Predator 6500/5500 Generator first impressions

[sw99]

Just purchased one and it seems to run flawless so far. I did not want to spend a ton as it won't get too much use. I have followed the break in suggestion from the manual. I have approximately 3 hours on it now and started with no load for an hour or so. Then I moved up to a few lights to put a light load for maybe 1 hour. The last hour has a light / to very moderate load. I changed the homebrew break in oil (Rotella T5 10w30 + a squirt of Dana red (Napa) assembly lube) and it looked nice. Fresh oil was PEAK 5w30 (+ another squirt of the assembly lube) due to the cold weather we have been having and the fact that i'll need this generator to build my garage here soon. After another 5-10 hours, I'll change again just to be safe.

Overall impressions are great so far. I added an hour meter after the first three hours so I can have a more accurate time calculation for maintenance. I'm thinking about finding or building a small trailer to tow behind an ATV for use on my property.

 

[Texan4Life]

thx for the report... i have been tempted to try another HF generator as I have heard the Predators are much better.

My old blue HF generator was a turd.

 

[sw99]

For $459 it was the best deal going around town. I needed quick portable power so I figured what the heck...

It's no Honda but first impression is better than expected. Also, the Honda EM6500S is rated at 73 decibels and the Predator is rated at 74 so I'm happy with that. Also the Honda is 389cc vs the Predator 420cc.

 

[mattwithcats]

An hour meter on any piece of power equipment is a wise addition...

 

[Ethan1]

Originally Posted By: sw99
Also, the Honda EM6500S is rated at 73 decibels and the Predator is rated at 74 so I'm happy with that. Also the Honda is 389cc vs the Predator 420cc.



Decibels are logarithmic, so keep in mind that 74 decibels is 12% louder than 73 decibels. Please get yourself some ear protection for when you work on your garage with a generator in the background

I'd be very interested to hear any updates about the durability of your Predator because I have been on the fence for quite a while. I really can't afford a Honda right now

Some guys have said that they changed the spark plug out right away because the one that comes in it is a no-name cheapo.

Was the oil very sparkly when you drain it the first time?

 

[Chris142]

I have one of the 800w 2stroke ones. I stopped counting hrs @300! Run a quality spark plug, good oil and they run a long time.

I also have the 3200-4000w 4stroke one we use when camping but it don't have 6 hrs on it.

 

[Ethan1]

Holy cow! 300 hours on a $100 generator, that's great. What do you use that one for?

 

[Chris142]

Originally Posted By: Ethan1
Holy cow! 300 hours on a $100 generator, that's great. What do you use that one for?
used to use it for camping.ive used it to run a battery charger instead if a cord.it also runs moms oxygen generator when the power goes out. It ran that and a fridge at the same time 14 hrs straight. I have 2 unopened spares too.

 

[Cujet]

Originally Posted By: Ethan1
Holy cow! 300 hours on a $100 generator, that's great. What do you use that one for?


While many folks do experience early failures of those 2 stroke generators, there are a number of people who are well into the 3000-4000 hour range with them. The biggest issue seems to be exhaust plugging up.

Check this out, you won't believe how many hours this guy gets!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nr6qkBNYL4A

 

[Stelth]

I have the 6500/5500 model. I have used it for maybe 30 hours so far. I've run various tools including an electric jackhammer and welders on it. I never thought of changing the spark plug, since it usually starts on the first or second pull. Maybe I'll do that, though.

 

[sw99]

Originally Posted By: Ethan1

Was the oil very sparkly when you drain it the first time?


It was slightly dark, but I assume its from the T5 (Darker oil from the start) mixed with the bright red assembly lube. I could tell if there were any metal sparkles but I didn't put it under the light either.

 

[sw99]

Originally Posted By: Stelth
I have the 6500/5500 model. I have used it for maybe 30 hours so far. I've run various tools including an electric jackhammer and welders on it. I never thought of changing the spark plug, since it usually starts on the first or second pull. Maybe I'll do that, though.


Good to know thanks! I have been wanting to use the welder with this also and was going to give it a shot after I get some more load on here and do another oil change.

