Predator 3500 Inverter Generator Failure at 140 Hours

Predator 3500 Inverter Generator Failure at 140 Hours

[ElectricBillAlbright]

Sounds like you need to clean your low speed/idle jet. Especially if it's "hunting" when idling. The RPM is going up and down. You need to back out the large plastic screw on the top of carburetor, try to remember how many turns it took, for reference on re-install. Usually, around 6-7 turns. The reason for removal of this screw is because it is in the way of the idle jet. On the top of the carburetor directly where that screw was is a black plastic piece. Just use a flat blade to pry that plastic piece upwards. It is only held in place by its "O" ring seals. Once you have it out, you'll see a brass piece embedded into the plastic. You will need to get a thin piece of wire like one strand out of some regular automotive wiring. Take the one strand and run it through the tip of the brass jet. The hole in the jet does not go clear to the top of this piece. It has two holes, one on each side, the black plastic piece. It's actually one hole going through one side and out the other side. You'll need to look in there to see if your wire strand is visible as you move the wire in the jet. You'll need plenty of light to see it. It's pretty small. This way, it ensures that you are getting all the way through clearing and dirt stuck in there. Afterward, I take some carburetor spray and blast it through by holding the jet against the nozzle on the can. Be careful because it will shoot out carburetor cleaner in your eye 👁. Don't ask how I know that! LOL 🤣
Then, press the jet back into the carburetor, and make sure one of the flat sides fits between the ledge on the carburetor casting. So it fits all the way flush to the carb. Then, re-install the plastic screw. Turn it in to your approximate number of turns. Then start the generator with no load and turn your ESC switch on/off. Make sure it changes from high to low. This screw is the idle stop for the solenoid that activates with ESC. Basically, you want to set the screw until you get the most swing between high and low RPM when you turn the switch on/off. If it's not set right, it will cause no RPM change when you turn ESC on or off. It's an easy adjustment. This is the most common idle or low load, rough running generator problem. I sometimes, every now and then, have to do this repair. A tiny fragment of something in your gas cans will cause this to happen. Like almost microscopic. I've tried just carburetor cleaner without the wire and never had luck. So I always run the wire through. I know it goes against the rules of properly clearing brass jets, but I've never had a problem. Just don't jam something larger than the jet size into it. There's a guy here on YouTube who has a video about this procedure. Don't know the link offhand.
Hopefully, this will help you out 👍

[dougharlow]

I feel your pain. I have the Preditor 3500. I haven't even broke it in yet. 17 hrs. of one hour then change the oil, run one hr. change the oil. I've done this 15 times. At 15 hrs. the meter failed, the 120v twist lock is indexed wrong and it runs very poor (found out it runs very rich) and like you all this breaking was over 2 years. Harbor freight said tough luck. It been under cover, it looks new still with tags attached, It also ran very rich. I did a lot of internet queries and found a company that specializes in rejeting for the proper sea level. I took their recommendations and it runs perfectly. One pull and it it starts. But I won't purchase anymore items from Harbor Freight because of the very poor customer service. I bought this generator just for an emergency. Thanks for you video. Good luck.

[ElectricBillAlbright]

Like RyanMcDonald says here in the comments, DONT CUT HOLES IN YOUR GENERATOR. The generator is engineered with intake vent in a precise location to direct airflow across critical components. Additional holes will cause air to be pulled in around unnecessary areas and none or little across needed areas. Always run these with the panels in place when the generator is in use. Otherwise, they will overheat ! They act as ductwork for air to flow over inverter board and through the cylinder head and exit around the muffler carrying heat away from muffler as well.

[rickwrasmor]

A very similar "AC Overload" situation just occurred with our 3500. Camping over Memorial Day, generator only used to power-up our Starlink. Weather in the low 70's, ran the unit for about an hour on day 1. Day 2, she starts-up and runs like a starts flashing the red Overload light and showing "AC 310", and producing no power at all. Have fiddled around with and researched this issue for several weeks now; new plug, cleaned spark arrestor, etc. From what little I have found on the subject it appears that we are now being protected from any kind of output as the generator is creating 310v.

I have seen some mention of a possible failed voltage regulator ($10-15), or failed inverter module ($200). However, I also read that inverter units do not have a voltage regulator, and I can not find one on the parts list / exploded parts view. However, I am not too excited dropping $ on a new inverter module not knowing for sure that is the issue. Would love some insight on how to diagnose further, if anyone has been down that road or has the knowledge to offer some guidance.

