3000W Chinese Gensets Info.
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...
Forum Discussion
I had decided months ago that I would not buy one of the new CPE 3100i watt inverter generators when they became available.
I had previously purchased a pair of 2000 watt inverter generators and the parallel kit. Sorry to have to say it, but I was somewhat disappointed that the 2000i would only provide dependable power to the 1700 watt level. The overload was fast, even after the upgrade of the inverters module. Still, it was a great unit if you were content with 1700 watts max rather than 2000 watts.
The new 3100i did not offer electric start or remote control, two features I had come to appreciate on my 3500 watt, remote controlled electric start unit that ended up being mounted in my TV to provide power to either the camper or truck. Without the RF remote and/or electric start I had to physically get out of the camper or truck and pull a rope. For me, sort of inconvenient.
Then, last week when NASCAR came to town two of my friends that work with Super Gen Products drove down from NY for the race. They just so happened to have a brand new sealed box 3100i with them.
When they came by the house we took the thing out of the box and added the required engine oil and a gallon of gasoline. I turned on the fuel valve and let it sit for a few minutes to allow gas to fill the carburetor float bowl and gave the rope a 1/2 pull. It immediately started.
We rolled the unit down to my camper, disconnected the camper's 50 amp power cord from its storage outlet and plugged in a 50 to 30 amp adapter. The 3100i has a 30 amp TT outlet that is only protected by the electronic overload. The 20 amp standard outlet has a 20 amp circuit breaker. Once connected and running I turned on the 15K BTU air conditioner. The 3100i was in econ mode and barely burped as the A/C compressor locked in. The converter was on but the batteries in the camper were at a full charge. I also had the fridge on electric which added another 370 watts to the load. At that point I filled a cup with water, placed it in the 1100 watt Dometic microwave and hit the start button. The 3100i revved up to compensate for the new added load then settled back down to a flat speed. This thing was sweet!
I noticed that the overload delay was long. Much, much longer than the 2000i. This indicated that the 3100 watts was perhaps attainable. The unit is rated for 2800 watts with a maximum of 3100. While I did not measure the dB sound levels or actual current being drawn I can tell you it was impressively quite.
When it came time to put the thing back in the box for a trip home to NY I began to feel some pain. Being a guy that has an admitted obsession to own most every tool made I just couldn't let it leave. Besides, my tax return was sitting in my bank account still unspent.
I bought it. It belongs to me. Right now I know little more than what I have just written other than it has a 171 cc engine that appears to be more along the design of the Yamaha than Honda GX style engines we are used to seeing on the 3,000 watt Chinese open frame synchronous generators.
Of course, as time allows, I will do a full comparison with this unit and my existing 2000i twins along with the 3500 watt synchronous. You know - sound levels, wattage, fuel consumption, etc. I also intend to do a disassembly of the outer case and photograph the inner workings. This may take awhile as I am not planning on being at the shop much this summer. With the DW now retired as well we have lots of places to go and things to do.
I'm not even sure if I should continue this thread with the 3000i - but it is a product that fits the thread title and purpose. What do you think? New thread or here?
While I may seem crazy with my generator collection, I can assure you all of them are put to good use when we lose power in our rural last-to-restore power service location. When that happens they are all quickly loaned out to family and neighbors so some comfort can be achieved.
I think this generator is going to be a real winner. But, the difference in price between a Tractor Supply sale priced bare bones 3500 watt synchronous genny at $299 on sale or even the regular price of $349 is significant. The suggested retail price of the 3100 is just shy of a grand. But that is still much less than a red, blue or Powerhouse (Magna rebranded) 3100i. Due to the short supply of CPE3100i gensets I suspect the price will stay up there for awhile. Maybe a future offering by Costco or Sam's will be lower - just guessing. But for now, expect to pay near retail.
BTW, I have NO horse in this race and have no financial agreement or connection to CPE or SuperGenProducts.
I had previously purchased a pair of 2000 watt inverter generators and the parallel kit. Sorry to have to say it, but I was somewhat disappointed that the 2000i would only provide dependable power to the 1700 watt level. The overload was fast, even after the upgrade of the inverters module. Still, it was a great unit if you were content with 1700 watts max rather than 2000 watts.
The new 3100i did not offer electric start or remote control, two features I had come to appreciate on my 3500 watt, remote controlled electric start unit that ended up being mounted in my TV to provide power to either the camper or truck. Without the RF remote and/or electric start I had to physically get out of the camper or truck and pull a rope. For me, sort of inconvenient.
Then, last week when NASCAR came to town two of my friends that work with Super Gen Products drove down from NY for the race. They just so happened to have a brand new sealed box 3100i with them.
When they came by the house we took the thing out of the box and added the required engine oil and a gallon of gasoline. I turned on the fuel valve and let it sit for a few minutes to allow gas to fill the carburetor float bowl and gave the rope a 1/2 pull. It immediately started.
We rolled the unit down to my camper, disconnected the camper's 50 amp power cord from its storage outlet and plugged in a 50 to 30 amp adapter. The 3100i has a 30 amp TT outlet that is only protected by the electronic overload. The 20 amp standard outlet has a 20 amp circuit breaker. Once connected and running I turned on the 15K BTU air conditioner. The 3100i was in econ mode and barely burped as the A/C compressor locked in. The converter was on but the batteries in the camper were at a full charge. I also had the fridge on electric which added another 370 watts to the load. At that point I filled a cup with water, placed it in the 1100 watt Dometic microwave and hit the start button. The 3100i revved up to compensate for the new added load then settled back down to a flat speed. This thing was sweet!
I noticed that the overload delay was long. Much, much longer than the 2000i. This indicated that the 3100 watts was perhaps attainable. The unit is rated for 2800 watts with a maximum of 3100. While I did not measure the dB sound levels or actual current being drawn I can tell you it was impressively quite.
When it came time to put the thing back in the box for a trip home to NY I began to feel some pain. Being a guy that has an admitted obsession to own most every tool made I just couldn't let it leave. Besides, my tax return was sitting in my bank account still unspent.
I bought it. It belongs to me. Right now I know little more than what I have just written other than it has a 171 cc engine that appears to be more along the design of the Yamaha than Honda GX style engines we are used to seeing on the 3,000 watt Chinese open frame synchronous generators.
Of course, as time allows, I will do a full comparison with this unit and my existing 2000i twins along with the 3500 watt synchronous. You know - sound levels, wattage, fuel consumption, etc. I also intend to do a disassembly of the outer case and photograph the inner workings. This may take awhile as I am not planning on being at the shop much this summer. With the DW now retired as well we have lots of places to go and things to do.
I'm not even sure if I should continue this thread with the 3000i - but it is a product that fits the thread title and purpose. What do you think? New thread or here?
While I may seem crazy with my generator collection, I can assure you all of them are put to good use when we lose power in our rural last-to-restore power service location. When that happens they are all quickly loaned out to family and neighbors so some comfort can be achieved.
I think this generator is going to be a real winner. But, the difference in price between a Tractor Supply sale priced bare bones 3500 watt synchronous genny at $299 on sale or even the regular price of $349 is significant. The suggested retail price of the 3100 is just shy of a grand. But that is still much less than a red, blue or Powerhouse (Magna rebranded) 3100i. Due to the short supply of CPE3100i gensets I suspect the price will stay up there for awhile. Maybe a future offering by Costco or Sam's will be lower - just guessing. But for now, expect to pay near retail.
BTW, I have NO horse in this race and have no financial agreement or connection to CPE or SuperGenProducts.
