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12-07-2016, 07:17 PM
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#1
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4 Rivet Member
2010 27' FB International
Deforest
, Wisconsin
Join Date: Jul 2016
Posts: 306
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Harbor Freight Predator 2000 Inverter..Anybody try one?
Saw these online, not really in need of a generator at this time. Was wondering if anybody had tried one of them.
http://www.harborfreight.com/engines...arb-62523.html
$499.00 less 20% off, you could buy one for $399.00
I know it's HF.....
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12-07-2016, 08:14 PM
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#2
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Rivet Master
2006 23' Safari SE
Biloxi
, Mississippi
Join Date: Nov 2011
Posts: 8,278
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Loud!
__________________
MICHAEL
Do you know what a learning experience is? A learning experience is one of those things that says "You know that thing that you just did? Don't do that."
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12-07-2016, 08:23 PM
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#3
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Rivet Master
1995 25' Excella
xxxxx
, xxxxxx
Join Date: Apr 2015
Posts: 2,351
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I have heard them. Not that loud compared to an open frame generator.
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12-08-2016, 07:36 AM
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#4
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4 Rivet Member
2010 27' FB International
Deforest
, Wisconsin
Join Date: Jul 2016
Posts: 306
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66 dB vs 59dB for a Honda, After looking up the dB scale, the difference is huge....
Thanks....
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12-08-2016, 07:51 AM
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#5
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4 Rivet Member
1974 31' Sovereign
Sunset Beach
, North Carolina
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 404
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Champion
Champion has lower db's than HF. It is a little more expensive than HF, but cheaper than Honda. I think a good compromise.
Mke
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12-08-2016, 07:51 AM
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#6
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Rivet Master
2014 30' Flying Cloud
Tampa
, Florida
Join Date: May 2016
Posts: 1,364
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__________________
2014 Airstream Flying Cloud 30 Recliner - WBCCI #4850 - AIR #110821
2018 Nissan Armada SL Tow Vehicle, Equal-i-zer Hitch
Visit Our Flying Cloud blog for my latest adventure!
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12-08-2016, 09:14 AM
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#7
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Rivet Master
2002 30' Classic S/O
Fleming Island
, Florida
Join Date: Nov 2013
Posts: 4,673
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Quote:
Originally Posted by RxGuy
66 dB vs 59dB for a Honda, After looking up the dB scale, the difference is huge....
Thanks....
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While 7 dB is a lot in noise power (over 4x) the human ear has a non-linear sensitivity; the ear's response curve is that 10 dB sounds twice as loud. So the HF unit is louder than the Honda, but would not be perceived as twice as loud.
Another thing to check - at what output level and distance were the measurements taken? I think I recall that some generators are specified at full load, others are not. I'm not sure I have seen the distance specified; double the distance, subtract 6 dB.
Just information.....YMMV
Al
__________________
“You cannot reason someone out of a position they have not been reasoned into"
Al, K5TAN and Missy, N4RGO WBCCI 1322
2002 Classic 30 Slideout -S/OS #004
2013 Dodge 2500 Laramie 4x4 Megacab Cummins
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12-08-2016, 11:43 AM
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#8
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2 Rivet Member
1964 24' Tradewind
Enumclaw
, Washington
Join Date: Apr 2014
Posts: 21
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Harbor freight inverters
I sell inverters to rental stores. I will tell you that you will not get much for $499.
Wholesale inverters cost that much or more. If you need clean power, you will need an inverter NOT a typical generator. It doesn't take much for unstable power to mess up your electronics.
Our '64 has NO electronics in it so we don't care--we do have one for CPAP machines--it is not worth saving $$ if I mess up one of these at $1500 each.
Honda, or one of the other main brands will provide years of useful service. if you can find a Mi-T-M inverter from a rental store or construction supply store that is a good unit for a reasonable price. They also have excellent customer service.
Just my two cents.
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12-08-2016, 12:36 PM
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#9
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Rivet Master
2017 25' International
Currently Looking...
Currently Looking...
Los Osos
, California
Join Date: Jun 2004
Posts: 916
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I give the density of the generator's exhaust as much consideration as the decibel rating.
Nothing worse than camping next to someone with a smelly generator. I'd like to think that I'm a good neighbor and I strive to use generators that have low dBs and clean exhaust.
Knowing what I know of Harbor Freight products, I doubt that they'd meet my good neighbor standards. Also, a $500 inverter generator is just that.
__________________
2017 Airstream International Serenity 25FB
2016 RAM 2500 Crew Cab Cummins 6.7 Diesel
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12-08-2016, 12:49 PM
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#10
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2 Rivet Member
2017 23' International
Danville
, Pennsylvania
Join Date: Sep 2016
Posts: 27
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Amen to interstateflyer's reply
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12-08-2016, 01:33 PM
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#11
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Rivet Master
2006 23' Safari SE
Biloxi
, Mississippi
Join Date: Nov 2011
Posts: 8,278
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Quote:
Originally Posted by interstateflyer
I give the density of the generator's exhaust as much consideration as the decibel rating.
Nothing worse than camping next to someone with a smelly generator. I'd like to think that I'm a good neighbor and I strive to use generators that have low dBs and clean exhaust.
Knowing what I know of Harbor Freight products, I doubt that they'd meet my good neighbor standards. Also, a $500 inverter generator is just that.
