I have 51 hours on this generator and the only deplay that shows something other than zero is run time and hours. All other displays show zero. Anyone seen this problem? Any fix?
HF Predator 3500 generator
- Thread starter 930dreamer
- Start date
nadogail
Well-known member
It is busted, get it fixed on their dime.
Bigbandguy
Well-known member
Now that we have done with the "ideal" methods, a possible approach would be to pull that panel and look at the underside. Most likely there is a loose or cold solder joint preventing the display from operating. I would carefully warm any suspect solder joints leading to the display and very likely it will work. After all what are you out if it does not?
I had a recent experience with one of their cheap flashlights operating only when rattled. After re-flowing a solder joint it worked perfectly. I would take a look with that possibility in mind. Good luck and please report if you find a solution.
I had a recent experience with one of their cheap flashlights operating only when rattled. After re-flowing a solder joint it worked perfectly. I would take a look with that possibility in mind. Good luck and please report if you find a solution.
OP
The local HF doesn't have a service center, its past the 90 day warranty also.
Wow.......what a surprise, thought the strength of the dealer network and reason everyone purchased HF generators was their awesome parts and service warranty.........and product quality. Plus it was that after warranty service that really sealed the deal.
Of good thing they are so cheap......you just have buy three or four to make one good.
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Falcon67
Well-known member
Hahaha - which store has one of those? Never seen anything like that. Certainly not the one here.
You buy a Predator genny, you best buy the extended warranty. AFAIK, they just pile up the busted ones and hand you another one. If you get a good one, good for you. There are a lot of good ones running out there.
Zeke
Well-known member
I've never seen any indication that there is a repair bench in the back of any HF store but it's a hellova idea.
BTW, for a couple hundred more you can buy a Champion. I know you already bit on the HF, so....
BTW, for a couple hundred more you can buy a Champion. I know you already bit on the HF, so....
themiller
Well-known member
whoooosh!
OP
As long as it generates inverter power I'll use it.
Sarcasm
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mike93lx
ALLIANCE MEMBER
man, you are a real winner, huh?
it would have been better for him to spend 3k on the comparable Honda, right? makes perfect sense. sounds like his generator is making power just fine
Bretny
Well-known member
But with a Honda you can take it back to the dealer for a new spark plug, air filter and oil change every year...its only a $500 service, money well spent. Lol
Thats all good if the generator works .......when you needs to. If it’s a week with out electricity I would be happy to spend the extra money. Especially if the outage is from a winter ice storm.
It certainly no secret ..........HF is well known for NO parts and NO service.
There different ways to insure you have power when need it. So yes $500 unit is all good as well.
My expectations are if I purchased a Honda or Yamaha generator that it would not have to go back to the dealer. But if it did, they have a long warranty period and parts and service for 20 years or more. Any GJ guy should be able to change a plug and oil. The expectation on plug life would be ten years. Before we go down the bad gas rabbit hole........bad gas is on the owner no matter the brand or device.
Manufacturer's Warranty
3 year limited warranty
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Bretny
Well-known member
With the price dif of HE vs Honda. You can almost afford to have a second HF in the box..basicly a spare part of everything.
mike93lx
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Almost? The HF is 1/4 the cost of the Honda.
strutaeng
Well-known member
Yeah, I wouldn't sweat it. This is the inverter model, right? I'm not too familiar with generators, but isn't the hour meter a stand alone module? You should be able to replace for little cost. I believe they also an add-on unit.
Sorry, I'm not going to give you a, "Oh, you should have bought an ***!!!"
The Predator line seem just like any other line of generators, inverter or not. I spent the weekend helping a team of guys building a pole barn, and they had a 6500 unit and smaller unit. There were about 12 guys running around with power tools like circ. saws, drills, sawsalls, and an air compressors for like 12 hours. About 500' total of extension chord running in all directions! They worked just fine and we got the job done.
Sorry, I'm not going to give you a, "Oh, you should have bought an ***!!!"
The Predator line seem just like any other line of generators, inverter or not. I spent the weekend helping a team of guys building a pole barn, and they had a 6500 unit and smaller unit. There were about 12 guys running around with power tools like circ. saws, drills, sawsalls, and an air compressors for like 12 hours. About 500' total of extension chord running in all directions! They worked just fine and we got the job done.
SGKent
Banned
There is a toll free number on the last page of the owner manual. The manual also shows how to use the Display Control Button. Simply call the toll free number and ask for technical support. If you have any issues getting them to speak with you simply tell them that you have posted a thread on the GarageJournal where 25,000 people approximately are active members who will see the thread. You are simply asking what you are doing wrong, or if it is the unit what the cause might be, and what they suggest doing to get the readings. "Active Members: 25,233" https://manuals.harborfreight.com/manuals/63000-63999/63584.pdf
mike93lx
ALLIANCE MEMBER
"name dropping" garage journal... Now we are getting somewhere!
dcg9381
Well-known member
And from being in the back of a few HF stores, pretty sure I don't want anything repaired there. HF offers an "extended warranty" replacement option that I've bitten about once.
Like you, I like Champion generators. You can get parts for 'em.
No criticism on buying the lowest-cost inverter gen on the market though. If the hour meter is out, I say just keep running it. If you really want to know hours, there are inductive hour meters that are pretty easy to add on.
OP
Hour meter works, volts and amp just show zero with a load.
mike93lx
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Does the volt and current meter display anything when you use other plugs? On my big generator, the output meters don't show the load on the 30A/240V plug just the 20A/120V plugs
OP
I only use the 120v plugs. This is what its doing;
mike93lx
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Did you take it apart? Might be as simple as something unplugged.
OP
I took the front cover off, unplugged the two connections going to the display unit and re installed the cover. No change.