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...

[sjhanksaz]

Very cool.

I'll let you know how things work out. For now I am just going to bring my 100 ft cord and plug into my friend with the Porpane Yamaha 3000. He has a spare and may sell it to me.

[professor95]

sjhanksz wrote:
I just wanted to know if the propane generators they sold had to be re jetted for high altitude. He said that some people in the Colorado mountains had problems with thier generators but some local shop up there was able to adjust them and make them work.

I believe you would be very disappointed if you bought a Chinese factory equipped LPG fueled generator for use at higher altitudes. Factory generators use a "mixer" in place of the carburator. The mixer is sealed and also contains the vacuum flow regulator. They are sealed to comply with a long list of EPA regulations that do not allow for user adjustments. I have one of these mixers and have carefully studied its design.

If you are truly interested in LPG as an alternative fuel for higher elevations, I suggest you make the conversion yourself using at least a vacuum flow regulator from US Carb. I have completed four of these conversions, one on my current 3,000 watt class Chinese generator.

The regulator commonly usd in these conversions requires the addition of an external "load block". The load block is nothing more than a simple manual flow valve that is adjusted so the engine runs smoothly and then left alone. Should you make an extreme change in altitude, simply readjust the load block. Simple as pie. Here are some photos that should explain what I am refering too. If you are truly interested in doing a LPG conversion, I will be glad to guide you via personal e-mail.

[CosmicVagabond]

Old & Slow wrote:
Thanks Wiz

CS @ Champion is at my command for the life of the genset? I'm tired too, of you AND your praise for Champion. Did you not know other brands have service after the sale. Maybe you need to change your thinking about others on this thread. Are you above consideration of my opinion? Do I have no rights? Does this thread belong only to you?

Why are you tired of someone praising something that they feel deserves it?

[Old___Slow]

Wiz,

Please allow me this, I belong to the CCC gang. I have said over and over again how much I love my yellow and black Champion C46540. At one time it was used in my MH to replace the old OEM. It is now in a beautiful sound lowering enclosure. The ideas for this vary successful enclosure were for Prof95 and Brad and bobandcat (Bob) with some of my own. The noise level is down to 60 dbA
she always starts with one or two pulls and is back up power for my home. The new Gen House I had built, is painted Yellow and Black. I'll put the Champ up against those two big names. I paid $270 through partsamerica plus some shipping and Texas State Tax. Now, do I wish she had Electric Start and remote control, yes. I don't think that is such a bad wish and not a rant at all. I would never have ordered a DuroPower to replace the Champ if another option was available from Champion. Prof has given me personally great support all along the way. In the past MrWizard gave me many great things to think about. I'm hoping old times can return for the better.

Floyd

[MrWizard]

funny ? when somebody mentions duropower, your hip hip hooray, lets hope they give service for the life of your generator !, oh thats right , i forgot, they don't have a service dept

at least with champion you can talk to somebody that knows something and will try to help,

if the genny 'out of warranty' you can still buy parts, or maybe even get the address of someplace where you can take it and pay for it yourself..

is your beloved duropower going to do that for you, how about powerpro and pep-boys , when the exchange period is up.... your on your own

your always knocking champion, but you don't see me , making comments and knocking duropower or powerpro or broily everyday, but it seems you can't come on here with out knocking champion even though you own one.. if you don;t like it, sell it and buy another durpower or what ever it is that tickles you and makes you happy.

you want to RANT about champion, then start your own rant thread.. and keep your posts in there

[Old___Slow]

Thanks Wiz

CS @ Champion is at my command for the life of the genset? I'm tired too, of you AND your praise for Champion. Did you not know other brands have service after the sale. Maybe you need to change your thinking about others on this thread. Are you above consideration of my opinion? Do I have no rights? Does this thread belong only to you?

