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

[MrWizard]

I think the Professor is just talking in general
The first chinese generators did not have an RV plug,
CPE saw the market, then they brought out an electric start model, then the new model with wireless remote, then the inverter model,
Wait long enough and something new will come out,
There will probably be something new , but when?
Six months or 12 ?

DrBaker wrote:

professor95 wrote:
wait for CPE to introduce their bigger and better model(s)

I've been following this thread fairly regularly, but don't recall seeing any info on this. What sizes and improvements might we see in the future? Any ETA?

[roguegaston]

Here is an interesting comparison video between the Honda and the CPE.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WyB3w_tJxYY

I will be saving up for the Honda after viewing this video.

Jason

[DrBaker]

professor95 wrote:
wait for CPE to introduce their bigger and better model(s)

I've been following this thread fairly regularly, but don't recall seeing any info on this. What sizes and improvements might we see in the future? Any ETA?

[MrRchitty]

Bravo!

[Old___Slow]

santaclause wrote:
Well this past weekend was my maden voyage with the champ 2000i and it worked well only thing I could not get my magic chef 900 watt microwave to start and run rite when it was on but thought it was because the converter was charging battery dont know I have to investigate better but anyhow always started and what a nice weekend nice and quiet at my campsite with it running at generator hours.... going to have to see a few more trips to give my total opinion of the unit.....

The microwave problem has been a common complaint (not all) from owners of the Champion 2000i. The Professor has mentioned that he has new modules installed from CPE, just wonder of those who have stated they have a burping problem every few seconds and problems with Converter/Chargers and microwaves need to return them and perhaps get the New Champion 2000i that will perform up to par. Was happy to hear from the Professor that the Champion 2000i has no problem operating the 6000 btu A/C's. Things are looking up.

[bruno1138]

professor95 wrote:


Snip...

I still feel when evaluated on a $$ per watt basis the CPE2000i comes out on top of the other three. But if you are one of the folks that finds that the CPE2000i cannot provide the watts you need to meet your desired camping loads, either wait for CPE to introduce their bigger and better model(s) or spend the additional $$$$ for a higher powered Yamaha, Honda or Kipor.

Excellent write up professor, unfortunately, we'll have to wait a good long while to see how well the cpe 2000i stacks up against the other choices in this generator class in terms of proven longevity and reliability...

[professor95]

We just spent four nights in the mountains along the Skyline Drive in Virginia at close to 4,000 feet.

I had the CPE2000i (portable), The Kipor KGE2000i (mounted under the fairing on the Volvo HDT) and the CPE synchronous 40008 permanently mounted in the fiver.

My intent was to use the CPE2000i for everything, but on Sunday I had to switch back to the synchronous 40008 to bulk charge the battery bank. I let them get too low and need the "Boost" 14.4 volts from the PD 9180 by punching the button on the Charge Wizard to bring them back up in the time allocated in the campground for generator usage. The CPE2000i was not too interested in powering the PD9180 in this mode but handled it great in the "normal" or 13.6 volt mode. The maximum rated input wattage for the PD1980 is 1,300 watts. The pf measured .68 in normal mode.

Mean while, back at the Volvo I let the refrigerator run off of the inverter all night to lower the charge in the 4 AGM accessory side batteries (127 Ah each). The next day I powered up the WFCO 55 amp converter with the Kipor. Note - the WFCO DOES NOT have an user selectable charge mode and selects what it wants. The WFCO WF-9855 is rated at 950 watts input load at 105 to 130 VAC. According to the Killawatt, it was right on the money at 948 watts but the pf was a disappointing .53. The Kipor ramped up RPM but handled the load no sweat.

I switched the plug-in for the Volvo (WFCO) to the CPE2000i and started again. The CPE2000i immediately ramped up to a higher RPM than the Kipor - which made for a little more dba at the end of the campsite. But it powered the WFCO at 948 watts and a pf of .53.

Going back to the PD1980 in boost mode and plugging in the Kipor. The Kipor did not like it either and would ramp up to full RPM and really load down. It did power the PD9180 but it struggled whereas the CPE2000i just quit. Either way, not a desirable situation. Switching to normal mode was fine for both.

Conclusion? With a converter like the PD9180 and low batteries it is best to start in Normal mode for an hour or more then as battery voltage builds back up switch to Boost mode to finish them off when using either the CPE or Kipor inverter generators. If you need Boost mode on the PD for a faster recharge, get a larger or synchronous generator.

For the rest of the trip I kept the Kipor plugged into the Volvo/WFCO and the CPE2000i into the camper/PD9180.

Using the circuit breaker panel in the camper to select individual circuits the CPE2000i would:

• recharge 250 Ah of AGM batteries in Normal Mode plus run a 20 amp B&D battery charger with two 50 Ah batteries attached (for inverter in TV area)
• run the wife's 1200 watt hair dryer
• power the camper's installed microwave oven
• make a pot of coffee
• run either the 6,000 BTU A/C in the bedroom of the fiver or the 6,000 BTU unit in the Volvo HDT sleeper area (just as a test)
• recharge batteries in the normal mode

The CPE2000i NEVER burped in ECON mode - it just hummmmmmmmed along except to occasionally ramp up as a load increased.

