Harbor Freight Generator SALE!!!

**Mustang65** · 12-31-2017, 07:36 AM

Harbor Freight has a 2 day sale starting today and tomorrow (12/31-1/1) on their Predator 2000 watt generator for $449. It is rated almost exactly as the Honda EU2000. I have no idea as to how this generator performs and if the noise level listed (close to the EU2000) is accurate. Maybe someone that owns one can give us a review.

Don

My Registry

RVing with SOLAR

hoppers4 · 12-31-2017, 09:11 AM

Lots of reviews on the Harbor Freight site and many of them not very kind. After reading the negative reviews I'd be very skeptical about buying one.

Sundancer330 · 12-31-2017, 09:23 AM

Its the old you get what you pay for, I will stick with Honda.

**Mustang65** · 12-31-2017, 12:05 PM

I had no clue as to how people liked it.. I was not going to purchase one as I will stick with SOLAR. I would add SOLAR/Batteries before getting a generator.
I LOVE the sound of the SOLAR Panels generating power.

Don
My Registry

RVing with SOLAR

pconroy · 12-31-2017, 12:56 PM

I've had my fair share of HF gems and fair share of duds. The 2000 watt generator and the newer 3500 watt one are getting a lot of praise from their owners. Check out some of the youtube videos on sound-levels. They're quiet.

Longevity seems to be the big unknown. And only time will tell.

If there's an upside for the rest of us it's that Yamaha and Honda seem to be making improvements to their models too!

Yeah, competition!

bluegill1 · 12-31-2017, 01:13 PM

My question is, if my Yamaha ever needs service I simply take it to the local Yamaha dealer. If a Honda needs service, it goes onto the Honda dealer for service. Where do the Predator series (Harbor Freight) go for service?

**Crabman** · 12-31-2017, 01:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bluegill1

My question is, if my Yamaha ever needs service I simply take it to the local Yamaha dealer. If a Honda needs service, it goes onto the Honda dealer for service. Where do the Predator series (Harbor Freight) go for service?

Probably to the nearest authorized service center, which may be 400 miles away lol

bluegill1 · 12-31-2017, 01:33 PM

Do they have 'Authorized service centers"?
I couldn't find anything with a quick internet search.
I've read that other brands such as Champion that I think use a Honda motor, Honda will service the Honda motor but will not touch any other components.

**Crabman** · 12-31-2017, 02:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bluegill1

Do they have 'Authorized service centers"?
I couldn't find anything with a quick internet search.
I've read that other brands such as Champion that I think use a Honda motor, Honda will service the Honda motor but will not touch any other components.

I dunno, but there is a warranty and extended warranty offered by HF. Maybe bring it to one of their stores?

Vicr · 12-31-2017, 02:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bluegill1

My question is, if my Yamaha ever needs service I simply take it to the local Yamaha dealer. If a Honda needs service, it goes onto the Honda dealer for service. Where do the Predator series (Harbor Freight) go for service?

The slow boat to China.

X2. You get what you pay for.

Sundancer330 · 12-31-2017, 03:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bluegill1

Where do the Predator series (Harbor Freight) go for service?

To the local landfill never to be seen again.

RayBo · 12-31-2017, 03:04 PM

We installed Hondas. Serviceable and parts anywhere. Reliable electronic ignition and fuel injection. Costs more up front, costs less down the road and also keeps the profanity to a minimum.

pconroy · 12-31-2017, 03:12 PM

Gezzus - I think the Hatfields and McCoys had less of an argument...

$750 for the 3500 HF, plus a couple of hundred for an extended warranty. People are just taking them back to the store and grabbing a new one, if/when they croak.

Look, I have a lot of woodworking tools and I understand the approach of "Cry once!"

Just don't diss the folks that don't have $2400 to lay down on a Honda 3000 vs $750 for a HF 3500.

I wish both sides well and many hours of electricity!

**Crabman** · 12-31-2017, 03:15 PM

I've never had a Yamaha genny but I have two Yamaha outboard motors and one is approaching 7000 hrs of commercial service. Also have a Yamaha ATV I bought new in 2005 :and it's still going, used hard by 4 sons and me. Only thing they could not tear up, and believe me they tried. Point is Yamaha makes quality products IMO. There are also Yamaha generator clones available for 1/3 the price so like others have said it you don't have a grand to spend.....

RayBo · 12-31-2017, 03:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pconroy

Gezzus - I think the Hatfields and McCoys had less of an argument...

$750 for the 3500 HF, plus a couple of hundred for an extended warranty. People are just taking them back to the store and grabbing a new one, if/when they croak.

