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]

Well, it is a real relief to know from the previous post by Wannabe Scott, that folks will find no problem starting and stopping the new Champion with or without a load. I intend to add the remote kit mentioned in some thread, to be made available soon. My Champion C46540 has the add on Electric Start kit bought through Ebay, works great. The only problem being, we have previously been instructed to cut off the fuel after shuting down the gen. Maybe they have a new solenoid cut off, seems the carb has been known to flood. Just want to know all the bases have been covered.

[curt12914]

I hsve said several times that I probably would own a Champion, if they had been available when I bought my "twins" several years ago.

I consider myself (kind of) a generator expert, not because of my vast knowledge of generators, but because of the hundres of dollars I have spent on generator mistakes over the years. I started out with a 5000 watt Coleman (Tecumseh motor and very loud). The only thing it did right for camping was generate electricity. Next was a Generac XL-4000 with a "low tone muffler". It was a little quieter, but not much. Next I found this forum and learned about the Honda's. I was so sick of the noise that I saved my pennies and bought the "twins". I have never regretted it.

class A wannabe,
We have a lot in common! We sarted out (in the late 70's in a truck camper, then bought a repo'ed Class C from a bank auction. (Bare basics - ibcluding carrying bikes inside and boards and hydraulic jacks for leveling!)

We have worked our way up, a lot like I bet yor parents did, and you probably will.

My background was construction, then driving truck. I have now worked for the highway Department for 27 years, kids are all grown and married and things are (financially) easier.

I'm sure your Champion will work great for you.

[Aahhyes68]

I just havta' tag this for future posts 🙂

[class_A_wannabe]

curt12914 wrote:


When I had problems with one of my EU2000i's, the carb had loosened and ruined the spacer and gasket. They did not have one in stock, but they took the pars out of a (new),generator they had in stock, to get mine going.

Don't get me wrong. I have consistently defended Champion generators as a low cost alternative (to a Honda or Generator). I have a frind that has one (on my recommendation) that has good luck with it.

I try to call a spade a shovel. There are good points to the Champion (price, acceptable noise level, customer support, etc.), but there are also (what I feel are) some downfalls. I know their customer support is reported to be good, but I don't feel that I should have to trouble shoot the problem with a tech's assistance. You pay more for a Honda or Yamaha, but dealers (that stock parts and do service) are easy to find, even in a very rural area like where we live (four Honda dealers within 30 miles that I can think of off hand).

Getting back to the original topic, I just don't think saving a couple hundred dollars for a new Champion inverter generator (compared to a Honda or Yamaha) that is new and unproven is something I would be interested in.

The original Champion's could be often found in the $200 - $300 range, which is a substantial saving over the $1700 price tag of twin Honda's. I would be willing to take a chance at that price, but I don't have any interest in the inverter generators at their present price, at least not until they have been around a few years to find out their longevity and reputation.

Believe me I looked hard at the "perfect pair", twin Honda2K's w/ the parallel kit. But the way the economy is hitting my family right now, especially being in construction, just couldn't see dropping the 2 grand on 'em. I'm not like all the richy retired folk out there that pull into a campground, push some buttons, roll out the slides, pop out the awning, plug in the hookups while sipping a mai tai the whole time. You know who you are! (my parents) I'm the guy with the beater truck, straggling in late because work took too long to find no good campsites left, trying to get her level, sewer hose won't reach, gettin' the bikes out before they put another dent in the cabinets, cranking the jacks by hand, forgot the wood for the firepit, tryin' to stop 3 kids from yellin' while drinkin' a pabst blue ribbon the whole time kinda guy.

I saw this coupon in the Costco book & finally dropped some coin on a cheapo, chinese made, noisy, sold in the good 'ole USA yellow generator. It's been a dream of mine for a while now to be self contained with most of the amenities including satellite tv, AC, micro, auto coffee pot, etc... Now I can. And for less than $400 I can sit in the comfort of my own tiny trailer, push my remote button & have all that. I just hope I don't offend anyone while doin' it. Oh crap, now I've gotta buy a bigger gas can, this 2 gal one ain't gonna cut it. And a longer cord...I don't wanna hear this thing crankin' all day. Looks like Father's Day came a little early this year in our household. Have fun out there. Be safe.

[curt12914]

professor95 wrote:

curt12914 wrote:

I'm sure there are eceptions, but I had a problem with one of my EU2000i's in Richmond, VA, 700 miles from home. A trip to a local Honda dealer and my EU2000i was repaired.

Yes, there are exception. The Honda 1000 I mentioned earlier is at the same dealer awaiting parts. BTW - what did your Honda need to get it running again?

curt12914 wrote:
I'm sure there are Champion repair centers, but I don't know of any close to me.

