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The Official unofficial CPE 2000i Generator Thread

pritch272
Explorer
Explorer
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

2007 Keystone Laredo 29RL, 2000 Ford F250 7.3 PSD, Firestone bags, Pressure Pro, 16" Michelin XPS Ribs, MorRyde Pin Box, Dexter EZ-Flex, PI EMS-HW30C, Dirt Devil CV950 Central Vacuum, 2000W AllPower by Kipor, 4000/3500W Champion C46540
2,927 REPLIES 2,927

VoR
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Explorer
Noticed yesterday Costco now has a $40 instant Manufacturer Rebate on these

Old___Slow
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Explorer
Thanks 'byates' for your highly informed post concerning Champion CPE. That took lot's of research. The one thing that really gets my goat, my Champion gen did NOT come with a nice CHAMPION spark plug. The first thing needing replacement was the s/plug. Just doesn't seem right.

tvman44
Explorer
Explorer
In the electronics business the chinese companies have bought all the old well known American TV brand names and put them on their junk. They sure fool a lot of people.
Papa Bob
1* 2008 Brookside by Sunnybrook 32'
1* 2002 F250 Super Duty 7.3L PSD
Husky 16K hitch, Tekonsha P3,
Firestone Ride Rite Air Springs, Trailair Equa-Flex, Champion C46540
"A bad day camping is better than a good day at work!"

byates
Explorer
Explorer
-=dwh=- wrote:
byates wrote:
At your suggestion, I did some reading in the Honeywell 2000 thread. I understand where you are coming from on the Honeywell 2000i.
After reading dwh's thread comments, it would appear that the original problematic Honeywell 2000i generators were supplied by the Chinese company Yongkang Xingguang, and the later and more dependable Honeywell 2000i units were supplied by Suzhou Tiger Power Machine Co. after Generac took over.


No, there were two versions of the YX product sold by Northshore under the HW name. The second version had the fuel primer and the 12v stuff removed. It also had better internal grounding, and added an overflow tube from the top of the gas tank filler neck down and out the bottom of the unit. But it was basically the same YX product.

Now that Generac has taken over Northshore, they are marketing the Suzhou Tiger product under both Generac, and Honeywell, names.


Generac has been manufacturing and marketing power generating equipment for half a century. Based on this analysis, purchasing a Generac 2000i from Costco would pose little risk if its performance didnโ€™t measure up.


Using the Generac or Honeywell names is a marketing trick to capitalize on the reputation of a well-known brand.

I would not attach any importance to the companies' reputation when it comes to guessing at the quality of a Chinese product.

The Generac, and now also the Honeywell, are Suzhou Tiger generators.

At best, the Generac name means you might get decent service from Generac, but IMHO it means nothing as per the quality of the product.

To be fair, YX did improve the product, but it was too little, too late. They do make a whole bunch of different inverter generators so I doubt they'll go out of business any time soon.

I figure the Northshore execs probably got their golden parachutes out of the deal, which was doubtless more important to them than their customers. Welcome to the US/China trade economy.


Thanks for the history lesson. A little knowledge can be dangerous, but a well informed consumer has the power to choose wisely.

Two reasons why I said purchasing a Generac from Costco would pose little risk to the consumer: first, the liberal return policy offered by Costco and, second, Generac does have a reputation to uphold. I don't believe they would risk that reputation on just any Chinese made generator. OnanCummings is another reputable power supplier with the Chinese made Loncin generator in their product line. I purchased my Loncin made Onan from Costco several years ago, and it has been problem free.

Champion evidently does have a business relationship with Yangzhou Best Machinery & Electric Corp, but I donโ€™t know if it is related to power equipment as much as auto parts. They do share the same office building in California. I believe that the Chinese factory that Champion says it owns is Zhejiang Changtong Machinery Co., Ltd. On ZCMCโ€™s website, there is a Champion logo on the factory which appears to be a poor photo-shop job. In this regard, global supplier/customer databases show shipments of Champion branded generators and generator parts from several different Chinese companies. So I am more than a little confused in this regard. Other Chinese manufacturing companies which could have a part in the Champion generator equation include: Zhejiang Constant Engine Mading Co., Shaoxing City Tongyong Engine, and Sichuan Engine Trading Co., Ltd. This is my opinion and is based on information obtained from internet browsing and a phone call to YBM&E listed number in Santa Fe Springs.

-_dwh_-
Explorer
Explorer
byates wrote:
Is your Champion 42431 also a rebranded product? I believe that several different Chinese manufacturing companies ship generators and generator parts under the Champion brand.


No, the 42431 is a Champion product. I think the little 1000w 2-stroke and the 1000w inverter are the only Champions that are re-branded. I've seen that 2-stroke unit all over under a bunch of different names.

I'm pretty sure all the other Champion generators (and probably the pumps and other things they sell) are built for Champion by Yangzhou Best Machinery & Electric Corp. in China to Champion's specs.

