Inverter Generators - Who owns what?

[Simplicity]

I'm interested in what brand, model and features like dual fuel and electric start, that others are using and how their generator worked for them.

I'm only interested in Inverter Generators please.

Thanks.

[DoninTexas]

I run a Predator 3500 watt from Harbor Freight. It is gasoline with electric start.. It has been a work horse for over 2 years. It quit on me about 3 weeks ago. Turned out a wire had worn in two, so it wouldn’t start. I repaired the wire. Now it’s working great. I have a Honda eu2000i for a back up. I have had it for nearly 20 years. Still runs good. It is a pull start.

[Simplicity]

Originally Posted by DoninTexas

I run a Predator 3500 watt from Harbor Freight. It is gasoline with electric start.. It has been a work horse for over 2 years. It quit on me about 3 weeks ago. Turned out a wire had worn in two, so it wouldn’t start. I repaired the wire. Now it’s working great. I have a Honda eu2000i for a back up. I have had it for nearly 20 years. Still runs good. It is a pull start.

I keep reading and hearing good things about the Predator. Thanks!

[kazetsukai]

Originally Posted by Simplicity

I keep reading and hearing good things about the Predator. Thanks!

Yeah, one of the best rated out there. Personally I'd like to know if there are _any_ inverter gennies that do split phase, or even just 240V.

[ABBus]

Onan QD6000 here. Very happy with it, low noise and powerful enough
I like the fact that when not loaded, it goes to idle rpm and we don't hear it from inside the bus (we often forgot to turn it off ...).
Edit: the Onan control panel is a nice addition too, allowing coolant temperature and oil pressure readings.
Edit 2: being a diesel, it can use the main fuel tank from the bus, which is convenient.

[WIbluebird]

Originally Posted by kazetsukai

Yeah, one of the best rated out there. Personally I'd like to know if there are _any_ inverter gennies that do split phase, or even just 240V.

You can buy 2 3500w predator generators and a paralell kit to run them in tandem. That gives you 50 amp service.

Harbor Freight also recently came out with a new 9500 watt Predator inverter generator that is pricey ($1800) but would be amazing.

[Mr4btTahoe]

Originally Posted by kazetsukai

Yeah, one of the best rated out there. Personally I'd like to know if there are _any_ inverter gennies that do split phase, or even just 240V.

https://www.harborfreight.com/9500-w...tors+inverters


I run the 3500w predator and its a great unit. Even saved itself from my stupidity a few weeks back when we had an overnight power outage at the house. I had the unit tied in but I didn't have a main breaker interlock on it at the time. I flipped the main back on with the generator breaker still on and the unit running. Tripped overload instantly... no damage. Note to self.. don't toy with electricity at 4am with no sleep.


Anyways... great unit.. sips fuel and is really quiet. I got it back when it was $550 or so. Now the price is up there a bit.



If you do get a predator, just do a thorough break in. I ran mine in 5 minute intervals and changed the oil 5 times... no load. Then ran it 10 hrs at 1/2 load and serviced it again. Keep treated fuel in it and run it once a month. Fires up instantly and runs great.

[Booyah45828]

Originally Posted by ABBus

Edit 2: being a diesel, it can use the main fuel tank from the bus, which is convenient.

That convenience can't be highlighted enough. I love how mine is ran off the main tank. No fiddling/storing/dealing with jugs and multiple fuels. Turn the thing on and forget about it.

Is the QD6000 inverter though? When I was looking at them I didn't think it was, but if it is that would make the 8k+ price tag more bearable.

I couldn't stomach that at the time, which is why I made my own. My next iteration will be inverter though, just need to find the time to cobble it together.

[ABBus]

Originally Posted by Booyah45828

That convenience can't be highlighted enough. I love how mine is ran off the main tank. No fiddling/storing/dealing with jugs and multiple fuels. Turn the thing on and forget about it.

Is the QD6000 inverter though? When I was looking at them I didn't think it was, but if it is that would make the 8k+ price tag more bearable.

I couldn't stomach that at the time, which is why I made my own. My next iteration will be inverter though, just need to find the time to cobble it together.

Yes, it is.

[ol trunt]

I chose the Yamaha EF3000iSEB inverter generator mostly because of the boost feature and low noise (53 dB from factory to 43 dB after placing in "sound proof" drawer). The genny starts and runs my 6k AC system and microwave without a hickup. It has remote electric start and rope start.

My first step in installing it was to choose a location.



Next I stripped down the entire so it looked like a turkey after Thanksgiving.

.

I dropped the carcass in the drawer.



Then I rerouted all the wiring to a control panel inside the bus in an otherwise wasted space.