And yes, I know this is a 2 year old video, so whoever feels like they need to point that out save yourself the effort to do

[johnnyhotrod]

My 9500 just went into overload mode, 59 hours on the machine and broken in properly.Anything over 3600 watts it goes into overload.
Here’s my take:Some guys will get 4, 000 hours, beat on it and not have a hitch.
Some guys will baby it and it will fail at 50 hours.
To me it’s a quality control issue, we are all rolling the dice.
My Honda is my main gen but I like to have multiple.
I’m losing faith in Predator.My start switch went out in the first few hours.I was willing to live with that but not now.

[chrissousa]

I have the same problem with mine. I bought mine used with close to 200hrs on it. I put probably 30-40 hrs on it and It worked great until one day I started it and it started to run funny and wouldn't take a load anymore at all. from my research and what Ive been told from a service advisor from harbor freight is that its a strong possibility the inverter crapped out. cleaning the spark arrestor is good and all but the inverters in these are evidently junk. part is about $300 bucks

[juanitojiojian]

Hey bud did you figure out what was wrong with it.

[dougharlow]

I feel your pain.
We had huge fires in my area and kept losing power. So, with all the lose of food in refrigerator and discomfort I said enough of this, so I purchase a Harbor Freight Predator 3500 generator.

I installed a NGK BPR7EZ 5534 Spark plug
I used Shell V-Power® NiTRO+ Premium Gasoline and remove all ethanol
added stabile 360 fuel additive to all gasoline
I use Lucas High Zinc Hot Rod & Classic Hi-Performance motor oil SAE 10W-30 synthetic oil

For break in, I ran the generator for one-hour intervals every 3-5 days till I got to 10 hours. The gen. started running/surging bad, pulled the carb cleaned all jets, drained the fuel tank. Then I added sta-bil 360 fuel additive to all my gasoline, ran the generator for 30 minutes, drained the carburetor fuel bowl then stored for 6 weeks. Started the generator up and it was running/surging so bad I had to remove the carburetor clean the jets again. At 17 hours the display gauge failed, only the hour gauge worked, nothing else. I called Harbor Freight and they said it was out of warranty, and won’t help me even though it has on 17 hours of break in.
Changed oil 11-20-2019 at 2hrs. on generator, 8-19-2020 at 12hrs. on generator, 2-19-2021 at 15 hrs. on generator, oil always clean no medal.
Also their 30 amp plug is indext wrong.
I bought this generator for emergencies. How would this help me if it doesn’t work in emergencies??? NOT very reliable. And Harbor Fright won’t stand behind their product. ONLY 17 hours with all these problems, not good.
Good video, Good Luck. Thanks

[cowetaok]

Did you ever upgrade this and what did you do?

[HouseboatRenovations]

Wow, 7 minutes of no information.
Yeah, I bought a generator and it does not work now, let it sit for 2 years.
Video packed full of information.

[booniebuster]

Clean the Spark Arrester and install a main carb jet for the altitude you are camping at.

[thomasgibson]

Did you check the exhaust flame screen? It is a real problem with these units.

[soiboughtabus]

I'm at 7-800 hours running a 10k ac unit 16 hrs a day in phoenix. Pulled the spark arrestor, running kind of week, 2000w continuous max. I think I'm due for a new spark plug.

[Ripitupfilms]

Mine shuts off in the middle of the night at MX tracks I love

[andrewsmith]

it sounds like you have a repairable issue, likely under $10 to fix

[wildcardjeff]

I have 2 of them. One with 278 hours ish and one with 78 hours. The idle circuit in the carburetor needs regular cleaning. If you find the fix please let us know.

[trevorlahey]

Buy a new one and then take back the shitty one and say it’s broke

[RyanMcDonald]

Please don't cut any holes in the case. The air intake vent is right underneath the inverter. Adding a hole will reduce the airflow into this vent and your inverter will run VERY HOT.

[jimmysixe]

If you paid by Credit Card then The credit Card Company should have a 1 yr warranty attached to anything you buy on it I would check with the Credit Card Company

[BigPrimo]

Harbor Freight has a no questions asked warranty. I hope you got one.