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...

[tvman44]

Nice looking job John. 🙂

[jlaustin]

My DuroPower 3500ES is almost finished. Thought I'd post a couple of pics to show you how it is turning out:

This pic shows it mounted on the back of my FW. I've got the "Stowaway II" mount that I bolted to my 2" receiver hitch and I also bolted it to the FW's bumper to ensure there would be no swaying or deflection of the mount. The genset is bolted through Lord mounts - rubber "donuts" that are normally used to mount airplane engines. You can also see the hose leading to the quick-disconnect on the FW. What you can't see is wiring coming in to the back of the genset to supply +12v for starting and to run the cooling fan and the digital thermometer. I have a "pigtail" with a RV receptacle that I plug my 30 amp service into - the gennie can start the 15K BTU A/C and fan without any problems whatsoever. Eventually, I'll probably put in a permanent wire feed to the FW through an automatic transfer switch.


This pic gives you a close-up of the genset. I modified the panel somewhat - eliminated the key switch and installed a heavy duty push-button starter switch instead (I want to cover the recessed panel with a piece of plexiglass for weather protection and the key protruded out too far). Next to it is an ON/OFF switch to properly kill the engine by shutting down the onboard fuel solenoid. Since the genset did not originally come with an "RV" receptacle, I installed a 30 amp RV pigtail, put the 20 amp 120v receptacle in the 30 amp's hole, removed the 120v duplex receptacle and put a digital thermometer in that position. The sensor is in the mid-portion of the generator head's cooling exhaust vents about 2 cm away from the fins. I also have adjacent to this location a temp switch to activate the 500 cfm ventilation fan in the top and also activate the thermometer - it comes on at about 140 degrees. Since the fan runs off the FW power, it can continue to cool down the genset after shutdown. The orange box on the right is the remote starter receiver module in a gasketed weatherproof box. The silver "hood" is hinged on the right side. I put 1/4" U channel down the sides of the "hood" to make little gutters to deflect rain run-off. The "hood" is carpet lined and the Hardibacker lid holding the ventilation fan is carpet-lined, too. This forms an exhaust duct for the ventilation fan - the fan is to the right over the muffler and generator head. The airflow (and sound) then has to flow across the duct from right to left, hits a deflector and turns down about 45 degrees and exits. The enclosure panels are the original ones, foam lined. I glued 1/4" Hardibacker to the insides, allowing it to "float". The bottom of the genset is totally open as per the original design. I don't have a decibel meter, but it is definitely quieter than its stock configuration. You can comfortably converse anywhere around the unit without raising your voice. Inside the FW, if stand under the A/C unit, you have to strain to hear the gennie. Vibration is almost non-existent. I purposely mounted it a few inches away from the back of the FW to leave room for a sound-attenuating "doghouse", "hoghouse", GenTent, or whatever!


I still need to fabricate a latch for the "hood" and tidy up the internal wiring. I'm going to run some temp tests to be sure all is OK. I would like to put a heat reflector/insulator on the muffler side of the generator head and perhaps duct the generator head's intake to ensure that the coolest possible air is being aspirated into the generator.

Regards,

John

[Wrace]

I suspect this question has been addressed in this thread previously, but I am unaware if the thread itself is searchable by subject.

I have a C46540 and was wondering if there is an electric start kit available for this unit?

Thanks

[joelchappell]

I have been waiting on the Champion electric start model as well. I can only find the bigger one's.

I am looking to put one in my VW Camper to run my AC, etc. I found a Lifan at home Depot for $368. 3500 with Electric start. They have a 3 year warranty.

Apparently Lifan is one of the larger manufacturers and make many to be sold under private labeling. Of course every chinese manufacturer you can find seems to have rumors like "they produce the motors for Honda" or "the parts are completely interchangeable with Honda". Whatever.

The 3 year warranty and tons of info about the company being out there, and the fact that Lifan is now producing a car led me to believe they are probably ok.

The homedepot links isHome Depot Lifan 3500E

I will post back once I get it and try it out. I have a Sound Level Meter that I used to check levels on a Kipor and a troy-bilt. I will post levels of all three once I get it. It is supposed to be here Wednesday.

BTW, thanks for all of the previous posting, this is probably the best thread for Chinese gensets on the web.

[ghaindle]

Champion 2000I at backupgenerators.com $699.00. No 30amp plug

[Old___Slow]

ol Bombero-JC wrote:
O & S -
Maybe you could tell the DW you're embarking on a commercial venture -
A dog house that can "double" as a sound deadening enclosure during emergencies.

Maybe the real thing - - or plans for $3.?

Now - it's time to name your "product"!

Bet we can get lots of suggestions right here!

~

JC:

You are a wise man. Like those of old.

Some say, they wrote between the lines:) some kind of code?

Now, To make two short plans, freee.

