Predator 3500 vs 2 Champion 2500

[oyarsa]

We need to buy a generator and my generator of choice is unavailable. I was really wanting one of the Champion dual-fuel 3400 watt inverter generators, but they appear to be backordered or something. Can't find one anywhere.

So, now I'm debating between buying the Predator 3500 or linking two of the Champion 2000 or 2500 watt dual fuel generators. Our biggest concern is noise. We would also really like the dual fuel option, though.

My thought is that by getting two of the smaller generators, we could use one by itself when we don't need to use the AC. One should be able run the furnace/fan, right? Then, when we need AC we can use both. But, I'm concerned that running two of them might be louder than we want. We originally bought one of the open frame inverters from Champion and I was too self conscious of the noise, so we returned it.

Your thoughts?

[Grit_dog]

Well, at least there are plenty of folks who believe a new, price point, low quality generator is better than a lightly used Honda or Yami, or there wouldn't be good used ones for sale for the rest of us.

Gdetrailer is right, but there's a uge industry selling knockoffs of the quality versions. I'd take a 10 year old Honda before spending $5 at Horrible Freight on one.
Our Honda is probably 15 years old. The case was pretty beat up, when I bought it used. Was cheap, but had under 100hrs on it. Don't use it alot, but it always works. It pulls it's weight better than the knockoffs too.

At work, the little Hondas get beat on mercilessly. Inclement conditions, run out of oil, run 12 hrs a day every day sometimes. Hard to tell how long they last, as seems most of them end up under a loader tire, excavator bucket or powering a homeless camp/for sale at a pawn shop. But the ones that escape catastrophic death or theft, I've seen with better part of 1000hours, again, with "as needed" oil changes. IE: Low oil shuts it down, it gets filled with the closest available jug of oil that says engine oil on the bottle and back to work.

[Skibane]

For some reason, Harbor Freight lists a 66 dB noise level for their 2KW #62523 model - which is very loud for an inverter model of that size.

That's actually louder than some open-frame non-inverter models of that size.

For comparison, Champion specifies their #100306 2KW model at 53 dB.

[Gdetrailer]

shastagary wrote:

The downside to Predator is Harbor Freight really does not "support" their equipment as far as supplying repair parts which can be problematic down the road. Sort of making HF gens border on throw away if you can't figure out how to cross reference parts to the actual manufacturer.

Harbor Freight does have a parts list and prices for the predator generator predator 3500 Replacement Parts in Stock

Call to Order: 1-800-444-3353

:R

Been down that road before, with HF, the parts go away once the item has been discontinued and no longer in production.

Had to scrap a cool little 5yr old 2 cycle HF 350W gen many yrs ago that someone gave my Dad.. Was cool and worked well until the ignition module failed, no replacements, could not identify manufacturer of engine. No luck finding a generic module since the ignition module also had a connection to the tiny inverter module..

HF is not like good old "Sears and Roebuck" that kept parts for 50+ yrs after it was discontinued..

But, hey, good luck..

[shastagary]

The downside to Predator is Harbor Freight really does not "support" their equipment as far as supplying repair parts which can be problematic down the road. Sort of making HF gens border on throw away if you can't figure out how to cross reference parts to the actual manufacturer.

Harbor Freight does have a parts list and prices for the predator generator predator 3500 Replacement Parts in Stock

Call to Order: 1-800-444-3353

[in5r]

Inverter not open frame. It's not available anywhere else but bass pro shops or cabelas. Just search their site for champion inverter generator.

https://www.cabelas.com/shop/en/champion-5500w-4000w-dual-fuel-inverter-generator-with-electric-start

[valhalla360]

in5r wrote:
Just throwing it out there but have you seen the Champion dual fuel inverter generator at Cabelas/bass pro shop exclusive with electric start(not remote) I believe it's 5500 starting and 4000 running. It's been doing good for me.

Is that the inverter design or the open frame model?

The 4500w model, I'm talking about is the modern inverter based design.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08L9R5YC5/ref=twister_B08RGQK5DD?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

[in5r]

Just throwing it out there but have you seen the Champion dual fuel inverter generator at Cabelas/bass pro shop exclusive with electric start(not remote) I believe it's 5500 starting and 4000 running. It's been doing good for me.

[valhalla360]

oyarsa wrote:
Hm. Thanks for the advice/tips. Valhalla360, how is the noise level on the 4500? The db rating of the 3400 was my prime attractant to it (that and the dual fuel), but it's really hard to judge from db ratings...

Per the ratings, they are the same but I haven't seen them side by side.

The appeal to me is it's more powerful but cheaper in a comparable size.

[bgum]

Just this month bought 2 Westinghouse IGen2500 generator from Wally World at $502 each. Free shipping to home. Have used a Westinghouse igen2000xlt prior to these and it starts easy, runs quietly, and gets good fuel mileage.
I've just started breaking in the new ones but they are quiet, start easy and are also good on gas also.

[theoldwizard1]

Consider a Westinghouse iGen 2500. If you have a soft start on your A/C it should run it.

I like your logic on 2 smaller generators. Much lighter to move around.

[Grit_dog]

Quick search on Craigslist, entire state of WA, there are about 10 Honda 2000s for sale, buy 2 for the price of 1 champion 3400. Look now, 1 even had a LP setup.

[Sandia_Man]

Over a dozen Champion 3400 dual fuel gennies currently available on Amazon. We have the earlier 3100 version and after 5 years it still performs marvelously. We got the remote start unit which mimics our onboard Onan with one button on/off simplicity. Starts our RV AC with ease and at elevations over 9K', a real workhorse we have nearly 500 hours on our unit.

[oyarsa]

Well, my question may be moot, now. The 3400 is available on Amazon now, sold and shipped from Amazon with Prime...

[oyarsa]

Hm. Thanks for the advice/tips. Valhalla360, how is the noise level on the 4500? The db rating of the 3400 was my prime attractant to it (that and the dual fuel), but it's really hard to judge from db ratings...