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...

[sherpaxc]

No i don't. I'm embarrassed to say, I'm not sure how to turn the converter off! I would love to try that out. We are camping this weekend and could try it.

[mrekim]

sherpaxc wrote:
Thanks for that. To me, personally, when my 2000i is off economy mode it doesn't really sound all that quiet. So if 2 2000is have to be run off economy mode to run my ac then it doesn't seem to me to be all that great. Am I missing something in my logic? Of course I admit that a lot of the usage will be for charging batteries and running the microwave (something my one 2000i can't even do) and watching a movie on a rainy day.

I have a 2000i and a 3500/4000 open frame. Under a heavy load (12 amps) the two units seem to have about the same noise level. With a 12 amp draw I measured 68 db for the inverter unit and 70 for the open frame.


I was going to purchase a 2nd inverter but opted to create a box to quiet down the the open frame a little more instead for cases where we feel a need for A/C.


I can run my microwave with the 2000i and everything else off. When you try your microwave to do have the converter off and refrigerator on gas?

[sherpaxc]

Thanks for that. To me, personally, when my 2000i is off economy mode it doesn't really sound all that quiet. So if 2 2000is have to be run off economy mode to run my ac then it doesn't seem to me to be all that great. Am I missing something in my logic? Of course I admit that a lot of the usage will be for charging batteries and running the microwave (something my one 2000i can't even do) and watching a movie on a rainy day.

[MrRchitty]

sherpaxc wrote:
Hi all, this is my first post here I think. I've got a pretty simple question. I searched for a while but couldn't find the answer. So, I have a cpe 2000i that I use for charging the battery. It doesn't run my microwave though. I am now facing the option of either buying a second 2000i or getting the 3500/4000 open frame. My question is, what is quieter under load running a 13.5 ac? A paralleled 2000 or stand alone 3500/4000?
Thanks!

I feel the two 2000I's may be a bit quieter. I have both. Once powering higher loads, the inverter ones increase in noise, but at a different pitch.
The 3500 open synch may be more reliable for starting your ac unit, as they are not all the same. I had to put a hard start capacitor on my ac unit and leave the 2000i's off of economy mode.

[sherpaxc]

Hi all, this is my first post here I think. I've got a pretty simple question. I searched for a while but couldn't find the answer. So, I have a cpe 2000i that I use for charging the battery. It doesn't run my microwave though. I am now facing the option of either buying a second 2000i or getting the 3500/4000 open frame. My question is, what is quieter under load running a 13.5 ac? A paralleled 2000 or stand alone 3500/4000?
Thanks!

[Gdetrailer]

Since this thread has come back to the top, I want to warn folks about what happened to me last week..

After exercising my gen I shut the fuel off and put the gen in the back of my truck.

The next morning driving to work I noticed a strong gas odor..

Got to work and found the gas shut off valve BROKE off from the tank.

Leaked out 3 gallons of gas into the truck bed..

So, if you have a shut that looks like THIS you might want to carefully check or replace the valve..

They are made of pot metal and in my case it is 10+ years old and I suspect the vibration of the gen eventually lead to the pot metal fracturing..

[SaltiDawg]

Last year with the help of this thread, I ended up buying a Smarter Tools 7500W Running / 9500W Peak Portable Generator EPA/CARB from Costco. I am not a RVer and wanted a generator for home use.... I converted it to run on proapne as well as gasoline or NG.

I love it.

Better deal coming up!

EDIT: This link works:

Costco Generator Sale

The Costco flyer says $150 off = $599.99 6/12/14 - 7/6/14 Plus $149.62 Shipping (Unless you find it locally in-store.)

I gather this is way too large (and noisy) for RV use, but wanted to share with anyone looking for a residential hurricane power loss backup. I wish the deal had been available a year ago! You've made me a Champion fan boy!

[MrWizard]

I can give a reference for a diesel mechanic in Az

No medical references for Co

[MrRchitty]

Professor, good to see you back.

[ol_Bombero-JC]

MrWizard wrote:


even the few times i've been that high up in JULY or August

Hmmmmmmmm............:@

Prof - check with the Wiz - he may have a reference for a Dr. in - Colorado???

Hope you're feeling better - and be sure to confine your lifting to eight ounce curls.

~

[JiminDenver]

You would be surprised how hot it can get up there AND still be cold enough for the furnace at night. For two years we had record setting heat waves, last year it was cool all summer. Ya just never know.

[MrWizard]

you need A/C at that altitude ?
you must be Hot blooded

even the few times i've been that high up in JULY or August

i needed the HEATER on at night and long sleves during the day
certainly NO A/C needed, in the Sierra's, Mount Lassen etc..

[JiminDenver]

professor95 wrote:


Curious as to why the 3100i wasn't going to cut it. Rope start? Elevation?

It's the elevations we camp at, between 8900 and 10,000 ft this year. The 3500/4000 needs the converter off to comfortably be able to run the air up there.

According to Champion the 3100i would lose 980w at 10.000 ft, even they said not a chance.

[professor95]

JiminDenver wrote:
Professor

I can tell you that having the remote start is SWEETTTTTT. I replaced our original dual voltage 3500/4000 with a remote start version last week after finding out a 3100i just wasn't going to cut it up where I camp. Touch the button and it starts itself and then applies the load. Touch it again and it cuts the load and shuts off.

Curious as to why the 3100i wasn't going to cut it. Rope start? Elevation?

I don't remember if I ever posted this set-up or not. If it is a repeat please forgive me. I'm getting old and have what my son calls CRS.



Anyway, I mounted the remote start CAT5 unit below the passenger door in an open space of the Volvo. The flip down fairing normally covers it. The exhaust has been extended by attaching new pipe to the end of the muffler, making a U turn into a flex connector and then a 1" pipe terminating behind the truck cab. When moving I have the 30 amp plug attached to the camper thru the transfer switch in the camper. With the remote I can start or stop the generator running down the road or sitting in a campground. If it is one of those hot days I can pre-start the AC in the camper to cool the walls and contents down before stopping. When we are in the camper and using power from the Volvo mounted genset you cannot hear it at all. The exhaust routing and surrounding foam/fairing make the thing amazingly quiet.

Yes... the remote electric start is sweet. Now, if I could only convert the thing to run off of diesel and eliminate the gasoline can. That project would not be as easy as a LPG conversion. Guess it will have to stay gasoline powered :(.

Good to see Ron (fellow traveler) actually make an open post 😉 We may be somewhere close to you this summer.

Later...

[Unyalli]

Good to see you back in the saddle Prof. :B

-Jeff