Things evolve.
Newer versions or revisions are often made without much fanfare. Changing model numbers can be complex due to EPA and CARB certification - much easier to just make production changes as needed than to introduce a new model.
Sometimes engineers and management listen.... really!
Our comments, disappointments and wishes are listened to more than we may realize. You can bet your sweet bippie that management follows what is openly posted about their product.
This is my take (NO - I'm not going to even suggest it is insider information).
The generators are produced in "runs" - Several thousand at a time.
Each run is packed into a shipping container and comes to the USA where they are distributed to retailers - like Costco.
New "runs" incorporate changes - either through knowledge of known limitations or engineering changes that the company sees as an improvement.
As current inventory is depleted, the newer equipment filters in. When an event like a hurricane comes to town, this happens at a much faster rate as warehouse inventories can be sucked down quickly.
Sometimes a particular retailer that has considerable influence specifies a specific model, or features. We see this a lot in the 3,000 watt synchronous line for companies like Home Depot, Lowe's and UltraFab. No reason to expect the inverter genny world is any different.
The first USA models had 13.3 amp circuit breakers - this was 1,596 watts. The overload delay of the original module was 250 ms. It would trip out before the CB. You could exceed the breaker limit, but only for a couple of seconds, with a purely resistive load. 1,600 watts was it - period. As I shared earlier, the CB was a requirement for the Canadian Standards model, not the USA. But, early models for the USA and CN were both equipped with the CB.
The next batch of models destined for the USA lost the CB. No more limit to 1,600 watts there. The delay was bumped to 400 ms. Guess the engineers decided no damage would be done with a longer delay. These units kicked somewhat harder than the first "run".
Engineers learned from the "Red" - features were incorporated into the new yellow. Rumor is the module delay is now 800 ms. This delay would trip the 13.3 amp CB - but it is gone so now we just bog down the engine a little. Yep - it can now kick 1750 watts before it stalls.
Can you lose the circuit breaker on the first run USA models? Sure - it really is not needed. Just open the box and put a jumper around it.
Can you get a 800 ms. delay module? You will need to talk with CPE and see what they will do. A recent comment by one of the current techs at CPE during a phone conversation may have been a slip of the tongue. This makes me suspect the ability to reprogram the modules is no longer limited to China - apparently it can be done at the CPE facility in California. NOTE: RUMOR, RUMOR, RUMOR. BTW - My friend Paul Cole has retired and is no longer a current CPE phone tech. See my post on the 3,000 Watt Chinese Genny Info thread for more info on this.
So, what is the bottom line? Well, the original 2000i can be modified to perform like the newer models by jumping the CB and updating the control module software. How to do this is not the intent of my comments.
Has this improved the PF issue? Apparently not. The design of the inverter module dictates the ability to handle low PF numbers - not the delay length or CB. To get around this issue with the current design and software will (IMHO) ultimately require a module rated for a higher wattage on the front end - maybe 2,400 to 3,000 watts???
