Dan2009
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Re: The Official unofficial CPE 2000i Generator Thread
I just returned from a week plus of dry camping at Newaygo State Park in Michigan. This was my first real test of the Champion inverter generator, and it performed as well as I'd hoped. I ran it daily to keep the battery charged, and let my son play his X-Box several hours a day. The biggest test was when I used it to power the microwave. I turned off all the AC breakers except the main and microwave just to avoid unintentional trips and it ran well enough to let me nuke our lunches one day. The microwave seemed to run at a lower voltage, but the food came out hot. The generator was able to support the load for 3 minutes or more. This while economy mode was enabled too. The neighbor across the way from me was impressed with the quietness of the generator as well and said he might look in to getting one too. I did notice the idle would skip around a little bit, but I'm pretty sure that was due to changes in the load. When I ran the generator without a load back home, the idle was constant. I think the generator is just a little sensitive to changes in load, and Professor's suggestion of bumping up the idle speed might take care of this. I hope this helps! -Dan324Views0likes0CommentsRe: The Official unofficial CPE 2000i Generator Thread
Quick update: Last week I saw that the Canton, Michigan Sam's Club is now carrying the CPE 2000i; they had a whole pallet of them. Also, I've been taking my CPE 2000i down to the storage yard every other weekend to top off the battery in my 5th wheel for a few hours. No problems whatsover!531Views0likes0CommentsRe: The Official unofficial CPE 2000i Generator Thread
professor95 wrote: Dan2009 wrote: Can anyone comment on the possible effect of the voltage drop I'm seeing, and what the impact on my electronics might be after repeated usage of the 2000W inverter to run the microwave? First, nice job on the video! I need to know something about your test set-up. I see a yellow extension cord plugged into the generator - not the expected black #10 RV service cord with an adapter. I cannot tell if the cord is running directly to the Kill-A-Watt then the microwave for the test or if it is perhaps going to the RV supply cord via an adapter at the end of the extension cord. If the latter is true, again the gauge and length of wire from the microwave outlet to the Kill-A-Watt meter will be helpful in giving you an answer. Anyway - what is the gauge of wire in the extension cord and how long is it? The response is important to answering your question. And, have you tried putting the Kill-A-Watt in the inverter outlet and conducting the same experiment at that point in the circuit? If so, were the readings the same? On your last question - "and what the impact on my electronics might be after repeated usage of the 2000W inverter to run the microwave?" Are the electrons you are asking about those in the inverter, the microwave or other devices in your camper like TV, converter, fridge, etc.? Just need to know a little more in order to give you an accurate answer. Hello Professor, My apologies for the delayed response. The yellow cable is an 8' 12 gauge extension cord. Based on your questions, I retried the microwave tests with the 30 amp RV cable plugged directly into the inverter, using only an adapter plug. I experienced the same voltage drop when the microwave started. However, I did have another longer, smaller gauge extension code that the microwave/Kill-a-watt was plugged into, which in turn ran into the microwave outlet in the cabinet above the microwave. This might explain the lower voltage reading, but the microwave bulb still dims even when it is plugged directly into the wall outlet. I'll try to remember to get some new numbers with the more direct set up next time I go down to the storage yard to check on the camper. As far as which electronics are affected, I'm mostly concerned with the converter, fridge, microwave, and the furnace. As for the generator itself, it's holding up well, although I'm not pushing it. I've been exercising it weekly and it still performs as advertised. Thanks! -Dan367Views0likes0CommentsRe: The Official unofficial CPE 2000i Generator Thread
I've posted 2 more videos showing the Champion 2000W ability to power a microwave. The videos are basically the same, one is with economy mode turned on, the other with it turned off. At the end of both videos I try to show the sound volume from inside the camper. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=32iQj4uPcQw http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cvPawTlrnNo Can anyone comment on the possible effect of the voltage drop I'm seeing, and what the impact on my electronics might be after repeated usage of the 2000W inverter to run the microwave? As for a comparison to the Honda eu2000i, I've only heard a few of the Honda's and they seem to be a tad quieter than the Champion, but not $500 quieter in my less-than-useful opinion. I will not be embarrased at all to run my Champion during generator hours at a campground. Lastly, when I made these two videos this past weekend, I spent a few hours in the camper at the storage yard working on the laptop while my son played on his XBox 360, all being powered by the Champion inverter. The whole time it was in economy mode, and really just idling (when I unplugged it there was no difference in the sound). I kept an eye on the Kill-A-Watt plugged into a nearby outlet, and the voltage hovered around 123V. Occasionally the engine would stumble a split second and I'd see the overhead AC lightbulb flicker. I'm guessing this is because the load was so minimal, the throttle control would 'dance' around the lower limit. If I had a more significant load, there was never any stumbling. I hope this helps. So far I'm really digging my new generator! PS: When I opened the generator to fill the oil, I was impressed by the fit and finish of the internal components. The castings and machining of the metal parts looked as good as I could hope for, and all the plastic parts fits together really well. One concern I have about the design is how to lock it with a chain. The obvious way would be through the handle, but it's held on with 4 bolts.404Views0likes0CommentsRe: The Official unofficial CPE 2000i Generator Thread
I picked up one of the 2000W Inverters this past weekend, and I'm fairly pleased with it so far. It's run everything in the 30' fifth wheel, uncluding the microwave. I didn't try the A/C, but I have the 3500W for that. The only concern I have is that the voltage drops to around 96 volts for a few seconds when I start the microwave. Here's a link to my unboxing of the generator: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aC0VE8MxFHs My other videos are different tests of the generator. The videos aren't edited, so you'll see some of my trials and errors.445Views0likes0CommentsRe: 3000W Chinese Gensets Info.
After spending two months of evenings reading this entire thread, I found the RV-ready Champion at a local TSC for $299 as well. I'm happy to report that the 3500W Champion is MUCH quieter than my B&S powered 3000W Craftsman generator. I'm thinking of building a partial enclosure line with some acoustic foam from the local Guitar Center store. Thanks to everyone for the great input, I've learned a lot! I found this thread after researching Chinese generators after I purchased one of those $100 2-stroke, 1000W generators which works amazingly well. I just wish I could find comparable American-made products, even if it cost a few more $$.334Views0likes0Comments
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