Look, I have a lot of woodworking tools and I understand the approach of "Cry once!"

Just don't diss the folks that don't have $2400 to lay down on a Honda 3000 vs $750 for a HF 3500.

I wish both sides well and many hours of electricity!

Both Sides? Diss? Are you creating a controversy where none existed before you spoke up? C'mon, relax man.

Dialogue is not always argument. We're pretty much all here to learn from one another and decide which pieces of info to take or leave. Regarding your comment about the "$2,400 to lay down on a Honda 3000" nobody said that but you. WE have questions and answers and are trying to exchange, not get into a fight.

Pretty sure that if you can afford a Greyhawk that you might be able to buy a generator. Try to relax, this is not a politics site...it's just a place where we're trying to learn from one another's experiences to make our lives better and escape the daily nonsense and argument we all are forced to see elsewhere.

bluegill1 · 12-31-2017, 04:21 PM

I have to admit that I've followed the reviews for the predator series from HF. Who doesn't like a good value. Reviews on HF site seem to be purdy high. I did see it comes with only a 90 day warranty(hymmm, makes me question quality), with an optional 1 or 2 year extended for an additional cost.
Not sure how the extended warranty is handled outside the initial 90 day period. Is it in house (Harbor Freight, with simple exchange) or is it through an outside company requiring calling, filing a claim, getting approval, has to be evaluated to verify no abuse?
By comparison the YAMAHA EF2000ISV2 2000 WATT comes with a factory 3 warranty.
I've heard quite a few new owners are happy with the Predator, but then again, their review was after a one time use. Long term might be hit or miss. I'm not a small engine guy so I think I'm sticking with Yamaha. I've had a Yammie 2400 Invertor for 8 years now and its been same as day one.
I do like the whole "twin" thing, two smaller (lighter weight) ones hooked up in tandem, especially as I get older.
Those 3500-6000 ones are way to heavy for me.

To the OP, Let us know what you decide.

che57vy · 12-31-2017, 04:29 PM

I bought a Champion so far its been great and customer service is USA based, the problem with a Predator is parts if needed a real pain to get

RayBo · 12-31-2017, 04:42 PM

We have a couple small Hondas for the horse trailer, and they are excellent, quiet, and can be fixed or serviced anywhere. The are portable, my little girl can carry one, and they can work together or independently. They were a few more bucks, which in the big picture isn't so much of a concern I think, considering the Seneca was $200K.

We have the separate 12000 Dual Fuel for our hurricane preparedness to run the house. The beauty of that thing is that you can run it on propane or gas. So, if the power is down and the gas stations have fuel but can't pump, you can still use propane. We have a 150 gal tank buried in the back yard. (I also buy 100 gal of non-ethanol gas and spike it with SeaFoam, and I pump it into drums in the back of my truck every June 1st, because I've been there and done that.) Also, propane does not degrade and so it's good for years.

Beyond that, you can use the propane to purge the gasoline from the carb before you put it up for the season to keep the remnant fuel from spoiling your seals.

For the motorhome (2012 Seneca) we use an 8kw Onan diesel generator. It's great. I use DieselKleen in my tank every so often to keep the varnish down. I'm sure there are plenty of brands that do the same thing.

I also have a setup that lets me pump from my F450 (horse trailer hauler) to our Jayco tanks so we can go a longer time. (Sometimes we're in the sticks for a while.)

So, lots of ways to skin a cat. Still welcome any thoughts/ideas/creative solutions.

richie t · 01-02-2018, 07:40 PM

I found the Harbor Freight generator to be reliable. Might be a little noisier than the Honda. Believe you can purchase an extended warranty.

Sent from my 9020A using Tapatalk

RayBo · 01-03-2018, 05:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by richie t

I found the Harbor Freight generator to be reliable. Might be a little noisier than the Honda. Believe you can purchase an extended warranty.

Sent from my 9020A using Tapatalk

I do understand. My main concern is that I can find a Honda shop in most towns for warranty work on the fly when I'm in a pinch, but for HF products, I have to return it (de-install) and then get another one (re-install.) I'm not aware of any place that services them or carries parts.

At this stage of my game, I'll opt to spend more to have less stress.

Also, go to the local Honda shop listen to those Hondas run...they are not a little quieter, they are really quiet. From 10 feet away, you almost can't tell they are running. And, they have balanced rotating assemblies, so there is no detectable vibration. That, by itself, makes it worth it for me. (And, no, I do not work for Honda, but I did stay at a Holiday Inn Express last night.) :-)

You may also like: