Consumer Reports Generator Test HF vs Honda

[H20ENG]

Just came out this morning. I'd like to read the whole article but am not a paid subscriber.

https://www.consumerreports.org/inverter-generators/harbor-freight-predator-62353-vs-honda-eu2000it1a1-recreational-inverter-generator/

[72cougarxr7]

Champion is now offering a 3 year warranty, and is priced just slightly higher than HF.
Also part availability is better with Champion.

Cant knock the HF units, I heard one of the 3500 watt inverters running on a food truck, and it was comparable noise wise to a Hond or Champion of the same size.

[Mr_Beebo]

RedRocket204 wrote:
I've got two of the Champion 2000W gens with the parallel kit. They have been flawless so far .

I'm on year 5 with my 2 Champion 2000s. Zero issues. Used for job site power tools to running water pumps from our ponds to dry camping.

[drsteve]

Bottom line from the CR test: the Honda has slightly better reserve power capacity, and the Predator's 90 day warranty doesn't compare with the Honda's three year coverage. And the jury is still out on the long term performance and parts availability of the Predator, while the Honda is well known for reliability.

[2oldman]

My 2k Hondas lose power starting at about 7k feet.

[RedRocket204]

GWolfe wrote:
I've camped at 10,000' with my Champion 3100, it ran like a um champ without the high altitude jets.

Mine do run at 9500-10000 feet but they are definitely down on power. Unless yours has the high altitude jet installed, you will be down on power as well, no way to get around that when a naturally aspirated engine is run in less dense air. The good news is it is uncommon for me to have to depend on a high amp draw at 9500 feet.

[RedRocket204]

H20ENG wrote:
RedRocket,
Have you looked at the jets to see if a Honda or Yamaha jet would fit? Id be surprised if they did not fit your carb. If not, if you knew the jet orifice size of those I'm sure you could find one that fits.

Thanks for the suggestion. I have not but I've done a fair amount of searching online to see if any information comes up like that and have yet to locate anything. There is information on how to "confront" the high altitude situation from Champion which I have recently done. Drilled some holes in the air box lid and reduced the plug gap to 0.18-0.22.

I have a trip coming up in a few weeks where I'll be dry camping at 9500 feet, for the week, so we'll see how it goes. I know when I fired them up, I live at almost 8000 feet, they ran good but I didn't load them up. I'm also running some solar so hopefully my reliance on the gens will continue to be greatly reduced.

I'll keep on the lookout in regards to your suggestion though.

[RollandB]

Spoon059 nailed it squarely on the head. For us with our solar and Hybrid Inverter, a Genny would be needed for running the AC or recharging batteries in a cloudy or shaded dry camping situation.

[H20ENG]

RedRocket,
Have you looked at the jets to see if a Honda or Yamaha jet would fit? Id be surprised if they did not fit your carb. If not, if you knew the jet orifice size of those I'm sure you could find one that fits.

[GWolfe]

I've camped at 10,000' with my Champion 3100, it ran like a um champ without the high altitude jets.

[RedRocket204]

I've got two of the Champion 2000W gens with the parallel kit. They have been flawless so far but there is one major issue I wasn't aware of before purchasing and suspect the same for the Predator line. The availability of high altitude jets. Champion does not have them for their 2000W version gens and suspect the Predator doesn't either. Honda and Yamaha do have high altitude jets available for the smaller gens, 2000W. Champion does have high altitude jets available for the 3100W + inverter gens too but that is not what I own.

[2oldman]

mike-s wrote:
I've got a Kipor, which I only use a few hours per year. So, the savings works because I'm not expecting much. For someone who uses a genny on a frequent basis, cheap may be false economy.

That's usually how things work. Pay me now or pay me later.

[spoon059]

mike-s wrote:
Sure, until something serious breaks. Then try to buy replacement parts. HF does not have a good reputation for providing parts. Sure, you can buy the HF extended warranty, but that doesn't get you anywhere near a reasonable 10-20 year lifetime which can be reasonably expected from the Honda.

Very good point, but consider cost of repairs as well. I have a generator right now that is leaking oil. I haven't had a chance to look at it yet this summer, but unless its a simple repair, I will have to either scrap the generator or pay a repair guy a couple hundred dollars.

*IF* (big if) these HF generators prove to be generally reliable, it might be cheaper to buy 3 of these over the years rather than 1 $2000 Honda and the bill from a small engine repair facility.

I only use my portable gen at the house when we lose power. We have some good summer storms in my are and are usually good for a couple of storms a year where we lose power for 2-3 days. A little 3500 watt generator allows us to run a portable AC, the fridge, some lights and a couple fans to keep the house tolerable on those gorgeous 95% humidity days! Not worth $2000 for that convenience, but maybe worth $650...

[mike-s]

theoldwizard1 wrote:
Honda's stellar reputation will carry them for awhile. HF Predator and Champion are knocking on the door ! It is hard to argue with the price difference.

Sure, until something serious breaks. Then try to buy replacement parts. HF does not have a good reputation for providing parts. Sure, you can buy the HF extended warranty, but that doesn't get you anywhere near a reasonable 10-20 year lifetime which can be reasonably expected from the Honda.

Sure, there are probably some parts which are interchangeable because it's mostly a clone (that's my assumption, because many others are), but who knows how accurate a clone it is, and which parts actually fit and work?

I suppose it depends on how much and how hard you use the genny. There's definitely a risk/reward consideration involved.

I've got a Kipor, which I only use a few hours per year. So, the savings works because I'm not expecting much. For someone who uses a genny on a frequent basis, cheap may be false economy.

[colliehauler]

Noticed they have the Predator 3500 on sale for $679.