Short Lifespan of Harbor Freight 800 watt Generators

[dragonflyspit]

I'm wondering if someone knows why these cheap little generators put out fewer and fewer watts over their little 100 to 150 hour lifespans.

I've run through about ten of them. Every one of them has been different from the last. No two have ever sounded alike, started alike, etc. It's as though each one is made individually instead of by mass production. A couple have failed in other ways, but the one thing they all have in common is that over a month, they slowly produce less and less power until they won't even charge the batteries.

Each lasts only about a month of running about 4 hours per day. I follow all the rules for breaking in period for each one; I've never overloaded one; I use the right gas/oil mixture, etc.. I've tried replacing the spark plug as as soon as I replace one, and I've tried replacing it every few days. I've done nothing wrong, but nothing extends their life.

What do you suppose goes wrong with them?

(I'm not looking for advice about what generator to buy, etc. I'm just curious why these particular generators fail in this way.)

[JiminDenver]

The Champion 3500/4000 is a great generator for the money. Easy starting, long lasting and powerful. Compared to the HF genny there are trade offs.

The Champ is much heavier, larger and while it does pretty good while running light loads, it won't run for 4 hours on a quart. At 68 db, it is probably louder too. I have to admit, having the Microwave and AC available is nice.

Instead of saving for a generator, you might consider a smaller solar set up.

[DSchmidt_2000]

Something does not make sense and I don't see any root cause analysis being done as to why your units are crapping out. Just saying they're cheap doesn't cut it.

A lot of people have been happy with these. As long as the engine can put out power and the electronics (capacitor?) works, I don't see why it should not continue to work. There is not much to them. Why would copper winding give out after time?

For a 2-stroke, after about 100 hours don't you have to clean out/decarbon the exhaust?

What is your evidence that it is making less and less power over time? I don't see where you mentioned that. Is the engine not running?

[dragonflyspit]

2oldman wrote:
Yes, an alternator is pretty much the same thing. I'm sure someone else knows more than I,but I'm thinking those windings need to be in close tolerance or things don't work too well.

MrWizard wrote:
pickup a "CPE" aka champion 3000 open frame for about $300
cpe 2000inverter genset for about $499 maybe less
they also have a 1000w inverter model

the 'armature' is the magnetic core wound with wire that spins.. driven by the engine and creates the magnetic field that is used to make electricity

Thanks for that info, guys. Thanks also for the heads-up on the other genny. That wouldn't take nearly so long to save for.

[Ron3rd]

If you want to go to a cheaper genny, the Champion line seems to be a good value like Mr Wizard indicated. Lots of happy customers on this forum.

[Airstreamer67]

That's a good idea to try another brand. I think HF should be more than happy to give your money back. Evidently you're pretty rare to keep on them to get their product to work. If everyone did that, they would stop selling those units for sure.

[MrWizard]

pickup a "CPE" aka champion 3000 open frame for about $300
cpe 2000inverter genset for about $499 maybe less
they also have a 1000w inverter model

the 'armature' is the magnetic core wound with wire that spins.. driven by the engine and creates the magnetic field that is used to make electricity

[BFL13]

Our Honda 3000 was about $2500 ten years ago. So far that's $250 a year. It is still going strong on original everything, so ask me later what it actually cost per year. 🙂 (I lied-- the battery died nine years ago, so I have pulled the cord ever since)

[2oldman]

dragonflyspit wrote:

2oldman wrote:
Sounds like cheap generator windings. You've gone thru 10? You are persistent.

What are generator windings? Is it something like the copper wire in an alternator?

Yes, an alternator is pretty much the same thing. I'm sure someone else knows more than I,but I'm thinking those windings need to be in close tolerance or things don't work too well.

[dragonflyspit]

These generators do have 2 things going for them. One is that they are CHEAP to run - about 4 hours per quart of gas. That's substantially better than my old eu1000 was doing. I probably save enough in fuel to pay for the gas for my monthly trips to HF to exchange them.

The other thing is that about 75% of them are nearly as quiet as my eu1000 was. They are really inconsistent though. Some buzz, rattle, or bang like hell, and some are just plain loud. The current purrs like a kitten. Too bad it won't last.

[Ron3rd]

2oldman wrote:
Sounds like cheap generator windings. You've gone thru 10? You are persistent.

X2. For gennys, buy the best the first time and you only cry once.

[bigcitypopo]

I'd say keep swapping them out and save so you can get a yamaha or a honda 2kw'r

or double down and get the predator 3200w model. its has a solid engine... we have one at work, runs 7-8hrs a day for over 2yrs now...

relatively quiet....

[Swamp_Man]

Most of HF stuff is use once then throw away. As was posted prior to me, you get what you pay for. My hat is off to you for sticking to your guns.

[K_Charles]

A poor man buys everything twice.

Harbor Freight is a "one use" tool store.

[I_am_still_wayn]

dragonflyspit wrote:
I'm wondering if someone knows why these cheap little generators put out fewer and fewer watts over their little 100 to 150 hour lifespans.

I've run through about ten of them.

Each lasts only about a month of running about 4 hours per day.

One definition of insanity: doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result!

[dragonflyspit]

2oldman wrote:
Sounds like cheap generator windings. You've gone thru 10? You are persistent.

What are generator windings? Is it something like the copper wire in an alternator? I'm not exactly sure how generators work.

MrWizard wrote:
If its with 120v and a charger, i have no idea,
other than over heating the core and causing the armature to 'demagnetize'

I'm charging with the 120 volt system, not 12. The gen itself never seems hot. Is the armature something like the brushes of an alternator? There's probably a website that explains the electricity-producing end of a generator. I should probably try to learn more about them.

I'm not so much persistent (or insane) as I am poor (although the latter does lead to the former). I'm exchanging the gennies for free (sort of, still pay gas for the 70 mile round trip, which irks me), but the generator is my only power. It will take a year to save enough to buy another Honda eu1000. Bought my last one used on eBay, and it died after a year of use. Anyone want a non-functional eu1000 for parts? I'll sell it cheap. :R