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

[DudleyDone]

number9xd wrote:
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.
...They told me the "electrical module" needed to be replaced.

Your experience is virtually identicle to the death of my CPE inverter.

I am starting to wonder if there are not more corrective changes being made to the upgrade module than just an increase to a 400 ms delay. In the very least it seems like Champion is appropriately responsive to consumer problems.

[Oletop]

A little about myself. I am 30 years old and have a wife of 8 years. We have a 5 y.o. daughter and a 3.5 y.o. son. I work offshore as a Production Operator. I have used quite a few different Generators. I have never owned an inverter type gen. I have had a Briggs powered 3,500 watt and currently own a 7,500 watt that I use to power things in my house if the power is going to be out for a significant amount of time. I also own two synchronous 1,000 watt no namers that I purchased for $150 a piece. I use them at my hnting camp to power lights and a 5,000 btu window unit. I am able to run the A/C and about 8 lights with one Gen. My friend owns a honda 2,000 watt inverter gen. I have always liked it due to the eficiency and quiteness. I have been looking at Inverter Gens for about 2 years now. After reading through this forum I figured it was a no brainer to get the CPE 2000 when I could get it for $415 delivered to my door. I can get another one with the Parallel kit and have a heck of a little set up for under $900. I am curently offshore and my Gen will be delivered today. I can't wait to get home and unbox it. I will try and do some testing and video the results so that I can be a contributor to the site as well. Thanks again for all of the valuable information and Happy Father's day to all of the Father's out there.

[Oletop]

I have been looking at upgrading my litle no name generator for quite a while. I have learned much from this forum. I really appreciate all of the technical information as well as the real world results. I just purchased the CPE 2000 inverter Gen. for $415.00 shipped to my door. The unit is brand new in box and I am sure there are more available. The shipping may be different as I live in Louisiana and it was shipped from Texas. It shipped Friday morning and will arrive today which is Saturday. I think I will sell my other two 1000 watt no namers and buy another along with the parallel kit. Thanks for all of the valuable info and keep up the fine site.

Thanks again,
David J.

[MrRchitty]

DSchmidt_2000 wrote:
Some updated videos from the guy that had bought 2 of the Costco CPE 2000i's and was trying to run his circular saw.
http://youtu.be/svKGUsBpxyg

another guy running a variable speed fan
http://youtu.be/OepePCgJ1jw

This second video is my video uploaded by this individual taking some kind of credit for my work. I already posted this video back in March.

[DSchmidt_2000]

Some updated videos from the guy that had bought 2 of the Costco CPE 2000i's and was trying to run his circular saw.
http://youtu.be/svKGUsBpxyg

another guy running a variable speed fan
http://youtu.be/OepePCgJ1jw

[professor95]

number9xd wrote:


Hmm, i must have missed these points, what would the "updated programming" gain me? Im assuming the gen Sams swaps out for me will be the same as mine and have the "outdated programming"?
....

Your Mfg. date is almost a year ago. The modules have been updated to provide a longer period of time before they show overload on current surges.

If I were in your shoes, I would return the generator to Sams for a new one. Once the new one was in my possession, I would request the updated module from CPE and swap them out. The new module is a 400 ms delay compared to a 250 ms on the original. CPE will provide the new module at no charge other than a CC deposit on the old module which will be credited back once you return the old one.

[number9xd]

MrRchitty wrote:
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

Hmm, i must have missed these points, what would the "updated programming" gain me? Im assuming the gen Sams swaps out for me will be the same as mine and have the "outdated programming"?

I just called and Sams will replace it no problem, but if there is a big benifit in this "updated programming" maybe I should just have CPE send me a new module. But, would it be guaranteed to have the new programming? My luck I'd do the whole swap out with CPE and get a module with the same programming as the one I could have swapped out at Sams the same day as opposed to waiting the prob two week turn around for the swap.

....

[tvman44]

Having been in sales and service most of my working career, I'd get the module. Like I always say anything made by man can break at any time. What counts is how the manufacturer backs and supports their product and Champion is tops at that.

[MrRchitty]

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

[number9xd]

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)
...

