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RE: The Official unofficial CPE 2000i Generator Thread
After being a Champion owner for 3 (or is it 4?) years, and spending most of last night reading this thread, I'm ready to take the plunge on the 2000i. Several searches on Google and checks of the sites of common discounted price outlets for this genny (sam's, Costco, ect) show it out of stock almost everywhere. I've only found it listed for sale at $599 or higher (home depot-$817 !). Anyone know of any good deals currently available? I've got until June before I "need" it but I WANT it! *LOL*
Suggestion: Call Champion at 1-877-338-0999. Tell them where you are and ask where you can purchase their 2000i at the lowest possible price.
Several of the outlets for CPE products do not stock the product, they only broker it. Once you order the generator it is actually shipped from CPE in CA.
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professor95
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04/18/12 12:16pm |
Tech Issues
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RE: Rand McNally RVND7710 & Magellan 9165T RV GPS comparisons
I am envisioning the Professor watching Hangover on his GPS. Wouldn't that be a site? The youtube video would go viral.
Moisheh
Yes, I agree texting is stupid and I will NEVER watch a video while driving. Truthfully, I don't have time :W I need to scan my gauges for oil pressure, air pressure, turbo temperature, coolant temperature, transmission temperature, RPM and road speed. Once I finish that scan I check the tire pressure monitor to be sure all 14 tires are performing OK, check both the left and right side rear view mirrors, look in the rear view camera monitor and check the monitor for my right hand blind spot. Then, I might take a glance at the GPS to be sure I am not lost. While doing all of this I am also watching the road ahead. My co-pilot mans the iPhone and computer as needed. It takes a lot to safely drive a big RV (or a small car) - inattention from texting, eating, putting on make-up, fooling with a radio, iPod, phone, CB, etc. all take away from attention needed for driving. Shucks, I rarely even talk to my passenger while driving. That in itself is a distraction.
Keep it between the lines :)
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professor95
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04/15/12 03:49pm |
Technology Corner
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RE: The Official unofficial CPE 2000i Generator Thread
I won't believe it for sure until I see it independently confirmed, but at this point it's sure sounding like this feature was invented by the Marketing department.
Bummer - thanks for the link. Maybe those ex-Xantrex guys will give us what we really need at an affordable price.
Thanks for the footwork getting the info.......
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professor95
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04/13/12 07:15am |
Tech Issues
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RE: Rand McNally RVND7710 & Magellan 9165T RV GPS comparisons
I think the Professor's multiple video screens on the dash are illegal in Alberta today! They sure know how to spoil a guy's fun.
Moisheh
I'm probably illegal - period. :W
Front facing video screens can be a gray area in some locations. Most all of the lower 48 now only disallow front facing video screens that the driver can see if they are for "entertainment" - like playing a movie. Video screens for communications devices, navigation and rearward visibility are legal. It's a changin' world and amazing what we can now do with microchips and TFT displays.
BTW - with the external, non-image reversing video input feature of the Magellan 9165 you can plug in a portable DVD player and watch a movie while driving. The input was designed to use their accessory video back-up camera but they reversed the image at the camera rather than in the GPS display. The GPS automatically switches to video when a signal is present on the input line.
You know, I can get directions from a panhandler on a street corner, on the CB or even look it up on a map. My iPhone can dub as a directional GPS when needed to get me from point A to point B. What I really appreciate with a RV specific GPS is the availability of information specific to my type of vehicle that I cannot easily access otherwise. When this makes my travel safer, it is a worthy device.
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professor95
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04/08/12 04:03pm |
Technology Corner
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RE: Rand McNally RVND7710 & Magellan 9165T RV GPS comparisons
I have the 7710 and major complaint is the glare problem. Getting ready for a 5 month tour of the US, so going to be interesting to see how it works compared to my old Garmin NUVI, which maps are out of date.
One of many features I like about the 7710 are the user settable warnings for curves and grades as well as speed limit changes. It does make some mistakes but overall performance is pretty darn good.
