New Harbor Freight 3500 inverter gen

[jake74]

If I didn't already own a Honda eu300ie I would give one a try.

[TinShack]

I bit the bullet and purchased a new HF 3500 inverter generator yesterday. I was surprised at how truly quiet it is. I did a very unscientific side by side noise comparison with my old Honda 2000i to give you an idea of what it sounds like and I'm posting the link here. https://youtu.be/GjjxMnbbUvM

My overall impression of the Predator is good and the first couple of hours it has run very smooth, but I am skeptical that it will hold up as well as the Honda has. Some of the parts appear cheaply made as is expected in a Harbor Freight product, but at $650 compared to $2000 for a Honda 3000i, I can buy 3 of these. It's kind of like comparing a Lexus to a Kia.

I can now run my 15,000 BTU AC along with some other things no problem. It does consume more fuel as expected. I used about a half a gallon of fuel running the AC off the 3500 for an hour at about 1700-1800 watts draw. The unit holds 2.6 gallons so I would estimate about 5 hours of run time at about 60% generator capacity. They claim 11 hours at 25%.

[AWCHIEF]

How about repeating the test running one generator at a time.

[Mollysdad]

Originally Posted by jake74

If I didn't already own a Honda eu300ie I would give one a try.

I think you mean 3000is, but I have one also. I watched Craig's list until I found a nice unit. It looked almost new, ran great, so I bought it. I took the serial number to my Honda power dealer, and they looked it up. "Please tell me it's not a Chinese knockoff." "No, it was originally sold to XXXX in Bradenton, Fl in 2004.
2004? I thought it was 2015 at least.
The Honda guy told me that Busch Gardens uses the same generator, and they consider 200,000 hours to be average life span! I like mine better, still runs flawlessly, but I still watch Craig's list just for good deals.
BTW, if anyone cares, the serial number is below the access door, and you can't search online, but any Honda power dealer can look it up for you.

[TinShack]

Originally Posted by AWCHIEF

How about repeating the test running one generator at a time.

I did this using an Android sound meter app. I tested outdoors at 25 feet measured distance for each genny running by itself. Here are the results in decibels. The top two images are the Honda 2000 with Eco Mode on then off. The second row images show the Predator 3500 Eco Mode on then off. The bottom image shows the location of the generators. A bit more scientific but there could be outside noise influence, although i live in the middle of 3 acres so it's much like a campground

[CRH]

I am impressed and want a HF gen now.

[dmbecke]

Can it be converted to run on propane ?

[CA_Tallguy]

NOTE TO ANYONE WHO BUYS ONE! CHANGE THE OIL AFTER 8 HOURS (or do it at 4 and 8 hours for good measure!)

The oil comes out filthy dirty after 8 hours and there are specs of metal. Just far more dirty than I expected it to be after 8 hours so you might do two changes if you want to go the extra mile over recommended break in.

[sidburgess]

Originally Posted by CA_Tallguy

NOTE TO ANYONE WHO BUYS ONE! CHANGE THE OIL AFTER 8 HOURS (or do it at 4 and 8 hours for good measure!)

The oil comes out filthy dirty after 8 hours and there are specs of metal. Just far more dirty than I expected it to be after 8 hours so you might do two changes if you want to go the extra mile over recommended break in.

This is good to know. Would be great if a couple other owners can confirm this is a chronic issue, especially the metal specs.

[A W Warn]

Originally Posted by sidburgess

This is good to know. Would be great if a couple other owners can confirm this is a chronic issue, especially the metal specs.

A few visible metal shavings in the first oil change is normal.

[kdenault]

So, in terms of running a roof top RV AC, what LRA is the Predator 3500 capable of handling? The specs indicate a max wattage of 3500. Even a conservative RV AC, such as a Coleman 11,000 BTU, has a start up (LRA) requirement of 41.6 amps which would be just under 5000 watts (amps x 120v equals wattage demand)...although, this draw may only last milliseconds, I can't see how a gennie of 3500 watts could handle that... ????

[A W Warn]

Another positive review!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jsh817VG0Ro

[thinder]

Originally Posted by kdenault

So, in terms of running a roof top RV AC, what LRA is the Predator 3500 capable of handling? The specs indicate a max wattage of 3500. Even a conservative RV AC, such as a Coleman 11,000 BTU, has a start up (LRA) requirement of 41.6 amps which would be just under 5000 watts (amps x 120v equals wattage demand)...although, this draw may only last milliseconds, I can't see how a gennie of 3500 watts could handle that... ????

Then 2- eu2000i gens wouldn't be able to run a 11k unit either.

LRA is not startup amperage. The impedance of the system will prevent startup amperage from reaching LRA. But even if it did a generator can handle a momentary spike above the peak wattage. Just because it demanded more watts doesn't mean it will produce it. It will simply lag the compressor. But luckily it will only be for a millisecond.

[TinShack]

Originally Posted by CA_Tallguy

NOTE TO ANYONE WHO BUYS ONE! CHANGE THE OIL AFTER 8 HOURS (or do it at 4 and 8 hours for good measure!)

The oil comes out filthy dirty after 8 hours and there are specs of metal. Just far more dirty than I expected it to be after 8 hours so you might do two changes if you want to go the extra mile over recommended break in.

I changed the oil at 6 hours for good measure and here is what it looked like. It wasn't bad at all. A few sparkly swirls but about what my the oil in Honda 2000i looked like after it's first oil change. I'm using Valvoline 10W-30 full synthetic. I think I'll change it again in another 6 hours and then after break-in at 25 hours, Then every 100 hours.

[CA_Tallguy]

Oil looks great! Mine was black as was another reviewer in a video I watched online. You may have a better than average unit as far as build quality? Or ours are worse than average.

[TinShack]

These generators are being manufactured under other brand names. Checking the specs on each shows them to be identical except for the price. Here is one made under the Echo brand name...Echo

...and this one is made under the Northern Tool brand...Northern Tool

[A W Warn]

Has anyone checked to see if these generators are bonded, neutral to ground?

[AstroBruce]

Originally Posted by A W Warn

Has anyone checked to see if these generators are bonded, neutral to ground?

I don't think they are, but it's an easy fix.

Bruce

[AstroBruce]

Originally Posted by TinShack

These generators are being manufactured under other brand names. Checking the specs on each shows them to be identical except for the price. Here is one made under the Echo brand name...Echo

...and this one is made under the Northern Tool brand...Northern Tool

Echo shows a nice fitted cover for this generator. Can't figure out how to buy one, though.

Bruce

[dmac]

I'm happy with my single Honda EU2000i running my a/c using the Microair Easy Start. The larger generators are too heavy.