Predator Generators from Harbor freight

[elkliver]

I had asked the question awhile back about whether Honda was still the top of line #1 choice for Generators. The consensus was that Predators were almost as good or better for half the price. So a follow up question. The Predator 2000 comes with the Parallel hook up option for connecting 2 of them together. Anyone have much experience running 2 of them parallel? Does it work well? Some of the feedback on the Hondas was that when you run them parallel, you lose some efficiency and the noise is doubled and you might be better off with a higher wattage generator to start with

 

[wapitibob]

On my 2nd Honda, first was the eu2000, second is the eu2200. If I was younger, could lift it, and needed the increased power for roof air, I would get the harbor freight 3500. Hunting partner has one, dam nice unit and quiet too.

 

[Sunshine40]

I can't speak to running them together but I work for one of the biggest civil construction company's in the world and they are outfitting all of our trucks with predators. I wanted to hate them but they are damn near indestructible and pretty quiet. I'm definitely a believer.

 

[Jstumbaugh]

We camped next to someone last year that had the Predator 3500. I was very impressed by how quiet it was.

 

[Fullfan]

Have 2 of them, have a 40' fifth wheel w a 50amp service. When I parallel them, the wife can run everything in the camper. AC, her blow dryer, make coffee and use the microwave. Could not do the same when I used a pr of Honda eu2000's. Only thing about the predators is the weight. I have been able to get 11 hours on a tank of gas. Also, they are qt when running.

Mine have around 400 hours, change the oil often and don't over fill gas. Also remove the spark arrestors from the exhaust. Jus had to replace one ignition module, 30.00 from amazon. Had one the units in Missouri when I was turkey hunting quit. Run the unit at night for a cpap and freezer. Returned home and did some checking and it seems the modules do go bad. Easy 10 min fix.

 

[Weldor]

HF stuff just works. Or not. The predators have a good reputation. I bought one of their Vulcan 165 tig welders just to see if I could destroy it. Ran it up against my millers and Lincoln's. Still up and working 5 years later. Can't kill the thing. I ran it on the predator 9500 for months on end, so yep IMHO they are good to go. One thing is the Chinese rubber parts dry rot quickly and they use a lot of plastic.

 

[SCHUNTER73]

I have one I bought 6-7 years ago for a pending hurricane. Sat in the box for a few years until I needed it. Out in oil and gas and it started right up. Been reliable the last few times I have needed it.

 

[Haggin]

I have a couple of the Predator 2000 generators with the parallel kit we used for our travel trailer with a 15kbtu AC at horse shows where there wasn't any hookups. It worked fine and could work everything in the camper with the AC running.

Ours was a little finicky to hook up without getting the error light. We had to start both generators our of eco mode (full throttle) then start the AC in the camper, then switch them to eco mode. Everything was fine after that. On hot days/nights, you will need to fuel them before you go to bed and maybe once overnight depending on how late you stay up or how early you get up.

Sold the trailer but still have the generators and have used them on and off, mostly for power tools while working away from the shop or in our pasture. Our hay guy used them for his little welder when his mower/conditioner broke down at our house.

I did upgrade the sparkplug to NGK (i think) and used better oil in them after breaking them in. Buy the oil drain kits online too, makes changing oil so much easier.