On our recent 3,200 mile trek I often switched to the dashboard mode once out on the Interstate highway. I really like the RM dashboard functions showing which mile marker you are approaching, % of uphill and downhill travel and other user settable data features. It even anticipated our crossing time zones and adjusted our ETA time accordingly. The more I use it, the more I learn how it is different than my old "car" GPS units and better fits into our RV traveling needs.
It appears RV specific GPS devices are getting more popular with the major manufacturers. Guess some big company dollar crunchers finally realized we are an important part of the consumer population. Hopefully, we will all benefit from the competition as newer devices and features hit the market.
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professor95
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04/07/12 08:09pm |
Technology Corner
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RE: The Official unofficial CPE 2000i Generator Thread
I thought someone tried the external tank thing successfully on the Champs already?
IIRC all that was important was that the external tank be above the level of the generator so that, again, gravity can do it's thing.
Done right you could even feed 2 of the 2000i's from one large jerry can for simplicity when running paralleled.
I did it a while back with a modified OEM tank cap and a hook-up to an existing 6.5 gallon tank out of my boat. It DID work with the tank at the same level but the eventual loss of even one micron of vacuum between the two tanks could break the link.
A marine tank is slightly different than a gravity feed "dump" tank. The marine tank draws fuel from the bottom and has a "primer" bulb in the line that acts as a manual siphon-starter because of a check valve. This bulb purges any air from the lines and ensures a good siphon or pump pickup link.
The tank on the 2000i is sealed, except for the fuel line on the modified cap. Ultimately, the siphon effect is maintained by elevation and the fuel level in the 2000i tank by internal pressure/vacuum created as fuel leaves the tank for the carburetor. To me it is a safer system than some I have seen recently.
"If" the CPE2000i had a fuel pump it would most likely maintain enough vacuum inside the main tank to constantly draw fuel from a lower mounted auxiliary tank - but, of course, it doesn't. Thus, elevation replaces the vacuum from a fuel pump.
If an auxiliary tank were used that T'eed into the CPE2000i fuel line the issue of overflowing the main tank would become moot if you remembered to close the air valve in the cap for the main tank. This would allow using the main tank 1 gallon fuel supply and whatever the capacity of the auxiliary tank may be.
In any adaption of this scheme the key safety element is the operator's memory. Not so sure that is always adequate :S
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professor95
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04/06/12 10:41am |
Tech Issues
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RE: The Official unofficial CPE 2000i Generator Thread
New to the inverter generator scene is the ability of the Xantrex Freedom pure sine wave battery inverters to work in conjunction with gasoline engine powered inverters allowing the battery powered inverter to provide additional capacity for heavy loads. Prof, do you know this for a fact or are you (as I did) reading into it what you'd like it to say? Over on another thread about this inverter, there's some speculation that it doesn't sync with the generator, but instead throws its transfer relay to shed some loads from the generator. Between the manual and the specs, I can't tell which way it works.
It makes absolutely no sense in the world of RV power systems to throw a transfer relay to shed loads from a generator to an inverter - unless, of course, they can sync and work together, which is what I understand is happening.
As I understand it the Xantrex can be stacked parallel or even in series to provide 240 volts AC (anyone for series-parallel?). Since sync is established by a master-slave design where one unit reads the output from another and then sets its output to the same time periods there is no reason to believe that a Honda, Yamaha or CPE inverter could not be the master and the Xantrex read the period output and sync to it.
Do I know this for a fact? Well, Wayne, you and I do have a lot in common when it comes to questioning how things really work. So, truthfully, I cannot say YES until I get my hands on one and hook it up to an array of O'scopes and frequency meters to see for myself how and why it works. I would be disappointed if you did not feel the same way. In the interval when this may happen all I have to go on is the same stuff you have - and it looks good to me.
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professor95
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04/06/12 10:05am |
Tech Issues
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RE: 3000W Chinese Gensets Info.
