Just curious what all you are able to pull off of them before they overload. I picked up 2 of them and 1 can run 6 150w hps w/caps no problem, but overloads when trying to start up the 7th. Also if there is NOTHING connected to it and I plug in a powermax pm3-45 (600w max) it immediately overloads. The other generator can power all 8 of my 150w hps w/caps no problem, but is incapable of running anymore than 1 light along side with the powermax. I've tried this any which, way, form, or fashion I could think of to make sure they were warmed up before plugging in the powermax......The thing that has me baffled the most is I have one of the little 800/900w harbor frieght generators and it is capable of running 3 lights AND the powermax :headbang:.....The only thing i can even guess is maybe there is some kind of surge going on and the champions are going into overload to protect itself where the harbor freight is just going way over capacity and probably on the verge of catching fire. Its looking like a bad module in the 1 that will only power the 6 lights and dies when only the powermax is plugged in. But besides the surge theory, Im not sure what to even think about the other one that is being "out powered" by a HF genny that is half its size........Any ideas whats going on??
Crooks87
Are you running it in econ-mode? if so i would turn the econ-mode off so its running at full power.. I run 8 50watt Led's, to 16' strip lights and a PM 55 off mine no problems... Although i run it with econ-mode off
I have 2 powermax pm3-55. The one that has 2 fuses and I can run it off the genny. The other one that has 3 fuses overloads the genny by itself. I do not have any type of equipment to test what the 3 fuse powermax is drawing or putting out. Without the convertors I can run 2-400w hps and 2-250 hps at the same time no problem.
I am running that exact set up. 6 150 HPS with caps and a 55 amp powermaxx. I believe what you are seeing in an amperage issue and not a wattage issue. The standard plug on that generator is rate at 13.3 amps.
My 150's starting are drawing about 2.5 amps which overloads the outlet by drawing 15 amps but is still below the capacity of the generator wattage at 1800 watts, therefore I have to warm up 3 at a time before I can start the other 3. When warm my lights draw 1.5 amps tops pulling 9 amps and about 1100 watts.
The powermaxx converter I have has a max wattage rating of 780 watts and 7 amps. With that running full bore and the lights running, wattage wise I am good because it is below 2000 watts at 1900 watts but amperage I am over the plug capacity at 16 amps. So although you are good wattage wise you are not able to run it all on one genny because you are drawing to many amps with the whole set up.
My 150's starting are drawing about 2.5 amps which overloads the outlet by drawing 15 amps but is still below the capacity of the generator wattage at 1800 watts, therefore I have to warm up 3 at a time before I can start the other 3. When warm my lights draw 1.5 amps tops pulling 9 amps and about 1100 watts.
The powermaxx converter I have has a max wattage rating of 780 watts and 7 amps. With that running full bore and the lights running, wattage wise I am good because it is below 2000 watts at 1900 watts but amperage I am over the plug capacity at 16 amps. So although you are good wattage wise you are not able to run it all on one genny because you are drawing to many amps with the whole set up.
I have 2 of the gennys. one that was going to run 6 lights and the other that was going to run 2 lights and the powermax. my problem is I cant get one genny to run the powermax when it is the only thing plugged in and the other genney can only manage to run the powermax along with 1 light warmed up running the minimum amps
I had the same trouble out of mine. I bought mine from sams and kept returning them until i found one that handles the load. i think its hit or miss with these genny's but now that ive got a good one, i love it
the pmax 55 pulls 750 watts max. if you started with a fully charged battery, then it would not pull the full 750watts. it would only pull what it needs.
Hooked my system to 2 hondas with zero problems running everything. Called champion and made sure to mentioin that a few times. They told me to box them up and send them in for repairs (shipping at their cost) that would take 3-4 weeks to repair and be back at my door. Told them I did not have that kind of time and taking them back was not an option either. They said if I was capable of doing so, I could tear them down and take the stators out of them then box those up and send them in. Once they recieved the stators they would overnight me new upgraded stators, new control modules, new spark arresters, and new carbs. They said it was an easy job with minimal tools needed except for a puller to get the stator off which I happened to have. About an hour later I had them both taken out and ready to ship, now I guess I play the waiting game and cross my fingers that champion holds true to their word. This is basically replacing everything except the engine itself so hopefully it fixes my problems
I'm running 2 iota converters off of mine. One 24v/25amp, the other 12v/55 amp. Once everything gets settled in I can just about run it in econo-mode if I can keep the troller under 80% of max. I love mine.
forgot to update this and just realized that these are used generators with about 100 hours on them. Fred over at champioin sent me all new parts no questions asked and was even willing to walk me through the rebuild over the phone if i needed. They sent me everything and when i was dont rebuilding, the only thing on them that is original is the engine itself. All runs well now with not one single problem. Im pretty impressed with thier customer service because non of this cost me a dime.
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