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...

[JosephH1]

Well the 3rd time was a charm! The unit arrived yesterday in excellent condition! Yea! UPS must be using temps! 😉
I gave it a good waxing and will break it in this weekend. With the temps in the high 20's I will use Castrol's HD 30 weight for the break in. I am still on the fence about using a synthetic oil in this unit. I am leaning towards a Royal Purple or Golden Spectro product if I go synthetic. I have had excellent luck with them in my motorcycles. I will post back after break-in.

[bobway]

I bought a 4,000 watt surge, 2,800 watt continuous chinese generator at a tool show for $179( contractor brand; says Jiangdong on the engine). I suspected that I was wasting my money, but it was the only generator I could find that I thought might handle my 15,000 btu air conditioner at a weight of less than 90 lbs. I know about the noise, but it is for emergencies when park power is out. Besides, it is not as loud as I thought. Being cautious, I wanted to do some tests before hooking up to my RV.

The unit came with two 120 volt outlets, so I wondered if the rated capacity was really split between the outlets. I suspected that it was NOT for two reasons: 1) there was only one 30 amp breaker. 2) the 120 volt outlets had 25 amp embossed on them. I got to work with a volt meter and discovered that the unit was producing 122 volts at each plug and the output was in phase. I then hooked up two 1500 watt electric heaters and they worked with no problem when plugged into separate outlets. So far, so good. I then used a multiple outlet adaptor to plug both into the same outlet. Same result, the generator was obviously working pretty hard (I was pulling 25 amps), and when I checked the voltage at the third port on the adaptor, it showed 120. Emboldened, I decided the time had come to risk my air conditioner. I used an adaptor and hooked the generator to my trailer. The air conditioner started and worked fine.

Here are my conclusions:
1)These generators are not nearly as good as the Honda or the Yamaha, but they weigh a lot less and are NOT junk.
2) I think the units with only 120 volt output AND one circuit breaker will supply full wattage to any plug (in phase).
3)This is good enough for me for emergency use as I can't lift & don't have room for either the Yamaha or the Honda units.

I'm thinking of getting some fiberglass duct board to make a fold up surround for the thing which will extend well above the generator, but be open at the top. This stuff is light and rigid. My idea is to get the air conditioning guys to cut the 90 degree groves (like they cut when making ducts) so that I can tape the parts together in a manner to allow the folding. My thinking is that a lot of the noise will go up and not be as bothersome if this works. Additionally, cooling should not be a problem with the open top.

BTW, so far, this generator has started 1st pull every time.

[Index_Jeff]

Oldfordman wrote:
Must be that shady bunch that lives in Skykomish:R

Oh believe you me... I have shady neighbors enough, without anyone from Skykomish joining in.

LOL

They once stole an entire RV from up here. In the "G" section. Which is across the river from me.

Apparently it was a pretty costly RV, too...

Makes you wonder what the next door neighbors were doing while someone came in, removed skirting, disconnected wiring, wtc... and then pulled the RV out of there ???

I mean, C'mon, I would at least have gone out and asked some questions, then called the owner, just to be sure.

They stole a quad, and several other things all at the same time.

My neighbors... (As in entire community, not next door.)... Either crooks, or afraid of the crooks.

Cops came in and arrested a bunch of folks directly across the ridge from me, for Meth.

I walked over there. The rest of the neighbors were all snooping, but hiding. I just walked right up there and answered every question the cops had for me about these guys. Right in front of the guys in handcuffs.

If someone doesn't stand up and show them we are not afraid, they'll go right on ruling the community...

[mrfixit454]

My 1st Elim came UPS from NY to CA. It was pretty damaged by the time I got it. The worst was a broken case (near the motor mount) It was clearly dropped. The second came by a freight company on a pallet. I went and picked it up at the local facility. Don't know if it is an option for you but worked well for me.

[Oldfordman]

Index Jeff wrote:


I had lost several packages before I called. Packages that were just tossed at the end of the driveway, and locals would drive by and steal them, because I had no idea the packages were there.

Must be that shady bunch that lives in Skykomish:R

[Index_Jeff]

JosephH1 wrote:
I am waiting for my THIRD generator from Parts America. I had called for a refund after the second one arrived heavily damaged, but they were willing to send another before refunding my money. Unfortately, no one sells the unit within a 4 hour drive. Somewhere way back in the pages of this thread I think I remember reading that the units once had L brackets that needed to be removed before operation. Neither of the damaged generators had the brackets installed and I believe the brackets would have prevented much of the damage have experienced.
If the one to be delivered this week is damaged too I am going to get a refund and just wait until my next road trip to see my sister in W Va. and find one there. UPS is also the outfit delivering, and I believe damaging the gensets. I will give you an update when it is delivered this later week.

Joeseph,

It sounds to me like someone is sending you units that have been unpackaged, then returned to the store.

The units were not re-packaged correctly, and thus suffered the damage in shipping.

That said, I actually watched my old UPS delivery guy throw packages out of his van, and then literally kick them uphill in the general direction of the house.

