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...

[LVJJJ]

My God! I got a direct response from the perfesser! thanks, I'm honored, you saved me from wasting my money. Larry aka LVJJJ

[Capt_Skup]

About twenty five years ago I had one of the little two-cycle generators,maybe 1500-2000 watts. If I could have afforded a four-cycle I would have tossed that pain in the keester in the dumpster. I would spend 20 minutes getting it started only to be surrounded by the blue cloud and choking fumes, noisiest piston powered contraption I have ever owned. I recently bought the Champion 3500watt from Lowes, extremely satisfied with it so far.

[professor95]

Airmaxx23 wrote:
I have a Champion 3000 watt generator (Model 40026) and I'm thinking of getting one of the US Carburetion propane/natural gas conversion kits. Has anyone installed one and if so how do you like it? Have you noticed any drawbacks? Is it running more efficiently with the propane? Any help would be appreciated.

Go to this forum first and read my postings.

Yes, the US Carb kit is an excellent product.

[professor95]

LVJJJ wrote:
anybody tried a TD Industries 1000w 2-cycle gen listed for $139 from Sportsman?

Stay away from 2 cycle gennys if you plan on using them in a campground. They are sort of like a big weed eater or leaf blower as far as noise and pollution.

[Airmaxx23]

I have a Champion 3000 watt generator (Model 40026) and I'm thinking of getting one of the US Carburetion propane/natural gas conversion kits. Has anyone installed one and if so how do you like it? Have you noticed any drawbacks? Is it running more efficiently with the propane? Any help would be appreciated.

[LVJJJ]

anybody tried a TD Industries 1000w 2-cycle gen listed for $139 from Sportsman?

[MrWizard]

i'm back..

my PC died 8 days ago, and i've done a little surfing with my phone, but i haven't been 'active' here..

i've got some catch up reading to do,

now we return to the 'reguraly scheduled program' already in progress

[ol_Bombero-JC]

The "September Mail-in Rebates" for Checker/Schucks/Kragen/Murray's
are in still in effect - through today, 9-27) - $100. off the $399. price for the Champ C46540. (for a final price of $299.)

The local (for me) Kragens still had several yesterday.

Interesting trivia - (*for CA*) the sales guy there said he had some without the "emissions modification". They "had been having trouble" with the emissions version.
I should have asked what kind of "trouble". But, I did ask - how do you tell
the difference between the two? (all the boxed gens looked the same).
He pointed to a small oval add-on "sticker" next to the printed oval in the upper corner of the box.

JC

[Beach-Rat]

Have (and love a Champion C46540)..

For any New Englanders.. saw generator that is the spitting of my Champion C46540 only in blue & with two standard recepticals (no RV outlet) at The Christmas Tree Stores on Cape Cod.. (they don't sell Christmas Trees) for $269.00.. it is up by the service desk, take a card & a gofer will shag it from the back.. (Clothing Optional in some of Mass)

http://www.christmastreeshops.com/

[WaltinColo]

Dern it! 🙂

[kausin_komotion]

Must have been 3 weeks ago cabelas had the C46540 on sale for $299 for 4 hours only on a saturday morning.

The ad also specified no nudity allowed....sorry Walt.

[WaltinColo]

:S:B

[professor95]

WaltinColo wrote:

I have most likely unintentionally kicked open an ant hill next to a nude sunbather with my previous comments.

Not sure about that electronic mumbo jumbo back up there, but THIS i understand...

heh 🙂 🙂

You left the door wide open with that reply. Immediate questions that come to mind:

• Are you a nude sunbather?
• Do you like to kick anthills around nude sunbathers?
• And finally, where do you find these nude sunbathers? (maybe I should visit?)

All in good fun 🙂 I am glad I could write something that was understandable.

BTW - Regular price of the C4650 Champ at TSC is now $349.00 (up $50). One of the really good buys is the new Home Depot Power Pack for $399 built by CPE. It does not yet appear on the HD web site. This is a 5,000 watt, basic no frills black painted genny. The engine is larger and therefore the unit is louder than the 3,500 - most likely unsuitable for RV use without some sound abatement measures. I have not been able to test one yet but hope to soon. Also, HD is now listing the 3,500 watt LPG fueled 3500 watt Champion as available. Their model 40012 3500 watt unit is also now listed at $349.00. Like sub $3 a gallon gas, we have most likely seen the end of the $299 listings.

[Old___Slow]

WaltinColo wrote:

I have most likely unintentionally kicked open an ant hill next to a nude sunbather with my previous comments.

Not sure about that electronic mumbo jumbo back up there, but THIS i understand...

heh 🙂 🙂

[WaltinColo]

I have most likely unintentionally kicked open an ant hill next to a nude sunbather with my previous comments.

Not sure about that electronic mumbo jumbo back up there, but THIS i understand...

heh 🙂 🙂