclusion that i would like to find a generator that I can pretty much just plug and play. No wiring or rewiring.

Mr. Wizard is right on the ELM3000 being plug and play with no modifications needed. But, according to a recent posting by BlackMax the "NEW" Nikota from Costco Wholesale Club is apparently a plug and play unit as well:

BlackMax wrote:
Re: New Costco Nikota
I took the end cap off the generator (the duplex outlet and twist lock are actually mounted in the cover with a 120-off-220 switch) and discovered the duplex outlets to be bridged (tabs intact).

The rewire on other models like the PowerPro is not difficult, thou it may seem intimidating to an electrically challenged individual. Many folks on this forum have successfully accomplished this change with great success. Give this option a second look as well......

[guy48065]

Search "gen-turi" in the forums for more info. The $134 store-bought one uses a plastic pipe after a metal elbow. Looks like the key factors are the elbow is like a conduit elbow--large radius, and the plastic pipe is larger than the conduit. The space between allows fresh air to be pulled in by the hot exhaust upflow. That dilutes the exhaust...and the heat.
http://www.campingworld.com/browse/skus/index.cfm?skunum=14041&src=SRQB

[Bahamaboy]

Thanks for the info i was afraid it would melt the CPVC guess i will have to use metal conduit.

I would never run the unit inside my house or eeven close but have it in a sound enclosure and was hoping to pump the heat out of the box to help keep the unit cooler the enclosure/Generator is 40 feet away from my house

[kneisl1]

No that would melt it. I dont think it would be a good idea at all to run a generator inside and vent the exhaust outdoors no matter what you used for an exhaust pipe. One fault in the pipe and youd kill yourself and your family. Best to run it outdoorsin a shelter if necessary!

[Bahamaboy]

Does anyone know what the exhaust temp is coming out of the muffler? I was wondering if i could use CPVC pipe to extend the exhaust out of an enclosure?

Thanks for any info

Bahamaboy

[MrWizard]

XR4rider

yes you got it correct..

because the elim has switch for the voltage, it will produce full power on at 120 volts,

[XR4rider]

Hi- I am looking for Professor95's opinion (although anyone's opinion would be greatly appreciated)

I have read this forum back to front and front to back. I am actually a litte dizzy as a result. So, after all the reading,
I have come to the conclusion that i would like to find a generator that I can pretty much just plug and play. No wiring or rewiring. I have a 21' toyhualer that I usually keep in the desert all season with full hookups. About 2 or 3 times a year I take the trailer places where there are no hookups. So I am not looking for a full time RV generator, just occasional use. I would like to be able to run my AC and microwave(not necessarily at the same time) and a few lights at night.

From the reading, I get the impression the ELM3000 would be okay if I just plugged my trailer in (with the adapter) and didn't re-wire anything. Is that a good assumption. Do you have any advice for my situation.

Thanks for your time

[radaglast]

mike_65
I am sorry to hear that all isn't working out, but here is something that might help. I found out that americanpower will have it's list of service centers available on tues or wed of next week. If that turns out to be true you might be able to get some help from one of the authorized centers (if there are any near you). I think you should wait till next wed and try that live chat again. Ask where the nearest authorized center to you is located and if they ask about your genny, tell them you just bought it at costco so they'll give you the name and address of the service center. Hey, it's worth a shot. You certainly haven't anything to lose. Good luck.
Rad...

[mike_65]

mike_65 wrote:

radaglast wrote:
mike_65
With a little bit of luck I was able to get you that 800#. It is
800-533-2929. This is for Americanpowerproducts. This company now owns the Nikota name and line. Good luck with your warranty problems and let me know if you get any satisfaction from americanpower...
Rad...

Rad,

Thank you very much, I'll call them today. I sent an email via the web site you mentioned, I am curious to see how they respond to that as well.

Called the 1-800 number....on hold for 30 minutes while chatting with the on-line customer service rep, here is what was said:

Mike: Do you handle the Nikota factory warranties

You are now speaking with Helen of Customer Service.

Helen: Hi. My name is Helen. How can I help you today?

Mike Tucker: Do you handle the Nikota generator warranties

Mike : Hello

Helen: Where did you purchase it?

Helen: When?

Mike : Pep-boys in Houston Texas

Helen: No, unfortunately we do not.

Mike : Do you cover any Nikota product?

Helen: As far as warranties?

Mike : yes

Helen: Only the generators that are being sold at Costco.

Mike : I have a new Nikota generator that does not work, would you happen to know where I could go for assistance in fixing my problem?

Helen: No, sorry , I do not.

Mike Tucker: OK, Thank you for your time.

Helen: You are welcome!

An email from Helen followed:

Unfortunately that company is no longer in business, therefore the
parts/information you are requesting is not available.


Helen
Customer Service Representative
American Power Products


SO...The saga continues..... and I never spoke to anyone on the 1800 number, other than silicon Sally telling me all of their agents are helping other customers....for 40 minutes!

[mike_65]

radaglast wrote:
mike_65
With a little bit of luck I was able to get you that 800#. It is
800-533-2929. This is for Americanpowerproducts. This company now owns the Nikota name and line. Good luck with your warranty problems and let me know if you get any satisfaction from americanpower...
Rad...

Rad,

Thank you very much, I'll call them today. I sent an email via the web site you mentioned, I am curious to see how they respond to that as well.

[radaglast]

mike_65
With a little bit of luck I was able to get you that 800#. It is
800-533-2929. This is for Americanpowerproducts. This company now owns the Nikota name and line. Good luck with your warranty problems and let me know if you get any satisfaction from americanpower...
Rad...

[catalina30]

My Nikota genset had the recoil starter quit today. All I had to do to make it work was to take the starter off and tighten the bolt to make it work again. I have also made a platform for the back of the trailer to mount the genset to. I have attached hinged plywood panels to the frame so I can lift them to let in air, attaching ceiling tiles to the plywood to dampen them. I have left 2" on each side of the genset and put dividers in the set to direct air flow. the top is for the most part open for at least 4" for air flow. I used EMT for the exit of fumes to the top of the trailer. To lower vibration I have suspended the genset on springs, that makes a no vibration in the trailer very nice. I was thinking of hanging a couple old tires on the back just to finnish the look.

[catalina30]

mike_65 wrote:

radaglast wrote:
mike_65
What model number is your nikota? There is some talk that another company might have bought the rights to the name Nikota and might be offering some warranty on some older models.
Rad...

Rad,

I couldn't find a model number, only an Item number which may or may not be the same. (Item # 06041) The generator is a Nikota 3500w, 6.5 hp OHV with a type GSa-M1-C single phase, brushless generator. Any information regarding warranty validity would be greatly appreciated. I would actualy like to use this gen set without paying for it twice.

the one at costco now has the number 0644 I would think that if someone bought the old company the warranty would have to be handled by the new company.

Kevin
The Right Lane

[catalina30]

MrWizard wrote:
catalina30

this forum has more to do with what is feasible & practical to accomplish NOT what might be technically possible if you have the resources to attempt it

MrWizard,

I agree, but the question was if anyone had thought about it, yes I have, would be the answer.

Kevin
The Right Lane

[Caveman3]

Presp,
Was not running 220V. The transfer panel (Gentran) uses a 4wire input for the genset connect (2 hot, 1 neutral, 1 earth). There are a total of 6 circuits in the panel, with two of the circuits bridged, leaving 4 for 15A 120V service.

I guess what I would like to know is if it would be useful to connect a large cap across the hot and neutral, like a hard start cap on an AC, in the genset.
Hoping to compensate for high inductive loads, like motors without start caps.

Caveman