[MrWizard]

By the way Rick, where can I get my Champion serviced? Not by the local RV place (Ultra-Fab) dealer that used to carry Champion? I went by a local lawn mower shop (small motor shop) and the kind man told to me he wanted no part of small genset service or repair.

your trolling again

1: everybody on this board ( including you ) knows if they have a problem call champion CS and they will get you a service center

2: didn't you mod yours ( take off tank and but it in a 'quiet box' )
basically , NObody will touch custom mods to work on them..

comments like that are getting very tiresome... and you wonder why people are starting to make cracks ? How long does it take to sink in, or would you prefer the moderators ban you ? they can.. they run the show.. if they consider you a disruption, like some of the rest of us do, they can take action.

i admire your willingness to work on things, I'm tired of your useless trolling posts designed to stir things up.

[Old___Slow]

Rick,

I'm vary, vary dissapointed your experience with DuroPower didn't meet your expections. The 1500w you purchased from DuroPower was more expensive than a Champion 1500w. I will say it for you, Champion seems to have great CS. Your point is well taken from this end.

Floyd


By the way Rick, where can I get my Champion serviced? Not by the local RV place (Ultra-Fab) dealer that used to carry Champion? I went by a local lawn mower shop (small motor shop) and the kind man told to me he wanted no part of small genset service or repair.

[Old___Slow]

WaltinColo wrote:
You better watch out with that supercharged idea Prof.

O&S is likely to ask for it and demand it:

Use .0003 gallons of fuel per hour.
Mind Meld remote start.
Weight in at 3 pounds.
Fit into any rig ever built.
Run at 12 db.
Cost $5.00 USD.
And that Champion should build it next week and ship it for free.

Oh, and he'll keep asking for it, 16 times a day, every day, till everyone on the board pukes....

🙂

Thanks,

Floyd

[ol_Bombero-JC]

.

[CosmicVagabond]

WaltinColo wrote:
You better watch out with that supercharged idea Prof.

O&S is likely to ask for it and demand it:

Use .0003 gallons of fuel per hour.
Mind Meld remote start.
Weight in at 3 pounds.
Fit into any rig ever built.
Run at 12 db.
Cost $5.00 USD.
And that Champion should build it next week and ship it for free.

Oh, and he'll keep asking for it, 16 times a day, every day, till everyone on the board pukes....

🙂

OMG! Thats so true! Hats off to you for saying what maybe more than one of us was thinkin!

[sjhanksaz]

I called DuroPower today to ask some questions and was told that he didn't know, I asked to talk to somebody who could answer my questions and he told me that there was not tech guy. He said they don't make much money on them and that was not part of thier customer service. NICE eh.

I just wanted to know if the propane generators they sold had to be re jetted for high altitude. He said that some people in the Colorado mountains had problems with thier generators but some local shop up there was able to adjust them and make them work.

He told me to purchase it and then have a local guy fix it if it needed it.

I did find out that thier generators have brushes, another strike for me. Needless to say I will keep looking for a good used Honda or Yamaha I think

[WaltinColo]

Ill agree with ya on that Brad! 🙂

[blkfe]

WaltinColo wrote:
You better watch out with that supercharged idea Prof.

O&S is likely to ask for it and demand it:

Use .0003 gallons of fuel per hour.
Mind Meld remote start.
Weight in at 3 pounds.
Fit into any rig ever built.
Run at 12 db.
Cost $5.00 USD.
And that Champion should build it next week and ship it for free.

Oh, and he'll keep asking for it, 16 times a day, every day, till everyone on the board pukes....

🙂

Oh...I don't know. I think it,s great for someone to have the interest and drive to enter into projects later in life. Me..I'll most likely get quiet and just fade away..........
Brad

[WaltinColo]

You better watch out with that supercharged idea Prof.

O&S is likely to ask for it and demand it:

Use .0003 gallons of fuel per hour.
Mind Meld remote start.
Weight in at 3 pounds.
Fit into any rig ever built.
Run at 12 db.
Cost $5.00 USD.
And that Champion should build it next week and ship it for free.

Oh, and he'll keep asking for it, 16 times a day, every day, till everyone on the board pukes....

🙂