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...

[Oldfordman]

DBHMEH wrote:
I like the Champion 46540 with the rv connection. My concern is only one 20 amp standard receptical. I want to power some apliances in my house in event of a power loss. What options for multiple extension cords do I have?

I made a pigtail consisting of a 30 amp RV plug, 2' of #10-3 SO Cord, a 4" Square Electrical Box and two duplex outlets.

I can run a total of 5 extension cords.

[camperdave]

DBHMEH wrote:
I like the Champion 46540 with the rv connection. My concern is only one 20 amp standard receptical. I want to power some apliances in my house in event of a power loss. What options for multiple extension cords do I have?

From what I can tell on the schematic (many pages back) the 20amp standard receptical is wired in parallel to the 30amp. Not sure how that works out from a safety standpoint, but I don't see anything preventing you from pulling full power through the 20a outlet (aside from overheating the connector?). Just another oddity of the Chinese generator perhaps?

You could always use an RV plug to 20a receptacle adapter in the RV outlet, and a standard extension cord in the onboard 20a outlet to split the load a bit between the connectors. You'd still be limited to 30a total by the breakers.

[ENG2242]

I like the Champion 46540 with the rv connection. My concern is only one 20 amp standard receptical. I want to power some apliances in my house in event of a power loss. What options for multiple extension cords do I have?

[MrWizard]

JC

we did chat, but there were NO time tables mentioned for those items and several topics are strictly 'off the record' and It would be improper for me to repeat what he said,

[NE_MT]

A little off topic, but another Champion Power Equipment tidbit. Have been looking for a winch for the snowplow on my ATV, and alas, came across one made by Champion. With 10 inches of snow predicted in the next two days, it will get a good test. $99.00 with mount, fairlead, pulley, etc. Same winch by Warn would run over $400.00. I think I'll buy another one for a spare. My generator has worked well, I'm sure the winch will also. Kudos to Champion!

[ol_Bombero-JC]

For Mr. Wizard -
Your experience with "Tech Service" has raised the benchmark
for the -SERVICE- part of the term to a new level!

Since you had a one-on-one with Paul Cole . . . by any chance
did you ask when Champion might be coming out with an electric
start model - - and/or a sound deadening enclosure?
JC

[Gulfcoast]

The two worse enemy's on a generator are lack of frequent oil changes and overloading them. Overloading simply burns the windings out.

Get them checked and good luck...

[slumlord]

I just found this thread. I wish I had been here 6 months ago. I set up a work camp to build custom homes in the mountains. The workers all live in 10 5th Wheels. We knew very little about this life style as no one has ever lived in a RV before. I bought 10 Champion C46535 Gensets. They did not last and I bought 10 more. I have only 2 running and have opted for larger Coleman units.I see now that we were overpowering the units as we were plugged in to one outlet.The discarded units will not put out voltage. Are they ruined? The engines are fine. I plan on modifying the two I have running according to Camperdaves schematic.

[MrWizard]

we are always glad to hear 'good news' glad your happy

if i think something is bad or good, i believing in voicing my opinion, and i am happy with my RV ready and champions 'customer support'

[hmans3]

recieved the avr from champion today and installed . It works fine now. Voltage is right on . The direction on the install were good 10 min. job. Thanks to Paul Coles and this forum!! Hmans3

[hmans3]

Still waiting on AVR to come. Will post when the part arrives.

[MrWizard]

hmans3 wrote:
Sure enough he called and discussed the problem and diagnosed it to be the avr-voltage regulator. He is sending one out for me to install. Great!! will post back after the install. hman3

did the AVR arrive, did you get the generator going ?

[hmans3]

I e-mailed champion on the c46540 high voltage problem and they replied Sr service tech Paul Coles will call you. Sure enough he called and discussed the problem and diagnosed it to be the avr-voltage regulator. He is sending one out for me to install. Great!! will post back after the install. hman3

[hmans3]

checked the volt gauge shows 200 no load .With a load it about 190.I worked the switch and still the same reading. It must be something in the voltage regulator.Will call the service center to take a look at it.I don't want to ruin any more tools.

[MrWizard]

UPDATE on the compression problem

Paul Cole contacted me , to let me know, the problem was a piece of carbon that somehow manage to stick or embed on the exhaust valve surface keeping it from closing all the way, he said they found NO excessive carbon ( just the normal build up ) in the cylinder head and NO excessive wear, and compression leak down was normal after cleaning the valve

he said to have a piece stick and NOT come free was unusal, and he consisdered it a fluke accident

I guess it's one more thing to had to the trouble shooting list, when a problem appears to be compression related