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...

[Old___Slow]

Prof95:

We wait. OP, please do come in......class still open, as far as I know.

[denverhank]

Has anyone seen their rebate yet? If so, how long did it take?

[Old___Slow]

racefan1965 wrote:
Well Floyd, the doctors say I'm only disabled from the waist down but the DW says it's from the neck up at times.lol I'd love to see what you come up with for a simple portable sound enclosure set up Floyd. I've always loved ingenuity. Especially when partnered with simplicity.

Rick

Rick,

You have proven to be a man of good judgment. And I like your idea of simplicity. At this time I must defer and further posts of my projects in sound lowering to Professor, Champion and others. Back to the future and solutions from others.

Floyd

[racefan1965]

Well Floyd, the doctors say I'm only disabled from the waist down but the DW says it's from the neck up at times.lol I'd love to see what you come up with for a simple portable sound enclosure set up Floyd. I've always loved ingenuity. Especially when partnered with simplicity.

Rick

[Old___Slow]

Racefan1965,

I thought you might like to have up-date on my C46540. Well, you got me thinking about the 'simple thing' I always did like to KISS, as in, keep it simple stupid. So my C46540 is now back in it's great simple state. I had a pretty elaborate sound lower enclosure. You have previously mentioned being 100% disabled. Later you let us know it's your legs not the upper body. Your mind is good, lol. Your keyboard works well. And there are others who would like to have some simply solution for sound lowering if at all possible. Professor put me to thinking a long time ago about different possible ways to make something portable. We are working with a PORTABLE genset after all. I will now go about constructing (just one answer) a more simple enclosure. The material is all in hand. All the materials except the fan are from HD and Lowe's. A two hour project at the most. I will let you know later the dBA.

Brad, The excitement of a kid in a candy store?, how about a old buzzard like me?, I still like the sweet stuff.:B Electric Start and a remote for little Champ? she might take the cake:W

Floyd

[blkfe]

Yes, when the electric start kit is available I will be installing it.
Floyd.......The availability of the remote start does have me thinking....It's not easy for a man like me to deal with all the options. The whole "Kid in a candy store" thing..............
Brad

[racefan1965]

blkfe wrote:

Old & Slow wrote:
Brad,

We will be waiting for a report on the completion of your Champion project. Maybe we can hear from others with the stories of retro success. Some are like Silent Sam. We have to make our fearless leader proud, if possible.

Floyd

Hey Floyd,
I have been in a holding pattern awaiting things to fall into place. Sounds to me like the wait might have been worth it. My Duct tape and glue are in hand.......;)
Brad

So, Brad, does this mean your going to be the site guinnypig and buy the retro kit (if and when they become available) and make your c46540 a remote electric start? Would love to see and read how you do it if you do. Not that I will do it. My champion serves my needs 100% as it sits but it would be nice to see how easy a upgrade of that magnitude would be.

[Old___Slow]

Brad,

That wink got me, no screws needed uh, what's the purpose of the glue? Can't you also hang the carpet with Duct tape? Wish I had that 'Duct tape' in the old days of flying my little T Craft crate with the rod on a cork float for a fuel gauge. Progress ma man, progress. Ah, that 'Duct tape' ...we need a story from Prof on all the uses for 'Duct tape' please prof.
Floyd

Question, where you gunna hang the remote? Radio control, ya know! Didn't think we might go that far! Is this for real or have I lost my bearings?:Z

[blkfe]

Old & Slow wrote:
Brad,

We will be waiting for a report on the completion of your Champion project. Maybe we can hear from others with the stories of retro success. Some are like Silent Sam. We have to make our fearless leader proud, if possible.

Floyd

Hey Floyd,
I have been in a holding pattern awaiting things to fall into place. Sounds to me like the wait might have been worth it. My Duct tape and glue are in hand.......;)
Brad

[Old___Slow]

Brad,

We will be waiting for a report on the completion of your Champion project. Maybe we can hear from others with the stories of retro success. Some are like Silent Sam. We have to make our fearless leader proud, if possible.

Floyd

[Old___Slow]

professor95 wrote:

Old & Slow wrote:
Prof95, It's a done deal. No more mention of any desires of better Chinese gensets with lower noise levels from Champion, from this end. For the foreseeable future my mission has failed.

No, you did not fail. You are getting two out of the three (remote and electric start kit).

That is success.

It's apparent you and this thread have some great influence with Champion. I have little to do with anything. This thread has added years to my life. The last year many happy hours I spent in the little GENHOUSE/shop (Yellow and Black), building sound lowering enclosures. Have I learned any thing? That remains to be seen. I have put the little Champ through some pretty tough stress. First in the HM factory genset compartment and then in the shop. I have this to say. She keeps cracking and puttin out some great power.

Yes, adding these new fangled kits would make it a strong contender to that $3000
Honda thingee you mentioned. With a simply sound lowering box I do believe one could hang their hat on it. Thanks Prof.

Floyd

[professor95]

Old & Slow wrote:
Prof95, It's a done deal. No more mention of any desires of better Chinese gensets with lower noise levels from Champion, from this end. For the foreseeable future my mission has failed.

No, you did not fail. You are getting two out of the three (remote and electric start kit).

That is success.

[Old___Slow]

professor95 wrote:

Old & Slow wrote:
Prof95, It's a done deal

My wife brought a rather strange but interesting response with her when she moved from Arkansas. I had never heard it, but like it and now occasionally find myself using it........

"Cool Beans!"

Hmmm, where do I go from here?

[professor95]

Old & Slow wrote:
Prof95, It's a done deal

My wife brought a rather strange but interesting response with her when she moved from Arkansas. I had never heard it, but like it and now occasionally find myself using it........

"Cool Beans!"

[Old___Slow]

Prof95, It's a done deal. No more mention of any desires of better Chinese gensets with lower noise levels from Champion, from this end. For the foreseeable future my mission has failed.

The mention of reliability issues was in reference to your conversation with Mr. Cole, on the development of a possible new genset design or retro. Forgive my confusing wording. Please do continue with the Mr.Paul Cole story.

Floyd