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,
Ditto, that is one of the reasons I converted my Yamaha 2000 to a tri fuel propane conversion. Quiet and clean burning. Plus no residual gasoline smells in storage.
__________________
MICHAEL
Do you know what a learning experience is? A learning experience is one of those things that says "You know that thing that you just did? Don't do that."
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12-08-2016, 03:17 PM
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#12
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Rivet Master
2012 23' FB International
Woodstock
, Ontario
Join Date: Aug 2014
Posts: 1,428
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Quote> Al and Missy " I'm not sure I have seen the distance specified; double the distance, subtract 6 dB."
That is correct. Decibels are probably quoted at 3 feet on the machine so at 6 feet the perceived noise level is about 6 dB less and at 12 another 6 dB which is "huge". Still a cheap unit has a poor muffler and the noise spectrum will be much more annoying than the rumble from a well muffled source The staccato pop from a cheap muffler sounds louder than a rumble even if the dBs are equal.
JCW
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12-08-2016, 05:14 PM
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#13
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Rivet Master
1995 25' Excella
xxxxx
, xxxxxx
Join Date: Apr 2015
Posts: 2,351
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Most generator noise seems comes from everything but the exhaust.. Hold a wet rag over your exhaust and see how much it muffles or actually doesn't.
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12-08-2016, 05:30 PM
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#14
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4 Rivet Member
2010 27' FB International
Deforest
, Wisconsin
Join Date: Jul 2016
Posts: 306
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Quote:
Originally Posted by interstateflyer
I give the density of the generator's exhaust as much consideration as the decibel rating.
Nothing worse than camping next to someone with a smelly generator. I'd like to think that I'm a good neighbor and I strive to use generators that have low dBs and clean exhaust.
Knowing what I know of Harbor Freight products, I doubt that they'd meet my good neighbor standards. Also, a $500 inverter generator is just that.
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The good neighbor thing is very important. We always try to be considerate campers. Using the guideline of: "Treat people like you would want to be treated." Using a noisy/stinky generator definitely would be a problem.
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12-09-2016, 07:56 AM
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#15
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4 Rivet Member
Currently Looking...
Currently Looking...
Box Elder (formerly Long Island, NY)
, South Dakota
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 363
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Something I NEVER see listed is the DUTY CYCLE of engines. I expect that Honda and Yamaha will have substantially longer duty cycles than the bargain brands. I expect that's why both Honda and Yamaha units can be worked hard on a regular basis and still be viable a decade plus later. Duty Cycle is the reason an HDT (Heavy Duty Truck) or even an MDT (Medium Duty Truck) will far outlast any pickup truck.
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12-09-2016, 08:58 AM
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#16
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2 Rivet Member
2005 28' Safari
Saint Joseph
, Michigan
Join Date: Jul 2012
Posts: 60
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fine print..
devil in the fine print, coupon does not cover generators, or Predator brand.. know 'cause I had one in my cart and was refused.. ok, because I got a bigger, better flash deal on Black Friday..
Quote:
Originally Posted by RxGuy
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12-09-2016, 10:20 AM
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#17
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New Member
2008 23' Safari FB SE
Freeport
, Maine
Join Date: Feb 2015
Posts: 4
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I have one and have used it occasionally on a few trips. The noise is not so objectionable. Problem I HAD is: when new it started on first pull (follow the starting directions). After a year or so, it was hard to start, many pulls. Solution: use K100 additive to gas which is available at some NAPA stores. This helps to fire old gas.
Even with the K100 I have a practice of turning off the fuel supply while generator is running to clear the carb from any potential accumulation of muck from ethanol gas. I think this helps some.
I now use an inverter attached to my truck battery which supplies all the 110v power I need. The truck idles quietly while the inverter is in use. Very neat arrangement. No generator to lug around, no gas to mess with, no noise, no maintainence!
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12-10-2016, 08:51 AM
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#18
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4 Rivet Member
2010 27' FB International
Deforest
, Wisconsin
Join Date: Jul 2016
Posts: 306
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Quote:
Originally Posted by TruckerFritz
devil in the fine print, coupon does not cover generators, or Predator brand.. know 'cause I had one in my cart and was refused.. ok, because I got a bigger, better flash deal on Black Friday..
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Bummer. That's unfortunate.
Thanks for everyone for all the feedback.
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04-26-2017, 08:29 PM
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#19
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4 Rivet Member
1977 31' Excella 500
Zavalla
, Texas
Join Date: Jul 2012
Posts: 497
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A site called HFQPDB.com has man of the latest coupons and you can often find one for the inverter generator. As far as "good neighbor" worthy -- it's a hell of a lot better than a contractor gen! I bought one of these and was breaking it in over the weekend and the noise didn't bother me sitting directly on the opposite side of the wall, nor did I find it worrisome with regard to bothering my relatively close home neighbors. This is my first camping generator so I can't compare to yamaha or honda but it seems like it will be just fine.
__________________
WBCCI #1711
Texas Gulf Coast Unit, Texas Airstream Harbor
Angelina National Forest, Zavalla, TX
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04-26-2017, 09:12 PM
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#20
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2 Rivet Member
1988 29' Excella
2008 25' Safari SS SE
Austin
, Texas
Join Date: Apr 2009
Posts: 37
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You want 2 generators, and the interconnect cable to run you roof AC
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