9500 Watt Predator Inverter Generator

[Pablo]

I bought the beast. I had it all engineered to get off my truck and my neighbor was just rolling down the drive and volunteered to help just like that. Sweet.

Been going all day - going to RTFM, eat some runch, rest...........will start later.

The one year extra warranty was ~$300, 2 year ~$500.

I gambled, no extra warranty. Will baby it after break in, so..............seriously a gen engine should NOT object to full load.

 

[#18FAN]

I bought the beast. I had it all engineered to get off my truck and my neighbor was just rolling down the drive and volunteered to help just like that. Sweet.

Been going all day - going to RTFM, eat some runch, rest...........will start later.

The one year extra warranty was ~$300, 2 year ~$500.

I gambled, no extra warranty. Will baby it after break in, so..............seriously a gen engine should NOT object to full load.

What will be final fill in oil sump.

 

[Pablo]

What will be final fill in oil sump.

Busy tilling and planting a cover crop last night so I have not filled and started it yet.

Break-in and final:

Amsoil ASE 10W-30

 

[JTK]

Honda and Yamaha pot their boards, and nobody else. Perhaps the others have alternate methods, but as a tinkerer, it left me wondering....

I would put my money on that being the #1 killer of the cheaper Chinese built portable inverter generators. Wiring connections, cheap circuit board components, poor wire/connection routing. Poor quality soft parts in general. These things vibrate and shake like crazy.

The actual engine and gen head are like any other these days.

 

[henni]

This one also includes a 30amp 240volt connection with a little less power output

https://www.harborfreight.com/8750-watt-inverter-generator-with-co-secure-57480.html

 

[JTK]

The one year extra warranty was ~$300, 2 year ~$500.

I gambled, no extra warranty. Will baby it after break in, so..............seriously a gen engine should NOT object to full load.

Yikes. $300 or $500 for an $1800 generator?

I wonder if they have an hour limit on the unit to weed out commercial use.

 

[spasm3]

This one also includes a 30amp 240volt connection with a little less power output

https://www.harborfreight.com/8750-watt-inverter-generator-with-co-secure-57480.html

I'm intrerested in that one. I have the non invertor 4375, and its great on fuel. The invertor one does not use that much more fuel and i could do less load management during an outage.

 

[spasm3]

Yikes. $300 or $500 for an $1800 generator?

I wonder if they have an hour limit on the unit to weed out commercial use.

I think they are betting that a lot of customers wont look at much more than what it costs per month on their new HF card. I'm curious to see if this business model works for them, or they go back to their coupons.

 

[henni]

It actually (including taxes) came close to 1,600 per unit with stacking "new membership" + "discount coupon" + "take 10% off first purchase on new Synchrony Card" - all combined. Settled and paid card balance immediately and cancelled Synchrony card.

 

[henni]

Quite a job !

 

[demarpaint]

For the cost of the warranty, I would have passed and gambled too.

 

[henni]

I bought the beast...........will start later

There are item(s) to be aware of as some are commenting:

... manual states that the hour meter also shows V, A and W but it does not

A few examples, 1, 1st oil change after 30 hours of use. 2, If a gas stabilizer is not used, the warranty is void. Do not use gas from a metal container. 3, Change oil and clean spark plug after 100 hours of use? if this were used during a power outage(ie, ice storm, hurricane) where your power could be out for a week or more, you would need to change the oil/clean plug every 4 days? 4, if not going to be used for 20 days or more, drain the carburetor, change oil, take the spark plug out, put a spoon of oil in the spark plug hole. 5, During extended storage periods the Engine must be started every 3 months and allowed to run for 15 – 20 minutes or the Warranty is VOID.

 

[Pablo]

There are item(s) to be aware of as some are commenting:

I didn't see that in the manual about the hour meter. Wish there was a read out, I can hook something up externally if necessary.

Yes the manual says that about stabilizer. Main place they mention it is with ethanol, but some other places on stickers and tags mention it.

Some of the other is true, but things like the nasty AF clip access is not the same as the propane adapt video. Maybe a design change.

Some typical Chineseum stuff, but they even have some warranty disclaimer disclaimers that they can't deny warranty if engine splodes for some other reason than one of their nonsensical rules.

 

[Pablo]

I must say, it started fine and runs smooth. I loaded it a bit, did perfect even on eco mode. Very quiet. Wife didn't even know I had run it for 20 minutes or so. It's odd things like a sticker on both sides for battery access - when battery access is clearly on one side. Regular shut off always runs all the fuel out of the float, etc. Ran my electric yard blower for awhile, 240V heater, some lights, radio. No problems to report.

Takes just over 1 qt oil. I coated battery terminals.

Used this: https://www.amsoil.com/p/gasoline-stabilizer-ast/?zo=515729

I say SCREW THEM on metal cans. If an approved metal can is perfect inside, I dare them in the USA to try and deny warranty coverage. And frankly the fuel stabilizer IS logical, try denying warranty on a failed rod or crank or bearing...........they gonna not prevail for long.

 

[henni]

Picked up another EU7000isNAN with Bluetooth and CO shut-off. Compared to the HF, this thing is super quiet and start/stop via phone works well. Includes also maintenance alerting and remote fuel level monitor (phone or tablet)

 

[Chris142]

They seem to be well built. The problem will be getting parts in the future.

 

[Pablo]

They seem to be well built. The problem will be getting parts in the future.

Probably some truth there. They SAY they are set up with spare parts, but for how long? It's funny I saw a guy the other day ordering some part for a Having Failure something (jack I think) - they didn't hesitate to help him and get it ordered, but of course they didn't have it on hand.

So in June it got 108°F or so at the house and.................power went out.

The Predator ran just fine PLUS my manual idiot proof cut out and various selected circuits energized kept the goods cold. Used some fuel. Refilled all the cans, need to refill the 9500. I'm happy, price was good and super easy start.