โMar-02-2005 06:20 AM
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 โcloningโ 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 โrunningโ 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. โSupposedlyโ 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 โabove average qualityโ 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 โavailability listingโ.
The generator head itself is a brushless design. The only really significant wear parts in the generator are the bearings โ most likely universally available.
The published dB rating is 67 at 23 feet. This is โreasonablyโ 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 โlook alikeโ eng...
โJun-26-2007 07:06 PM
MrWizard wrote:
OK. New scenario. Say I just wanted to install a 30 amp plug in a box onto the side of my generator. As long as I use big enough wires, can I just use the following diagram and hook up a new outlet? this way the genny stays the same and I get a new outlet. I know that I will need to run the genny in 240 mode, but I'll only be using 120.
NO don't do it that way, don't run in 220 mode, that will split the windings and give you have POWER/amps on the outlet because you will only be using ONE winding
jumper the wires from the duplex connections to the new RV outlet and leave it in the 120 mode, you will get the full 25 amps.
you can remove the 220 outlet, capp the wires( do not use them ) replace with the RV outlet, and jumper the wires from the duplex to the new outlet
โJun-26-2007 01:54 PM
MrWizard wrote:
OK. New scenario. Say I just wanted to install a 30 amp plug in a box onto the side of my generator. As long as I use big enough wires, can I just use the following diagram and hook up a new outlet? this way the genny stays the same and I get a new outlet. I know that I will need to run the genny in 240 mode, but I'll only be using 120.
NO don't do it that way, don't run in 220 mode, that will split the windings and give you have POWER/amps on the outlet because you will only be using ONE winding
jumper the wires from the duplex connections to the new RV outlet and leave it in the 120 mode, you will get the full 25 amps.
you can remove the 220 outlet, capp the wires( do not use them ) replace with the RV outlet, and jumper the wires from the duplex to the new outlet
โJun-26-2007 12:00 PM
OK. New scenario. Say I just wanted to install a 30 amp plug in a box onto the side of my generator. As long as I use big enough wires, can I just use the following diagram and hook up a new outlet? this way the genny stays the same and I get a new outlet. I know that I will need to run the genny in 240 mode, but I'll only be using 120.
โJun-26-2007 11:43 AM
StaJs wrote:BORoarke wrote:
Anyone have a picture of where you put the RTV silicone on the white fan to reduce some of the noise from that end? Or can explain the process?
Bryan
HERE
Scroll down toward the bottom of the page. The original post seems to have disappeared, but you don't need to remove the starter first, remove the starter and housing as a unit.
โJun-26-2007 07:58 AM
Todd Barney wrote:
whatsnext, I recognize that pic! I think I know you from another forum, don't I, "chief?" ๐
โJun-26-2007 07:48 AM
jpkiljan wrote:yerlizard wrote:
here is a picture of the wiring on the newer Power Pro 3500
The tab between the outlets is in place and on the red and blue wires going to it. What does this tell you?
does this help any?
Edited to reduce picture width - Mel
It just looks like it is wired they way the wiring diagram says it is supposed to be wired. Well, it is if you assume that you are looking at the rear of the sockets in the wiring diagram. I also assume the little T-shaped slots in the 120V receptacle are on the bottom of the socket when the panel is reassembled--like it is on mine.
--John
โJun-26-2007 07:44 AM
MrWizard wrote:
nice YANKEE DIY, i'll bet most of the honda owners will elect NOT to try this.
most of them don't even read ths thread
โJun-26-2007 07:44 AM
โJun-26-2007 06:27 AM
BORoarke wrote:
You said that the genny struggled but was it able to keep A/C running for you? We bought the Champion to run our A/C when we are up in East Zion during the summer and the elevation there is right at 7,000 ft. The nights get down into the low 40's, even during the summertime but gets up to the 90's during the day. As long as we can get the A/C running, we'll be happy. We will be testing it out this weekend.
โJun-26-2007 05:42 AM
โJun-25-2007 10:18 PM
โJun-25-2007 08:21 PM
whatsnext wrote:bobandcat wrote:whatsnext wrote:
This is a mod for someone that has a little extra time on their hands. It will make your wife happy and you will not have to get out of bed to start your generator. She can even start the generator.
the 13 sec video
The starter is cheap Briggs and the remote is a 4 function Chinese made.
The remote is good for about 100'
Please post more details. What briggs starter parts are needed? What did they cost? Name and cost of the remote starter module? Do you have pics of the installation to share? Etc, etc, etc.
Bob,
I will try this weekend to do a short write up with links and pics
โJun-25-2007 07:49 PM
Wuttevr wrote:
Just a couple of observations after a trip to YP:
1) At 8,000 feet above sea level, the Champ starts to struggle a little bit with the A/C. I should probably see about rejetting the carb.
2) Unless the one next to me was very broken in some unobvious way, a Honda EU is hardly quieter than the champ with the Eco-Throttle off. It served as my 8:00 wake-up call. I will admit that with no load and Eco on, they are whisper quiet.
Carry on.
โJun-25-2007 09:49 AM
StaJs wrote:BORoarke wrote:
Anyone have a picture of where you put the RTV silicone on the white fan to reduce some of the noise from that end? Or can explain the process?
Bryan
HERE
Scroll down toward the bottom of the page. The original post seems to have disappeared, but you don't need to remove the starter first, remove the starter and housing as a unit.
โJun-25-2007 06:33 AM