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...

[professor95]

Dan,

One more thing.

I did a LPG conversion write up here a couple of years ago. It is a step-by-step method using the Garrett low pressure regulator and modifying the existing carburetor. If you did not find this thread in your searching, it might help.

[professor95]

Dan,

A lot of us did LPG conversions by making our own fuel feed block. Even with this we had to purchase a low pressure regulator.

I strongly urge you to get your parts from US Carburetion. The are good folks and know the LPG conversion business.

I doubt that anyone on the thread will build you a kit. If it had a problem or it blew up your lawyers could own one of us.:B

Before you buy the Chinese genny you are looking at consider the Champion 46538. This model will not only give you electric start but also wireless remote start and stop, load shed, and over-voltage protection, and a 30 amp TT outlet. All great features for an RV.

[Dan86300zxt]

What would it take for someone to fabricate an LP conversion and ship it to me?
*Here is where I am at with things so far...
-I am wanting an electric start open frame 3500 generator...using
LP for fuel.
I am going to be talking this unit all apart and custom mounting it into our 1977 Dodge Apache 23' MH.

**I have been through the search function four a few days on end now...I also have been through the most recent 250 posts and have found alot of great information that will be used in doing my fabricating...but...the conversion for whatever affordable electric start genset is stumping me.
***I have a decent ability in fabrication skills...am decently mechanically/electrically able...I just like to research the heck out of things before I do them and have not gained the needed confidence about converting from gas to LP to decide to do it.
*I have been eye-balling this particular unit...but am still very much undecided at this point...I am all about the e-start feature, 2500-2800 watts normal use..and price(along with converting to LP)
http://cgi.ebay.com/Quiet-Portable-Electric-Start-RV-Gas-Powered-Generator_W0QQitemZ200570331902QQcategoryZ46412QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp4340.m263QQ_trkparmsZalgo%3DSIC%26its%3DI%252BC%26itu%3DUCI%252BIA%252BUA%252BFICS%252BUFI%26otn%3D10%26pmod%3D200560382449%26ps%3D63%26clkid%3D6836506663130943691
Any much needed help is appreciated...
thanx, Dan

[MrWizard]

predicted low 32° > 36°
that is"cold for here"
and that is "the valley"
even colder along Angelos Crest n the local mountains where we like to.camp

[ol_Bombero-JC]

MrWizard wrote:
if Phil lived here he would see his shadow
clear sunny "Calif cold" gusty winds

PS: Calif cold = snowbird Ariz cold

Don't need Phil in So. CA !!

Wiz is in L.A. County (I think).

Wind not bad at all in "The OC" - temp 65 degrees, going up to mid 70's by weekend - 80 next week.

Surf in the AM - head for Big Bear (2 hr drive) for some local skiing in the afternoon. It's a CA 'thing", LOL!

~

Av gas.
Unless you have a (real good) reason to fill some cans at *any* airport - good luck w/"Homeland Security"!

BTW - Av Gas trivia:
The Air Guard unit I was part of (used to be in the Wiz's turf), was activated for the Berlin Crisis (-not- the *Airlift*) in 1961.
"Some" folks tried the 115-145 used in the C-97s (P&W 4360s) - in/for their personal vehicles.
Burned valves unless "diluted" with regular mogas at about 50/50.

(I'm "clean" on that one - - not a part of the ANG 'till 1963 - but had some buddies who participated in the Av Gas "experiment").

~

[MrWizard]

if Phil lived here he would see his shadow
clear sunny "Calif cold" gusty winds

PS: Calif cold = snowbird Ariz cold

[professor95]

toprudder wrote:

TeamSlacker wrote:
I think professor needs a new gen to buy and test.

Buy one and ship it to him. I'm sure he will test and review it. 🙂

No money honey. Uncle Sam wants it all by April 18.

But, if you send one this way, I'll take it!

BTW - Happy Groundhog Day to All. Phil DID NOT see his shadow today, so an early Spring is on the way!!!!! :B

[professor95]

A "little bird" sent me a link for a new You-Tube video spread..

Champion has finally posted their NEW "How To" videos. Actually, they are well done. Both the synchronous and new 2000i are featured.

I got a big kick out of the first one with the kid and the guitar - but if I was his Dad I would probably wring his neck for taking it out of the garage without permission :W.

Check them out here.

-or- just go straight to the URL http://www.youtube.com/ChampionPowerEquip

[toprudder]

TeamSlacker wrote:
I think professor needs a new gen to buy and test.

Buy one and ship it to him. I'm sure he will test and review it. 🙂

[TeamSlacker]

I think professor needs a new gen to buy and test.

Can't find much for details, not even listed on the all power site.

http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200447586_200447586

[JConatser]

For pretty much all you want to know about Avgas, click here.

[TeamSlacker]

professor95 wrote:
So, what is the big difference in aviation gasoline? I have always believed it to be octane and anti-icing compounds. What else is there?

Lead... at least for now. Oh yeah, the chunk it takes out of your wallet too 🙂

[jlaustin]

professor95 wrote:
So, what is the big difference in aviation gasoline? I have always believed it to be octane and anti-icing compounds. What else is there?

It's definitely a different "brew" ... I don't know the technical terms, but avgas is less volatile, has a higher ignition temperature and flashpoint. It's also less prone to vapor lock in the fuel lines as compared to mogas. The quality and purity is much better - as I understand it, mogas is carried in pipelines and tankers that may have residue from previous, different fuels. Avgas is refined, transported, and delivered in dedicated, avgas-only tankers - no contamination or exposure to any other fuel.

Regards,
John

[professor95]

So, what is the big difference in aviation gasoline? I have always believed it to be octane and anti-icing compounds. What else is there?

[toprudder]

jlaustin wrote:
For nearly 20 years, I've routinely stored 100LL in my hangar on my farm airstrip for up to one year with no problems.

And to paraphrase, "I love the smell of 100LL in the morning":B

LOL. 100LL definitely has a nostalgic quality to me (got my private ticket when I was 18).

My dad had an STC for his plane (Cessna 182) that allowed him to use auto fuel. BUT, IIRC, he had to test it to make sure it contained no alcohol. He had a small trailer with a tank and pump that he used to haul fuel from the gas station to the hangar where he kept his plane. I'm not sure how long he stored the fuel, the tank wasn't that big and he flew quite a bit, so I doubt he had any that was over 6 months old.

Bob R.