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...

[toprudder]

P.J wrote:
I'm sure you are talking about something else though...........

Look at the connections to the two 120v outlets at the top right. The "L" and "W" wires are connected to the same side of the outlet (dead short).

[P_J1]

"Sparking" Plug?

I have seen some wild instructions come out of China. They usually aren't much on grammer.

I'm sure you are talking about something else though...........

[toprudder]

There is a gross error in that last schematic. Anybody notice it??

Bob R.

[Dark_Green_HD_D]

Hope this helps

[boucher1]

sanman

I don't understand why there would be a difference in term of rewiring between
CSA or URL to get 120V, ± on 25 amps , maybe you could explain.
The wiring diagram would be great if some one has it for the unit.

Also from what I understand one cannot get 25 amps on one of the existing duplex 120V outlets because it is distributed on the two (2) duplex outlets.

Leaving for 4 days, will be back on Monday.

Thanks

Roger

[sanman]

MrWizard

I overlooked indicating that I was refering to the Canadian Costco version of the C46535 Champion generator. I believe the control panel and wiring is quite different than the U.S. version. In the Canadian model line 1 and line 2 are each routed through a 20 amp breaker to indivdual 20 amp duplexes as well as to the l1 and l2 terminals on the 4 wire 20 amp twistlock receptical. The meter is connectd between the breakers and indicates 240 volts. Your comments about bridging the duplex may well apply to the U.S. model. I have not seen any wiring diagram for any C46535 generator U.S. or Canadian.

[MrWizard]

sanman

thanks for the correction, I have not yet found time to dig up the backup copy of the wiring diagram i have saved on the external HD

[sanman]

Re:Costco Champion C46535 gen.
You cannot use an adapter to parallel the two duplexes as they are out of phase,ie 220 volts appear across the short bar contacts on ajacent duplexes. The good news is that the generator head can be wired to provide 120 volts at nearly 25 amps depending on wether you use CSA or URL ratings. I chose to rewire my unit for backup use on my home elecrical system. I replaced the 4 wire 120/240 20 amp twistlock receptical with a 120 volt 30 amp 3 wire twistlock receptical.This entailed a lot of panel rewiring. However if you are satisfied with a current capacity up to the breaker rating of 20 amps and the loss of the volt meter you can rewire with a few wiring changes in the head. The present twistlock outlet would now not be wired for the standard indicated by its markings. Note also the neutral is bonded to the frame inside the head.

[Oldfordman]

P.J wrote:
I'm thinking of installing a "Tiny Tach" tach/hourmeter. Anyone have any experience with them?

Haven't used one but they look good. Found @ Cabela's for $39. The hour meter function would be great to have the Champion Generator. With the small oil capacity, changing at regular intervals would definitely help extend the engine life.

[P_J1]

I'm thinking of installing a "Tiny Tach" tach/hourmeter. Anyone have any experience with them?

[CurtNLA]

True, true, true. All of the above statements about easy starting is true, unless you forget to turn the gas on at the shut off valve or flip the switch to the on position. Happens quite often during many of those Senior Moments. :R Can't LOL, it hurts too bad. Anyway have a nice day and happy camping. Curt

[klutchdust]

I have a 'trick' shoulder that I was concerned about and like it has been said already, very easy to start, half a pull most times, ...

[WaltinColo]

Ya.. the electric start is nice... but im more interested in the db drop.... 🙂

[Fiat48]

Reason I want electric start is not because of hard starting or having to pull it several times. I noticed you guys said they were starting easy with one pull many times.
I guess the reason I want electric start is more of a novelty. I built this 26 foot enclosed trailer and built in a full living quarters up front.
I want to make it where the wife can start the generator from inside the trailer. To make coffee in the morning. LOL. I realize I will have to rig up a little solonoid to activate the choke also.
The trailer is my toy as you can tell. 🙂

[MrWizard]

oldfordman is right

i'm a light weight 120lbs, and the rv ready doesn't need to be jerked or pulled to hard, i just grab the handle, keep my arms straight and twist my body, and this thing starts right up

starts easier than any 'pull start' genny i have ever had before this, even my litle honda 1000 or my coleman sport