How would you know of them? Are you expecting to see CHAMPION in big yellow letters across the front of the building? What you will find is a decal on the window that says "Authorized Champion Power Equipment Service" - most likely along with other stickers for Brigs & Stratton, etc. Champion goes to great lengths to establish these affiliations. Now that LOWE's and NAPA are also selling CPE equipment, their service centers also accept CPE equipment. Just make a call to CPE at the toll free number on the product, tell them you need a service center for your product and they will give you the name and address of those in your area. They will even call ahead for you and make sure the SC is prepared to accept your CPE product. BTW - I live in the Richmond area and there are four authorized service centers close by.

curt12914 wrote:
EDIT: These service centers must be a secret. I tried everything I could think of to find them in Champion's website and the only reference I could find to repair locations is in the warranty section.

I would think they would want to list their service locations, so customers could find an authorized repair location, when they have a problem.

Once again, all you need to do is call and ask toll free 24/7. CPE will first work with you to see if the problem can be corrected immediately. If not, they will send you to a service center. Not listing all the service centers and having someone automatically take a unit to them can save money for both the customer and company since so many problems can be remedied by just talking to a tech at Champion. BTW - Does Honda have a 24/7 Tech Support system that you can call at 3:00 a.m. Sunday morning if your generator conks out to help you find and correct the problem?

Honda has a great product in their generators and other small power equipment. No question about it. It is a huge company with many outlets. They are well respected leaders in the industry. But, prices are controlled by Honda and they will not allow a dealer to sell below a specific level. It is my belief that you pay for a lot more than you get, rather than the other way around.

When I had problems with one of my EU2000i's, the carb had loosened and ruined the spacer and gasket. They did not have one in stock, but they took the pars out of a (new),generator they had in stock, to get mine going.

Don't get me wrong. I have consistently defended Champion generators as a low cost alternative (to a Honda or Generator). I have a frind that has one (on my recommendation) that has good luck with it.

I try to call a spade a shovel. There are good points to the Champion (price, acceptable noise level, customer support, etc.), but there are also (what I feel are) some downfalls. I know their customer support is reported to be good, but I don't feel that I should have to trouble shoot the problem with a tech's assistance. You pay more for a Honda or Yamaha, but dealers (that stock parts and do service) are easy to find, even in a very rural area like where we live (four Honda dealers within 30 miles that I can think of off hand).

Getting back to the original topic, I just don't think saving a couple hundred dollars for a new Champion inverter generator (compared to a Honda or Yamaha) that is new and unproven is something I would be interested in.

The original Champion's could be often found in the $200 - $300 range, which is a substantial saving over the $1700 price tag of twin Honda's. I would be willing to take a chance at that price, but I don't have any interest in the inverter generators at their present price, at least not until they have been around a few years to find out their longevity and reputation.

[Old___Slow]

Scott, (class A Wannabe)

Glad you are on board with this one. I like the knowledge, you are indeed a Licensed Electrician. Knowing this helps. Also, you will no doubt be quite helpful with your knowledge of things 'lectricial to deal with the possible remote issue. Hope to have a good report of smooth sailing with the operation of the NEWLY designed Remote Control. Be our reporter of facts with the new AVR and then the operation after instalation. With and without load, start up and shut down. I think many are anxious to hear from the first to receive the new Champion.

Floyd

[class_A_wannabe]

Old & Slow wrote:

I just noticed on Costco website, listed under shipping and other info' ~ Any online order my be returned to any of Costco 500 locations.

That is good news, to see it listed under the ad for Champion.

Don't have to be a do it yourself repair person. Then maybe void the Costco warranty. They say, just return it. If you really want one after the return, then just re-order. New warranty. If out of stock, maybe you have saved your $$$$$

That's one of the main reasons I jumped on this offer. Costco's return policies are some of the best of any company out there. They don't want to hassle you about customer satisfaction, they want you to know you have confidence in whatever you buy from or through them. Heck, I've returned baby clothes with puke on 'em & they didn't care. Been a member since it was Price Club & will still be one till I die or they go under (doubt that). Plus, talk about convenience, I've got a store 10 mi away now.

I just wanted this defect fixed before the weekend trip & their tech support kindly walked me through it. Otherwise I'd be waiting for the whole return process, who knows maybe weeks. But I'd bet knowing how helpful these guys are they'd expedite the process in a matter of days. And having 25+ years experience as a licenced electrical contractor this isn't the first gadget I've torn apart & tinkered with. 🙂

[Old___Slow]

professor95 wrote:

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 🙂

I trust the problem with the remote control, is under control. I have the Champion C46540 with the Electric Start added. Was hopping when the remote kit is on the market, to be one of the first to order. I know DuroPower offers their DP3500E with Electric Start and Remote Control @$399.00 delivered, so Remote Control must work work on these 3000w Chinese Gensets. Perhaps most of the parts in the two different units come from different vendors but the Champion(CPE) remote must have been engineered by CPE, so they should know the solution for proper operation.

Anyway, glad I found on the Costco Champion ad under shipping that all online orders are covered on their return policy.

[professor95]

curt12914 wrote:

I'm sure there are eceptions, but I had a problem with one of my EU2000i's in Richmond, VA, 700 miles from home. A trip to a local Honda dealer and my EU2000i was repaired.