 

[Stelth]

Originally Posted By: sw99
Originally Posted By: Stelth
I have the 6500/5500 model. I have used it for maybe 30 hours so far. I've run various tools including an electric jackhammer and welders on it. I never thought of changing the spark plug, since it usually starts on the first or second pull. Maybe I'll do that, though.


Good to know thanks! I have been wanting to use the welder with this also and was going to give it a shot after I get some more load on here and do another oil change.


IMO, running a stick welder with this generator is pushing it a little. However, I've been using my Lincoln AC225/DC125 with it, and had no problems, probably because I'm not using a huge number of amps. Running 1/8" E7018 probably gets very close to the generator's limits, but I've done it with no obvious problems. OTOH, I could probably run 3/32" 6011 all day on this combination and still have plenty of headroom, especially if I use AC.

 

[sw99]

Update-

Over the past week, I have put almost 20 hours on it. I had to get my garage built and had a framer using it at the same time. Most of the time, we had all four plugs being used. Circular saws, hammer drills and a chop saw. The generator ran flawless! I do need to change the oil again just to be safe. This has been starting on the first pull 99% of the time. I now have power on the property so the main use now will be for my out building power. I'm using it as my man cave / shop so it will be used quite frequently. I will continue to provide updates over the next few months.

 

[sw99]

Over a year since my last post on this so here is an update.

I now have 90 hours on this generator. I have been running my shop off it and the 230v welder a bunch of times. I also used it when our power went out last month for 2 days. I was able to run the Furnace, Refrigerator, deep freezer, well pump and pressure tank and a fair amount of lights and sockets. Really happy so far and I am considering the 8750 watt one now also. I am getting tired of moving this 150 yards to the house in the big snow storms.

So far this has been a life saver. I am 100% happy with my $460 generator.

 

[Islandvic]

To make a long story short, I just bought my first generator last month after years of wanting one.

HF Predator 4000/3200 w/ Chonda 212cc engine (non Cali version). I paid $279+ tax w/ coupon.

http://www.harborfreight.com/4000-peak3200-running-watts-65-hp-212cc-generator-carb-69728.html

Ran it 3 1/2 days straight with no problem. I would let it cool down for about 20 minutes every other time I refilled it with gas . Used 93 octane w/ Sta-bil Marine additive. It ran flawlessly. It kinda suprised me how well it worked being from HF. It would start up every time with ease , when cold or after being warmed up.

It ran some lamps, fans, phone chargers, a fridge, coffee maker, ryobi 18v battery chargers (for my ryobi radio and LED lanterns) and microwave in both my house and my neighbors house when I ran an HD extension cord to their house. I'd unplug fridge of course before I ran microwave.

Filling w/ oil after draining us a pain b/c dipstick is mounted low, almost under the unit. Did first OCI at around 10 hours and again after the power was restored.

Used Supertech 5w30 HM from 5-qt jug I found stashed last year and had been using it in my Husqvarna mower.

Based on price and my initial experience, I'd recommend Predator generators to anyone looking for a unit for light-medium duty applications.

It has a fuel shut off valve which I like so I can run the carb dry. I'd like to add an online fuel filter. 10-pk's on Amazon are cheap. Will add one to mower at same time. I also like the low oil shut down feature.

SW99, how did you wire up the hour meter? I'd like to add one before I run it again. Where did you get the meter?

Thanks.

 

[sw99]

I just used the ones that you coil on the spark plug wire. Super simple and reliable. I will look for a link. I add them to everything I run that has an engine on it.

 

[sw99]

Here is a similar one. I paid something like $8 on ebay for the ones I use.

http://www.amazon.com/ChiTronic-Waterpro...060&sr=1-31

 

[Islandvic]

thanks sw99,

I'll prob put one one my generator, push mower and pressure washer.

I'll order some of the gravity fed inline fuel filters at same time.

Filters I was looking at were only 150 micron, but made to use with small engines w/o fuel pump. Even if there is only a screen inside, that more filtration that's what on my equipment now!