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...

[Gulfcoast]

With the HOT summers in the south, we need all the ventilation we can get.

In the cooler states, you can get buy with less. But, nothing harms an air-cooled motor worse than running hot (and dirty oil).

I'd still watch the temps very close.

Thanks

[P_J1]

Gulfcoast wrote:
This site recommends a 1400 CFM (minimum) fan size for 1-5kw gens...


Ventilation fan for small generators...

Whoa.

That's a pretty massive blower. I wonder if it matters that my enclosure is much smaller and I have my exhaust run out to a stack?

[Mr__Tommy]

For what it's worth, I use my Champion (bought at Kragen) with our travel trailer, and I plug my laptop in (in the trailer, of course) all the time. No problems whatsoever.

[thom72champ]

Well I am about to order a generator. After reading this topic, I have a few questions.

One of the posts states......As for the difference between Kragen (Champion) and Pep Boys (Wen Power Pro). Both have solid state voltage regulators and both provide a fairly clean sine wave with minimal distortion. The AVR used on these units is a plus compared to the capacitor regulator circuit used on many other models. The one from Kragen is built specifically to meet the needs of RV's using a 30 amp TT plug. The Pep Boys unit is set up for conventional construction and residential service.

Someone told me that I need to get a generator that has a built in Inverter, not a built in converter for using my desktop computer. Does anyone know if this is true?

What units have the built in inverter?

Is the Champion and kraken still the recommended units?

Are there any new ones or Specials to consider?

Thanks a Bunch,
Thom72Champ

[Gulfcoast]

This site recommends a 1400 CFM (minimum) fan size for 1-5kw gens...


Ventilation fan for small generators...

[P_J1]

(In reference to an enclosure, I thought there was a thread, but couldn't find it?)
Anyone have an opinion as to which fan would be better for me (and my generator), a 12V or 120V model.

I am looking at both, both about 50 CFM in size. I can run either I suppose, just wondered if anyone had some knowledge about one being better than the other.

My enclosure is just about complete, even without the top on it is just amazing how much quieter it is. I have the exhaust run with a mini-stack, I just need to put a vent and fan in before I start messing with the lid/roof.

Thanks in advance.

(Pics and data to follow as soon as it is presentable)

[MrWizard]

presp wrote:

MrWizard wrote:

prospecter wrote:
wizzard
starter in just like car starter teeth on fly wheel...

shadow

NICE
thanks

Why would that be "nice"?
It seems that using the gen head as a starter would be alot "nicer".
A gen head starter could be quieter, less mechanical parts and (potentially) more reliable.
And, if engineered into the gen head at design time, probably less expensive.

But other than the above there is probably no advantage to a gen head starter. 🙂

Just wondered (wandered?) - Pres

IMO wrong

a sperate starter is easy to replace and spins the motor faster, than using the windings in the genny head to pull angainst the residule magnetism of the armature windings

go start one of those old onans or kohlers and listen to how slow it spins, a weak battery will not spin it fast enough to start

if it goes out, the whole generator has to be torn apart to fix the bad start winding in the genny head, EXPENSIVE

[mbb]

Well I received my champion c46540 yesterday, so naturally I hightailed it up to the camp afterwork to see if it would run my AC. My AC there is a 1983 Dometic 11,000 btu/hr that has a starting capacitor. But due to the age of the AC, I was apprehensive. Im pleased to report that the Champion started the AC with no problems WITH the refrigerator on. It runs the refrig, air, and microwave, lights no problem all at same time.

[presp]

MrWizard wrote:

prospecter wrote:
wizzard
starter in just like car starter teeth on fly wheel...

shadow

NICE
thanks

Why would that be "nice"?
It seems that using the gen head as a starter would be alot "nicer".
A gen head starter could be quieter, less mechanical parts and (potentially) more reliable.
And, if engineered into the gen head at design time, probably less expensive.

But other than the above there is probably no advantage to a gen head starter. 🙂

Just wondered (wandered?) - Pres

[MrWizard]

prospecter wrote:
wizzard
starter in just like car starter teeth on fly wheel...

shadow

NICE

thanks

[prospecter]

wizzard
starter in just like car starter teeth on fly wheel...

shadow

[P_J1]

Ryan and Kristen wrote:
Does anyone know the DB level of this generator? I didn't see it in the specs. Thanks...Ryan

Which one? The Champion 4635 (main thread topic) is 67db @ 21 feet.

The 3000 Watt one in the link above was something like 70db.

[Ryan_and_Kriste]

Does anyone know the DB level of this generator? I didn't see it in the specs. Thanks...Ryan

[MrWizard]

prospecter wrote:
harry----
i have one just like it only yellow 🙂
works great runs evrything in 5th wheel..
you will not regert gettin one..
leaven fer az next week fer some prospecting
gen power only on the claims..
good luck

i'm curious !

is the starter seperate ? like a car ? or are they using the generator head, like OLD onans DID.

[toprudder]

toprudder wrote:
I was in the local Northern Tools store a few days ago, and noticed a "ProForce" generator for $299. It was rated for 2500w continuous, and 3125 ?? surge I believe. It also had a 120/240 switch and a twistlock 120v connector, should be simple to make an adapter for an RV plug.

Here is a link to their website:

http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_6970_438_438

Intereseting, though, is that the unit pictured only has two 15 amp 120v outlets, while I thought the one in the store had two 15 amp outlets plus a 20 amp 120v twistlock, and a 120v/240v switch. Hmmm. I'll have to go back and look at it again.