The Official unofficial CPE 2000i Generator Thread

[pritch272]

8/1/2010 edit: Thread renamed at the suggestion of the Professor.
Renamed from: Champion Inverter and Remote Gens Promo on CPE's web site)

3/22/2011 edit: Thread renamed ...
Renamed from: Official CPE 2000 Watt Inverter Generator Thread

3/23/2011 edit: Thread renamed at the suggestion of the Professor.
Renamed from: (Un)Official CPE 2000 Watt Inverter Generator Thread

Inverter Available August 2010



Remote Available July 2010

[Old___Slow]

class A wannabe wrote:

msmd1 wrote:
How can UPS be shipping these? Do they not have a 70 pound weight limit? This genny weighs twice that much.

Just got mine today after ordering it on the 8th. Was ready for 3-4 weeks like the Costco website said, but it got here pretty darn quick. Only problem is it doesn't output voltage! Did everything per manual on the startup proced. Runs like a top. Just no juice. Already have another thread going in this forum. Others tell me there's a selector switch on the control panel or elsewhere.??? All I see is a 3 pos rocker, off/on/start. Remote start works. I'm baffled.

Now, I'm afraid I've gotta lemon & won't get it replaced soon enough before summer trip, definitely not for the weekend outing. I can see it now, "Sorry we're out of stock due to over demand. Maybe by Sept."
😞

Perhaps a solution will resolve the 'no power' issue. But, the way I understand, any online order from Costco is backed up by their satisfaction guarantee. It's that way I know for sure with Target, Home Depot, Lowe's and WalMart. The package always says 'Contact the mfg for the warranty. But when you return the item to the store, I have found, a credit is always given on the spot.


Ps; With the receipt and in the original carton. Being sent to a repair station, you might just be on your own.

[curt12914]

class A wannabe wrote:

msmd1 wrote:
How can UPS be shipping these? Do they not have a 70 pound weight limit? This genny weighs twice that much.

Just got mine today after ordering it on the 8th. Was ready for 3-4 weeks like the Costco website said, but it got here pretty darn quick. Only problem is it doesn't output voltage! Did everything per manual on the startup proced. Runs like a top. Just no juice. Already have another thread going in this forum. Others tell me there's a selector switch on the control panel or elsewhere.??? All I see is a 3 pos rocker, off/on/start. Remote start works. I'm baffled.

Now, I'm afraid I've gotta lemon & won't get it replaced soon enough before summer trip, definitely not for the weekend outing. I can see it now, "Sorry we're out of stock due to over demand. Maybe by Sept."
😞

This is (and always has been) my point about these Chinese generators (at this time). With no local dealers, there is no service available locally. If they go with a local dealer network, like Honda and Yamaha, there will be no price advantage, since the dealer needs to make a profit, too.

If your generator was a Honda or Yamaha, a trip to a local dealer and your generator is repaired. Several people love to use the old cliche, "You get what you pay for". In the case of the Honda or Yamaha, you do pay extra because a dealer is making a profit, but you also have a nationwide network of dealers that have parts and service available.

I've already said it a couple times in this thread, but the only reason I would buy anything other than a Honda or Yamaha, would be to save a substantial amount of money. A couple hundred dollars savings, just isn't worth it, to me.

[class_A_wannabe]

msmd1 wrote:
How can UPS be shipping these? Do they not have a 70 pound weight limit? This genny weighs twice that much.

Just got mine today after ordering it on the 8th. Was ready for 3-4 weeks like the Costco website said, but it got here pretty darn quick. Only problem is it doesn't output voltage! Did everything per manual on the startup proced. Runs like a top. Just no juice. Already have another thread going in this forum. Others tell me there's a selector switch on the control panel or elsewhere.??? All I see is a 3 pos rocker, off/on/start. Remote start works. I'm baffled.

Now, I'm afraid I've gotta lemon & won't get it replaced soon enough before summer trip, definitely not for the weekend outing. I can see it now, "Sorry we're out of stock due to over demand. Maybe by Sept."
😞

[professor95]

msmd1 wrote:
How can UPS be shipping these? Do they not have a 70 pound weight limit? This genny weighs twice that much.

Well, all I can tell you is that FED-X started hauling heavier stuff and since then I have received some UPS stuff well over 70#. I'm no shipping weight expert, just my understanding that truck-freight is not the only shipping option.

[msmd1]

How can UPS be shipping these? Do they not have a 70 pound weight limit? This genny weighs twice that much.

[Old___Slow]

W8NONU wrote:
Many consumers have problems with Chinese made products but what were Japanese products like when first introduced into the American market? I believe that many Americans felt that Japanese products were inferior (late 60's, 70's and into the early 80's). There were "made in the USA" campaign back then, too. Today, that complex has changed and Japanese products are known for their reliability. It seems that Chinese imports face the same challenges. I'm sure that we will see more good things coming from China.

BTW, don't believe everything you read on Wikipedia. It's content is user generated and references could be from anywhere. It can be just as misleading as the internet.

Yes to all. However, we see major 'Japanese Brand Names' being produced in China. Some real quality products. Is it not true some parts of the true (what ever that is) Honda generators are being mfg in China. The picture of the new Champion 2000w Inverter looks to be nice quality.