Electric Start conversions..
Anyway.. the starter motor kit in e-bay is over $100.00 delivered and then more parts and drilling and tapping and a battery and a charging system will all be needed..
Last time I checked on the starter as a replacement part from CPE it was something like $72.00 - don't know what the current price is.
Of course, you have to have a new flywheel with teeth for the starter. Your old flywheel is removed and used as a boat anchor.
Both the flywheel and starter motor are heavy - so shipping is high.
As you noted, this is only the beginning as a battery, switch, fan shroud, charge coil and drilling/taping are required.
While it isn't $299.00 ($429.99 new stock price at TSC). The 46533 is often sale priced at TSC for $299 or $329. Next up is the 46555, a sweet RV ready electric start unit. At $479 (shipping included) from Costco you get the ES with battery for an additional $180 over the sale priced 46533 (or $30 over the TSC list price) - actually not bad compared to a ES kit with no fan shroud or battery. BTW - the 46555 is the new replacement for the 40008 I have in my fiver.
The CPE 46539 is the sweetheart of electric start generators in the 3,000 Watt class of Chinese imports. It has electric start, remote control, over-voltage protection and load shed. Cabela's currently has it on sale for $439 - but shipping is not included. This is a lot of really nice hardware for $140 more that the bare bones $299 sale unit at TSC. I have a 46539 mounted in the basement of the Volvo and simply love the remote start & stop.
IMHO, anyone buying new that wants more than a basic rope pull genny should look at the 46539 or 46555.
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professor95
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03/29/12 07:52pm |
Tech Issues
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RE: 3000W Chinese Gensets Info.
Has anyone tried to retrofit a starter on the Champion 46515 3500-4000 watt generator? It has the 196cc engine. I took the guards (air cooling covers) off to see if there were threaded holes to accommodate the starter.
The Champion 46555 has the same engine and comes with a starter. The pdf manual has a detailed diagram and the components which make up the charging and starting components are in purple.
What I noticed on my engine is there are holes present which are piloted, however, not drilled and tapped.
The two MINIMUM parts needed are the gear tooth flywheel and starter motor. The rest can be made or outsourced if needed.
You can also use (Honda) GX160-200 starter kits such as this one I found on eBay just a few minutes ago that will fit the 46515 engine.
To the best of my knowledge, CPE has not offered a retrofit kit and individual prices or parts from CPE are almost as much as a new, complete ES engine.
SuperGenProducts told me last year that they were going to offer a kit - but it has yet to be advertised.
A kit like the one I pointed out may not include the engine fan shroud (some do). A cutout will need to be made in the side of the fan shroud for starter clearance. Measure carefully and cut small - enlarging as needed by trying fitment of fan shroud over the mounted starter. It is easy to get this hole too high and too large if not extremely careful.
The key start assembly shown in the kit will not fit "as is" due to interference with the generator frame. The accessory key start assembly also contains a transition module that is not used as the 46515 has one installed. You take the key start assembly apart and rewire for the genny tossing the extra transition module.
The "newer" 196cc engines have some casting material on the block near the cylinder base that interferes with the geared flywheel. When I encountered this installing electric start on my log splitter last winter (2011) I simply removed the casting material from the engine block with a grinder - no big deal.
The kit on eBay that I referenced includes the charge coil, which may not be needed if a remote battery (such as the camper battery) is used. If you do install the charge coil, threads for the mounting bolts must also be drilled and cut into the block.
As far as the holes for mounting the starter not being taped, it is easy to cut the threads with a standard tap. I elected to use a 1/4" SAE tap for convenience and turned it with a pair of vice grip pliers.
The casting on the engine that is not drilled for the tap or the second starter mounting hole is shown. The blank casting goes pretty far into the engine - unfortunately I do not remember how far. It is best not to drill through into the crankcase as chips will end up in the oil sump.
