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joe0508's avatar
joe0508
Explorer
Oct 15, 2014

generator

I got one of those 2000 watt champion generators.It is brand new and i used it for the first time the other day.I put oil in it and filled it with fuel.I have 30 amp system and pluged the rv cord into it with an adapter.I didnt have anything powered but maybe a few lights.The genny ran for like an hour and shut down on its own.I took the back off and rechecked the oil level and fuel,that was fine.I than tryed to restart it and it wouldnt,although i didnt try very hard.I let it set for maybe five minutes and tryed to start it again.This time when i tryed to start it i reset the breaker.It took four or five cranks than it started but i turned it back off and didnt use it anymore.I cant figure out what might have happened except for maybe leaving it in econo mode.Anyone have any suggestions?
  • joe0508's avatar
    joe0508
    Explorer
    Oct 16, 2014
    RoyB wrote:
    This is what the 2KW Honda FUEL CAP VENT looks like. ON is for venting air - OFF is for closing the vent.


    This is what the 2KW Champion Fuel Cap vent looks like


    My 2KW Honda Generator will run for about five minutes before shutting down when the vent lever is left in the OFF position.

    Roy Ken
    It looks like the cap is what most think it is.I thought this was just for storage but it looks like i was wrong.I will check to make sure it is in the on position next time i run it.The reason it started back must have been because i took the cap off to check the fuel.
  • RoyB's avatar
    RoyB
    Explorer II
    Oct 15, 2014
    This is what the 2KW Honda FUEL CAP VENT looks like. ON is for venting air - OFF is for closing the vent.


    This is what the 2KW Champion Fuel Cap vent looks like


    My 2KW Honda Generator will run for about five minutes before shutting down when the vent lever is left in the OFF position.

    Roy Ken
  • Dakota98's avatar
    Dakota98
    Explorer
    Oct 15, 2014
    IF this is your model number >>> 73536i it does have an air vent in the top of the fuel cap.
  • Matt_Colie's avatar
    Matt_Colie
    Explorer II
    Oct 15, 2014
    Joe,

    The lights are probably in the house bank (12Vdc).

    I don't and probably will never know anything about Champion Generators, but there are some common things here.

    The run for an half an hour sounds like the vent. Is there a screw in the fuel fill cap? Loosen it.

    Even if there isn't try another run, and when you hear it change sounds, run out and loosen the cap.

    Matt
  • time2roll's avatar
    time2roll
    Nomad
    Oct 15, 2014
    Does it have a fuel cap where you need to open the vent like a Honda 2000?
  • naturist's avatar
    naturist
    Nomad
    Oct 15, 2014
    First off, I hope you understand you are not going to get 30 amps out of a 2000 watt generator. At most, you can get 16-2/3 amps, and that only for a couple seconds if this generator is labeled like others, with the surge capacity in big letters and a smaller continuous capacity in smaller letters. Most likely this one is 2,000 watts surge, 1600 watts continuous, or maybe 1800 watts continuous. Either way, if you put too much load on any generator it will either kick itself offline or shut down. It sounds like this one shuts down.

    So, what did you try to run? Besides "a few lights," I'm sure you also had the RV's converter trying to charge the battery, maybe 500 watts right there. A dozen lights at 18 watts each, that's another 300 watts or so. It all adds up, my friend.

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