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

[preacher61]

ReverendCharles wrote:

....thank God I got my honda 2000.....a little pricey yes,but worth every penny

I thank GOD for many things. But I can assure you I do not waste HIS majesty thanking Him that I bought a Honda. As a reverend, or one who alleges to be one, I would think you would pray and give thanks for more worthy things.

I apologize that my very first posting is one of admonishment.

God Bless,
Richard Agnew

[BVW]

Just bought a 'yellow' one in BC Canada:

1. powers a standard micro + fridge + inverter (any 2 of the 3) no prob.

2. only 'burps' when revving from econo.

3. it has a fuel leak in the bottom (not from filling).

Anyone else have this issue?

Thanks to all for all you do here!

[ReverendCharles]

This was in response to my post under tech issues -

mick/linda


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ReverendCharles wrote:

Old & Slow has a large amount of knowledge on these units. You can find him on the Champion 2000i posts, he tells it like it is, they are underpowered and will not handle a surge. 80cc engine is too small. My friend listened to old & slow and bought a yamaha 2400 or 2800. He said during the Memorial day weekend there were 2 champion 2000i's near his campsite and 1 was waiting on repair parts, the other was tripping every time the inverter was plugged in and the guy was running around with all sorts of meters trying to get it to work. He finally let them plug into his Yamaha to charge their batteries. If you do get a Champion purchase it at Costco so you can return it every 90 days for a new one. This way you may hit the jackpot and get 1 that works, otherwise spend a little more and get a Yamaha or Honda. By the time you get 2 champions, connector cord, cell phone bills to tech support, down time, gas to the repair center, and electric meters to see if it is working you would have been further ahead going the other rout. Just my opinion after listining to Old & Slow and observing them first hand!


I work at Costco,and believe me when I say alot of those Champions come back....thank God I got my honda 2000.....a little pricey yes,but worth every penny

[Oletop]

I ran another quick test. I still don't have any way to measure the actual amps and watts. I decided to test my Ryobi 14 Amp Miter saw. I am not sure at the true wattage and amp draw, however the little engine that could started it right up. The red overload light did flash, but it started and ran it with no problems.Ryobi 14 Amp Miter saw. I did not try to start it in Eco mode. This is strictly ECO OFF. Here is the info tag in focus. My cell phone camera will only focus once I guess. This is just to verify the Amps of the Miter saw.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wKJaieYsMd8

David J.

[Old___Slow]

ibyers wrote:

bruno1138 wrote:
Just my two cents worth, but given the reliability issues that some folks have noted with the baseline yellow CPE 2000i models and the subsequent upgrades that presumably address those issues, it would be useful in this forum if contributors could post what version of the generator they are running.

My first post in this thread, but this is the thread that brought me to this forum. When I was looking at purchasing one of these generators I did a Google search and found this topic. I read all the post and then decided to buy this generator. I have followed this thread since.

I fear that most people will only post in here if they are having problems. hence why it seems so many people are having issues. You typically wont hear from people that have no issues. I am guilty of that myself.

I bought my unit at Costco in Aug last year. I have about 80 hours on my unit with no troubles what so ever. As Prof has said on countless occasions, this generator is not a product for direct competition to the Red and Blue's. I bought it to charge my batts and provide 110 for small appliances and I am very happy with it.

Ian,

Very nice post. I like to look first in the profile of a poster I do not remember. While there I read through your posts. Quite enjoyable. Your good words about the Champion 2000i are what we all look for. BUT, for me, sometimes first time posters make me wonder as we don't have many follow ups and they do not post to any other threads. Just makes me wonder, that's all, nothing more. Glad you now have 80 good time hours on your unit. Seems the early reports on the Champion 2000i were as you say, from folks not so happy. As the reports go, many were returned by unhappy owners. Some quit, others reported they would not operate a 1100w microwave, others could not charge their batteries or operate their 55a Charger/Converters. Others not happy with the lower output than expected. One posters unit smoked while trying to charge his batteries and had to be returned. The Champion 2000i is said to be a brand new Inverter Generator, from the ground up. So, would we not expect to have some failures? The first units out are said to have a 250 ms module and later units have the 400 ms module? One poster mention a 800 ms module. Or maybe they just offer the exchange if you ask. All that, for what ever it's worth. That is the reason for asking the build dates. Updates to the Champion 2000i are posted but no build dates I can find for those updates.

FWIW, I find no one who has an updated 2011 model. That is why I ask if the Champion 2000i, is at this time, in production. It has been mentioned I believe, that Champion (CPE) will have new models. I'll wait for now on buying any brand Inverter. I am, a happy owner of the Champion C46540. Have always been satisfied with (CPE) CS and have a large 'Yellow and Black Champion Flag'.

