Generator

[rrjayco23]

Need your opinion, is the Harbor Freight Predator 2000 a good investment with extend warranty, thinking of buying 1 for now and additional one later, or shall I go with a different brand.

[Midnightmoon]

There are many members here on JOF that have had good service out of the Predator line of generators from Harbor Freight. I don't own one personally, but they seem to review well.

[Wyldink]

If you can swing the price, go with the 3500. You will be able to run a ac unit.

RB

[sturgissteele]

Originally Posted by Midnightmoon

There are many members here on JOF that have had good service out of the Predator line of generators from Harbor Freight. I don't own one personally, but they seem to review well.

I've seen where members have talked about HF gen.s and it comes across as favorable.

[Route 66 Traveler]

I have the HF 3500, runs great, powers everything in my TT, but it weighs just over 100 pounds. Too bulky to lift by myself, wife has a bad shoulder, so I had to buy a hoist (HF) to install in my garage to get it into the back of my truck. I have since installed a Soft Start in my 15k A/C that will allow it to run on a 2000 watt gen. Seriously thinking of selling my 3500 and buying a 2000, or two with a parallel kit. The Soft Start greatly reduces the starting load on the gen.


https://www.softstartusa.com/?utm_source=4

[matt1751]

Look at the Champion and Westinghouse inverter generators also. Both have received good reviews and can catch a good deal on them at SAMS or Costco.

[Route 66 Traveler]

This one caught my interest:

https://www.amazon.com/Champion-Powe...-garden&sr=1-4

[Bookemdanno]

Trailer Life just reviewed the new Cummins Onan generators...looks like a pretty viable option to consider. I'm not seeing it on the trailer life website, but I know that I read the review on the "pot" this morning in the magazine!
https://generatormart.com/product/on...cB#accessories

[LuckyDuck]

Originally Posted by Route 66 Traveler

I have the HF 3500, runs great, powers everything in my TT, but it weighs just over 100 pounds. Too bulky to lift by myself, wife has a bad shoulder, so I had to buy a hoist (HF) to install in my garage to get it into the back of my truck. I have since installed a Soft Start in my 15k A/C that will allow it to run on a 2000 watt gen. Seriously thinking of selling my 3500 and buying a 2000, or two with a parallel kit. The Soft Start greatly reduces the starting load on the gen.


https://www.softstartusa.com/?utm_source=4

We have a 15k AC too. Any reason why you went with Soft Start over the Micro Air Easy Start? Basically the same?

[Ericl]

I have both a powerhorse 3500 & 2000 from northern tool, the HF Predator brands to me look identical. I have had very good luck with both of mine. Just saw the HF version can be had for $699.00. My only concern would be warranty work, Northern Tool took care of a Small warranty Issue I had with their in store mechanic.

[Route 66 Traveler]

Originally Posted by LuckyDuck

We have a 15k AC too. Any reason why you went with Soft Start over the Micro Air Easy Start? Basically the same?

They had a special one weekend last January, plus it had good reviews so I went for it. I have a Coleman Mach A/C and now I can’t even feel or hear the compressor start up. On the first startup I thought I had made a mistake on the install because I didn’t hear the compressor start up, but the lines were soon cool and it was running fine. The unit was fairly easy to install using their support pages, along with the YouTube videos. It’s been running everyday through the summer without any issues.

Now when I run it with the generator the startup is barely noticeable...before the generator would stumble just a bit.

[Colorado]

I’m running a HF 3500 , 200+ hours. Keep the spark arrester CLEAN! Do a proper break in when you first get the generator. Definitely a good generator.

[mokurt]

Compare the warranties.

HF maybe exchange only with no parts or service available.