Yes, there are exception. The Honda 1000 I mentioned earlier is at the same dealer awaiting parts. BTW - what did your Honda need to get it running again?

curt12914 wrote:
I'm sure there are Champion repair centers, but I don't know of any close to me.

How would you know of them? Are you expecting to see CHAMPION in big yellow letters across the front of the building? What you will find is a decal on the window that says "Authorized Champion Power Equipment Service" - most likely along with other stickers for Brigs & Stratton, etc. Champion goes to great lengths to establish these affiliations. Now that LOWE's and NAPA are also selling CPE equipment, their service centers also accept CPE equipment. Just make a call to CPE at the toll free number on the product, tell them you need a service center for your product and they will give you the name and address of those in your area. They will even call ahead for you and make sure the SC is prepared to accept your CPE product. BTW - I live in the Richmond area and there are four authorized service centers close by.

curt12914 wrote:
EDIT: These service centers must be a secret. I tried everything I could think of to find them in Champion's website and the only reference I could find to repair locations is in the warranty section.

I would think they would want to list their service locations, so customers could find an authorized repair location, when they have a problem.

Once again, all you need to do is call and ask toll free 24/7. CPE will first work with you to see if the problem can be corrected immediately. If not, they will send you to a service center. Not listing all the service centers and having someone automatically take a unit to them can save money for both the customer and company since so many problems can be remedied by just talking to a tech at Champion. BTW - Does Honda have a 24/7 Tech Support system that you can call at 3:00 a.m. Sunday morning if your generator conks out to help you find and correct the problem?

Honda has a great product in their generators and other small power equipment. No question about it. It is a huge company with many outlets. They are well respected leaders in the industry. But, prices are controlled by Honda and they will not allow a dealer to sell below a specific level. It is my belief that you pay for a lot more than you get, rather than the other way around.

[Old___Slow]

class A wannabe wrote:

msmd1 wrote:
I guess that I will be looking for the UPS man sooner than later. I hope mine works, unlike class A wannabe.

Turns out the AVR (auto voltage regulator) was no good. Somehow it picks up a DC current off the brushes & controls the output AC. Did some tests over the phone with Jim from Champion's tech service (great guy), got a new one coming fed-ex tomorrow. Will post end results on that.

You guys should get your new ones soon. I'm in the same state & it took 5 days to get to my doorstep. Have fun with 'em!

I just noticed on Costco website, listed under shipping and other info' ~ Any online order my be returned to any of Costco 500 locations.

That is good news, to see it listed under the ad for Champion.

Don't have to be a do it yourself repair person. Then maybe void the Costco warranty. They say, just return it. If you really want one after the return, then just re-order. New warranty. If out of stock, maybe you have saved your $$$$$

[class_A_wannabe]

msmd1 wrote:
I guess that I will be looking for the UPS man sooner than later. I hope mine works, unlike class A wannabe.

Turns out the AVR (auto voltage regulator) was no good. Somehow it picks up a DC current off the brushes & controls the output AC. Did some tests over the phone with Jim from Champion's tech service (great guy), got a new one coming fed-ex tomorrow. Will post end results on that.

You guys should get your new ones soon. I'm in the same state & it took 5 days to get to my doorstep. Have fun with 'em!

[curt12914]

professor95 wrote:

curt12914 wrote:

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.

Curt - Not True! Champion has a large network of Authorized Independent Service Centers all over the place. If needed, they WILL send you to one of them for repairs.

A buddy of mine left his Honda 1000 at a local Honda dealer in April to fix a surging problem. He still doesn't have it back! Excuse is warehouse keeps sending the wrong carburetor parts. Even having a dealer close by is no guarantee you will get work done quickly.

I'm sure there are eceptions, but I had a problem with one of my EU2000i's in Richmond, VA, 700 miles from home. A trip to a local Honda dealer and my EU2000i was repaired.

I'm sure there are Champion repair centers, but I don't know of any close to me.

EDIT: These service centers must be a secret. I tried everything I could think of to find them in Champion's website and the only reference I could find to repair locations is in the warranty section.

I would think they would want to list their service locations, so customers could find an authorized repair location, when they have a problem.

[professor95]

curt12914 wrote:

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.

Curt - Not True! Champion has a large network of Authorized Independent Service Centers all over the place. If needed, they WILL send you to one of them for repairs.

A buddy of mine left his Honda 1000 at a local Honda dealer in April to fix a surging problem. He still doesn't have it back! Excuse is warehouse keeps sending the wrong carburetor parts. Even having a dealer close by is no guarantee you will get work done quickly.

[msmd1]

I guess that I will be looking for the UPS man sooner than later. I hope mine works, unlike class A wannabe.

[W8NONU]

professor95 wrote:

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.

I recently received a 15k A/C unit through UPS. I think it weighed 110#s.

I can't believe some people are already receiving their shipment. That's fast.