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3000W Chinese Gensets Info.

professor95
Explorer
Explorer
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 โ€œcloningโ€ 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 โ€œrunningโ€ 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. โ€œSupposedlyโ€ 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 โ€œabove 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 โ€œavailability 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 โ€œreasonablyโ€ 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 โ€œlook alikeโ€ eng...






















Professor Randy T. Agee & Nancy Agee. Also Oscar, the totally ruined Dachshund.
2009 Cedar Creek 5th Wheel - 2004 Volvo VNL670 class 8 MotorHome conversion as toter.
Turbocharged, 12L, 465 HP and 1,800 ft. Lbs. of torque.
10,029 REPLIES 10,029

tubular031
Explorer
Explorer
I pulled my little champ out of the garage to use tonight . Brought my trailer home from the shop and wanted to have some ac while we clean it up. Started it up and it fired on the first pull but was pulsing. After about 5 minutes it keeps pulsing. It will not start the ac and it just boggs down big time when I try to start it. It almost smells like its running rich. When I put it away last time I shut off the fuel valve off. It was sitting in the garage for about 6 weeks.

Did the gas go bad? The jets in the carb gummed up? Not sure where to start other then to pull the intake and shoot a bunch of carb cleaner down there and see what happens? It only has about 10 hours of use on it so far.
Veggie powered 01 F350 CCLB SRW "Tiny"
04 Cedar Creek 5th

Happy_Waver
Explorer
Explorer
I just wanted to do a follow up to my original post about the recently purchased Champion 3000/3500 generator.
I couldn't be happier, we have just returned from our second weekend of use and it hasn't skipped a beat. It has exceeded any of the expectations I had prior to and I am just tickled pink.
After reading many upon many of the posts about the noise of the Champion I was somewhat concerned....but not anymore. While yes, i don't argue that it is louder then a Honda/Yammy in eco mode, i do find little difference when they rev'd up ie running the AC
I won't get into that now, i posted recent experiences with the neighbors here:

http://www.rv.net/forum/index.cfm/fuseaction/thread/tid/22957904/gotomsg/22970823.cfm#22970823

Only once did I start to feel the buyers remorse starting to creep up when a couple we camp with pulled out their Honeywell 2000 and it started the AC on their 19 ft ultra light. It wasn't long (actually one temp cycle on the AC) that I was reminded why I picked the Champion. Their Honeywell couldn't go past one temp cycle, as soon as the compressor came around and turned back on they got nothing but an OVERLOAD light and a violently shaking little red box. (I have no idea what size their AC unit is) It also revs up rather loud.

One thing that did catch my eye was a fellow camper that had tacked 4" nails to a metal plate and secured the plate to sound panels. He just stuck them in the ground on 4 sides of his generator...very large 5000 Watt unit. Seems like a smart, lightwieght solution for some minimal noise reduction

MrWizard
Moderator
Moderator
to .. IMAHappyCamper

this thread has a lot of info about various projects for sound reduction

most of the noise come from the front & intake sides of the engine NOT the exhaust

Gen-Turi exhaust extensions are good for CO removal, but won't do anything for noise reduction

for that you need to a box/compartment and then a lot of airflow to cool it, and relocate the muffler outside the box to remove the heat
from the exhaust
I can explain it to you.
But I Can Not understand it for you !

....

Connected using T-Mobile Home internet and Visible Phone service
1997 F53 Bounder 36s

ol_Bombero-JC
Explorer
Explorer
roadyacht wrote:
STOP THE PRESSES....see what you WILL be able to buy http://www.boattest.com/Resources/view_news.aspx?NewsID=3536


Roadyacht - the little blue icon with "goggles" (7th over from the right, next to the quotation marks) will allow you to post a link that works.

BTW - think the gen in the article will require a gov't (mint) printing press to purchase one - and suspect it will be heavy.
Interesting - but maybe deserves in its "own" thread.

Roady's Link Here

~
JC

IMAHappyCamper
Explorer
Explorer
I purchased a champion 3500watt generator and love it. One or two pulls and it starts right up. I thinking of getting that exhaust extender from CampingWorld or make up my own. Would this make it run a bit quieter and where can I get the right size adapter or plate to screw on where the spark arrestor goes?

Old___Slow
Explorer
Explorer
JConatser wrote:
Regarding LCT engines, you might find this link interesting.

RE Chinese engines, read David R.'s profile on the left side of the page at the link above. He looks like a good guy to get to know!



I ask (China Dave) about the Champion engine. He states " the Champion engine is VARY dependable" and leaves a live link to 'championpowerequipment'. Hmmm, sounds good and I agree.

MrWizard
Moderator
Moderator
professor95 wrote:
MrWizard wrote:

when taking the picture, count to '3' after you heard the click, before moving your fingers, hands & PHONE


OK. Great advice from a cell phone pro! Now, why doesn't the manual tell you taht?


IDK

I think some manuals of some phones tell you too wait 2 seconds

the audio click, is really a notifier that the button has been pushed and the 'command' is being processed, the picture taking doesn't happen until after the click, the amt of time for processing depends on the particular camera chip and the quality setting used
I can explain it to you.
But I Can Not understand it for you !

....

