HF Predator 4375/3500 portable generator ??

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rustytoolss

rustytoolss

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Thinking of buying a Harbor Freight Predator portable generator 4375peak/3500running watts. was $399.99 got coupon for $329.99 whats your thoughts about HF Predator generators. Just buying it for power outages.
 
Review of generators in April 2020 magazine The Family Handyman. Smaller Predator 2000, 1600 W rated. Pros; quiet, litewt, low price, fuel gauge. Cons; difficult to start, high maintenance. Others rated too.
 
Bought one after hurricane season last year I filled it with 1 gallon of gas and ran it with a load till it ran out of fuel. It worked fine will see how it does in 2020. My plan is to buy a 2nd one and use 2 as needed rather than use 1 big one that way you have redundancy. Oh you will need the wheel kit.
 
I think I got the next side down...Predator 3200 watt continues....4 yrs now.....only time it would not start....low on oil last year....not the quietest .....maintenance...i have done nothing but put gas in it...and oil in it once....

starts right up as long as I remember to set the choke on it...
 
that seems small, what all do you want to run on it?
 
Just for us at the race track....TV....air compressor....battery charger...If needed the Motorhome has a 5.5 kwatt generator available...
 
power up freezer during power outage...the switch to fridge/ then a few other things. Not all at the same time. Like I said just for power outage
 
I get that it's a backup, but might as well do the math and see if you can afford to power the entire house

(in my house, I got all my breakers labeled in red and green, green are "essentials" and stay on when I fire up the genny, reds get turned off)

so fridge, stove, ceiling lights in certain rooms (all LEDs anyway) and sump pumps
 
Run the AC at night after a hurricane. lights and freezer and fridge. Basics no transfer switch just heavy duty extension cords.
 
diymirage said:
I get that it's a backup, but might as well do the math and see if you can afford to power the entire house

(in my house, I got all my breakers labeled in red and green, green are "essentials" and stay on when I fire up the genny, reds get turned off)

so fridge, stove, ceiling lights in certain rooms (all LEDs anyway) and sump pumps
Click to expand...
The colored switch labels is great idea. How big is your generator ? is it hard wired (transfer switch ?
 
mine is a B&S S5750
it has 7185 starting watt, and 5750 running watt
(i wouldnt have minded going bigger still, but this covers the basics)

it is indeed hardwired (which wasnt hard to do at all)
i had to pull a permit to install the hook up, which settles the insurance issue, because the county inspector signed off on it)

there is a big welder looking plug outside that is wired into the main breaker
this plug is wired into a breaker which has a mechanical lock out that makes it impossible to have that breaker and the main on at the same time

simple and safe


oh, the way i got my plug placed, i can put my generator on the back deck, out of the elements, but still out in the open so no worries about CO poisoning
 
I have the HF 3500 quiet running generator. It has worked flawlessly for several years. We use it at the track for trailer power. Runs air conditioner, battery charger, fans whatever.
 
I have the HF 4000 Model, with the wheel kit. I bought it a couple years ago when we had a flood, and no power for a week. No complains it did its job running a couple lights, two fridges, and a small freezer.
Don't wait till you need one to get one, as everyone in your area will need one also. Get it before, and be ready.
Dave
 
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