I wrote the entire process up with numerous photos several years back when I put ES on my pressure washer. Unfortunately, I can't find it on the thread now. I think it was somewhere around '08. In any event, I still have some of the photos in PhotoBucket I am re-posting now. Maybe someone can find the original post in the thread? I believe I included how deep to drill the starter mount hole in that one.
Let me know if I can be of any other help. The conversion was well worth the $$ and time to me as I have a bad "pullin'" shoulder.
http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b298/professor95/crankcasewire-1.jpg
Location of needed drill and tap hole for starter
http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b298/professor95/drillingtapholesforCC.jpg
Drilling for Charge Coil holes
http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b298/professor95/tapingholes.jpg
Using 1/4" SAE tap to thread charge coil holes
http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b298/professor95/chargecoilmounted.jpg
Charge coil mounted
http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b298/professor95/schematic-1.jpg
Schematic for wiring new key switch
http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b298/professor95/trimairshield.jpg
The air shield must be trimmed for the starter to fit
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professor95
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03/26/12 08:31pm |
Tech Issues
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RE: The Official unofficial CPE 2000i Generator Thread
Bruno,
All of the CPE inverter generators apparently have the same sync software and cable connections. I have not observed the operational quirk you described when twins are connected in parallel and set to the ECO mode (but I believe you!). It does not surprise me though as there is likely a delay in the signal from the control module to the stepper motor on what has become the "slave" generator. At that point, the decision as to which generator will be the master and which the slave most likely depends upon the ability for individual units to respond to the load in a timely manner. Eventually, they both should fall into step with each other as the load distribution is balanced.
New to the inverter generator scene is the ability of the Xantrex Freedom pure sine wave battery inverters to work in conjunction with gasoline engine powered inverters allowing the battery powered inverter to provide additional capacity for heavy loads. It is a great system but kind of expensive up front when you lay down about $2K for a 2,000 watt compatible battery inverter - sans cables, system control panel and batteries. I am under the impression that the new Xantrex syncs off of the generator signal rather than the other way around. Thus, it should work with any make or model gas engine inverter.
BTW - I wasn't joking. Aside from the initial cost of redundant hardware, stepping or staging multiple smaller generators to respond to load demand is actually a more efficient system than one big unit producing excess power. As the cost of the source fuel that serves as the energy conversion unit increases engineers are becoming even more focused on efficiency than brute force. The line between cheap short term power solutions and long term efficiency is apparently getting shorter all the time. The bridge yet to be built for the RV community and others depending upon generators for off-grid power is the software/hardware needed to anticipate significant load changes and respond accordingly by starting or stopping smaller generators in a parallel system.
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professor95
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03/24/12 09:03pm |
Tech Issues
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RE: The Official unofficial CPE 2000i Generator Thread
Let's just say, "close enough that it does not matter". There are subtle differences. I have two of the red Costco CPE versions (love them) and am quite happy with them.
You should be able to twin up any combination of the yellow/red/grey versions of the 2000i together.
Actually, you can twin up any one of the 2000i CPE inverter models with their 1000 watt inverter model too.
Or.... if you feel adventurous, you can take four of the 2000i inverters and two parallel sync cable sets, parallel all the sync cables and 120 VAC output lines and have a 8000 watt power system (6,400 watt/53 amp actual).
Now, that would be a beast of a RV power system :C
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professor95
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03/21/12 09:37pm |
Tech Issues
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RE: 3000W Chinese Gensets Info.
professor95.....or anybody else that has done the propane conversions on the champion gen set, how about a part number and a place to order the demand regulator? found it once on here, now i cant find it, too many pages...lol
This is the specific page for the Garretson KN at US Carb. They are offering the BEAM regulator as a substitute on another page, but I have no experience with that model.
Here is another Garretson KN supplier.
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professor95
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03/19/12 08:48pm |
Tech Issues
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RE: 3000W Chinese Gensets Info.
Doom and gloom..
