New Harbor Freight 3500 inverter gen

[TinShack]

Originally Posted by AstroBruce

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

Bruce

They have them in stock at my local Echo dealer so if you have a local dealer check there. Online here...https://www.arlingtonpower.com/bear-...YaAnFZEALw_wcB

[TinShack]

Originally Posted by dmac

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

The easy start is certainly a good option if you just want to start and run your RV AC, but I wanted something to use during power outages at the house too. My 2000i is limited as to how much I can power in that case so the 3500 is a welcome addition.

[AstroBruce]

Originally Posted by TinShack

They have them in stock at my local Echo dealer so if you have a local dealer check there. Online here...https://www.arlingtonpower.com/bear-...YaAnFZEALw_wcB

Thanks for the link. Still can't find the cover.

Bruce

[gaylejoe]

My Yamaha 2000 and 2400 isHC says not to use a cover over them.

i noticed this year in Yellowstone park the cut off time was 8PM. Tlhis was in June 2017. We were in the park last September and the generator cutoff time was 9pm. I have noticed some of these other brand of generator's do stand out when they are running. Some have a more high pitch sound. I hope these parks don't start restricting the running times even earlier than 8pm.

[TinShack]

Originally Posted by AstroBruce

Thanks for the link. Still can't find the cover.

Bruce

Sorry Bruce i misunderstood. I thought you were referring to the gen itself and not the cover. I would still check with a local Echo dealer if you have one near you.

[CA_Tallguy]

Stopped by Northern Tool yesterday to gander at the 3500 they are selling and it does look very very similar. The control panel looks slightly different is all I could tell. The placement of the battery and cover, oil change opening and it's cover, etc all looked identical to my HF unit.

If I REALLY wanted to parallel 2 of these I'd feel pretty confident trying the Northern Tool kit until HF releases theirs. There is a good chance I'll end up with 2 of these and a parallel kit for home outages. My "contractor" gen is just way way way too loud so I will sell that and get another one of these.

I'd NEVER be able to let myself part with enough $$ for 2 Honda 3500's! Heck 2 of the HF units are even cheaper than 2 Honda 2000!

[Mollysdad]

Originally Posted by AstroBruce

Thanks for the link. Still can't find the cover.

Just a suggestion, find a generic cover. If you advertise "Echo" someone who wants to steal a generator knows what they're looking for. Mine says Honda, I wish it didn't.
E-Bay has generic covers.

[AstroBruce]

Originally Posted by Mollysdad

Just a suggestion, find a generic cover. If you advertise "Echo" someone who wants to steal a generator knows what they're looking for. Mine says Honda, I wish it didn't.
E-Bay has generic covers.

Thanks. I would only cover it when stored in my garage.

Bruce

[deniblaisch]

How is the HF Predator working?

[AstroBruce]

Originally Posted by deniblaisch

How is the HF Predator working?

Haven't used it much, but I did exercise it last week. I took the front panel off and disconnected the thin black connector on the run switch. Now when I shut it down, it continues to run until the carb runs dry.

Bruce

[SCOTTinNJ]

Originally Posted by CA_Tallguy

I'll just leave this right here....

https://www.harborfreight.com/3500-w...tor-63584.html

I bought this and so far so good!!

I camped next to someone running one of these a few weeks back. It certainly was quiet. I wanted to fire up my Yamaha 2000 to compare, but it wasn't the time or place. I think they would have been fairly close.

[TinShack]

I have about 60 hours on the Predator 3500 after about a year now and no major problems. I found that applying a significant load before letting it warm up for about 4-5 minutes can cause it to surge a bit until it is warmed up. I was initially using full synthetic 10W-30 oil but found it was surging somewhat, so I switched to regular 10W-30 oil and the surging stopped.

Now that it is well broken in it actually seems to be running smoother and handles my 15000 BTU AC just fine. My wife did turn on the microwave with the AC running and overloaded it but it didn't hurt anything, in fact it was interesting to see the overload protection in action.

On one hot day a couple weeks ago we ran the AC for about 4 hours and it used about a gallon of gas. The fuel capacity is 2.6 gallons.

So far, very happy with this genny especially for the $649 I paid for it.

[Keyair]

Cool! Don’t let’s the Honda Haters put you off!

[tjdonahoe]

Originally Posted by Keyair

Cool! Don’t let’s the Honda Haters put you off!

Where do you get parts?....

[Keyair]

Harbor Freight.

[Mollysdad]

Originally Posted by Keyair

Cool! Don’t let’s the Honda Haters put you off!

I'm in the Honda camp, but I like seeing alternatives. From all the videos posted on YouTube it seems to do the job for very little money.
I bought my Honda used, would I do it over? Eh..........yes, but it's getting harder to justify.

[Keyair]

All cool.
As I titled, this thread is all about the HF units, and personal experiences.

I, for one still have less than 15 mins run time on my 2000
Unit. I’m thinking next month will change that with a family member needing it for a Street Fair to power music and lights.

I’m also planning to test it, and see if it can run one 13,500 btu AC unit!

[A W Warn]

I was passing by my local HF yesterday and notice they were having a sidewalk sale, with a couple 3500 Predators displayed prominently. So I wheeled in to look and saw that they were the same price as normal. Then I saw two other 3500's that were marked down to $450, returned.

Long story short, I bought one. It is "as is", no warranty except there is a 5 day exchange period. If anything is wrong I can return it for a refund. I noticed the ground blade from a drop cord end was still inside the 20 amp plug (broken off of a power cord). I could not find anything else wrong, except a scratch or two and the decals are damaged on one side.
So, I brought it home and pulled out the ground blade from the 20 amp outlet with needle nose pliers, put in oil and fuel. It started immediately when I hit the start button. I ran it a few hours last night, attached to the trailer with the AC on.

Then this morning I hooked it up again and ran the AC, fridge, converter, and toaster oven for 5-6 hours. I even ran a skill saw a few minutes on the 20 amp plug. The generator took all of this load without issue.

It only has 14 hours on the meter now. The sales guy said he thought it was used for one weekend and returned, but did not know the reason why. I suspect someone had a weekend project and needed a generator.

Wish me luck, I'm keeping it!

ps:
I still have my Honda 2000i Companion that I'll use when it is cool enough that AC is not needed. But I'm happy that I have the 3500 for summer boondocking.

[Keyair]

Awesome!
Keep us informed!

[A W Warn]

First camping trip we ran everything in our 25', including the AC without issue.

In mid October, 3 days we were without power due to Hurricane Michael. I ran the generator for about 50 hours on about 3 gallons of gas. I powered the fridge, a couple lamps, the natural gas water heater igniter, televisions, and coffee pot. (lots of drop cords) It sure was nice to have power!


The neighbors could see my lights at night but could not hear the generator running on our back deck about 150 feet away. The first night they called asking if our power was back on.