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...

[professor95]

LittleBill wrote:


does anyone know what the valve lash is to be? i have a elim3000, not sure my book mentions it

Since all of these engines are "clones" of the Honda GX200, valves on them will all be set to the same specs. The procedure given by Champion on their web site will work for the ELM3000 (JD), PowerPro, DuroPower, Wildfire, ProForce, Nikota, UST and so on down the line. Keep in mind the reported problem resulted from too much clearance, which allowed the OEM rocker to rotate off the valve stem. As long as clearance is not allowed to get sloppy, there should be no problem with the OEM stamped rockers. Also, keep in mind the clearances given are for a COLD engine, not one that has been allowed to warm up by running.

[HedoTravelers]

LittleBill wrote:
does anyone know what the valve lash is to be? i have a elim3000, not sure my book mentions it

Here is the link... CLICK HERE

[Slick_Sammy]

LittleBill, follow the link above that tvman posted. it has the clearance settings in there.

[Slick_Sammy]

excellent posts fellas and very helpful. i'm printing documentation now. any idea when the 3rd gen rockers went into production? my generator box had a date stamp of December 07 on it. Hoping i got the good stuff.

[LittleBill]

does anyone know what the valve lash is to be? i have a elim3000, not sure my book mentions it

[professor95]

Slick_Sammy wrote:
I just got the popular Champion 46540 (fired up on first pull) and noticed the manual says you're supposed to set or at least check valve lash at 10 hrs ! 10 hrs? really? who does this? surprised no one has said anything about this or at least I haven't had luck in finding any info about valve lash adjustment.

so does anyone have the specs on this or care to do a step by step walk thru for all of us? i have the basic concept just just never done it before. anyone know what a small engine repair shop might charge? thanks!!

I am sure you are aware that all of these Chinese built 6.5 HP 200 cc engines are basically a copy of the original Honda GX200?

Honda's engines used a stamped rocker assembly shown here installed on an engine.



I am told (I have no first hand experience on this topic) that this original design had problems with the rocker rotating either right or left and popping off of the valve collars IF valve adjustment was not regularly maintained. (You will also note that these rockers mount on studs and do not have a rocker arm support shaft for stability.) Thus, CPE issued a TSB and notation to their manuals to adjust valve lash after the first 10 hours of use.

Most owners did not do this......

Thus, CPE elected to redesign their rocker assembly and developed a forged unit as shown in the photos below under 2nd generation upgrade.

Possibly for reasons of manufacturing costs, the rockers were again recently redesigned from stamped steel (3rd generation in photos). Only this time they were much beefier and durable than the original stamped design. You will note on both designs the use of a grade 8 rocker arm shaft and studs that were absent on the original design.







As I understand it, Honda continues to use the original design as do other builders of Honda clones. I am told CPE is the only company that has decided to use a redesigned rocker.

Your engine most likely has the 2nd generation redesigned forged rocker assembly. Pop the cap off and compare it to the photo to be sure.

If it is the forged design, you will still need to maintain proper valve lash, but the time frame for doing so is not as critical as the original stamped rockers as the risk of breaking the collars is minimized.

If you should have the original stamped rockers, by all means become anal about maintaining proper valve lash. Or, you can call CPE Tech Support and order either one of the updated rocker assemblies and studs. I do not know the cost.

Other brands of Chinese GX200 clones should make note of the recommended valve adjustment interval to assure continued reliability.

Hope this helps....

[tvman44]

Go to the Champion website and there you will find all the service information you can use on this ginny.

http://www.championpowerequipment.com/techbulletin.php

HTH.
Wish all manufacturers were this generous with their information.
🙂

[Slick_Sammy]

I just got the popular Champion 46540 (fired up on first pull) and noticed the manual says you're supposed to set or at least check valve lash at 10 hrs ! 10 hrs? really? who does this? surprised no one has said anything about this or at least I haven't had luck in finding any info about valve lash adjustment.

so does anyone have the specs on this or care to do a step by step walk thru for all of us? i have the basic concept just just never done it before. anyone know what a small engine repair shop might charge? thanks!!