Just got back from a month in Florida escaping the winter weather that wasn't so bad at home.. Dry camped for the first time in an RV park setting (vs a truck stop). I was the only Champion 3500/4000 in a sea of red and blue..
Cheese & Crackers! was our Champion ever loud! No practical way to quiet it down so I guess I'll be shopping for a super quiet before I go back..
From across the campground you can hear the Champion's mechanical noise.
Maybe draining the Mobile-1 and use 30w for starters.. Will quiet it down a little..
Joe,
did anyone complain?
I know you did a lot of engineering to make the front mount for the Champion. While it is a great location and saves you space, it also gets the genny up in the air and allows its noise to travel easier than a bed or ground mount. You are open on all sides with no dirt underneath to act as a sound absorber. I would imaging the front cap of the fiver might act as a sound reflector.
Rather than give up on all your hard work I would suggest brainstorming how you can set up some portable sound baffles around the genny. It doesn't take much - even some cardboard panels or a wire rack to hang some old carpet on can do a lot to lower the mechanical noise!
Changing oil isn't going to reduce the noise.
Don't give up.
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professor95
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03/15/12 07:04pm |
Tech Issues
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RE: 3000W Chinese Gensets Info.
The "key" to any dry gas conversion system is the use of the Garrett type low pressure demand regulator. This is a MUST have item. Multiple variations for feeding the gas to the engine after the low pressure demand regulator are currently being used.
If you are running a constant speed synchronous generator the feed is best supplied BEFORE the carburetor butterfly.
Darn - I missed the birthday for this thread. If my memory is working OK today I believe this is the seventh year. Interest in the use and modifications of the 3,000 watt Chinese gensets using the GX-200 clone engine apparently is still of interest to the RV crowd. Even with the new inverter gensets this is still my preferred method of supplying the current needed to run all of the appliances in either my Volvo or Cedar Creek fifth wheel. The Champion in my fiver is LPG fueled. The one in the Volvo is still gasoline fueled. The noise level is no higher than two 2,000 watt inverter gensets in parallel.
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professor95
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03/12/12 07:16pm |
Tech Issues
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RE: Wireless remote for lift/lower 5th wheel
As noted by several other contributors the winch solenoid is a polarity reversing switch. It is designed to handle up to 70 amps of current.
The landing jack motor(s) in your fifth wheel is also a DC motor that is controlled by a polarity reversing switch. Typically these switches are rated at 30 amps and are double pole-double throw.
The current drawn by your electric jack motor(s) is approximately 11 amps maximum. There is an internal thermal trip that will open if current exceeds this level for more than a few seconds.
When you install the winch remote system to control your landing jacks I would suggest wiring everything as shown in your posted schematic with the jack motor in place of the winch motor - no need for 6 gauge wires. The wires from the winch solenoid simply parallel or tap into the existing two wires to the jack motor. #14 or #12 AWG copper wire will be OK but include an inline 15 amp fuse from the solenoid output to the jack motor.
The only danger in this arrangement is the possibility of blowing a fuse if one should depress the switch on the RV at the same time the remote switch is used.
This is a popular and easy to accomplish project - no "extra" solenoid is needed. You can easily adjust the pin height from the seat of your truck without going back and forth.
Happy Camping Trails!
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professor95
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03/12/12 06:55pm |
Fifth-Wheels
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RE: The Official unofficial CPE 2000i Generator Thread
One thing I do with all generators is use synthetic oil.
It doesn't get as thick in the cold so pulling the engine over is much easier.
It may not start any better but you can pull more times before passing out. :)
I use synthetic, as well.
Synthetic is great - unless your oil change is 9 gallons. :B
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professor95
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03/02/12 06:40pm |
Tech Issues
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RE: The Official unofficial CPE 2000i Generator Thread
It is possible to get gasoline without ethanol. Check with a local oil company to see if they have it available. There is one company south of where I live that keeps a tank of ethanol-free gasoline.
