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

[zedd]

My local Sam's Club (Gilbert, AZ) finally got some in so I picked one up yesterday. Put oil and about a quart of gas in it and it started on the first pull (after I turned the engine switch on :S ). I plugged the trailer umbilical into it and tried the microwave and stereo and a bunch of lights and it ran them all just fine. A little stutter when I turned the microwave on but seemed to handle it just fine. Voltage stayed around 120-125v with a little dip when starting the microwave. It seems louder than my trusty old Honda EX650 when running full blast but is probably a little quieter when running in Econo mode, which will probably be most of the time. So far so good. We're heading up to the North Rim/Zion/Bryce next week so we'll see how it goes in the real world. Thanks to all for their inputs...this thread saved me about $400.

[MrWizard]

The UPS syncs with line power and the a/c just see's continuous line power
The same effect you get with "victron" inverter chargers OR paralleling two genset's together

I think the issues are the cost of the "big enough 2200va" UPS and how long does it take the batteries to recover? To be used again for the next startup
12v or 24v System inside the UPS,
I HAD a chance two years ago to get some quality surplus rack mount heavy va server Ups, wanted to tie them to my house batteries, it was a NO GO, they used a 24v battery system and charge circuit

[lt1fj40]

Agree, I wasnt meaning it for a solution over a hard start kit, more of if you use a hard start kit and the generator still cant handle it.

But I just did a bit of looking and the UPS I tested with was 2200 VA and depending on brand they can be cheaper or can be way more then this generator.

Just my 2 cents as another option.

I am getting a SPP6E, I just havent ordered it yet.

[PrivatePilot]

A UPS adds the issue of having to always ensure the batteries are charged up - the SLA cells they use do not tolerate long periods in low states of charge and will quickly become damaged/unusable as a result.

A hard start kit is about $20-$40 and requires no maintenance.

[lt1fj40]

Hey Guys first off I would just like to thank everyone on here that spoke so highly of this generator.

I bought it based on the good feedback on here, I love this generator. After having a fewer knock-offs I am amazed not only by the quality of this unit but also how super quiet it is. I am not kidding, specs are specs and either most other brands lie as they are suppose to be similar but man this thing is amazingly quiet.

I have a 23.5 foot trailer with AC and no hard start kit. The generator almost started it. My previous generators wouldn't even come close. This little guy tried hard to start it almost to the point of stalling before the overload clipped. So having been in computers my whole life I wondered how I could stop the dip of voltage and amps to help start the AC so I took out an old UPS I had sitting around and wouldn't you believe the AC started right up and the generator didn't really notice it. (eco off) It also kept it running with eco on.

So I wonder why wouldn't people having a hard time starting things look at getting a UPS? I know having to carry around another appliance and they are not light but you would have to do the same if you bought 2 generators? Last I checked you can get a fairly big UPS for a decent price, cheaper at least then a generator.

Thanks again everyone!

[DrBaker]

I've only had it for a few days now and I'm really glad I got it. It is replacing my old Champion 4000 (gone to a new home).

The measurements are approximately 19" wide, 13" deep, and 16.25" tall. Much smaller than my old generator, but not the smallest one available. One thing I noticed is that one could probably take off the top handle, modify the fuel cap, modify the feet, and get around 14" tall if space were an issue......just something to think about.

I haven't weighed it, but it feels like 48lbs plus fluids is probably pretty accurate. I find it very easy to walk around holding it with 1 hand. I can set it in the truck bed without dropping the tailgate (I could never do that with my old 4000).

I don't have any equipment to test the load or the volume. Running it in regular mode is nice and quiet. Switching it to Econ mode is whisper like and a soft humming type sound. Very easy to watch TV and what not while tailgating and the fans won't even notice the genny under the table.