Lowe's has DUR-A-BULL Indoor/Outdoor mats 3' x 4' @ $14.98 for the top and another 18" x 30" @ 6.98, cut into two pc's for the ends. Makes the gen weather resistant and more quiet. That's the place I did the 'Texas Two Step' when I found the Champion C40026 with wheels and RV ready @ $298~

Now, the pyramid. 2 pc's Tar based 'silent board' @ $8.78 from HD or Lowe's.
Cut each 4' x 8' sheet into two 4' x 4' pcs. Cut each of the four Pcs into one side of the pyramid. In other words, mark the top center at 2' and cut from 4' towards the two foot mark. After you cut each of the four pcs, it will form a perfect pyramid. Buy cheap 1" x 2" framing strips. Nail after in-setting 1/2" on two of the side pcs. On two pcs, cut down from the top (across) @ 8" to form the chimney exhaust, Indian style. Slip in two pcs 7" wide by 12" long in to the top opening, making a nice effect. This will protect gen from the weather and also helps as a sound baffle. Looks cute. Set on four 6" 2/4's on the flat, for the lower air intake. This will get you weather protection, lower the noise to maybe minus 10 dbA and hide your gen from sight.

One cost $21.96 the other maybe less than $21.96

How's that?


In my neck of the woods only HD has the tar based 'Quiet Board"



Edit: Caution, after further testing of the 4' pyramid, it was discovered the fuel tank exceeds the save level of 140 degrees. May need a 8" exhaust fan in the top?

[professor95]

I see where Bill has been on this thread.

Nice reading there to get a handle on what experienced RVers think about generator noise.

[professor95]

bill h wrote:


Have you measured it? I played around a little, but nothing scientific, and it didn't seem to do much. I used to get it free.

The dB meter shows noise levels based on sound pressure and frequency range. As you have most likely noted, wind blowing across the microphone on the meter can easily mask the true noise reading.

I use the meter less and less, depending upon my ears more and more.

The meter was great to set a baseline and establish what was 58 dB or 77 dB. But, now that is all relative.

I know we are in a society that requires "proof" in the form of measurement and, unfortunately, human recognition doesn't seem to count.

Case in point -- My son is a police officer. He "sees" a car that is obviously speeding, but he is unable to clock it with his speedometer or radar. Since he doesn't have a number and proof of measurement with a "device" any ticket written is thrown out of court.

What happened to human recognition as a valid measurement device?

Loud is loud and annoying is still annoying. It is not just generators in camping areas but screaming kids, a group of late night laughing & shouting drunks, radios, boom cars, truck engines, lawn mowers, weed eaters, leaf blowers, low flying air craft, barking dogs, garbage trucks, sirens, and motorcycles to name a few.

Often the drone of a generator is more pleasurable than the above.

[ol_Bombero-JC]

O & S -
Maybe you could tell the DW you're embarking on a commercial venture -
A dog house that can "double" as a sound deadening enclosure during emergencies.

Maybe the real thing - - or plans for $3.?

Now - it's time to name your "product"!

Bet we can get lots of suggestions right here!

~

[Old___Slow]

Well, now I'm discouraged. Someone pointed out that Champion will have the 2000i on the market soon, with a low of 53dbA. Wow, and then DW tells me today, I've spent enough in the little Yellow and Black genhouse to buy several, 'more quiet gennys'. She knows how to hurt a guy. Then I read Prof's post, he's been there, done that. Then I find I may still not have used the RIGHT sound lowering material. All I wanted to do was accept a challenge. Brad came along with all this carpet thing with the low 50's and backed up by bill h. Now it's sound board time. I looked again today at HD, there product is called 'Quiet-board'. Now it's 'Celotex' time, that I can not locate. And I'm crazy as a bed bug anyway. Bill h where is the dog house. Can it fit me and Buddy Boy the dog? Yes, I need that dog house.

Or, perhaps Supergen/Gentent might be worth waiting for. While the genhouse is full of the pyramid thingy.

[jasult]

jlaustin wrote:
FWIW - Walking through Tractor Supply today, I noticed they have the Champion with the "RV" outlet on sale for $279 ($20 off their reg. price.)

Regards,

John

uh oh , this is getting interesting :B

[bill_h]

OOPS!

Delete

[jlaustin]

FWIW - Walking through Tractor Supply today, I noticed they have the Champion with the "RV" outlet on sale for $279 ($20 off their reg. price.)

Regards,

John

[bill_h]

professor95 wrote:


The Celotex is one of the original materials I experimented with some three years back. It did work well but was not moisture proof enough to use as an enclosure material.

Yeah, that is a drawback, as is its relative fragility. I am considering a very light plywood glued to it for strength and water proofing. Since my doghouse will have a peaked roof, paint should be OK. My earlier hog house just got plastic sheet thrown over it in rain.

Another inexpensive and effective sound absorbtion material is the foil backed bubble wrap. It has a dead air space and a reflective material. It can be glued or stapled to most any sub-surface.

Have you measured it? I played around a little, but nothing scientific, and it didn't seem to do much. I used to get it free.

Like I said, there is not much I have not experimented with. If you take a few days to read back through these postings you will find the results for all of them.

Yeah, I really need to do that. I will admit that I have been reluctant, not only because of the sheer volume and my slow computer, but there is a lot of chaff to winnow through.

[professor95]

jasult wrote:
Well professor, we have all these great idea's for quietness.
Now I just need the YELLOW MACHINE :W
Still lurking to see what happens when the new E Start comes out.
I will pick up the old one if price drops enough.
jim

Yes, I am waiting for the E-Start remote controlled unit to appear as well.

In the mean time, the price reduction of the "old" RV ready generator to $299 is a good deal.

Now, if you are buying in the Commonwealth of Virginia you can forgo paying the 5% sales tax on the generator if you buy on or before May 31.