Harbor Freight Predator 3500

otrfun wrote:

Gdetrailer wrote:

otrfun wrote:
Has anyone been able to obtain parts for the HF Predator 3500 inverter generator (or one of its related cousins)? About 3-4 years ago was surprised to learn HF didn't sell any parts for it. All they offered was the optional one-time replacement warranty. All or nothing.

From all accounts this appears to be an excellent generator for the money. However, it wouldn't be fun to have a $800 boat anchor all because you couldn't obtain a $5 part.

I would rather have a $800 "boat anchor" than having a $1600 plus Honda that would cost well over $800 to repair.. Not sure you will find a Honda brand part for $5, perhaps you might get a Honda branded spark plug but I suspect even that would cost $20..

But the reality is even that cheaper $800 gen can often be "repaired" using generic Honda knock off parts which fit Hondas also.. Heck you can buy new Honda clone carbs for $15 and they do work as good as the Honda branded carb..

Point taken. For me, best value is determined by individual wants, needs, and ultimately luck (or lack of).

Coming from 1970s noisy open frame gens with B&S engines, I was very intrigued by the variety of China import gens in the early 2000's..

I was looking for a 4Kw gen to power my campers AC and stumbled on a brand new open frame China import 4Kw gen for a mere $200..

Was absolutely amazed on how much quieter and smoother that gen ran compared to 1970s gen tech.

At that time a Honda gen of same size and style would have set me back over $400..

I took the $200 gamble and so far have one the lottery with it.

The Chinese Import gen impressed me so much that when looking for a gen large enough to power my home during power outages I didn't even consider a Honda. Nope, have a HF store that was put in near me and picked out a 8Kw HF gen with electric start..

While the larger HF gen has very few hrs on the clock compared to my older 4Kw gen, I am extremely pleased with the "value" of savings on both gens.

Got the HF 8Kw gen for $429 on sale, Honda in that wattage at the time was north of $1200..

Yes, Hondas are somewhat "quieter" but the reality is an extension cord can be much cheaper if the noise bothers you.

For reliability, one of the downfalls of most Chinese imports is the cheap "Torch brand" spark plug. The cheap plug doesn't fire well under pressure which often makes it hard to start and tends to fail quickly.

Simple and cheap to replace that plug with your favorite brand name plug of better materials and construction. I would highly recommend anyone that buys a Chinese import gen to replace the Torch brand plug as soon as you buy the gen, you will be thanking yourself each time you run the gen.

Heck, I have even repowered my log splitter with a HF 6.5 HP engine, starts each time on one or two pulls and runs very well and at $90 at the time was far cheaper than overhauling the old motor. Side benefit the OHV HF engine does run smoother and quieter than the original B&S..