And for all I know, the 2-stroke and the 1000w inverter are built by YZ Best as well. Which would legitimately make them Champion products since Champion and YZ Best are partners.

http://www.yzbest.cn/

-_dwh_-
Explorer
Explorer
byates wrote:
At your suggestion, I did some reading in the Honeywell 2000 thread. I understand where you are coming from on the Honeywell 2000i.
After reading dwh's thread comments, it would appear that the original problematic Honeywell 2000i generators were supplied by the Chinese company Yongkang Xingguang, and the later and more dependable Honeywell 2000i units were supplied by Suzhou Tiger Power Machine Co. after Generac took over.


No, there were two versions of the YX product sold by Northshore under the HW name. The second version had the fuel primer and the 12v stuff removed. It also had better internal grounding, and added an overflow tube from the top of the gas tank filler neck down and out the bottom of the unit. But it was basically the same YX product.

Now that Generac has taken over Northshore, they are marketing the Suzhou Tiger product under both Generac, and Honeywell, names.


Generac has been manufacturing and marketing power generating equipment for half a century. Based on this analysis, purchasing a Generac 2000i from Costco would pose little risk if its performance didnโ€™t measure up.


Using the Generac or Honeywell names is a marketing trick to capitalize on the reputation of a well-known brand.

I would not attach any importance to the companies' reputation when it comes to guessing at the quality of a Chinese product.

The Generac, and now also the Honeywell, are Suzhou Tiger generators.

At best, the Generac name means you might get decent service from Generac, but IMHO it means nothing as per the quality of the product.

To be fair, YX did improve the product, but it was too little, too late. They do make a whole bunch of different inverter generators so I doubt they'll go out of business any time soon.

I figure the Northshore execs probably got their golden parachutes out of the deal, which was doubtless more important to them than their customers. Welcome to the US/China trade economy.

-_dwh_-
Explorer
Explorer
PrivatePilot wrote:
Theres a reason Honeywell got out of the generator business.


They weren't in the business. Northshore Power Company licensed the Honeywell name and glued it on Chinese generators. Generac bought out Northshore. Now Generac is gluing the HW name (as well as the Generac name) on different Chinese generators.

Northshore also marketed other non-inverter generators under the HW name. Generac will probably do the same.

hedge
Explorer
Explorer
update...

Costco replaced the generator, no questions asked as usual. The new one runs great although the idle does wander a bit. I haven't given it a real test yet but the only thing I did notice is that it doesn't seem to respond to a load as fast as my Honda Eu3000 and it's definately not as quiet.

I mostly got this one for times when security is an issue, the Honda does everything I need but it won't fit under my tonneau cover and it's about all I can do to throw it in the truck by myself.
2017 F350 Platinum DRW
2013 Adventurer 89RB

byates
Explorer
Explorer
PrivatePilot wrote:
You might want to read the Honeywell 2000 thread here at rv.net before considering it.

Short form: I owned one. It sucked. 1 dead, 3 week turnaround on warraty replacenent. It acted up as well. Lots of others in same boat. Loud, lots of weird noises, clattering and clanking.

Theres a reason Honeywell got out of the generator business.


At your suggestion, I did some reading in the Honeywell 2000 thread. I understand where you are coming from on the Honeywell 2000i.
After reading dwh's thread comments, it would appear that the original problematic Honeywell 2000i generators were supplied by the Chinese company Yongkang Xingguang, and the later and more dependable Honeywell 2000i units were supplied by Suzhou Tiger Power Machine Co. after Generac took over.
If the Generac 2000i is also produced by Suzhou Tiger Power Machine Co., then maybe it should be considered as a legitimate alternative to the CPE 2000i.
Generac has been manufacturing and marketing power generating equipment for half a century. Based on this analysis, purchasing a Generac 2000i from Costco would pose little risk if its performance didnโ€™t measure up.
Thanks for your input in helping me understand how the pieces fit together.
By the way, boondocking through tropical storm force winds must have been an adventure. What is your estimate of the wind speed your fifth wheel withstood?

PrivatePilot
Explorer
Explorer
You might want to read the Honeywell 2000 thread here at rv.net before considering it.

Short form: I owned one. It sucked. 1 dead, 3 week turnaround on warraty replacenent. It acted up as well. Lots of others in same boat. Loud, lots of weird noises, clattering and clanking.

Theres a reason Honeywell got out of the generator business.
30' Keystone Cougar 5'er, Triple Bunkhouse, SuperSlide.
Chevy 3500 1 Ton long box crew cab dually
6.5 Turbo Diesel, 4.11 Rears, LSD, Fresh rebuild spring 2012.
Dieselplace.com Staff Member

Our 2008 western adventure - to the coast and back!

Mark

byates
Explorer
Explorer
-=dwh=- wrote:
byates wrote:
hedge wrote:
Help...

I just purchased one of these tonite. I put gas and oil (400ml) in it and it fired up after a couple of pulls but then went straight into overload mode (didn't have anything plugged in). I shut if off right away. Now when I attempt to start it the cord has a lot more resistance than it did before and it doesn't start.

