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]

pritch272 wrote:
I see that there was a $100 rebate that expired a couple of days ago on the famous C46540...

click here

But it still sells for $299 in the CSK stores, not the $349 jacked up price to get the rebate.

[pritch272]

I see that there was a $100 rebate that expired a couple of days ago on the famous C46540...

click here

[MrWizard]

GERRY..keep us updated..

FWTW i think it would be a good idea to run a tank of gas thru the genny, with A/C and battery charging

then change the oil, less likely to get a surprise, when you go camping, the current hot weather will be a good test

[Wuttevr]

Gerry2006 wrote:
Here is my first update on my Duropower DP3600Ri, 3600W Digital Inverter Generator with Remote Start:

Gerry,

Thanks for the post. Keep us posted on your experience(s). What is the price tag for one of these little gems? Are we talking under a grand?

[blkfe]

beardedone wrote:
I have a Champion gen set and we just got a new 5th wheel that has a sealed compartment in the front for the installation of a generator. How can I rig up an exhaust system for the Champion. I was also thinking of putting a good sized fan in there and plugging it into the gen set to help blow air through the compartment. We will only be using the generator on an infrequent basis such as making my coffee on the side of road.
thanks for all replies

Here is a link to a project I did which sounds simular to what you want to do.
My champion Rv install

Hope this helps in some way,
Brad

[Gerry2006]

Here is my first update on my Duropower DP3600Ri, 3600W Digital Inverter Generator with Remote Start: I received it slightly ahead of the time frame (5 days) that they said it would be delivered. It was crated and packed very well. The manufacture date for the motor is listed as 03-31-08. The motor manufacturer is Wenling Jennfeng Industry Inc. Of course I put oil and gas in it and it was ready to test fire. The battery for the electric start was not dead but too low to turn it over. It started right up with the pull start and I recharged the battery with an auxilliary battery charger. After the recharge, it worked great. The remote start button needs to be pressed twice for it to start, and you need to hold the remote kill button down until it turns completely off or the momemntum of the engine will make it restart. The remote works great but why I am getting into this level of detail, is that the manual doesn't tell you the information I just did up above. That brings me to the biggest complaint; that the manual is barely adequate and you can certainly tell that English is a second language for its writer. Other than that, it seems to be a good machine. I put it through various loads including the A/C on my trailer and the direct DC output. It performed perfectly. I think it may be a bit louder than the 59db published (but much softer than my old Generac 3500 watt generator), but until I get a meter, I won't be able to confirm that. I really won't put it through heavier use until I go to Yosemite the middle of August. After that, I'll update my report. So far though I am very satisfied with the product.

[beardedone]

I have a Champion gen set and we just got a new 5th wheel that has a sealed compartment in the front for the installation of a generator. How can I rig up an exhaust system for the Champion. I was also thinking of putting a good sized fan in there and plugging it into the gen set to help blow air through the compartment. We will only be using the generator on an infrequent basis such as making my coffee on the side of road.
thanks for all replies

[tammyinwv]

I am thinking about getting a champion generator. My 5th wheel is equipped with a transfer switch,should I run the generator thru the transfer switch or just plug it into my regular power cord?

[professor95]

Old & Slow wrote:
Professor's idea of using Hardi products sounds good. Cover it with carpet, treated with Fire X and bingo. Yet to be tested but that will happen. Four portable panels leaving one inch of air space around the genny and I think success will follow. Make sure the panels are elevated at the bottom for air flow. Prof shows a platform elevate one 2 x 4's with a fan under the genhead air exhaust. These panels could sit on that platform. 63/64 dBA maybe? Prof will no doubt show us how.

Actually, I believe the 1/2" jameshardie concrete backer board would be adequate without carpet.

I have done some "experimentation" by placing the panels around the ELM3000. I know it will work and would not be too expensive or difficult. The Hardie-Backer is very dense and smooth. Other brands of concrete backer board are not nearly as good for this use. I built a cold air return box out of Hardi-backer last fall for use with my solid fuel furnance system.



It was easy to work with, fireproof and is uneffected by rain or water. I glued the joints with a 3M fiber mastic made for sealing duct work. If I had a 36" sheet metal shear and brake, I would have used metal - but, I don't so the Hardie-Backer worked real good as a optional material. It will most likely be fall before I get around to actually making a complete enclosure out of the stuff for the ELM3000. Maybe someone else will do it before I do and share the results?

Its time for us to hit the road. Nancy is out of school and we are going to use the kid's inheritance to buy enough fuel to get us where we want to go. Probably won't have Internet access again until mid July when we reach Emerald Isle, NC.

[Old___Slow]

Professor's idea of using Hardi products sounds good. Cover it with carpet, treated with Fire X and bingo. Yet to be tested but that will happen. Four portable panels leaving one inch of air space around the genny and I think success will follow. Make sure the panels are elevated at the bottom for air flow. Prof shows a platform elevate one 2 x 4's with a fan under the genhead air exhaust. These panels could sit on that platform. 63/64 dBA maybe? Prof will no doubt show us how.

[lzasitko]

newwizhoo wrote:
Have any of you in search of trying to build a quiet enclosure for a "louder" genny seen this product. "Acoustiblok"
1/8 of an inch thick.
They claim has lowered db levels by 30.
Do a search on their website.
Looks pretty amazing.
I wonder how well an enclosure wrapped in this stuff would do.

Looks really good but it is expensive
Contractor price is 2.88/sq ft (roll is 135 sq ft or 270 sq ft) and that does not include shipping taxes etc
Of course buying more rolls you can get reduced costs, ie over 500 rolls the price drops to 2.25/sq ft 🙂
Weight is 16 oz/sq ft

[Old___Slow]

Yes Prof, I know. I made such a good deal on that last MH ( only owned it three days) and sold it to a guy who never ask about the ONAN, so didn't tell a lie and he didn't ask for a full disclosure. I'm spared for the moment. LOL. But as you know I have that C46540 always ready to go. You know, the ACE in the hole. Champion will ship a new AVR el-quick-o if ever needed, right?

[professor95]

Old & Slow wrote:
Got me a newer MH with a, yes, ONAN.

uhhhhh...... hummmmm......... well, I guess you know that the Onan has an AVR?

Congrats on the newer MH.

[professor95]

Actually, you need to go here to scratch the surface of all the manufacturers and sources of generators made in China. I tracked over 50 different Chinese companies making and selling generators two years ago and the number has increased since then. Just browsing the above site will blow your mind. Most any of these companies could be building generators for _________________ (fill in the blank).

Additionally, keep in mind any of us could go into the Chinese generator business at any time and have a custom name and color. All we need is enough capital to order a container of the little buggers from any of these suppliers. Create a flashy web site and bang - we are in business!

Unfortunately, there have been some rip-off companies that advertise a product they do not have. They take orders until they generate the capital to order a container and then "maybe" deliver a product - some two or more months after collecting a customer's money.

Too many scams and rip-offs IMHO. Somebody always trying to save a buck and someone trying to take it away from you. I am a very cautious buyer when it comes to items like Chinese gennys - I want to know my supplier and be sure I have parts and CS after the sale.

[Gerry2006]

In reply to Trumptman88, yes, that is the site and what looks like a companion site, that has a bit more information but also has broken links here: http://www.dexin-intl.com.cn/index.php?style=2