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...

[bassman1]

Well I killed this thread

[bassman1]

NAVY CHOP try this link
Link

Edit - made the URL a link. Mel

[Toyota_Camper]

I have the Contractor series (blue) 4000 watt peak generator that looks identical to the JD link. Does anyone know where I can locate a wheel kit of it?

Thanks
Nate

[LittleBill]

just used my elim the other day, started it in 2 pulls in 20f hasn't been started in 6 months, ran flawless for 10 hours, and still have gas left in the tank

[Navychop]

Nice. So where can I buy an electric start version?

[professor95]

I was given the following link (via private messages) for JiangDong by a fellow forum member today. I am posting it for the entire forum. You will find that the units listed are comparable to the ELM3000 (after all, JD built them) and the unit I posted yesterday as the "Contractor Series" from Craig's Affordable Tools.

JD Link

[Skibane]

Sleepy, here's another good website to bookmark for info on generator repairs:

PER Small Engine Technical Forums

[sleepywheel]

Thank you James! I knew that someone in this forum would be able to help. None of the stores I was at knew that. The price of a new Honda engine is more than the price of the generator so I'll keep an eye out for the aftermarket one you mentioned. In the meantime, I'm going to pull this one apart and see how how close the parts are to Honda made ones.

This is one great thread!

Thanks again!

[jamesinaurora]

Sleepywheel,

updated info for ya, std small engines like hondas, briggs, robin and tecumseh and such use a straight shaft w/key slot for most application BUT generators use a tapperd shaft. Just food for thought.

[jamesinaurora]

SLEEPYWHEEL

Look for a POWER TRAIN MOTOR (yellow in color) not sure what the output shaft is but my couin owned a small engine repair shop and so thems as replacements for the Honda units. You might have to do some researchs as the the shafts but it is another knock of Honda. Best of luck
James

[sleepywheel]

Hello everyone!
I have a year old 5000 watt chinese manufactured generator, marked J&D Power Ltd. which I assume is another offshoot of the Jiang Dong Power generators that have been discussed here. It's Honda lookalike engine has dropped a valve and I'm assuming lots of damage though I haven't pulled it apart. The dealer selling them has gone out of business so I can't go back to him.

I was looking for a replacement Honda engine but the output shafts are different. This one has a tapered shaft while the Hondas that I've seen are just a straight round stock with a keyway. Has anyone found that the J-D clone engines are close enough to use Honda engine parts?

[professor95]

In response to various readers looking for what was the original ELM3000, I spent a few minutes searching portable generators on eBay yesterday.

There is a unit being offered by "Craigs Affordable Tools" (item #7576975616) that closely matches the original JiangDong made ELM3000. This unit, which is sold under the "Contractor" label is also a JiangDong unit. The main difference is that it does not offer 220 volts at all (no big deal for RV use). The claimed AC power of 4,000 watts is all routed to a single 110/120 outlet. BTW, that 4,000W claim should not be taken seriously. The rating is undoubtably a peak rating. The output of this generator will be comparable to all the others in the 6.5 HP class.

I know nothing about this seller nor have ever physically touched his product. I do not in any way whatsoever endorse this product. I am only offering information on compatability to the original ELM3000.

[n7bsn]

Dianne and Tom wrote:
.... much better than the Yahama and it lighter.
Tom

Tom, there is part of the clue, weight is related to power. Another is how power is "rated", I'm certain you've seen "3-HP" power-tools from Sears that plug into a regular output, while the Delta/Jet "3-HP" tools take 220v.

[Dianne_and_Tom]

I have a Yahama 3000 ise and it will run the airconditioner and the microwave at the same time. I went in November and got a Power Pro 3500 from Pep Boys. It had just come off the truck when I got there. I had to wait for them to unload. It too cold here to run the air but I did try the microwave and a electric heater. It seemed to run them ok. The voltage did go down to 110 volts when running. How can this one be rated at 3500 watts and not carry the load the 3000 watt generator will? The one from Pep Boys fits the generator compartment much better than the Yahama and it lighter.
Tom

[Agent_Iron]

I also wanted to thank everyone who posted on this site, special thanks to the professor. I had recently purchased a chinese 2200 watt unit from Aldi store. The unit was a Kingcraft and appeard to be a well constructed piece. My only concern was that it did not have a 220 plug so I held of on opening it. At $200 it seemed a real bargain. I then was directed to this site and discussion and have learned so much. I am now the proud owner of a Nikota 3000 watt unit. It is the updated unit with switch from 120 to 220. I broke her in today with about 6 hours of run time, and it was great.
1. It was quieter then I expected, much quieter then some of the contractor units, or my fathers 5k with techumseh.
2. It seems well built and solid and is great with the wheel kit.
3. I loaded her up with a variety of items, and she took them all with little effort. I even plugged a 12 amp 15,000 btu air unit and a 1500 watt heater at the same time. No problem!
4. I got her from Costco for only $249 with rebate which is an unbelievable price and a company that will stand behind the product even if the manufacturer will not.

I am so pleased, and look forward to learning more from this great site!

Thanks so much to all!