Consumer Reports rates this model from Harbor Freight very close to the Honda 2000 for about half the price.I'm considering a generator because I figure we'll need to do more dry camping on our four month trip this year. I can't afford a more expensive unit.Questions: Anyone have anything to add to the review, good or bad?If I get one, how long would it need to run to put a charge (at least a partial charge) on the two 6 volt golf cart batteries we use on our TT? Should I let the converter do the charging, or use the cheap plug in charger I have?For example, if we are drycamped for 4-5 days and on day 3 or 4 needed to charge enough to make it until we get back on the road?I realize that partial charging isn't ideal, but is it a problem if we do it occasionally? We wouldn't be using the generator to try to run the AC obviously. Would probably use it during breakfast for coffee, toaster microwave, or to charge cell phones, computers, etc. Mainly to keep batteries from being over-discharged, and to keep the control boards going.Any other ideas?Thanks!

The charge time depends more upon the size of the converter and the size of the batteries. A 1500W generator will provide all the power the converter needs. So recharge times will be equivalent to being plugged in at home.Here are my weekend warrior thoughts on battery life.Charts show that partial charging and higher state of discharge will reduce battery life. I find that if I go camping 2 weekends every month (48 days/year) and recharge the batteries every day, the charts suggest that the batteries should last 10 years if discharged to a 50% state of discharge every day - 5 years at 70% state of discharge.People on this board brag about batteries lasting 8 years. I'm good with that because I don't camp near that much.

I was camped near one of those and was pleasantly surprised at how quiet it was.However, that's just part of the story. A couple other things have to be considered:a) does it really live up to its wattage rating andb) will it still be running after 10 years of hard use?I have an eu2000i from 2002, and it's leaking a little oil, but it still runs fine along with my other two that are going on 5 years each. I boondock a lot and run air. The only real maintenance issues (other than oil changes) have been starter ropes that fray and break from the angle they sit at. Usually with a Honda you don't need to worry about parts. Not sure about the Predator.Good luck!

I have a backup generator but if you don’t need A/C who wants that noise and trouble? An adequate solar system is silent and fills your batteries every sunny day. On the road charging isn’t that great BTW.

The engine in those is a chinese clone of a Honda engine design from 10 0r more years ago. Parts are available but they can take a little figuring out. If you do your own work, you can find them. Also you may want to consider taking out Horrible Freights extended warranty, a store manager last year recommended taking it and just bringing it back in two years for a replacement because they dont do repairs, the stores just replace the unit when its presented. Might be different in other areas, but that was what I was told they do here. IF you may want to run an AC unit with it, another unit being looked at lately is the Westinghouse I-gen2 2500. 500 more surge watts and 400 more running watts, and supposedly will run almost all 13,500 btuh AC units and some are claiming they are running 15,000 btuh units on them. And yes, it's another Chinese clone.westinghouse igen 2 2500 watt

I cannot see what kind of rig you have.The 2000 will work, but is limited somewhat. If you have AC and want to use it, think about the Predator 3500

Predator 2000 Inverter Generator | Good Sam Community

ndrorder
Explorer
Jun 04, 2020
The charge time depends more upon the size of the converter and the size of the batteries. A 1500W generator will provide all the power the converter needs. So recharge times will be equivalent to being plugged in at home.

Here are my weekend warrior thoughts on battery life.

Charts show that partial charging and higher state of discharge will reduce battery life. I find that if I go camping 2 weekends every month (48 days/year) and recharge the batteries every day, the charts suggest that the batteries should last 10 years if discharged to a 50% state of discharge every day - 5 years at 70% state of discharge.

People on this board brag about batteries lasting 8 years. I'm good with that because I don't camp near that much.
2oldman
Explorer II
Jun 04, 2020
I was camped near one of those and was pleasantly surprised at how quiet it was.

However, that's just part of the story. A couple other things have to be considered:

a) does it really live up to its wattage rating and
b) will it still be running after 10 years of hard use?

I have an eu2000i from 2002, and it's leaking a little oil, but it still runs fine along with my other two that are going on 5 years each. I boondock a lot and run air.

The only real maintenance issues (other than oil changes) have been starter ropes that fray and break from the angle they sit at. Usually with a Honda you don't need to worry about parts. Not sure about the Predator.

Good luck!
Lwiddis
Explorer II
Jun 04, 2020
I have a backup generator but if you don’t need A/C who wants that noise and trouble? An adequate solar system is silent and fills your batteries every sunny day. On the road charging isn’t that great BTW.
wanderingaimles
Explorer
Jun 04, 2020
The engine in those is a chinese clone of a Honda engine design from 10 0r more years ago. Parts are available but they can take a little figuring out. If you do your own work, you can find them.
Also you may want to consider taking out Horrible Freights extended warranty, a store manager last year recommended taking it and just bringing it back in two years for a replacement because they dont do repairs, the stores just replace the unit when its presented. Might be different in other areas, but that was what I was told they do here.
IF you may want to run an AC unit with it, another unit being looked at lately is the Westinghouse I-gen2 2500.
500 more surge watts and 400 more running watts, and supposedly will run almost all 13,500 btuh AC units and some are claiming they are running 15,000 btuh units on them. And yes, it's another Chinese clone.
westinghouse igen 2 2500 watt
enblethen
Nomad
Jun 04, 2020
I cannot see what kind of rig you have.
The 2000 will work, but is limited somewhat. If you have AC and want to use it, think about the Predator 3500
pianotuna
Nomad III
Jun 05, 2020
I would encourage you to consider the Predator 3500 with electric start.
theoldwizard1
Explorer II
Jun 05, 2020
If your converter has done a reasonable job of charging the batteries in the past, just use that. If not, buy a new "smart" converter.

If you are thinking about buying an inverter, now is the time. Pay the extra and get an inverter/charge/automatic transfer switch. Not hard to install. Remove the converter, leave the DC distribution panel in place. Wire the DC panel directly to the batteries. Wire your shore power cord to the inverter/charger/transfer switch AC input. Wire your trailers AC to the invert AC output.

Do NOT use the 12V output of any generator for battery charging. It will not work well.
theoldwizard1
Explorer II
Jun 05, 2020
pianotuna wrote:
I would encourage you to consider the Predator 3500 with electric start.

The Predator 3500 would definitely run your A/C !

I can still start my 5500W 10 HP generator by hand.
theoldwizard1
Explorer II
Jun 05, 2020
wanderingaimlessly wrote:
IF you may want to run an AC unit with it, another unit being looked at lately is the Westinghouse I-gen2 2500.
500 more surge watts and 400 more running watts, and supposedly will run almost all 13,500 btuh AC units and some are claiming they are running 15,000 btuh units on them. And yes, it's another Chinese clone.
westinghouse igen 2 2500 watt

Very intriguing generator. Long term durability (more than a couple of years) is still not available.

I think the "sweet spot" for generators is really about 2800/2400W and still be light enough for 1 hand carry. Some smart company will add a fuel pump and a quick disconnect to external tanks !
bikendan
Explorer
Jun 05, 2020
I'm still wondering why Harbor Freight's ads, documentation and in store placards, state that the Predator 2000w inverter generator has a noise level rating of 65db!:E

Many keep saying that it's quiet but 65db is the same noise rating, as the open-frame contractor style Champion 3500w/4000w regular generator. I own one of those Champions and i can tell you that 65db is NOT quiet.
No one yet, has shown a lower noise rating for the Predator 2000.
I own a Honda 2000i, which has a noise lever rating 11db quieter, than the Predator 2000w. So until someone can prove that it's lower than HF's official rating of 65db, I'm not going to believe it's quiet.