As for Wikipedia I agree, anyone can inter info', it is screaned before being posted I do believe. I do wish Champion CPE would give us more info' other than the Tech page, at least by the BBB. If they are licenced to do business in California, that is public info' The picture of the building with the Champion name gives the impression of a vary large Company with perhaps several hundred employees.

[pnichols]

'bout time!

Hondas have been overpriced for WAY TOO MANY years - I'm sure that they've been laughing all the way to the bank over there in J%pan.

(I own a red one ... but it was given to me.)

Oooops ..... a last minute edit. The Champion 2000 model probably should NOT be rated at only 1600 steady-state watts. This will just continue all the "..can a single new Champion 2000 power my 13.5K A/C?" Honda-type discussions! It seems like it should be sized up a bit to match the Yamaha.

[W8NONU]

Many consumers have problems with Chinese made products but what were Japanese products like when first introduced into the American market? I believe that many Americans felt that Japanese products were inferior (late 60's, 70's and into the early 80's). There were "made in the USA" campaign back then, too. Today, that complex has changed and Japanese products are known for their reliability. It seems that Chinese imports face the same challenges. I'm sure that we will see more good things coming from China.

BTW, don't believe everything you read on Wikipedia. It's content is user generated and references could be from anywhere. It can be just as misleading as the internet.

[MrWizard]

In the USA we have the right, nay.. The obligation to question our elected officials
On this forum or any forum the ability to ask questions is a 'PRIVILEGE' granted to members, NOT a right
It is good to remember this when phrasing our questions or making statements

[professor95]

msmd1 wrote:
Just bought one at costco.com. Ships free in 3-4 weeks. Will report after it arrives and I have used it.

CPE is actually doing the initial shipping from their facility in Santa Fe Springs, CA -- not Costco. Costco forwards the orders to Champion and they ship. As I understand, this is just an initial method. Eventually, Costco will take over delivery and shipping.

Anyway, I have a feeling you will get your genny in something more like 2 weeks. I certainly hope mine is here before July 1st. I plan on taking it to the big Rally in Louisville after we leave the beach. I need a few days to get it checked out!

[Old___Slow]

professor95 wrote:

Tony F. wrote:


SNIP.....

Anyway, sorry for stirring up the pot. It was not intentional, and I'll try to be more careful going forward.

Tony

Tony, Welcome to the Forum. You did not stir up the pot -- only one person questioned your post. Truthfully, I have no idea why since it is all covered in many postings back on the 3,000 Watt Chinese Generator Forum which I have been hosting for over five years.

Glad you are here and please do not let the poster who questioned your intent keep you from being a part of our group.

Since this post was No doubt directed to me?, I will gladly respond. Yes, Tony welcome to the forum. It is a open forum therefore we all have a right to question any and all answers. Just like in a college class room. I did in college and have that right in this forum. The information about Champion (CPE) being a American Company owning a Chinese Mfg Company would be rather doubtful no matter what is stated on the Tech home page. Perhaps we could ask, how many employees are 'directly' associated with Champion (CPE) here in the US and how many in China. If one is to look up a Company like 'Lifan' you will find it listed in WikiPedia. We do have some right to ask these questions and not be singled out questioning what is stated on one page of 'Tech' information. I do have other questions, yet to be ask. I do have that right.

Oh, one thing that caught my eye about 'Lifan' The story goes the Company founder, Mr. Ying Mingshan was imprisoned by the Moe Regime for teaching 'Capitalists Fundamentals' as a "College Professor" Interesting to read the whole story. Some of the story is on 3000w Chinese Genset info' in a post by Joel (joelchappell).

Floyd

[msmd1]

Just bought one at costco.com. Ships free in 3-4 weeks. Will report after it arrives and I have used it.

[msmd1]

Man, late on the upload again! Thanks professor95.

[msmd1]

Disregard...I FINALLY got it to download. Says to unplug before starting and before shutting down. Why have remote start/stop then? Manual says "...never start or stop the generator with electrical devices plugged in or turned on..."

[professor95]

snarfattack wrote:
I just downloaded the manual fine.

I have a question about the generator the manual is not clear on. This gen is supposed to have auto-power, but the manual says to unplug all loads before starting... Looks like you can't start up via remote with loads connected, but you can shut down with loads connected. So what's the use of the remote, other than to shut down?

I have a recent e-mail from engineering at Champion that explains. it is below:

Update information. We were able to design both up and down loads
to be unloaded. We reprogrammed the stepper motor on the choke to
activate during shutdown, causing the lack of inlet air to shutdown the
engine without load and without backfire. We tested a new unit today and
it worked perfect. I have to give the factory high marks on this unit. A
well done and featured product. ON the upload, there is about a 10-15
sec. delay within the relay circuit for latching the voltage. ON the
download or shut off, the load comes off for 5 seconds and then the
shutdown of the engine begins and at shutdown of the engine, the stepper
motor activates the choke to closed. Works without any backfire.
Originally, we found backfiring happening at almost stopped rotation due
to additional coasting without any load. However closing the choke, even
though more fuel could go into the engine, was OK, because we took the
air away preventing a lean condition allowing it to backfire.

I don't anticipate any problems for the user.

It looks like the manual is already outdated and will need correcting -- I hope 🙂