Floyd
O&S

[ibyers]

bruno1138 wrote:
Just my two cents worth, but given the reliability issues that some folks have noted with the baseline yellow CPE 2000i models and the subsequent upgrades that presumably address those issues, it would be useful in this forum if contributors could post what version of the generator they are running.

My first post in this thread, but this is the thread that brought me to this forum. When I was looking at purchasing one of these generators I did a Google search and found this topic. I read all the post and then decided to buy this generator. I have followed this thread since.

I fear that most people will only post in here if they are having problems. hence why it seems so many people are having issues. You typically wont hear from people that have no issues. I am guilty of that myself.

I bought my unit at Costco in Aug last year. I have about 80 hours on my unit with no troubles what so ever. As Prof has said on countless occasions, this generator is not a product for direct competition to the Red and Blue's. I bought it to charge my batts and provide 110 for small appliances and I am very happy with it.

[MrRchitty]

ReverendCharles wrote:

bruno1138 wrote:
Just my two cents worth, but given the reliability issues that some folks have noted with the baseline yellow CPE 2000i models and the subsequent upgrades that presumably address those issues, it would be useful in this forum if contributors could post what version of the generator they are running.

Old & Slow has a large amount of knowledge on these units. You can find him on the Champion 2000i posts, he tells it like it is, they are underpowered and will not handle a surge. 80cc engine is too small. My friend listened to old & slow and bought a yamaha 2400 or 2800. He said during the Memorial day weekend there were 2 champion 2000i's near his campsite and 1 was waiting on repair parts, the other was tripping every time the inverter was plugged in and the guy was running around with all sorts of meters trying to get it to work. He finally let them plug into his Yamaha to charge their batteries. If you do get a Champion purchase it at Costco so you can return it every 90 days for a new one. This way you may hit the jackpot and get 1 that works, otherwise spend a little more and get a Yamaha or Honda. By the time you get 2 champions, connector cord, cell phone bills to tech support, down time, gas to the repair center, and electric meters to see if it is working you would have been further ahead going the other rout. Just my opinion after listining to Old & Slow and observing them first hand!

No offense to Old & Slow, he doesn't own an inverter generator of any type. He asks good questions which trigger good responses including those from the professor which, is the person you should be listening to. His responses have been IMHO non-biased and that of an educated nature, which considering his background, speaks for itself.

I think the company is on the right track. But, I am sure it's going be hard to compete with the Red and Blue's track record. I think the Red is awesome.

[ReverendCharles]

bruno1138 wrote:
Just my two cents worth, but given the reliability issues that some folks have noted with the baseline yellow CPE 2000i models and the subsequent upgrades that presumably address those issues, it would be useful in this forum if contributors could post what version of the generator they are running.

Old & Slow has a large amount of knowledge on these units. You can find him on the Champion 2000i posts, he tells it like it is, they are underpowered and will not handle a surge. 80cc engine is too small. My friend listened to old & slow and bought a yamaha 2400 or 2800. He said during the Memorial day weekend there were 2 champion 2000i's near his campsite and 1 was waiting on repair parts, the other was tripping every time the inverter was plugged in and the guy was running around with all sorts of meters trying to get it to work. He finally let them plug into his Yamaha to charge their batteries. If you do get a Champion purchase it at Costco so you can return it every 90 days for a new one. This way you may hit the jackpot and get 1 that works, otherwise spend a little more and get a Yamaha or Honda. By the time you get 2 champions, connector cord, cell phone bills to tech support, down time, gas to the repair center, and electric meters to see if it is working you would have been further ahead going the other rout. Just my opinion after listining to Old & Slow and observing them first hand!

[bruno1138]

Just my two cents worth, but given the reliability issues that some folks have noted with the baseline yellow CPE 2000i models and the subsequent upgrades that presumably address those issues, it would be useful in this forum if contributors could post what version of the generator they are running.

[bruno1138]

byates wrote:

Old & Slow wrote:
Costco-US is now carrying the parallel kit on its website (leftover inventory from Canada?), but I've yet to see the Champion 2000i in its US stores or online, but Costco continues to carry the Honeywell 2000 in its US stores.

As described several pages back, the newer ones at Costco US are Red and have some changes from the earlier Yellow models. I've seen them at Costco in the San Fernando Valley - price was $489.

[professor95]

byates wrote:

Old & Slow wrote:
Well, that initial test was all so quick and hard to comprehend. Anyway, so be it. I just wonder now if the production of the Champion 2000i ended in 2010?? Don't find anyone saying they have a 2011 mfg'ed Champion 2000i. Seems to be all old stock on the market? Some even now showing up on the internet outside the big box stores.

