Harbor Freight Tools... Inverter Generator

[Gulfcoast]

I received a new sale paper from Harbor Freight the other day and see that thay have a NEW inverter generator:

Predator brand
2500 max./2200 rated watts
125 cc
Red in color
Lot # 61169
$499.99

I don't see it on the website yet... probably in the stores soon.

[n7bsn]

Max49 wrote:
Harbor Freight 2200 Watt Inverter Generator


Has any one bought and used one of these yet?

About 2 HP and 40CC bigger engine than the Champion 2000 Watt.
They don't say any thing about paralel capability and no RV type of plug, That would be nice but maybe not a deal breaker.
I'm tempted to try one but there are few reviews of this yet.

The parallel circuit is NOT in the Harbor Freight genset.

[LittleBill]

i am not afraid to say i have spent close to 4K at harbor freight over the years.

i have grinders like those linked in this post that prolly have close to 300 hours on them still work. air compressors that have hundreds as well. i have multitude of air tools, some which have significant amount of hours as well.

if you don't massively abuse it it last forever, i have a reciprocating saw i can't kill, and a hammer drill which has drill 200+ solid concrete holes.

i also love craftsman. alot of people pretend they use their stuff, most don't

that said alot of stuff is not worth it either, like reciprocating blades, zipties, hose clamps, generally disposable stuff is not worth the price difference.

HF has also gone up in price, i started to see small differences in price between stuff, inspection camera's spade bits, extension cords, etc... u do have to shop around....

HF gets a bad deal because people really really abuse stuff

[SaltiDawg]

For the Champion's 53dB at 23' without power level specified I'd suggest that is with the generator unloaded.

It used to be extremely difficult to compare generator sizes/capacities due to manufacturers citing Maximum Power or Continuous Duty Power as the capacity - without making it clear which.

My Smarter Tools Generator is a Model 9500... that would be Maximum... 7500 Watts Continuous.

The current spate of apples and oranges is indicaa=tions of "loudness" using dB's.

[Locky]

Here are the specs on the Champion Inverter:
2000 Watt Champion Inverter Generator

Delivers consistent power flow to accommodate sensitive electronics
Eco mode conserves fuel on reduced loads
Connect with another identical unit to double output
Push-to-Reset Circuit Breakers
Comes Fully assembles
Two year limited warranty
Easy Pull recoil start
Low Oil shut off
CARB approved
Lightweight

True sine-wave technology delivers pure, smooth waveform power for peak performance from all your electronics. Champion Inverter Generators are rated for 1,600 watts with a maximum load of 2,000 watts. Eco mode idles to conserve fuel on reduced loads. Stackable frame and parallel connector doubles power output when linked with an identical Champion 2,000-watt Inverter Generator. Includes a single 14-amp, 120-volt duplex & 12-volt dc with 12-volt battery charging cables. Overload protection and low-oil shut-off. 53dBA at 23 ft. The 2000 has a 80cc Champion single cylinder, 4 stroke OHV engine with a 1-gallon fuel tank and can run 9-1/2 hours at 25%. CARB approved in all 50 States.
19.3"H x 13.2"W x 16.3"D.
Wt: 48 lbs.
Available:

2,000-Watt Inverter Generator
Parallel Cable Kit - connector includes one L5-30 and one 30-amp RV receptacle.

[bikendan]

Max49 wrote:
I went on the Cabelas website and thechampion 2000 watt inverter generatorsaid it was rated at 65 decibels which surprised me.

65db is the Champion 3500 open-framed generator's noise rating, not the inverter 2000w one.
wouldn't depend on Cabela's website as having accurate specs, as much as Champion's own website.

[bikendan]

SaltiDawg wrote:
bikendan,

Are all of those SPL measurements you cited measured at the same load and the same distance? It appears not.

champion's website says: Noise Level- 53 dBA at 23 ft.
doesn't say what the load % is but i've read many reviews/posts that is similar in noise level to the Honda 2000, just a different kind of noise.
plus it has a great warranty and customer support and you can parallel it.

[MrWizard]

i know that i am one of the few that 'defend' HF

i bought their $29 vibrating? multi-tool, on sale $19.99 4 yrs ago
i have used it many times on many projects, bought replacement blades etc..

cut 'pergo' laminate flooring, scraped and RV roof, loaned it to a friend to scrap mortar and clean tile

it still works great, was a great investment

i also have their hydraulic wire crimping tool
and the cheap version of their hydraulic body tool

i am very happy with each one

[otrfun]

MEXICOWANDERER wrote:
"HF is a good place to buy a tool that you use once, then toss in the toolbox, or if you want an alternate set of stuff, should your main wrench or drill breaks. I've been to a HF once in my life."

Read it again, sort of an oxymoron dont'cha think?

Agree with your basic premise; however . . .

I can't tell you how many times I've had to do a one-time, one-off project where HF saved me some money.

Case-in-point. I was installing a small bathroom sink/vanity in my house. Needed to trim the wood baseboard to mount it flush against the wall. The only tool that would do it quickly, correctly, and simply was an oscillating, multi-function tool. The big-box stores wanted $100-$150 for Dewalt, Bosch, Porter-Cable versions. I purchased one at HF, on sale for $14.99, plus $5 for an attachment blade and used it for 10 minutes.

HF offers potential value if you're willing or able to take the time to look for it.

[SaltiDawg]

Locky wrote:
The generator is rated at 64db but it doesn't give any details about distance or under load etc... ....

Per its Manual it is 64dB at 50% load at 23 feet

[MEXICOWANDERER]

"HF is a good place to buy a tool that you use once, then toss in the toolbox, or if you want an alternate set of stuff, should your main wrench or drill breaks. I've been to a HF once in my life."

Read it again, sort of an oxymoron dont'cha think?

[Locky]

The generator is rated at 64db but it doesn't give any details about distance or under load etc... For what it is worth, my opinion would be to spend the little bit extra if its in your budget and get the Champion. I have had great luck with mine (knock on wood) and will probably end up getting a second one.

[Max49]

I went on the Cabelas website and thechampion 2000 watt inverter generatorsaid it was rated at 65 decibels which surprised me.
somebody has just got to buy one of these things and tell us how they like it.At least with HFT I guess you can buy it and take it back if you don't like it without much hassle.
I wish it was parallel capable though

[SaltiDawg]

bikendan,

Are all of those SPL measurements you cited measured at the same load and the same distance? It appears not.

[bikendan]

Max49 wrote:
Harbor Freight 2200 Watt Inverter Generator


Has any one bought and used one of these yet?

About 2 HP and 40CC bigger engine than the Champion 2000 Watt.
They don't say any thing about paralel capability and no RV type of plug, That would be nice but maybe not a deal breaker.
I'm tempted to try one but there are few reviews of this yet.

the noise rating of 64db, is extremely high for an inverter generator.:E in fact, i don't think i've ever seen an inverter generator that was rated that loud.

the open-framed Champion 3500 is rated at 65db. the Champion 2000w inverter generator is rated at about 54db, which is waaayyy quieter than this HF offering.

based on that noise level, it's no wonder no one has bought one.

[Max49]

harbor freight does not make anything,they sell some good stuff and some junk, the question is has anyone bought this inverter generator?