Bob - You just reminded me that the marinas we have visited on Lake Anna have ethanol free gasoline. It is considerably more expensive but most likely due to the location rather than the mix. That is the ONLY place in and around RIC VA that I recall seeing pure gas.
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professor95
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02/19/12 10:35pm |
Tech Issues
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RE: The Official unofficial CPE 2000i Generator Thread
In the meantime I'll be stocking 25 gallons of gasoline and replace it with new gasoline every 4 months.
Thanks for your help.
I have no knowledge of what kind of gasoline mixtures you guys have up north, but the 10% ethanol and additives down here do make for some storage problems. I have found off the shelf stuff like Stabil extremely good for long term storage. I keep at least 50 gallons thru the winter months for the tractor and gasoline generators. Actually, if the gasoline is kept in air tight containers and not allowed to evaporate in a generator fuel bowl it should store for a longer period of time. The little generator engines are much more tolerant of lower grade or degraded fuel than a fuel injection computer controlled modern truck or automobile engine as long as there is no water in the fuel. Biggest thing is humidity getting into stored gas and being absorbed by ethanol that results in phase separation. Again, make sure your storage containers are AIR TIGHT and you put in some good non-alcohol fuel stabilizer. Also drain any excess gasoline from your genny when storing.
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professor95
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02/18/12 08:23pm |
Tech Issues
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RE: Rand McNally RVND7710 & Magellan 9165T RV GPS comparisons
Just noticed on the forums there is discussion on apps for your I-phone for a RV check list. The Rand McNally GPS has these check off list and you can add to them or remove the items that don't apply to your rig. Also there is a spot to keep track of vehicle maintenance and repairs. A lot of different little corners one can dive into.
I have an i-Phone as well and have downloaded several apps like you mentioned. But, I have found the battery in the RVN7710 to be good for at least an hour of use when popped off of the mount in the TV and MUCH easier to read with my old eyes. The 7710 disconnects extremely easy with no fuss or messing up the adjustment of the mount. It is easy to carry the unit around as you check off your custom items. Don't know about you young'uns but if I get distracted while setting up or breaking down I can forget something. Having a convenient check off gives me some security about forgetting. I still do the paper inspection check-off for the mechanical things on the tow vehicle and lights but stuff like the television antenna, locking hatch doors, turning off lights, water heater, pump, locking cabinets, etc. is more easily done (for me anyway) with the handheld custom check list.
I have not experienced any problems in the truck cab with glare on the 7710 screen - day or night. I think a lot depends on the mounting position and screening from outside light. The anti-glare screen sounds interesting though - sort of like the one I had for the old laptop with a reflective TFT screen. BTW - I have more trouble seeing the i-Phone screen outside than the 7710 GPS :)
Just my experiences - maybe some that will help someone else?
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professor95
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02/18/12 08:08pm |
Technology Corner
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RE: The Official unofficial CPE 2000i Generator Thread
Thanks nitrohorse.
Has anyone converted a Champion 2000 inverter to natural gas? If not, can it be done and how?
Did you break-in the engine? If so, did you use 'regular' oil instead of synthetic? And how long did you run the unit at less than 50% power for the break-in?
This thread is really quiet. Or maybe it is because I spent every evening until 1am during a full week reading the 215 pages.
I've done several LPG conversions - never a NG but the operation should be the same. The problem with the 2000i would be the variable engine speed depending on load. With a constant speed synchronous running at 3,600 RPM load block settings are simple. Back when we were building and discussing LPG conversions on the 3000 Watt Chinese Generator Info thread SALVO found that he could run his Yamaha inverter OK by setting up to feeds - one in front of the carb and one in back with two load blocks running off of the low pressure demand regulator. Personally, I would NOT try to run an inverter off of LPG or NG unless gasoline was unavailable - like after a hurricane :p
You can make a synchronous quieter and it is much simpler to convert to run off of LPG or NG.
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professor95
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02/17/12 08:14pm |
Tech Issues
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