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...

[CosmicVagabond]

ddav15 wrote:

CosmicVagabond wrote:
I ordered the Champion 4KW generator today and was curious what the twist lock receptacle in is for?

It's a 240 Volt hook up.

And this would be used for any device or appliance that needs 240 volts via an adapter?

[StaJs]

BORoarke wrote:
Anyone have a picture of where you put the RTV silicone on the white fan to reduce some of the noise from that end? Or can explain the process?

Bryan

HERE
Scroll down toward the bottom of the page. The original post seems to have disappeared, but you don't need to remove the starter first, remove the starter and housing as a unit.

[ddav15]

CosmicVagabond wrote:
I ordered the Champion 4KW generator today and was curious what the twist lock receptacle in is for?

It's a 240 Volt hook up.

[CosmicVagabond]

I ordered the Champion 4KW generator today and was curious what the twist lock receptacle in is for?

[whatsnext]

bobandcat wrote:

whatsnext wrote:
This is a mod for someone that has a little extra time on their hands. It will make your wife happy and you will not have to get out of bed to start your generator. She can even start the generator.
the 13 sec video

The starter is cheap Briggs and the remote is a 4 function Chinese made.
The remote is good for about 100'

Please post more details. What briggs starter parts are needed? What did they cost? Name and cost of the remote starter module? Do you have pics of the installation to share? Etc, etc, etc.

Bob,
I will try this weekend to do a short write up with links and pics

[bobandcat]

whatsnext wrote:
This is a mod for someone that has a little extra time on their hands. It will make your wife happy and you will not have to get out of bed to start your generator. She can even start the generator.
the 13 sec video

The starter is cheap Briggs and the remote is a 4 function Chinese made.
The remote is good for about 100'

Please post more details. What briggs starter parts are needed? What did they cost? Name and cost of the remote starter module? Do you have pics of the installation to share? Etc, etc, etc.

[whatsnext]

This is a mod for someone that has a little extra time on their hands. It will make your wife happy and you will not have to get out of bed to start your generator. She can even start the generator.
the 13 sec video

The starter is cheap Briggs and the remote is a 4 function Chinese made.
The remote is good for about 100'

[magic43]

I just ordered the Champion 4KW. I wanted something that would handle the load and not hurt my hind pocket so badly if stolen. (It will be unattended a lot in Colorado in October.) I wanted to leave the EU2000 at home. Thanks...hbski, Lynn

[hbski]

magic43 wrote:
One quick question w/o reading 3665 posts. Is the ELIM3000 or an equiv. generator available on today's market. If so.....Where? Thanks, Lynn

this one:

Champion RV Generator

Is available here:

Parts America / Kragen

try coupon code: geicoten for 10% off

You can order it online and pick-up at a variety of auto parts stores.

[magic43]

One quick question w/o reading 3665 posts. Is the ELIM3000 or an equiv. generator available on today's market. If so.....Where? Thanks, Lynn

[jpkiljan]

yerlizard wrote:
here is a picture of the wiring on the newer Power Pro 3500

The tab between the outlets is in place and on the red and blue wires going to it. What does this tell you?
does this help any?



Edited to reduce picture width - Mel

It just looks like it is wired they way the wiring diagram says it is supposed to be wired. Well, it is if you assume that you are looking at the rear of the sockets in the wiring diagram. I also assume the little T-shaped slots in the 120V receptacle are on the bottom of the socket when the panel is reassembled--like it is on mine.

--John

[eightballsidepo]

The only way that plug can be a safe 30 amp single phase 120 volt set-up is if each 120 volt duplex receptacle on that genny is breakered separately with it's own fuse or breaker atleast at a 15 amp rating.

If you draw close to 30 amps while tapping the two duplex circuits, if they are separate adequate feeds from the genny then you can do it.

So my question is; are the two receptacles separately breakered, or in reality do you have two isolated 15 or 20 amp circuits out of the double duplex receptacle?

My other question earlier was this. To make sure that you have the correct voltage potential, all you have to do is put an adequate tester, like a Square D Wiggington tester's two probes in each hot slot of the two respective duplex receptacles. You should get "0" voltage first of all that's a possible good indication. If you get 220 volts, then you have two separately circuited receptacles on their own breakers but are out of phase voltage-wise. You don't want additive voltage, you want additive amperage. If you get "0" voltage then the two recptacles may offer additive amperage for a 30 amp/120 V. feed/receptacle if they are separately breakered to start with. Separate breakers would mean that you have two distinct, and separately run or wired circuits from the generator taps.

[MrWizard]

yerlizard, from what i see, only one pair of wires going to the duplex,
you are good to go.., it 120 only on the outlet, NO split wiring

freeatlast, make sure the fridge and the water heater are on propane OR off, if set on automatic they will be will also be using the genny power, also if your batteries are low, the converter will be putting max power to the batteries, that can be and addedd strain.

also if happens to already be hot and the trailer is hot, let the A/C run on FAN only for a while to reduce the head pressure before starting up

and always turn off the A/C before turning off the genny, strat and stop shpuld be under NO LOAD, conditions

it sounds like you need a hard start kit on that A/C, put it could be a govenor adjustemnt problem on the genny, if its NOT responding

[Todd_Barney]

I run my 13,500 AC with my new Champion, connected via my standard heavy 25' cord. It runs the AC just fine, but won't handle the microwave at the same time. Microwave is a 950 watt model, and says max power consumption is 1,350 watts. (Everything else is off, though it's possible that it's been trying to charge the battery at the same time when I've tried it.) Here in Atlanta, we're close to 1,000 feet above sea level, if that makes any difference.

[drfife]

freeatlast wrote:
...it's a 13.5. The only thing I can think of is that I was running it on an extension cord. It is a heavy duty RV extension cord though.

Hook the trailer directly up to the generator WITHOUT the extension cord.

That could very well be your problem.

I run a 15K Duotherm with my Champion, and it runs fine. The only time it really hiccups is when the AC is on and running and the microwave is kicked on. But, it still powers everything.