Overall, I was pleased with the unit's performance - understanding, of course, that it is not a true continuous 2000 watt inverter generator.

My camping neighbor had a set of Honda twins. After getting to know each other a little better, we placed a Honda and CPE2000i side by side and plugged them into the same load (his camper). We both agreed the sound levels were exactly the same at the edge of the paved entrance to his campsite (ear measurements). I did not measure load but it was not enough to kick either unit out of ECON mode.

I believe we are all pretty much in agreement that it would be helpful for the lesser priced CPE2000i to have a little more umph (perhaps 300 to 400 watts?) to be in the same class of a camping generator as the Honda 2000i and Kipor of the same size rating. As Floyd so eloquently pointed out a few months back, the extra 20 cc in engine size of the later is acutely noticeable when loads nearing the advertised power limits are applied.

I still feel when evaluated on a $$ per watt basis the CPE2000i comes out on top of the other three. But if you are one of the folks that finds that the CPE2000i cannot provide the watts you need to meet your desired camping loads, either wait for CPE to introduce their bigger and better model(s) or spend the additional $$$$ for a higher powered Yamaha, Honda or Kipor.

No one should purchase the CPE2000i thinking it will give them a continuous 2000 watt output, surge and overload like a synchronous generator. Nor should they expect the output to be identical to the Honda or Kipor 2000 watt inverter generators or the Yamaha 2,400 watt inverter generators. The CPE2000i and the Yamaha 2000i are apparently the power underdogs in the "2000i" name game. I still think it is unfortunate the 2000 logo was chosen as part of the marque - it creates user disappointment and is not a true indicator of overall performance expectations.

When purchasing a set of twin inverters to parallel, the landscape changes rapidly. Twin CPE2000i's power everything in a 30 amp RV - period. IMHO, twin CPE2000i's can save you enough cash to buy a lot more fuel to get to where you want to go.

Note: Posting was edited only to correct some typos.

[big_murph_279]

Where is the best place to buy one a 2000i? I am interested in buying either this gen or a Boliy. I have found a good source for the Boliy. I thought that Sams Club used to carry the 2000i for around $550. They don't list them anymore.

[santaclause]

Well this past weekend was my maden voyage with the champ 2000i and it worked well only thing I could not get my magic chef 900 watt microwave to start and run rite when it was on but thought it was because the converter was charging battery dont know I have to investigate better but anyhow always started and what a nice weekend nice and quiet at my campsite with it running at generator hours.... going to have to see a few more trips to give my total opinion of the unit.....

[Nova_Scotia_Cam]

Oops that last post was supposed to quote Private Pilot, not Old and Slow

[Nova_Scotia_Cam]

Old & Slow wrote:

Nova Scotia Campers wrote:
Just back from the weekend camping trip. We did a provincial park with no electrical service. We used the 2000i the first day from about 11 AM to about 8 in the evening. With the RV battery charging and the fridge running if it did increase the rpms it wasnt noticeable. The 2000i ran smoothly with no hiccups reported. At suppertime, we baked ptotatoes in the microwave. the genny spooled up (in econ mode)after about a minute and a half the genny overloaded. We had several 12 volt accesories on at the time, as well as the fridge. The fridges compressor probably kicked in causing the overload. I shut down the fridge, and the microwave ran for another 6 minutes without incidient. I did not get to do a run that emptied the tank. Both days the generator ran it was about 9 to 10 hours each straight. So it has great fuel economy. I ran the genny for another hour and a half today to try and run out of gas but it still didnt. Had to do other things so I shut er down. That would make this tank of gas 11.5 hours and still not dry. While at the campground we had the quietest generator their by far, although I did not notice any reds. I hope this report helps out some of you who still have concerns.

You have said on a previous post you own the 2011 Trail Lite 180T with a 55 amp Paralax Converter/Charger. So as per the above, you were able to add to the 55a C/C the 900 watts Microwave plus the compressor fringe was on, along with other 12a acc. for a period of time. Now, for the Champ to output power for this load, it has to be at quite a high RMP, something like 5000 or above. You say it was the most quiet in the park. 11.5 hours and tank still not dry. With no hiccups.

It wasnt a very good weekend here on the East Coast, We camped at Graves Island, and the were about 4 rv's in our loop. Everyone of them had a genny, one was a very loud open frame, one was a honeywell 2000i, (very noisy for an inverter), and one was a kind of square black boxy inverter,(also more noisy) not sure of the brand, maybe powermate or something like that. You could not here my 2000i at any of the campsites that had people at them. As for running 8 hours and more, 1 it was a crappy weekend, watched a movie or two, 2 the campground was practically empty. 3 Wanted a good run to give the 2000i a good workout.