As I mentioned in an earlier post, I plugged in my RV 30amp cord and was able to run the microwave, but could not turn on the A/C. I tryed a SPP6 hard start capacitor and still couldn't get it to turn on. My home shore power will not start the AC either. I've never been able to get it to start with anything short of a full 30amp power supply. It would not surprise me at all if many folks are able to get their 13.5btu A/C units to start off 1 of these gens with a hard start kit.

My plan is to order the parallel kit from Champion this winter. Next spring when the temps start to come up again, I'll go to Sam's and buy the 2nd generator (assuming I can wait that long).

If Champion is listening.....I hope my 2nd unit has an exterior fuel guage and a quick detach rear cover for quicker checks of oil level, etc. Other than that I really like the setup. If you over fill the oil, it has a built in ramp to let it poor back out of the unit without making a mess. The air filter and spark plug are easy to get to. The fuel tank filter makes not over filling easy as it has a big red line to tell you when to stop filling.

I've included some pictures for those who might be interested in seeing a 360 tour of the new Champion.

[bruno1138]

Have checked 3 Sam's clubs in L.A. area (Sylmar, Santa Clarita, and Lancaster). None of them carry any generators. Has anyone found the 2K inverter Champions at Sam's Clubs within striking distance of L.A.?

[curt12914]

Since our closest Sam's Club (Watertown, NY) is 100 miles from us, yesterday was the first time I have had a chance to look for the Champion 2000. They had 7 units out (there may have been more somewhere else).

The thing that I noticed is that the Champion is quite a bit bigger than my Honda's. My Honda's fit in my fifth wheel storage compartment for storage and travel. I'm not sure the Champions would fit...

EDIT: I just looked up the specs and the size is very close on both umits. My (old) eyes are deceiving me!

[PrivatePilot]

DrBaker wrote:
My house shore power won't start the AC either.

I'd be looking closer at your AC then - the compressor might be on it's way out. I could start mine on a 100 foot 15A extension cord (when parked out front of my house) even before my hard start kit was installed.

[DrBaker]

I used an adapter to plug the 30 amp cord to the Champ. It charged the batteries, ran the fridge and the microwave. I could not run the AC on one generator. I added the SPP6 hard start kit and it woul# not work even with everything else off. My house shore power won't start the AC either.

[SurfaceDreamer]

johnjces wrote:
@Zedd. My sister in law works at the Gilbert Sams and she checked availability for me and Flagstaff should have 16 and do not know about the Yuma Sams. In case you miss Flagstaff the Gilbert Sams will get ten of them in just under two weeks from Wed 9/29!

@msmd1, if you call CPE or your closest Sams, they will check and tell you if anyone has some and when they got them. The correct Sams item number is a page or two back in this thread,

John

Also, I'm not sure if it has changed but when I picked mine up in Flagstaff they were not down on the floor. They were up in the rafters... 2nd level on aisle 18 I believe.

[MX-RV]

Hi all I now have 25 hrs on the first of my soon to be pair and am still happy with my purchase I did have a slight hitch found within the first 10 hrs while running on econo I noticed it began running rough I noticed it was running rich on further inspection I discovered the carb float / pin valve were not sealing properly flooding the carb. With the carp apart I discovered the pin was neoprene tipped and of high quality the little bit of mill came out with a little flushing and now seals properly and has run for a further 15 hrs without problem.

[zedd]

Thanks to your SIL for checking. We'll be heading up north on the 10th so if they don't arrive in Gilbert in time we'll stop at Flag. We'll need to fuel up anyway.

[johnjces]

@Zedd. My sister in law works at the Gilbert Sams and she checked availability for me and Flagstaff should have 16 and do not know about the Yuma Sams. In case you miss Flagstaff the Gilbert Sams will get ten of them in just under two weeks from Wed 9/29!

@msmd1, if you call CPE or your closest Sams, they will check and tell you if anyone has some and when they got them. The correct Sams item number is a page or two back in this thread,

John

[msmd1]

Anybody know if there are any of the inverter units in Ohio Sam's Clubs ?