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...

[MrRchitty]

agropz wrote:
Just wanted to say thanks for the incredible amount of info, I just got a Champion C46540 for $5 (non-working) and while doing research came across this thread. Holy cow! 1000 pages!! said I, this is the Rosetta Stone of Chinese 3000 gensets! (Where's the index, lol)

Runs but no juice. Going to tear into it tomorrow *greedily rubbing hands*

Tent camping this year,but an full up camper refurb is in the wings for next winter, and as it's on a strict budget, this was a rather karmic gift of the yard sale kind - and then doubled by finding this enormous treasure trove of info. Thanks everyone 🙂

Try the voltage regulator.

[agropz]

Just wanted to say thanks for the incredible amount of info, I just got a Champion C46540 for $5 (non-working) and while doing research came across this thread. Holy cow! 1000 pages!! said I, this is the Rosetta Stone of Chinese 3000 gensets! (Where's the index, lol)

Runs but no juice. Going to tear into it tomorrow *greedily rubbing hands*

Tent camping this year,but an full up camper refurb is in the wings for next winter, and as it's on a strict budget, this was a rather karmic gift of the yard sale kind - and then doubled by finding this enormous treasure trove of info. Thanks everyone 🙂

[MrWizard]

Oh that's bad
Several yrs back he stuck his hand in a saw
Thanks for the link

This is an example of teaching by example
But if he keeps doing this, he's going to lose too many body parts

[ol_Bombero-JC]

The Prof ("professor95") - this thread starter, and dispenser of electrical knowledge and assistance over lots of years - had a "slight" misfortune recently...:(

"Slight" is somewhat of an understatement - as evidenced by the following thread (w/pic) posted by Randy (The Prof) - on the Escapees HDT forum.

OUCH! This Hurts.... - (Sure looks like it did/does!)

You might want to send him a "Heal Quickly" message!..:C

~

[Gx200]

I am trying to find out .....with that electric start kit, does it put out DC? If so how?
My current engine has NO transistor diode, so how would I hook that up with the eBay electric start kit?

Also are you able to add another coil without modifying anything in the control box ?

[Old___Slow]

At 81 I've out lasted the afore mentioned thread. And this one also!

All were and continue to be top of the line. Have a great day, Old & Slow-

Floyd

[RTompkins3]

tropical36 wrote:

MrWizard wrote:
Nope..No can do
But there is no reason, you can't put slides in the original compartment
And a good size fan to move the air around it.

Actually there is a reason since the the genset will have to be a little below the compartment, to keep it from jamming into the basement roof.
Still, what good would it be if I can't run it while tucked away and driving down the road? The fan would certainly help however and maybe a automotive type radiator fan would even fit.
Then we have the exhaust to think about and was wondering if an extension could be made for going down and out?
By the way does rain bother these units, cuz I'm thinking if it comes down to it, a rack on the back with an extension hitch receiver will be the way to go. Naturally when sitting idle, I'd keep it covered.

Here's a link to someone who actually did this:
Installation of generator in 5th wheel compartment

[tropical36]

MrWizard wrote:
Nope..No can do
But there is no reason, you can't put slides in the original compartment
And a good size fan to move the air around it.

Actually there is a reason since the the genset will have to be a little below the compartment, to keep it from jamming into the basement roof.
Still, what good would it be if I can't run it while tucked away and driving down the road? The fan would certainly help however and maybe a automotive type radiator fan would even fit.
Then we have the exhaust to think about and was wondering if an extension could be made for going down and out?
By the way does rain bother these units, cuz I'm thinking if it comes down to it, a rack on the back with an extension hitch receiver will be the way to go. Naturally when sitting idle, I'd keep it covered.

[MrWizard]

Nope..No can do
But there is no reason, you can't put slides in the original compartment
And a good size fan to move the air around it.

[tropical36]

Mr Wizard wrote:
do something like this in the OEM compartment

Neat, but can you run it going down the road while tucked away inside and my main concern with it.

[tropical36]

DPGBG wrote:
just want to throw in my past experience with a portable in the compartment. If you plan to run it in the compartment make sure you have enough air flow. I tried this once and the generator was fine, they will run at pretty high temps, however..... the fuel in the portable's tank is another story. It will build a lot of pressure at high temps and can explode or split your tank. Then you can imagine what comes next.

I have seen some nice compartment builds on here where the guys added a fuel pump to draw from the RV gas tank. That would be perfect..

For me... I'm just gonna run it outside.. lol

My plan if implemented, was to remove the tank from the genset and you just gave me another reason for doing so.
Another thought was to mount it on a rack at the back with a hitch mount, but would need an extension for the hitch receiver, so as to still pull the toad and haven't seen one with a 5K lb rating as yet.
I've seen them pulling more than they should, with the owner not really having a clue and most likely nothing will ever break off.
Also most sure, one could beef it up some. I already have a hitch haul so it would just be a question of mounting it properly on a receiver extension.

[MrWizard]

and your mentioning this NOW ?

got a brand name, distributor ?

you do realize the feild coil is the rotor and carries less than 10amps
only about 4~5 amps is needed

the output 'Stator' windings are the heavy ones that produce the power
they are the ones that are mounted on the inside of the case

[pianotuna]

Hi,

On a hot day 2 summers ago my brother's generator actually melted the field coil on a cheapo Chinese genny. The air flow to it was not restricted in any way.

Mr. Wizard it was a 'no name' knock off.

I am mentioning it now because of the air flow and cooling issues.

[NinerBikes]

1000 pages, just wow. honda has a long ways to go against the chinese 3000w generator.

[DPGBG]

just want to throw in my past experience with a portable in the compartment. If you plan to run it in the compartment make sure you have enough air flow. I tried this once and the generator was fine, they will run at pretty high temps, however..... the fuel in the portable's tank is another story. It will build a lot of pressure at high temps and can explode or split your tank. Then you can imagine what comes next.

I have seen some nice compartment builds on here where the guys added a fuel pump to draw from the RV gas tank. That would be perfect..

For me... I'm just gonna run it outside.. lol