[professor95]

With a beautiful 70+ degree day at hand, I decided to pull the camper off "the hill" to the lower driveway where I could begin geting it cleaned, preped and stocked for our first scheduled Spring trip.

The generator, in it's enclosure, had been sitting unattended since late November. When I pulled the cover off and opened the lid I was greeted by a rather upset field mouse. He (or she - maybe both) had apparently concluded that the inside of the enclosure would make a cozy winter home - looks like they entered through the plastic hatch I used to run the battery cables and propane hose. The mice had left a mess of acron shells, shreaded nesting matter and plenty of poo. Their urine had discolored the aluminum cylinder fins and several steel brackets. Fortunately, there were no chewed wires.

Next winter I believe it would be a good idea to be sure it is mouse proof.

[professor95]

BFRXLT wrote:
Are you saying the oil temperature should not be over 210 degrees? It would seem to me the oil would run hotter than that. How did you attach the bulb sensor to the engine? I was thinking of more or less laying where I want it at and using a cable clamp placed on the nearest bolt hole.

Guess it could run hotter, but it would not be typical. Remember, you have a splash type lube system, not a full flow presure system. Therefore, oil temps will be lower. Also consider the mass of the crankcase and how it acts as an efficient heatsink.

[professor95]

Cu8rly2001 wrote:
So far it still backfires and won't start. I may have too much cleaner in the muffler?? Would that be possible that it didnt get burned? I will wait and see if it runs later on. What else could have happened? Thanks,
Curly

Keep your fingers crossed. Backfire in the situation you described is a fire or explosion in the carb or intake (before the intake valve). Such a backfire can easily ruin a carb by damaging jets. Yes, the pressure of the explosion can even damage the float bowl and needle.

Hopefully, you will not ned a new carb or carb rebuild.

[HedoTravelers]

klutchdust wrote:
What does the warranty cover exactly? Most warranties have so many exclusions I find them worthless and don't purchase them.

The Power Plus plan I bought from TS covers the following from year 0 to year 4...

• Mechanical/electrical defects in workmanship and materials
• Breakdown as a result of normal wear and tear from everyday use (non-commercial)
• Refund of purchase price if it can't be repaired
• No lemon garentee - if your covered product requires more than three repairs for the same problem, it is replaced
• 100% parts & labor

*In previous post, I stated that the 4 year warrantee was started after the manufacturers warrantee expired as the TS employees told me. They were wrong. Upon closer examination of the details, it starts at the time of purchase. So you get 4 full years or coverage, not the 5 years I had previously stated.

[klutchdust]

HedoTravelers wrote:

DocP wrote:

tvman44 wrote:
Just a heads up to anyone considering a 3000W Chinese Gensets specifically the champion C46540. Cabela's will have them onb sale next Saturday 03/08/2008 For $279.00. Can't beat that. 🙂 🙂

Just bought my C46540 at our local Tractor Supply Co. for $289.88(everday price).

For those of you that buy at Tractor Supply, don't forget to buy the 4 year extended warranty for only $50! It will give you a full 5 years combined protection.

What does the warranty cover exactly? Most warranties have so many exclusions I find them worthless and don't purchase them.

[HedoTravelers]

DocP wrote:

tvman44 wrote:
Just a heads up to anyone considering a 3000W Chinese Gensets specifically the champion C46540. Cabela's will have them onb sale next Saturday 03/08/2008 For $279.00. Can't beat that. 🙂 🙂

Just bought my C46540 at our local Tractor Supply Co. for $289.88(everday price).

For those of you that buy at Tractor Supply, don't forget to buy the 4 year extended warranty for only $50!

[DocP]

tvman44 wrote:
Just a heads up to anyone considering a 3000W Chinese Gensets specifically the champion C46540. Cabela's will have them onb sale next Saturday 03/08/2008 For $279.00. Can't beat that. 🙂 🙂

Just bought my C46540 at our local Tractor Supply Co. for $289.88(everday price).