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...

[MrWizard]

I believe the Canadian version is required by law (Ca electrical code) to bond the neutral side to the grd wire/frame of the generator, the USA version does not have this physical bonding of the frame to the neutral

[Happy_Waver]

I just wanted to thank everyone for the depth that this forum has gone into. Outside of skirting I am only up to page 58... gonna be a long road.
It help me decide and purchase my new Champion Generator and couldn't be happier. Runs everything on the 25ft TT on the driveway like butter, haven't had a chance to take it to the campground yet. (don't forsee any issues)
On the driveway, it sounds only a small amount louder then the neighbors Honda 3000. (with the AC on) of course on idle there is a difference. He is a through and through Honda fan and he even managed to give it some credit.
I purchase the CSA40025 model (3000/3500), shows as exclusive to Canada only, not sure why. If that has been discused in the 700 pages I haven't gotten through my applogies.
I will post again after my first weekend
Thanks Again to all participating

[MrWizard]

the gas cap on this one is a 'screw in' threaded click cap, like cars have, there is NO manual vent, I don't know about modding it for extended run system, i'll have to check out the 'extended run' tank threads , too see what types of gas caps the hondas and kipors have.

BTW
there is a 'consolidated' "Honeywell generator" thread in the tech forum, where we should keep the discussions pertaining only to Honeywell inverter generator,

[sprint7]

MrWizard, Do you think the fuel cap can me modified for an external tank similar to the Honda's?

[tailgater]

I've got a chinese knock off ($298 delivered off EBay).
When I'm charging batteries (econo mode) and it's behind my trailer, I contantly have to walk behind the camper to make sure it's still running.
Darn thing is super quiet without a load.

It takes about 5 pulls to get it going the first time after sitting, perhaps to pump gas to the chamber. After that, it's firt pull every time until I run it dry for storage.

I still haven't tried my AC, but I will based on your experience with the Honeywell.

The only problem is getting parts. The gas cap vent unit already busted, but it runs perfect without it. Don't know why it's there.

[gasser9]

Cabela's is offering the "1200" champ for $199 & the 4800watt for 499

[tvman44]

The built in 12 volt charger is not worth having or using.

[MrWizard]

tailgater wrote:
Mr Wizard,
How did you get it for $299?
I checked online and the regular price is $699, not your listed price of $499.
Did they mismark this at your local HD?

this is 'in store' special, NOT online

they might be on close out ? I don't know !

this was posted in the tech forum last week several times by different members, after going nearby to fill my propane, I stopped in there on Sat to look at them, , on Sun-fathers day I went back an got one. it is NOT online, and it is NOT adv in there flyers, you have to go to the store and look for them, in the tool dept

and pardon my previous typo, the original price was $449, $50 less than what i put in my earlier posts

I still have my Champ, and i still like it, and i might even need it for the A/C when we hit triple digits, the HW might not run the A/C when the temps are that hot IDK yet.

the reason i had never bought an inverter genny was because i could not afford NOR justify the price of a 3000w or take a chance on $700 up for a 2000w that might not run my A/C etc.

at $326.60 out the door including the taxes, i felt i could take a chance, and if I wasn't happy, I could return it or sell it, depending on the 'time span' involved

so far i'm happy with its performance & quality of build

I will say this, we got annoyed using it for the electric drip coffee maker, we like to leave the coffee maker on to keep the coffee warm, the heating element cycles on and off, the 'Inverter' genny is 'RAMPING up & down' every few minutes, this is very annoying, i would rather listen to a constant drone. so either i am going to have to turn the coffee maker off, and deal with heating cold coffee in the MW, or run the Champ or Onan for coffee, and use the HW only after morning coffee is finished.

I did try switching econ OFF, which raised the basic speed up so the RAMPING difference was not as great, but it still ramped up & down with the cycling of the coffee maker.

IF you are the type that makes drip coffee, then turns off the coffee maker, because you consume it pretty quick and it won't get cold, then you won't get annoyed,

its a totally personal thing, but something i've NEVER SEEN mentioned in any previous generator thread

since inverter generators are quieter, it may be less noticeable further from the campsite or less noticeable if you are watching the morning news on TV.

everything has its place, and i'm not ready to dump my Champion.

[toprudder]

sprint7 wrote:
Champion just called me back. This model does not have the 12v. output. I wanted this feature but it is not a deal breaker.

IMHO, you are better off getting an external battery charger anyway, though it is more cost and an additional thing to lug around. The generator's 12v output is not regulated and can end up overcharging a battery.

[sprint7]

professor95 wrote:

sprint7 wrote:
I just went to TSC to pick up the Champion 3500 for $299. There website shows model 46540 but when I got to the store the model was 46514. Champion does not show this model on there site. It appears to look the same. Anyone know if there are any differences between these two models???

You have the newer model that now comes with over voltage protection. The engine will shut down should the AVR fail and cause the voltagfe to rise above 140 VAC. Other than that change, it is identical to the 46540.

Champion just called me back. This model does not have the 12v. output. I wanted this feature but it is not a deal breaker.

[sprint7]

professor95 wrote:

sprint7 wrote:
I just went to TSC to pick up the Champion 3500 for $299. There website shows model 46540 but when I got to the store the model was 46514. Champion does not show this model on there site. It appears to look the same. Anyone know if there are any differences between these two models???

You have the newer model that now comes with over voltage protection. The engine will shut down should the AVR fail and cause the voltagfe to rise above 140 VAC. Other than that change, it is identical to the 46540.

Thank you very much!!

[professor95]

sprint7 wrote:
I just went to TSC to pick up the Champion 3500 for $299. There website shows model 46540 but when I got to the store the model was 46514. Champion does not show this model on there site. It appears to look the same. Anyone know if there are any differences between these two models???

You have the newer model that now comes with over voltage protection. The engine will shut down should the AVR fail and cause the voltagfe to rise above 140 VAC. Other than that change, it is identical to the 46540.

[sprint7]

I just went to TSC to pick up the Champion 3500 for $299. There website shows model 46540 but when I got to the store the model was 46514. Champion does not show this model on there site. It appears to look the same. Anyone know if there are any differences between these two models???

[tailgater]

Mr Wizard,
How did you get it for $299?
I checked online and the regular price is $699, not your listed price of $499.
Did they mismark this at your local HD?

[MrWizard]

pardon my typo

no new model

i'm referring to the honda EU2000i inverter model

I forgot the 'E' and misplaced the 'U'