I finished up the installation with a matching side panel over the drawer.
Jack

.

[kazetsukai]

Originally Posted by WIbluebird

Harbor Freight also recently came out with a new 9500 watt Predator inverter generator that is pricey ($1800) but would be amazing.

9500W is $1799, but their 8750W is even better pricing at $1199:
https://www.harborfreight.com/8750-w...ure-57480.html



Thanks, I thought all of their high wattage offerings were crate inverters. It also has electric start, huge bonus! My use case is going to be charging batteries (via inverter/ATS function), and the inverter does have a genny start option built in.

Originally Posted by Mr4btTahoe

If you do get a predator, just do a thorough break in. I ran mine in 5 minute intervals and changed the oil 5 times... no load. Then ran it 10 hrs at 1/2 load and serviced it again. Keep treated fuel in it and run it once a month. Fires up instantly and runs great.

Good tips!

[Rock-N-Ruth]

Originally Posted by Simplicity

I'm interested in what brand, model and features like dual fuel and electric start, that others are using and how their generator worked for them.

I'm only interested in Inverter Generators please.

Thanks.

Before Ruth and I had the means to build our solar system we ran our Champion 3500W generator day and night for heating and cooling. We worked it to the bone for nearly 13,000 hours. It will still pull duty if we call on it. We just never need it anymore even on cloudy days. 3900W of solar and 1320ah of LiFeP04 batteries said goodbye to 600 dollars a month in gasoline.

[CoffeeGuy]

I’m running a Westinghouse iGen4500. It looks to be the same as the Onan Cummins P4500. I searched for a diesel generator that I could afford, but nothing came in at a price I could justify, so dealing with having to carry extra gasoline when we boondock. I’m still keeping my eyes open for that diesel genny though!

Solid points on the iGen4500 include very quiet, fits inside a 24”x24”x30” undercarriage storage box, and has a remote start. The inverter and remote start were requirements.

I also have a predator 2000 as a backup, in case we ever need it.

[BriteLeaf]

I own a Wen (and I DON’T MEAN a growth (you older folks know what a Wen was/is)) 2250i.
It is, as the name implies, a 2250 watt inverter generator that I bought direct from the company.
I paid $400.00 shipped to my house.
It is SUPER QUIET.
When running close (within 50’) to a Predator 2000, (Harbor Freight’s 2000 watt inverter generator) which is pretty quiet, if you got directly between the two, you will hear the Predator, but not the Wen.
Also, the Wen and the Predator can be ran together in parallel.
I have had my Wen running for more than twelve hours between fill ups. (Approximately one gallon of gas.)
I LOVE my Wen ❤️❤️❤️

[BriteLeaf]

My buddy went through three Predator 2000’s in less than two years.

[Shamoke]

Originally Posted by ABBus

Onan QD6000 here. Very happy with it, low noise and powerful enough
I like the fact that when not loaded, it goes to idle rpm and we don't hear it from inside the bus (we often forgot to turn it off ...).
Edit: the Onan control panel is a nice addition too, allowing coolant temperature and oil pressure readings.
Edit 2: being a diesel, it can use the main fuel tank from the bus, which is convenient.

Curious about how much that genset costs you.

[Shamoke]

Originally Posted by Rock-N-Ruth

Before Ruth and I had the means to build our solar system we ran our Champion 3500W generator day and night for heating and cooling. We worked it to the bone for nearly 13,000 hours. It will still pull duty if we call on it. We just never need it anymore even on cloudy days. 3900W of solar and 1320ah of LiFeP04 batteries said goodbye to 600 dollars a month in gasoline.

Do you have a build thread about the solar system? I'd love to look that over.

[PNW_Steve]

Champion and Honda.

If you are on a slim budget the Champion is a good choice. It is not as quiet as the Honda and does not react to large loads as quickly as the Honda. It does have a wireless remote that is very handy.

I have had the Honda for 15 years. It has several thousand hours on it. I lived off grid for a while with the Honda as my sole power source. It as been extremely reliable.

If your budget allows. get the Honda. I can't say a bad word about it.

I don't have any reservations recommending the Champion either. It does not match the Honda's performance but it is reasonably close. I don't expect it to last like my Honda has but only time will tell.

Service and parts are also much easier to find for the Honda.

[Doktari]

I ran a Yamaha 2000i for a couple years but swapped it out for the Honda eu2200i. The Yamaha was rated for 1600 watts continuous duty and the Honda was 1800 watts continuous duty. The extra 200 watts helped.

[Simplicity]

I ended up buying a Westinghouse i-4500. The reviews are solid, it has remote start and a lot of other nice options. It was only $100 more than the harbor freight predator 3500.