We are looking at buying either a 3000W Honda inverter generator, or the 3000W Predator brand inverter from Harbor Freight. Will be using these to intermittently charge 2X 6V Trojan golf cart battery setup, or running a 13.5K BTU AC unit. (I do not know details of the converter/charger, except that it is a WFCO unit.) We are planning to leave in late April/early May for a 4-6 week trip to Wyoming and Montana, with the end point being at Glacier NP when Going to the Sun Road opens. Exact timing depends on our best estimate of the opening date. No doubt we will need heat at some points and AC at others.Question 1: Does anyone have any experience with the Predator brand? It has good reviews. However, it only has a 90 day guarantee. My vote is to wait until late winter and see if the reviews are still good, after people have used them through the winter. Question 2: How much does altitude affect the performance of this type of generator? Many of our planned campsites are at 5000 ft elevation or higher.

19 page thread of HF generatorMy advice is if you want years and years of reliable use from a generator, get the Honda. If you want light use only a few times per year, get the Predator. In my opinion, after many decades on this planet buying things, you get what you pay for, and one of those things is longevity. There are specific instructions for carburetor settings for high altitude operation.

Never heard of the Predator but doubt you'll need AC at much elevation over 5000. We were at 8300 all last summer with zero shade and only ran the AC 3-4 afternoons now the heatpump at night came in handy as it cooled down considerably as the sun went down.

My last 2 generators were a Honda (open frame) and a Champion (honda clone engine open frame) the Honda lasted 15 years before totally giving up. The Champion is still running and 11 years old but getting rough. I will agree with oldman in that the honda was better built, but it did not last twice as long, but did cost 3 times as much. The Honda will likely be a better unit. Will it be enough better to justify the price increase is questionable.FWIW my next genny will be the remote start Champ. I have no overt desire to go outside in the morning to fire it up to make coffe when its raining. Honda $2000Champ remote start $900Pred $650edit add on HF offers a 1 year warranty for a low price, Over the counter exchange, not a repair.

I am not usually one who says, "Do a search" but this subject has been argued to death. I can save you hours of reading: Honda owners will say "Buy the proven Honda regardless of the cost" while others will say that the Predator will fill your needs at one fourth the cost. It's your nickel, spend it any way you want to, just don't expect very much unbiased advice on here. I do think that they are both red which seems to be of utmost importance to some.

It doesn't have to be argued to death if folks just stick to the question as asked. But here's a real war: 2017 generator argument: Honda vs everything else

Generator questions! | Good Sam Community

60 Replies

Lwiddis
Explorer II
Sep 21, 2017
Those places at that time of year A/C won't be needed much. Consider solar for recharging batteries.
ulvik
Explorer
Sep 21, 2017
cubbear wrote:
champ with remote

X2 5 years and running strong!
MEXICOWANDERER
Explorer
Sep 21, 2017
Would not this be like serving an Eggo breakfast on Bone China?

Or playing McIntosh amplified music through a drive in theater speaker?

Or rolling a Rolls Royce on Wal-Mart cheap-O tires?

The WFCO id designed as a never-unplugged to RV park pedestal battery maintainer. I can think of no poorer converter for generator use. The batteries will suffer terribly.
ReneeG
Explorer
Sep 21, 2017
Can't speak to the Predator, but we have a Honda and elevation does affect them. They tend to run a little uneven, but you can get a high altitude kit.
cubbear
Explorer
Sep 21, 2017
champ with remote
2oldman
Explorer II
Sep 21, 2017
It doesn't have to be argued to death if folks just stick to the question as asked.

But here's a real war:
2017 generator argument: Honda vs everything else
TomG2
Explorer
Sep 21, 2017
I am not usually one who says, "Do a search" but this subject has been argued to death. I can save you hours of reading: Honda owners will say "Buy the proven Honda regardless of the cost" while others will say that the Predator will fill your needs at one fourth the cost. It's your nickel, spend it any way you want to, just don't expect very much unbiased advice on here. I do think that they are both red which seems to be of utmost importance to some.
wanderingaimles
Explorer
Sep 21, 2017
My last 2 generators were a Honda (open frame) and a Champion (honda clone engine open frame) the Honda lasted 15 years before totally giving up. The Champion is still running and 11 years old but getting rough. I will agree with oldman in that the honda was better built, but it did not last twice as long, but did cost 3 times as much.
The Honda will likely be a better unit. Will it be enough better to justify the price increase is questionable.

FWIW my next genny will be the remote start Champ.
I have no overt desire to go outside in the morning to fire it up to make coffe when its raining.
Honda $2000
Champ remote start $900
Pred $650

edit add on HF offers a 1 year warranty for a low price, Over the counter exchange, not a repair.
stickdog
Explorer
Sep 21, 2017
Never heard of the Predator but doubt you'll need AC at much elevation over 5000. We were at 8300 all last summer with zero shade and only ran the AC 3-4 afternoons now the heatpump at night came in handy as it cooled down considerably as the sun went down.
2oldman
Explorer II
Sep 21, 2017
19 page thread of HF generator

My advice is if you want years and years of reliable use from a generator, get the Honda. If you want light use only a few times per year, get the Predator. In my opinion, after many decades on this planet buying things, you get what you pay for, and one of those things is longevity.

There are specific instructions for carburetor settings for high altitude operation.

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Generator questions!

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