I got it at costco so it's likely going back unless someone knows a quick solution.

PS: is 400ml the correct amount of oil? it says 0.4L throughout the manual but when I put 400ml in it seemed like it wanted to come out the fill port. I measured exactly 400ml and turned it over to make sure there was no oil in it to begin with.


Given all the reported problems with the 2000i, I would return it to Costco. While I don't have any firsthand experience with the Generac line of generators, Costco online has the Generac 2000/2200 inverter for $529.00, shipping included. The Generac has a 126cc engine vs the 80cc on the Champion and should be more apt to deliver on its advertised performance.



Just FYI:

When my 3rd Honeywell failed, Generac had just taken over Northshore Power (and the Honeywell branding contract). They were going to send me a Generac as a replacment, so I looked into it. The Generac is made by (IIRC) Suzhou Tiger Power Machine Co. in China. I believe the generator currently being sold under the Honeywell name is the same generator.

It might be a great generator. I wouldn't know. It turned out that it's a 49 state gen and they couldn't send me a replacement because I'm in California. So they sent me a refund instead.


(Which I used to purchase an 80cc 1200wC/1500wS Champion 42431. Aside from being noisy and needing an ounce of oil added with every tankful of fuel, it's been humming along without an issue for over 300 hours now.)


Good information, thanks. Now that you mentioned it, maybe that brand takeover by Generac was the reason reports of Honeywell unreliability decreased.
I don't know much about the Generac brand either and wasn't promoting it, just giving the original poster a similarly priced alternative from Costco to look into.
In addition to Honda and Yamaha, the Onan Cummings inverter line is the only one that I could recommend without hesitation. But of course, they are more expensive.
Is your Champion 42431 also a rebranded product? I believe that several different Chinese manufacturing companies ship generators and generator parts under the Champion brand.

-_dwh_-
Explorer
Explorer
byates wrote:
hedge wrote:
Help...

I just purchased one of these tonite. I put gas and oil (400ml) in it and it fired up after a couple of pulls but then went straight into overload mode (didn't have anything plugged in). I shut if off right away. Now when I attempt to start it the cord has a lot more resistance than it did before and it doesn't start.

I got it at costco so it's likely going back unless someone knows a quick solution.

PS: is 400ml the correct amount of oil? it says 0.4L throughout the manual but when I put 400ml in it seemed like it wanted to come out the fill port. I measured exactly 400ml and turned it over to make sure there was no oil in it to begin with.


Given all the reported problems with the 2000i, I would return it to Costco. While I don't have any firsthand experience with the Generac line of generators, Costco online has the Generac 2000/2200 inverter for $529.00, shipping included. The Generac has a 126cc engine vs the 80cc on the Champion and should be more apt to deliver on its advertised performance.



Just FYI:

When my 3rd Honeywell failed, Generac had just taken over Northshore Power (and the Honeywell branding contract). They were going to send me a Generac as a replacment, so I looked into it. The Generac is made by (IIRC) Suzhou Tiger Power Machine Co. in China. I believe the generator currently being sold under the Honeywell name is the same generator.

It might be a great generator. I wouldn't know. It turned out that it's a 49 state gen and they couldn't send me a replacement because I'm in California. So they sent me a refund instead.


(Which I used to purchase an 80cc 1200wC/1500wS Champion 42431. Aside from being noisy and needing an ounce of oil added with every tankful of fuel, it's been humming along without an issue for over 300 hours now.)

byates
Explorer
Explorer
hedge wrote:
Help...

I just purchased one of these tonite. I put gas and oil (400ml) in it and it fired up after a couple of pulls but then went straight into overload mode (didn't have anything plugged in). I shut if off right away. Now when I attempt to start it the cord has a lot more resistance than it did before and it doesn't start.

I got it at costco so it's likely going back unless someone knows a quick solution.

PS: is 400ml the correct amount of oil? it says 0.4L throughout the manual but when I put 400ml in it seemed like it wanted to come out the fill port. I measured exactly 400ml and turned it over to make sure there was no oil in it to begin with.


Given all the reported problems with the 2000i, I would return it to Costco. While I don't have any firsthand experience with the Generac line of generators, Costco online has the Generac 2000/2200 inverter for $529.00, shipping included. The Generac has a 126cc engine vs the 80cc on the Champion and should be more apt to deliver on its advertised performance.

MrRchitty
Explorer
Explorer
I wait 5 minutes myself. Some refrigerators will start with economy mode on other refrigerators will not start. If yours won't start the refrigerator with economy mode on then you'll need to turn the economy mode off so the motor is running faster. Once a refrigerator has been started you can start a second refrigerator and you should be able to turn the economy mode back on so the motor runs slow once everything started.

Edited for content and gross mispelling. That's what I get for using the auto type feature.
Randall J. Chittenden
CT
Fire/Medic
Former Auto Parts Sales 12 years

VoR
Explorer
Explorer
I believe it suggest after the first 5 hours on the small tag. I was more inquiring about putting loads on it after warming up or waiting 15 minutes or?