I hear you Floyd. Something doesn't add up.
Why is Sam's Club auctioning them off?

Costco-US is now carrying the parallel kit on its website (leftover inventory from Canada?), but I've yet to see the Champion 2000i in its US stores or online, but Costco continues to carry the Honeywell 2000 in its US stores.

Yet, we have been told that "hundreds of thousands of usage hours have been logged", that "Mechanical failures have been virtually non-existent", that "In excess of 250,000 units have been shipped in that year (not a documented number)", and that "Meanwhile units like the Honeywell have failed miserably and complaints/problems on the Generac 2000 are high."

SAM's has been known to auction off floor samples, damaged cartons, scratch & blemish, old-new stock and just teasers. Who knows what is on the floor now? Hopefully, just teasers. Teasers put on auction serve as advertising to get a product name out there. People who bid and lose often turn around and buy floor stock after learning what the product is.

The Generac 2000 has apparently been "improved" to be a more reliable unit. I have no info as to when or how to differentiate.

The original red Honeywell inverter did stop production allegedly due to frequent failure (ask the Wiz about his experiences). If Costco is selling old-stock Honeywell units they are selling problems. But, since "Honeywell" is a name for hire and has noting to do with the brand name we grew up with who knows what it will show up on next? Honeywell is labeled on all sorts of products that are simply bought and re-badged.

The red CPE2000i with no CB and a 12 volt battery charger outlet is the latest production. The silver and black Category Five is in the same production run. Cabelas has a new unit but I do not know the production run. Camping World is rumored to be adding the CPE2000i to its existing line of Champion generators but don't know which color or production run.

The production date on any product will depend upon how many a supplier orders and how fast they sell them. SAM's has several central warehouses for distribution (so does Costco). Who knows what or when stock is updated? Wholesale outfits like SAM's and Costco are high volume buyers. That is so they can get the lowest price.

Costco-Canada and Costco US are totally different companies using the same "Costco" name. Inventory from Canada does not get sent to the US.

Has anyone bothered to check the build date for other Chinese or even Japanese items on the shelves or are you just looking for something else to disparage the CPE2000?

[Old___Slow]

number9xd wrote:
Thought I should update my situation. I took the gen back to Sams and just got a refund. I don't like to buy something and wish I really had something else. I prob won't use a gen that much anyway as we don't camp a whole lot, but if I buy another small inverter gen I'll just spring and get the Honda or Yamaha. Even though CPE's customer service was great and they were more than willing to send me the replacement part, it just left a real bad taste in my mouth that it died the 2nd day of operation.

Thanks for all the info guys!

...

Sorry to hear that you had bad luck with the Champion 2000i. You are only one of many to return a unit to the store. Yes, CPE is known for great CS but to my knowledge they do not stock the gens and have no return policy, the warranty cover parts only, or perhaps a service center sometimes (usually a lawn mower shop or the sorts) ~ So that is why it is a good idea to buy from a big box store with at least a '30 day return policy'. When and if they move on to a new model Inverter is the question to be concerned with. Maybe some one will tell us if the Champion 2000i is still being produced in it's present form. Seems to be lots of old stock on the market.

[MrRchitty]

byates wrote:



Costco-US is now carrying the parallel kit on its website (leftover inventory from Canada?), but I've yet to see the Champion 2000i in its US stores or online, but Costco continues to carry the Honeywell 2000 in its US stores.

As I posted very recently, I ordered and received the parallel kit from Costco. It was drop shipped from CPE in California directly to my residence. 60 bucks plus tax and a small charge of 3 bucks because I was not a member. Shipping was included. Best deal I could find.

[Oletop]

The one on the Sam's auction ended at the same price I paid for mine. Kind of makes me think there is something going on where it can't sell for less than the price of $376. Anyway, I plan on doing a better test for everyone. As I stated I had just returned home from two weeks off shore. As much as I wanted to play with the generator I wanted more to spend some time with my wife and kids. Also it was intermittent raining all day yesterday. I will do some further testing of the unit, but I don't believe that mine will be as professionally done as the Professors. I'll keep ya'll posted with pros and cons and videos to back it up. Hopefully I can do a better job making it easier for everyone to see what is going on and better explain it as it goes. That was my first ever video to post on the internet so I am sure I will get better.

David J.

[BENT_ARROW]

As I continue reading reviews tonight it seems Champion has a different model out on June 23, Category 5 #73537i with a black or dark gray case. I wonder if this is an upgrade thats talked about or just a case color that does not stand out and say "steal me".