[Nova_Scotia_Cam]

Old & Slow wrote:

Nova Scotia Campers wrote:
Just back from the weekend camping trip. We did a provincial park with no electrical service. We used the 2000i the first day from about 11 AM to about 8 in the evening. With the RV battery charging and the fridge running if it did increase the rpms it wasnt noticeable. The 2000i ran smoothly with no hiccups reported. At suppertime, we baked ptotatoes in the microwave. the genny spooled up (in econ mode)after about a minute and a half the genny overloaded. We had several 12 volt accesories on at the time, as well as the fridge. The fridges compressor probably kicked in causing the overload. I shut down the fridge, and the microwave ran for another 6 minutes without incidient. I did not get to do a run that emptied the tank. Both days the generator ran it was about 9 to 10 hours each straight. So it has great fuel economy. I ran the genny for another hour and a half today to try and run out of gas but it still didnt. Had to do other things so I shut er down. That would make this tank of gas 11.5 hours and still not dry. While at the campground we had the quietest generator their by far, although I did not notice any reds. I hope this report helps out some of you who still have concerns.

You have said on a previous post you own the 2011 Trail Lite 180T with a 55 amp Paralax Converter/Charger. So as per the above, you were able to add to the 55a C/C the 900 watts Microwave plus the compressor fringe was on, along with other 12a acc. for a period of time. Now, for the Champ to output power for this load, it has to be at quite a high RMP, something like 5000 or above. You say it was the most quiet in the park. 11.5 hours and tank still not dry. With no hiccups.

To clarify, on the weekend, the parallax conveter charger was always powered by the 2000i as was the fridge, except when I was running the microwave, and the fridge's compressor must have come on line, causing an overload. I simply turned off the fridge and continued the microwave with no problems what so ever. With the fridge and converter powered up the generator never increased in rpm from idle. If it did it was not noticeable. Yes it definitely goes to full rpm with the microwave.I only used the mcrowave on Friday. Hence Saturday's and 1 and a half hours worth Sunday at home, run time, the genny was only idling the whole time.

[PrivatePilot]

Nova Scotia Campers wrote:
Just back from the weekend camping trip. We did a provincial park with no electrical service. We used the 2000i the first day from about 11 AM to about 8 in the evening.

9 Hours a day???

I hope you were in an area where there was no other campers a few sites either side of you. Sorry, the 2000i is quiet..but it's not that quiet that it wouldn't eventually irritate the heck of out others, especially those in the no-hydro areas that typically expect it to be quiet.

The whole reason I bought the 2000i was for it's quiet factor, but I only run it long enough to charge my house batteries. Based on the May long weekend, that required about 3 hours a day based on fairly heavy 12v use furnace all night, lights in evening, etc as well as some use of the inverter in the morning for making coffee, powering the TV for an hour in the evening to watch the news, etc. This was with 2 6v golf cart batteries going from about a 50-60% SOC - a single 12v RV battery that most have, given a 50% discharge rate should take even less time assuming you have a good rate of charge.

Even running it for 3 hours seemed excessive to me when in a nature-centric campground environment.

[Old___Slow]

Nova Scotia Campers wrote:
Just back from the weekend camping trip. We did a provincial park with no electrical service. We used the 2000i the first day from about 11 AM to about 8 in the evening. With the RV battery charging and the fridge running if it did increase the rpms it wasnt noticeable. The 2000i ran smoothly with no hiccups reported. At suppertime, we baked ptotatoes in the microwave. the genny spooled up (in econ mode)after about a minute and a half the genny overloaded. We had several 12 volt accesories on at the time, as well as the fridge. The fridges compressor probably kicked in causing the overload. I shut down the fridge, and the microwave ran for another 6 minutes without incidient. I did not get to do a run that emptied the tank. Both days the generator ran it was about 9 to 10 hours each straight. So it has great fuel economy. I ran the genny for another hour and a half today to try and run out of gas but it still didnt. Had to do other things so I shut er down. That would make this tank of gas 11.5 hours and still not dry. While at the campground we had the quietest generator their by far, although I did not notice any reds. I hope this report helps out some of you who still have concerns.

You have said on a previous post you own the 2011 Trail Lite 180T with a 55 amp Paralax Converter/Charger. So as per the above, you were able to add to the 55a C/C the 900 watts Microwave plus the compressor fringe was on, along with other 12a acc. for a period of time. Now, for the Champ to output power for this load, it has to be at quite a high RMP, something like 5000 or above. You say it was the most quiet in the park. 11.5 hours and tank still not dry. With no hiccups.

[Nova_Scotia_Cam]

Just back from the weekend camping trip. We did a provincial park with no electrical service. We used the 2000i the first day from about 11 AM to about 8 in the evening. With the RV battery charging and the fridge running if it did increase the rpms it wasnt noticeable. The 2000i ran smoothly with no hiccups reported. At suppertime, we baked ptotatoes in the microwave. the genny spooled up (in econ mode)after about a minute and a half the genny overloaded. We had several 12 volt accesories on at the time, as well as the fridge. The fridges compressor probably kicked in causing the overload. I shut down the fridge, and the microwave ran for another 6 minutes without incidient. I did not get to do a run that emptied the tank. Both days the generator ran it was about 9 to 10 hours each straight. So it has great fuel economy. I ran the genny for another hour and a half today to try and run out of gas but it still didnt. Had to do other things so I shut er down. That would make this tank of gas 11.5 hours and still not dry. While at the campground we had the quietest generator their by far, although I did not notice any reds. I hope this report helps out some of you who still have concerns.