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...
โMay-04-2009 08:33 AM
professor95 wrote:
Paul Cole (aka Champion Power Equipment Sr. Service Engineer) is flying into Richmond Friday night for the NASCAR race on Saturday. I will once again have the opportunity to spend some time with Paul and pick his brain for what I can about any new products, accessories or changes. Unless I have to cut my finger and sign a non-disclosure agreement in blood I'll let the thread know what to look for.
โMay-02-2009 08:11 AM
โMay-02-2009 07:43 AM
Old & Slow wrote:
Then is it the opinion on this thread that all generator engines are the same in the noise factor? A Honda 3000i has the same noise factor as a k/o Honda GX200 like in the Champion 3000? It has been my thinking the noise factor is in the orignal design. We had the old loud jet engines and then came a more quiet engine. Nothing to do with a water jacket. The proof is in the pudding.
Floyd
โMay-02-2009 04:27 AM
โMay-01-2009 01:40 PM
twcguy wrote:
Does anyone have any info on this Homelite model that is available at Home Depot? Subaru engine, $499.
http://www.homelite.com/catalog/generators/HG3500
It will be used for camping out in the local deserts, so noise is not a big concern.
โMay-01-2009 09:50 AM
โMay-01-2009 08:22 AM
professor95 wrote:
Floyd,
You can purchase acoustic foam from a source such as Parts Express with the convoulted design. The price is about $5 to $12 per sq. foot, depending on the thickness.
A similar shaped convoulted foam is used in mattress pads and typically runs about $1 per square foot when you consider the size and cost of a typical pad. For example; a twin pad is about 20 sq. ft. and runs about $20. Hospital grade pads have a denser foam and deeper "fingers". Check the internet and local home health care stores for sources in your area. The one I have came from a drugstore in town that sells speciality home medical care products and is designed to reduce the incidence of bed sores in confined patients.
As for lighter metals in the Chinese GX200 engine, no is the answer. The thickness of the block would have little or nothing to do with the noise anyway. A water cooled engine would, of course, reduce noise.
As discussed in previous threads, the majority of noise comes from the lower block or crank case area. Second source of noise is in the fan and flywheel compartment. The exhaust is well muffled.
The engine is what the engine is..... a small air cooled 4 stroke, OHV power equipment engine used on everything from water pumps to minibikes and go carts.
Snip~
I am surprised you asked this question. I was under the impression that you had found a design that was successful for the Duropower in the old MH.
โMay-01-2009 07:05 AM
twcguy wrote:
Does anyone have any info on this Homelite model that is available at Home Depot? Subaru engine, $499.
http://www.homelite.com/catalog/generators/HG3500
It will be used for camping out in the local deserts, so noise is not a big concern.
โMay-01-2009 06:53 AM
โMay-01-2009 05:45 AM
โApr-30-2009 07:02 PM
โApr-30-2009 05:20 AM
โApr-29-2009 11:54 AM
โApr-29-2009 09:45 AM
Emptyspaces wrote:
Professor,
I recently bought a 1200/1500w Model ST1500 mfg. by Robot. It's the typical GX clone in a downsized version. It has an oil leak at the governor shaft on top of the block. I've looked at every IPB of this series motor and none show a seal for the shaft, only a plain flat washer.
In your Photobucket pics you have an excellent shot of the governor.
It appears there might be a seal in the case where the shaft goes through the block. Do you remember if this is a seal or just a washer?
I've check for a plugged crankcase vent and is OK. The leak is significant while running. If this is just a flat washer it probably is to deflect oil thrown from the crank and may be missing. Returning the gen is not an option so I may have to do surgery.
Thanks
โApr-29-2009 09:33 AM
Old & Slow wrote:
And Prof, where did you buy that blue stuff you used for sound suppression. I like that too!
Floyd