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...

[parrothead71]

We've been hearing for months that R&D are keeping a close lid on the newer models csoon to come out. I guess they have to prtect the CO. If everyone waited on the next gen ther sales would suffer and noone would get what we wanted. I'm going to wait and see if they get it out before Feb.

[ceeyahd1]

I started mine today to make sure it works OK and I can't really compare it to anything since I have never owned one or heard one but I takes Yall's word for it that it is not that loud.

I would be interested in looking at some of the enclosures some are making also.

[bugdude]

PJ
how about some pictures and a description how you built the enclosure.

[P_J1]

ceeyahd1 wrote:
I just purchased the C46540 Gen. yesterday and had no idea about a new quiter model coming out, I checked the Champion website and they don't sa anything about a new model. Anyone have any information on this before I use mine and get stuck with it I would rather get the quiter one.

It's hush, hush for now. I e-mailed them in August before I pulled the trigger on mine, they wouldn't tell me much more than they are in constant R&D.

I made a sweet semi-enclosure for mine, makes it VERY nice & quiet.

[WaltinColo]

im deff interested in the 'quieting kit' rumored to be coming out sometime soon as well...
It would be cool to be able to retro fit my existing genny. 🙂

Walt

[ceeyahd1]

I just purchased the C46540 Gen. yesterday and had no idea about a new quiter model coming out, I checked the Champion website and they don't sa anything about a new model. Anyone have any information on this before I use mine and get stuck with it I would rather get the quiter one.

[F350OilBurner]

ceeyahd1 wrote:
Does anyone know how much oil goes into the Champion C46540 Gen.?

I'm going from memory but I believe it's 6/10s of a quart.

[ceeyahd1]

Does anyone know how much oil goes into the Champion C46540 Gen.?

[Gulfcoast]

Phil-am...

I'd buy the Champion TODAY and then sell it to a neighbor when the new models do come out.

No telling when another storm will come your way and it's no fun to be left out in the cold.

I won't be without a generator ever again!

Just my opinion...

[phil-am]

professor95 wrote:


I do not know all the specifics, but I do know that the new 62 dBA sound rated, RV Ready Champion that is "suppose" to be ready for shipment this Janurary will have electric start - not sure if it is optional or standard. Projected cost is "under $400.00". We should know for sure by mid October if it will make the projected release date. Personally, I am anxious and excited to see what it will be. I am told that this model will reflect many of the "wants" that we have expressed on this forum! It is nice to know that at least one company is listening to us and trying to produce a quality, inexpensive product as a response.

Any word on this lately? I have my finger on the order button for the Champion RV ready, but will hold off a couple weeks for this one if it is going to be a reality. I don't want to wait much longer though.. I don't even want to go through another 3 days without power in freezing temps with a 4 month old baby in the house again like we experienced here in St Louis a couple weeks ago. That was rough. Try finding a hotel room anywhere when 500,000 people are without power in the area during freezing temps. 😞

[jwitt]

WOW, this forum just doesn't quit.
I have an electrical wiring question re: the L14-30 plug. In addition to the Champion C46540 gen, I have a Generac. I replaced the 220 v receptacle on the Generac with an L14-30 so both generators could be used with the same cord sets. I found that the Generac 220 v plug did not use the "ground" terminal at all, just the neutral and the two 120's.
I have a welder that has three wires only, and I was told to use the "ground" plus the two hots and forget the Neutral terminal.
Does the Champion L14-30 use the ground or neutral or both??
Can I plug the three wire plug from the welder, which uses the neutral and not the ground terminal (due to the Generac wiring), into the Champion???
Thanks, JIM

Since I posted, I opened up the Champion and found that they wire all four terminals of the L14-30. So my question is, if I wire the three wires of the welder plug 120,120 + neutral, is that safe and correct??
I don't understand why the Generac does not use the ground terminal on their 220v plug.

[thehoneybees]

We purchased the champion generator at Checkers this summer 2006, and used it several times camping. We are really happy that we got this.
I wanted to show DH's generator tent. We had this small tarp that we
didn't seem to use because it was too small, but it worked perfect for our generator tent. It rained the last two times we camped and the generator stayed dry. Now christened "the generator tarp". Easy to put up and take down.

[WaltinColo]

Sweet! 🙂

[MTNHNTR]

I have already lost power and am typing this on my computer that is being powered by my Champion 3500W RV generator. It is also powering my frig., the TV and the lights. I also used it to cook in the microwave. The Champion is humming away just outside my door. This is the 4th power outage in 3 weeks and the Champion came thru each time.

[Oldfordman]

WaltinColo wrote:
Here Here!!
I cant wait for the camping season to begin again so I can start getting some use outta mine. 🙂

Congrats on the new gen!

We may use ours tonite and tomorrow. Forecast is for "Destructive Winds" with gusts above 65 MPH. When that happens we usually have no power for a couple of days. Hope I don't have to use it before the Football Game ends though.