9500 Watt Predator Inverter Generator

[henni]

Anyone got one ? Will pickup a couple today to add to our Honda EU7000 collection(s)

https://www.harborfreight.com/9500-watt-super-quiet-inverter-generator-with-co-secure-57080.html

 

[RhondaHonda]

Wow! I didn’t realize they made a 9500w inverter Predator now. That’s a lot of clean, quiet power for the price.

 

[Kruse]

I'm sure the HF 9500 watt generator is a good one. The big question for me is the warranty.
HF warranty is 90 days. The Honda warranty is three years.
It's a roll of the dice, I guess.

 

[henni]

You can buy an extended warranty. Stack with new HF credit card and take another 10% off price of everything

 

[simple_gifts]

That is a rebadged honda?

 

[skyactiv]

You can buy 3, 4400 watt Predator inverter gens for the same price. You can get 2, and 4400 watt Predator and run a parallel kit for 8800 watts.
I'd consider 2-3 for at home emergency use, but not job site use. One breaks down, the other(s) might still run but you'd need to be selective about what you power in your home.

 

[henni]

The smaller Predator generators do not have 240v plug adapter

We run whole house, 5 heatpumps, 1 pool pump, hot water (switched from 4500w to 1125w via 240/120 3-way switch), computers, routers, 3 refrigerators on a total of 2800 watts of power. All motors pumps compressors in and outside house are 240v inverters.

 

[meep]

You can buy an extended warranty. Stack with new HF credit card and take another 10% off price of everything

I hear that’s the way to go with the HF inverters. Run the heck out of it while under warranty to weed out any bad copies, end up with the good one. Ive wondered if there might be a mod community for these, such as potting the boards in epoxy for durability, etc.

 

[Astro_Guy]

I hear that’s the way to go with the HF inverters. Run the heck out of it while under warranty to weed out any bad copies, end up with the good one. Ive wondered if there might be a mod community for these, such as potting the boards in epoxy for durability, etc.

That's what I did with my Predator 3500 inverter. I ran in gently for a few hours, then ran it against the target loads. Mine is rated for 3000 watts continuous and I've run it at 2875. There were no problems encountered on that break-in, and it is coming up on three years old now. That being said, the reliability of Chinese electronics is still something to worry about in my book.

 

[meep]

There was a recent inverter comparo I read. Honda, ryobi, Yamaha, generac.... I can’t remember if predator was included. they couldn’t attest to electronics quality and didn’t discuss things like firm mounting to heat sinks, but did look at cable management, tiedowns, etc., in addition to the obvious things like controls and materials. The main thing they noted on inverter boards was if the wires were firmly anchored for vibration and if they were epoxy potted. When dealing with powered PA speakers, amp board vibration against larger components has been the #1 killer, such as metal fatigue, even when hot glue is used on them. They still shake. IIRC, Honda and Yamaha pot their boards, and nobody else. Perhaps the others have alternate methods, but as a tinkerer, it left me wondering....

 

[Pablo]

EU7000 is $4500 and I am so close to buying. This one is $1800.................and now I am stuck.

I'm torn. How much is the extended warranty?

 

[GR_CoB]

EU7000 is $4500 and I am so close to buying. This one is $1800.................and now I am stuck.

I'm torn. How much is the extended warranty?

Here is what Harbor Freight says:
Extended Service Protection plans provide 1 and 2 years of product protection on eligible products.* These plans can be purchased in-store within 30 days of the eligible product's purchase date.

Gas powered generators are eligible. Don't see the prices though... I'd bet https://www.harborfreight.com/extended-service-protection

 

[thastinger]

Anyone got one ? Will pickup a couple today to add to our Honda EU7000 collection(s)

https://www.harborfreight.com/9500-watt-super-quiet-inverter-generator-with-co-secure-57080.html

This is not a "whole house" backup as there are only 120V outlet on it, no twist lock 50A or even 30A outlets.

 

[Pablo]

This is not a "whole house" backup as there are only 120V outlet on it, no twist lock 50A or even 30A outlets.

"Includes: (4) 120v 20A GFCI protected outlets, 120v/240v 30A twistlock, 120v 30A twistlock, 12v 8A DC, (2) USB outlets"

 

[henni]

This is not a "whole house" backup as there are only 120V outlet on it, no twist lock 50A or even 30A outlets.

Runs our entire house including pool pump, 5 heatpumps, 3 refrigerators. Since all our motors and pumps are 240 volt inverters and this one is also, there is no startup "surge" and full house use with hot water switched from 4500 watts to 1125 watts is under 3000 watts according to the LCD display. Connected to a 30 amp wall plug after line utility switch turned off via generator 240 volt twist lock connection.

The one item to be aware of is that this one uses "old technology" carburetor whereas the EU7000 has EFI so fuel economy likely will not be as efficient on the HF gen

 

[Highboy]

This is another option to the 3500 Predator. Will need a wheel kit or move it with a dolly.

 

[henni]

This is another option to the 3500 Predator. Will need a wheel kit or move it with a dolly.

The Predator 4400 watt does *not* have 240 volt connection so a no-go for house

 

[ironman_gq]

That's what I did with my Predator 3500 inverter. I ran in gently for a few hours, then ran it against the target loads. Mine is rated for 3000 watts continuous and I've run it at 2875. There were no problems encountered on that break-in, and it is coming up on three years old now. That being said, the reliability of Chinese electronics is still something to worry about in my book.

I did the same, ran it for 4 hours with a couple work lights plugged in, changed the oil and went camping. Ran it 70 hrs straight refueling it while running and pulling 1800-2700watts. It was 90 degrees, full sun and 90% humidity. Fridge and AC were on max and we had another camper plugged into mine with a light load, girls still wanted to run hair dryers and curling irons. Oil looked good when we got back, no glitter and still relatively clean.

 

[thastinger]

Runs our entire house including pool pump, 5 heatpumps, 3 refrigerators. Since all our motors and pumps are 240 volt inverters and this one is also, there is no startup "surge" and full house use with hot water switched from 4500 watts to 1125 watts is under 3000 watts according to the LCD display. Connected to a 30 amp wall plug after line utility switch turned off via generator 240 volt twist lock connection.

The one item to be aware of is that this one uses "old technology" carburetor whereas the EU7000 has EFI so fuel economy likely will not be as efficient on the HF gen

Just not any of your wall outlets or light switches huh

 

[thastinger]

"Includes: (4) 120v 20A GFCI protected outlets, 120v/240v 30A twistlock, 120v 30A twistlock, 12v 8A DC, (2) USB outlets"

I don't see a twist lock 240v plug in the picture but ok, 240Vx30A=7200Watts as max output