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...

[padgett]

Received this answer from Pep Boys customer service about the Elim 3000: "At the present moment, we do not have any generators available and we apologize for the inconvenience. However, we are currently waiting on a shipment from a different manufacturer. We hope to receive the generators within the next 3 to 4 weeks. The product will be the same price, with the exception of the manufacturer brand."

Unfortunately while my question was specific to the Eliminator, I am not sure if the answer refers to the Eliminator, the Nikota (company assets sold last Friday in auction), or the Coleman (3750 rating from a 5.5 hp Briggs. No db rating but I found an "85 db" notation on a similar model. Muffler does seem small. Anyone know ?)

In the meantime anyone who manages to find a Eliminator 3000 even at $279 may still be eligable for the $20 rebate listed on page 4 of the current Pep Boys rebate book (PB050301). The following link may work: https://clients.gfsinc.com/graphics/forms/017586f.pdf

Meanwhile, does anyone know if the Harbor Freight 91523-2VGA is imported by Elim - appears to be similar to the ELM3000L but has a lower rating (2800 peak/2600 continuous). Same 6.5 hp engine rating but the 168F-1 seems to be a common Chinese engine.

[professor95]

The rebate from Pep Boys for the ELM3000 is available until April 2nd. Even if the store does not know about the rebate or says there is none..... there still is!

You need your sales receipt (or a copy)
You need the UPC code cut from the ELM3000 box.
You need to print out the rebate form from the Pep Boys web site.

Complete the form, put all in an envelope and mail. $20.00 should eventually come back to you.

Don't believe the store - THERE IS AN ACTIVE REBATE UNTIL APRIL 2nd.

[butcha]

No Pepboys anywhere close to me. So I e-mailed Eliminaternational about buying directly from them. Now it doesn't seem like that good of a deal anymore. Would like some response from people who have them to see if it is still a good deal. Here is their reply:

Dear Butch

Thanks again for your reply. The product price is $320 (the engine of this gen is different with pep boys’ one). And S/H is $81.87. So the total would be $401.87. You can pay with credit card or money order.

Thanks & best regards,

Heeyoung

[ZEKEDAWG]

kragen has the powerwise 3500 for $299 and it comes with a wheel kit.

[Jack_Shidemantl]

Well I've been reading these posts for two days. I figured what little boondocking we are likely to do I had to try one of these Elim3000 units. Called closest of the 3 Pepboys in Dayton area and they had 2 units in stock at $279 no rebate. So I hotfooted down and picked up a unit. Runs the 15k A/C in the 5ver just fine. Just for the heck of it while the A/C was running I plugged in a 1500W heater. The generator kept everything going although the voltage inside dropped to about 108V. Obviously that kind of load isn't to be kept on too long, but just shows how the generator didn't complain with over 3KW of load. I'm very impressed with this unit and it is much quieter than the 3500W contractor style I bought at TSC several years ago that will not run my A/C.

I agree with whoever mentioned adding some baffling to quiet things down even more. I think that would not be too difficult. Just build it around the existing frame being carefull to allow plenty of air circulation. I do plan to add wheels to this thing. It's a bit much for a 64 yr old to haul around single handedly.

[mustangman]

here in Chicago.no luck with pepboys,they say the warehouse is out don't now when more will be in,,dam it,who else has them?,,thanks guys for the gen info

[CDK]

Quote
I am thinking about an open door wt. an engine running by it. Heated air / exhaust and infiltration into the living area?

Add vibration.

[jimraysr]

defarris

Does anyone have any thoughts about removing an Elim3000 from the frame and mounting it in the compartment with an electric low pressure fuel pump:


why not mount on a sliding tray for the trailer compartment

slide it in for travel and storage, slide it out to run it in warm weather

in cold weather just open the compartment and move the slide part way out

the genny gets air, and you get easy storage

get a slide that will come far enough out to clear the trailer wall by at least 1 foot so you get air space and NO reflected heat

JUST a thought..

I am thinking about an open door wt. an engine running by it. Heated air / exhaust and infiltration into the living area?

[armys2]

defarris


get a slide that will come far enough out to clear the trailer wall by at least 1 foot so you get air space and NO reflected heat

JUST a thought..

If anyones got a picture of their install like this I'd be interested in seeing it as I'm planning the same thing. Thanks

[MrWizard]

defarris

Does anyone have any thoughts about removing an Elim3000 from the frame and mounting it in the compartment with an electric low pressure fuel pump:


why not mount on a sliding tray for the trailer compartment

slide it in for travel and storage, slide it out to run it in warm weather

in cold weather just open the compartment and move the slide part way out

the genny gets air, and you get easy storage

get a slide that will come far enough out to clear the trailer wall by at least 1 foot so you get air space and NO reflected heat

JUST a thought..

[Rocky7184]

I found this link today. Kipor

I tried to compare some of these numbers. Some I understand, some I do not. I think I have the noise db numbers figured out. It appears that these are very comparable in the noise departmment. But, I wouldnt want to spend the $ if it wont do the job.

The biggest question I have is which one of these models would most compare to the Honda EU3000i?

I saw this site to.They sure do "look" like a good genny.Wonder if they work as good as they look.

[jimraysr]

Typical air cooled engine, air in the recoil end and blown over the cylinder. Generator in the end and out on the engine end. Whereas an RV unit pulls the air over the generator, then the cylinders and out over the exhaust into a duct out or down.

A real challange.

Jim

[n7bsn]

Does anyone have any thoughts about removing an Elim3000 from the frame and mounting it in the compartment with an electric low pressure fuel pump:

http://www.partsamerica.com/ProductDetail.aspx?categorycode=3339K&mfrcode=PUR&mfrpartnumber=PRO04SV

and a tailpipe . Would this unit generate too much heat for the generator compartment?

My concern would be that it would not get enough cooling.

[dlefarris]

Does anyone have any thoughts about removing an Elim3000 from the frame and mounting it in the compartment with an electric low pressure fuel pump:

http://www.partsamerica.com/ProductDetail.aspx?categorycode=3339K&mfrcode=PUR&mfrpartnumber=PRO04SV

and a tailpipe . Would this unit generate too much heat for the generator compartment?

[subcamper]

Professor:

Thanks for the info on the Harbor Freight non-contact thermometer. I printed out the on-line price of $49.99 and took it to the HF store in town and they matched the price. I get to play with it tonight at home.

Another trick a race car mechanic taught me a few years ago was to point the thermometer at the exhaust manifold next to each cylinder. When you get to a cylinder that isn't firing properly, the temperature will be lower at that point.

Thanks

Steve