Connected using T-Mobile Home internet and Visible Phone service
1997 F53 Bounder 36s

professor95
Explorer
Explorer
MrWizard wrote:

when taking the picture, count to '3' after you heard the click, before moving your fingers, hands & PHONE


OK. Great advice from a cell phone pro! Now, why doesn't the manual tell you taht?
Professor Randy T. Agee & Nancy Agee. Also Oscar, the totally ruined Dachshund.
2009 Cedar Creek 5th Wheel - 2004 Volvo VNL670 class 8 MotorHome conversion as toter.
Turbocharged, 12L, 465 HP and 1,800 ft. Lbs. of torque.

roadyacht
Explorer
Explorer
STOP THE PRESSES....see what you WILL be able to buy http://www.boattest.com/Resources/view_news.aspx?NewsID=3536

goreds2
Explorer
Explorer
I will try that MrWizard. Thanks for the information.
See Picture In My Profile
I have a 1989 Dodge XPLORER RV Class B - Purchased 10/15/10 IN CASH
Fiance' purchased a Class C 2002 Dynamax Carri-go on 5/1/15 IN CASH
We've got the best of both worlds

MrWizard
Moderator
Moderator
OFF TOPIC: regarding cell phone camera functions

the audio 'click' is NOT a physical shutter and does not mean the picture has been taken,

when taking the picture, count to '3' after you heard the click, before moving your fingers, hands & PHONE

all of them are notoriously slow, but once you get used to using it, you will get much better pictures.

if viewing the display as a view finder, click the button, BUT DON'T move, until you see the image on the screen

the display will go blank, then come back on with the picture, now it is safe to move,

99% of the pictures I post on here are taken with what ever cell phone I am carrying that day.

including these



I can explain it to you.
But I Can Not understand it for you !

....

Connected using T-Mobile Home internet and Visible Phone service
1997 F53 Bounder 36s

JConatser
Explorer
Explorer
Regarding LCT engines, you might find this link interesting.

RE Chinese engines, read David R.'s profile on the left side of the page at the link above. He looks like a good guy to get to know!
Ameri-Lite 24RB
2003 Chevy 1500 Ext Cab, 5.7L
Equal-i-zer Hitch

professor95
Explorer
Explorer
I was in Loweโ€™s and noticed a Husqvarna tiller with a GX-200 style Chinese built Honda clone engine sitting on the display floor. Across the center of the recoil starter was printed, โ€œLiquid Combustion Technologyโ€. I pondered, โ€œWhat the heck doses that mean?โ€, thinking it was emphasizing some sort of fuel delivery technology I was unaware of. I made a few shots with my phone camera. Sorry the focus was not too good.

As it turns out, LCT is a company that imports a GX200 clone engine much like CPE. A little more on-line research indicated that the main problems with their engines were associated with gas leakage from the carburetor โ€“ just like the rest of the Chinese GX160 and GX200 clones.

What I found interesting was what LCT had to say about their MAXXpower engines compared to the rest of the lot on their web site. Apparently they do not believe their engines are a copy of the Honda
GX200 - but they obviously are.

Why am I posting this on the Chinese Generator Info thread? Well, this is yet another example of the engine development and technology being used to power the 3,000 watt class Chinese generators. MAXXpower is an engine brand appearing on some Chinese 3,000 watt class generators. Much like CPE, LCT is also an American owned company that appears to be looking after its customers.

Personally, I found it interesting โ€“ and not just because Husqvarna was using a Chinese clone engine.

I still don't know what the heck Liquid Combustion Technology is.





Professor Randy T. Agee & Nancy Agee. Also Oscar, the totally ruined Dachshund.
2009 Cedar Creek 5th Wheel - 2004 Volvo VNL670 class 8 MotorHome conversion as toter.
Turbocharged, 12L, 465 HP and 1,800 ft. Lbs. of torque.

pritch272
Explorer
Explorer
Rod Wise wrote:
Does anyone have any info on origin of the Honeywell generators that Walmart sells on line; they come with a 3 year warranty, and prices seem reasonable.


If you are talking about the 2000i, go here.

Just picked up one from Home Depot this morning, and it is substantially more solid than the 2000 watt AllPower we got from Pep boys a few years back. Haven't fired it up yet, just took it out of the box.
2007 Keystone Laredo 29RL, 2000 Ford F250 7.3 PSD, Firestone bags, Pressure Pro, 16" Michelin XPS Ribs, MorRyde Pin Box, Dexter EZ-Flex, PI EMS-HW30C, Dirt Devil CV950 Central Vacuum, 2000W AllPower by Kipor, 4000/3500W Champion C46540

professor95
Explorer
Explorer
Below are the electrical schematics for the new model number Champion generators. Note the HD model does not show a bonded neutral in the schematic as the literature suggests :@. The over-voltage protection module replaces the traditional transition diode on all 4 models. Thus, that little 3/4" square silver box at the bottom front right of the engine or on the upper right of the shroud will NOT be present.





Professor Randy T. Agee & Nancy Agee. Also Oscar, the totally ruined Dachshund.
2009 Cedar Creek 5th Wheel - 2004 Volvo VNL670 class 8 MotorHome conversion as toter.
Turbocharged, 12L, 465 HP and 1,800 ft. Lbs. of torque.