[professor95]

MrRchitty wrote:


I am in receipt of my parallel cable from Costco. It was drop shipped from CPE to my house. Had Matt Cole's name on it.

Matt is one of Paul's sons. He is in charge of inventory and shipping at CPE.

MrRchitty wrote:


I tried to start the AC unit on eco mode. Gennie number 2 (the second one I bought) stalled. Gennie number 1 remained running, however, the AC unit did not start. Funny thing, though... While Gennie 2 was off, Gennie 1 was running and the power light was lit steady. (If you turn 1 Gennie off while paralleled, the overload light illuminates.)

I did a rather extensive write-up on this along with a video several weeks back. It has to do with the method the inverter modules synchronize with each other. You can disconnect everything but the sync cables from one generator or kill the engine without messing up the twin. From what I understand from Wayne this is different than the red Japanese unit. When paired I have noted the power light flashing on only one unit, the next time both, and the next time neither one. There is no specific pattern to the flashing so I just ignore it :h

The response of the engine going from low speed (ECON mode) to higher speed with a big current in-rush is understandable. I have found the response time much better after about a 10 minute warm-up.

Glad to know you are healing quickly.

[MrRchitty]

professor95 wrote:

MrRchitty wrote:


Like I said, "the lay-person" when it comes to Medicine. 😉

So, how is the "Lay Person" (meaning the person laying around right now :Z) doing with the injuries?

Oh my goodness, soooo much better. I am still out of work, though. However, I am walking around with a slight limp and am able to do some calf raises. Not sure on a return date yet. Still doing rehab 3 times a week. Thank you for asking.

And to maintain topic:

I am in receipt of my parallel cable from Costco. It was drop shipped from CPE to my house. Had Matt Cole's name on it. I hooked everything up and ran it last night. I powered the water heater for a bit and then turned it off. The rpm's are less obviously because the load is shared.

I tried to start the AC unit on eco mode. Gennie number 2 (the second one I bought) stalled. Gennie number 1 remained running, however, the AC unit did not start. Funny thing, though... While Gennie 2 was off, Gennie 1 was running and the power light was lit steady. (If you turn 1 Gennie off while paralleled, the overload light illuminates.)

I unplugged the camper and restarted Gennie 2. Turned eco off and started the AC unit without a hitch. I turned eco on and the Gennies lowered the rpm's which in turned reduced the noise. I did not meter it as the Gennies sit at the edge of the inside of the garage and camper is backed against the garage. So, I am sure there is an echo factor.

However, I am pleased. The noise level IMHO appears to be more tolerable this way than an open synch gennie running solo.

[professor95]

MrRchitty wrote:


Like I said, "the lay-person" when it comes to Medicine. 😉

So, how is the "Lay Person" (meaning the person laying around right now :Z) doing with the injuries?

[MrRchitty]

professor95 wrote:

DSchmidt_2000 wrote:

professor95 wrote:
For example: The 6,000 BTU air conditioner in the Volvo. A 1200 Watt CPE synchronous starts and runs it without complaining. So does the older 1400 watt Kawasaki. Both the Champ 2000i and Kipor 2000 must be out of ECON mode to start the A/C. Once the A/C is running, you can switch back to ECON.

This comparison isn't applicable.

SNIP

I agree with everything you wrote with one exception and that is your response above.

To the average user or consumer the difference is the ONLY thing that is applicable - meaning they expect the inverter to work at least as well as the synchronous unit. You and I know the differences, but how many consumers understand?

Like I said, "the lay-person" when it comes to Medicine. 😉

[professor95]

DSchmidt_2000 wrote:

professor95 wrote:
For example: The 6,000 BTU air conditioner in the Volvo. A 1200 Watt CPE synchronous starts and runs it without complaining. So does the older 1400 watt Kawasaki. Both the Champ 2000i and Kipor 2000 must be out of ECON mode to start the A/C. Once the A/C is running, you can switch back to ECON.

This comparison isn't applicable.

SNIP

I agree with everything you wrote with one exception and that is your response above.

To the average user or consumer the difference is the ONLY thing that is applicable - meaning they expect the inverter to work at least as well as the synchronous unit. You and I know the differences, but how many consumers understand?