Predator 3500 inverter generator

#rv #camping #generator #invertergenerator #boondocking #review

In this video, we'll walk through 2 years of use and review of the Predator 3500 inverter generator, sold by Harbor Freight. Watch this before you buy, as we will try to convey useful information and real experience to help you make an informed decision!

[petedetraglia]

I own this Predator 3500 and it runs great. It all starts with the break in of the motor. Use conventional oil 05-30, run without a load on it at first and vary the RPMs by switching from eco to full power. After an hour of this I drained the oil. Then I broke it in more with a high watt hair dryer at 1650 watts about half load for this generator on and off for a few hours. Drained the oil again and put Mobil 1 full synthetic oil. Changed the plug to an NGK, I run Stabil Marine 360 and super unleaded in it all the time. Clean the spark arrestor as needed with a parts cleaner. Have no issues with it at all and its a beast for $800.00....

[roboneil]

I have over 1800 hours on mine. 0 issues. I run Rec fuel, change the oil lots. Clean the spark arrester. I would recommend this to anyone!!!

[BlankSlate]

Have had mine 3 years, I've got 1425 hours on it which is the equivalent to running it for 60 whole days and haven't had a single issue, haven't had to modify or anything.
I just followed the instructions for the break-in period and folliw the instructions for preventative maintenance.
I'm normally not the best at following maintenance schedules but with small engine stuff you've got to or you'll end up with the problem that this gentleman has.
I did end up putting a propane kit on mine after about 500 hours but not for any issue that I had, I just wanted to run it off of my 1000 lb propane tank on my land, just in case we have some national energy issue.
So just like anything else, some are going to be happy with a particular product and some will be unhappy, If would rather have 5 predator generators than ONE Honda generator for the same price.

[TheRolfano]

Would be nice if you included how many hours you had on this unit. How often you changed the oil. What problems did you have with the pull start? What plug did you use? Did you clean the spark arrestor out? More details help us understand the background of your issues.

[kahvac]

Excellent honest review. I'm surprised you bought another economy generator. There is a reason why the Honda cost more. The materials used, plastics, vinyls, rubber, steel, paint, primer, etc are all premium ..the engineering and parts availability are also top notch with the Honda. I use all my tools hard as I'm a tradesman and pride of ownership knowing i bought good tools gives me peace of mind like a good insurance policy. I've owned my Honda EU3000is for 10 years and I bought it used from a guy that mostly used it for camping and it still runs like a clock.
I hope your new Champion generator works well for you.

[solden]

Great video. It actually did have a fuel shutoff. ⛽️A lot of people don't know that. Just turn the knob in the position right before the dial turns the generator off, stop and leave it and it will run the fuel out. There is a YouTube video on that. I had the predator 2000 and did the fuel shutoff method and worked like a charm. Not that it matters now lol

[FreytesVH]

I live in Puerto Rico and after hurricane María I had some issues with this predator 3500 like sometimes problems trying to start...weird noises, exhaustion breakdown until I removed the spark arrestor...problem solved...after that I used this inverter on daily basis for 18 hours everyday for 4 months.During that period I made 6 oil changes and also changed the spark plug 4 times...

[chiefoperationsofficer]

You probably have gotten a bunch of people that say they love this generator. I can tell you kind of the same. I have 3 of them currently. I have a mobile dog grooming biz. 2 grooming vans and use 1 3500 on one of them and 2 on another. The generators are used differently between the grooming vans. One uses the generator at each appointment for an hour and then it's turned off until the next appt. The grooming van that has 2 3500s on it starts the generators both of them first thing in the am powering the lights and roof ac non-stop all day never being shut off until that last appt of the day. Now I will say I have had a few that failed on me and planning for the worst, I've purchased the 100% replacement warranty on all of them. So having said, I have had over the 2 years of using and running them, I did have 3 failures on me. So I brought it(them as they failed) back to HF for a brand new one(s) each time. No problems. So for $125.00 and 1 year, I can replace it(them) no questions asked. I change the oil on them all, every 4 weeks, and that's it. I'm pretty happy with them overall and they are super easy to set up out of the box, I know, I've done it now a bunch times. :)

[bimini]

Iv had one for a few years and I only run ethanol free gas in my unit and have not seen any problems yet. Are you using regular pump gas ? The ethanol will deteriorate the hoses and mess up the carb.

[fike]

Alot of great reviews on this generator...? Actually outstanding reviews

[joshstone]

I’ve has mine for about 2.5 yrs now and mine is mounted to my semi frame. So it takes a pounding see all kinds of weather and the only issue I had was the black box you spoke of in the beginning for the fuel, all I did was pull the hoses off and no more problems. Hell it’s about due for an oil change been about 150 hrs since last one

[adrianlucero]

It has a drain screw to drain the fuel out of the carb. Did u try to change the jet? I’m sure u r at or above 4000ft, the jet that comes from the factory is to big for higher altitude. If ur plug is all black u need to change the jet.

[mmcalifornia]

Crap I just ordered my Preditor. I'm wondering if they fixed any of these issues on the new ones... 🤔

[josegaray]

I have 2 never had no issues . Maybe u ended up with a defective one I have 2 3500 and 3 of the 5000 but you right about one The 5000 is easy to maintenance then the 3500

[CashJohnston]

I’ve had mine for two years. Got it started twice. It sits there unused and getting dusty because I don’t have the time to mess with it.

[JP-muxl]

Maintain it and do the intake mods, clean the exhaust screen & go with better plug, change oil & your good to go! Luckily I got mine used with a few hours for $450 off Craigslist.. I used it for 30hrs over weekend, it ran 9hrs on a tank, running a/c, fridge, water heater, converter, tv, etc...

[claddagh]

NGK and synthetic oil is all I have done to mine. Not one issue
3 years old

[TheCumminsturbo]

It sounds like it’s way down on compression wonder if the valves are out of adjustment

[mattysreviews]

Have you cleaned out the spark arrester?

[electriccuts]

Rule #1 Dirt and engines don’t mix
Rule #2 put something clean under your generator if it pulls air in close to the ground or put it up on something that is off the ground.
Rule #3 maintenance 👨🏻‍🔧