number9xd wrote:
Guys, I just signed up here to post my feedback of the champion 2000i genset. I was looking for a generator to take on a camping trip last weekend. I was doing a google search on the hondas and found this thread. I read a lot of the posts, though not all 151 pages.
Based on all the positive comments here I bought one at sams club on tue the 7th. We took it camping this past weekend and I ran it most all evening and all night thursday with the only load being two floor fans like you'd use in your house and charging my iPhone. It ran the while time on Eco mode. I changed the oil Friday morning making sure I had the oil level correct and ran it a few times throughout the day on Friday. I started it up Friday night and it ran about 3 seconds and quit.
When the gen quit and I tried to restart it I could feel a noticeable amount of drag when pulling the recoil cord. I had to really pull hard & fast with both hands to get it to even attempt to fire, but it never would restart. I checked the oil level, air filter, spark plug, and drained the carb float bowl, nothing I did resolved the issue. To say I was disappointed and on the edge of being really mad is an understatement. I packed the gen up and didn't look at it the rest of the night.
I called champion today and they told me to disconnect the white plug with the large gauge wires
behind the rear panel and try starting the gen. Sure enough it fired right up and the noticeable drag on the recoil rope was gone, it pulled as easy as it had before. I shut the gen off, reconnected the white plug and the issue returned, heavy drag and no starting. They told me the "electrical module" needed to be replaced. They offered without hesitation to send me a RMA box for me to ship the defective part to them and once they had it, they'd send me the replacement part. I replied that this particular genset not lasting past the second day of operation has left a bad taste in my mouth and I'd rather just try and return it to sams for a new one. They said they understood completely and if I had any troubles to call them back and they'd replace the part.
I am going to try and return it tomorrow.
After getting sonmuch good info from this thread I kinda felt like I should share my experience with you guys incase someone else has the same issue. From all the positive feedback here about this gen, I am sure I just got a bad one and hope I'll have much better service out of the next one.
Edited to add the details of my gen....
Model: 73531i
Serial: 10JUL2500488
MFG Date: 2010-07
(please excuse any bad grammar as I posted this on my iphone)
...
That is too bad that happened. I would say try the new module. It has updated programming. Sams will exchange that no problem. They did for me. Mine wasn't the module, though.
Based on Professors testing and videos I'd go for the module.
Both of my 2000i 's have production dates of July 2010.
Good luck and keep us posted.
Randall