The second time I saw this, I reported it to the local UPS office.

I had lost several packages before I called. Packages that were just tossed at the end of the driveway, and locals would drive by and steal them, because I had no idea the packages were there.

I have a new UPS delivery guy, and the guy is very professional about his job.

Maybe you need a new UPS guy. 😉 LOL

[Book1973]

Thanks coachk34

[coachk34]

Book1973, when doing the check out with parts americal enter this coupon code: wamu10

That will get you the 10% off.

[subcamper]

JosephH1 wrote:

I am waiting for my THIRD generator from Parts America. I had called for a refund after the second one arrived heavily damaged, but they were willing to send another before refunding my money. Unfortately, no one sells the unit within a 4 hour drive. Somewhere way back in the pages of this thread I think I remember reading that the units once had L brackets that needed to be removed before operation. Neither of the damaged generators had the brackets installed and I believe the brackets would have prevented much of the damage have experienced.
If the one to be delivered this week is damaged too I am going to get a refund and just wait until my next road trip to see my sister in W Va. and find one there. UPS is also the outfit delivering, and I believe damaging the gensets. I will give you an update when it is delivered this later week.

JosephH1:

I live a short distance from you (down Rt 104 in Cambria) and received my Champion from Parts America last November. There were no L-brackets on mine. It was double boxed with peanuts between the boxes. The outer box was punctured and ripped in one spot, but the inside box was OK.

The large number of generators that appear to be damaged in shipping seems abnormal. Either the manufacturer is poorly packaging them, or some careless (or disgruntled) employees at UPS are handling them too roughly because they are heavy. I have had people claim they observed a UPS delivery person push a package off the delivery truck down onto the pavement. Certainly at some point someone at the delivery service would have to answer to their company on the high rate of damages (that the company and/or insurance had to pay for).

Well, good luck with the latest shipment. Hope it arrives fairly intact.

Steve

[Book1973]

TrailHead wrote:

I purchased a Champion 46540 (thank you) from PartsAmerica and used the 10% off coupon code (thank you).

TrailHead

Where did you find the 10% coupon? I am thinking of ordering the Champion 46450 also.

Thanks

[JosephH1]

hmans3 wrote:
Joseph h1,Let us know how your replacement is. I all so got mine from parts america. It was damaged. It had a bent muffler flange,dent in the valve cover,bent cross frame, and a dent in the pull start cover from the gas shut off valve.This thing was double boxed.It must have been droped hard a few times in shipping.It came ups.This isn't the first ups damaged I encountered. hmans3

I am waiting for my THIRD generator from Parts America. I had called for a refund after the second one arrived heavily damaged, but they were willing to send another before refunding my money. Unfortately, no one sells the unit within a 4 hour drive. Somewhere way back in the pages of this thread I think I remember reading that the units once had L brackets that needed to be removed before operation. Neither of the damaged generators had the brackets installed and I believe the brackets would have prevented much of the damage have experienced.
If the one to be delivered this week is damaged too I am going to get a refund and just wait until my next road trip to see my sister in W Va. and find one there. UPS is also the outfit delivering, and I believe damaging the gensets. I will give you an update when it is delivered this later week.

[Clark_W__Griswo]

I fired my ELIM 3000w gen up for its monthly checkup today. It started on the second pull, as always.

Shortly after starting the genny I noticed gas leaking out of the primitive fuel guage on top of the tank. Has anyone else experienced this? I will need to get that fixed before I take it out on our March camping trip.

Does anyone have any suggestions as to how this problem can be fixed?

Thanks in advance.

Clark

[hmans3]

Joseph h1,Let us know how your replacement is. I all so got mine from parts america. It was damaged. It had a bent muffler flange,dent in the valve cover,bent cross frame, and a dent in the pull start cover from the gas shut off valve.This thing was double boxed.It must have been droped hard a few times in shipping.It came ups.This isn't the first ups damaged I encountered. hmans3

[toprudder]

Katdaddy wrote:
I'll throw this out to anybody who can answer; What comes out of the 12 v plug on the Elim 3000 if it does not have a 12 v winding? I am still toying with a sound enclosure for mine and thought I would plug a 12 v fan into this outlet. Not a good idea?????

I'm not familiar with the ELIM, but on most of the generators that I have seen with a 12v output, it is not filtered DC. It is intended to connect to a 12v battery for charging purposes. It might run a 12v fan if it has a brushed motor, but will probably not run a brushless computer type fan.

Bob R.

[Accurate]

I used a Yamaha Hour meter that uses an inductive pick up by winding its
pickup wire around the spark plug wire.
So when ever the Gen is running its showing me RPM. When the Gen is shut off it shows total hours run At 10 hours the unit starts flash the display {Yamaha 1st service interval}
Thereafter it runs 50 hours before it flashes the display indicating service time again.

So far so good, I've not needed it for back-up power as yet so I only run it while I'm "playing" with it & to make sure it runs once or twice a month.

KenS