I need a HF generator

[BioNerd]

There will be blackouts in my area due to fire hazard. I need do charge some devices and or run air purifiers if the air quality drops significantly.

I can run a chord from the backyard.

The most silent it is the better. And it will be part of my prepper equipment.

Can you advice?


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[56Safari]

You'll want an inverter generator for a quiet one.. I haven't used the HF predator version of inverter generators (we have Honda's for work, but they're $$$)...The HF generators have good reviews though. If you only need one for small stuff the 2000 watt one will probably work fine, but I've found that many times at work the 2000's won't cut it and I have to break out the Honda EU3500... It's nice having the 30amp twist lock connection, you can make or purchase any number of cables to tie in standard 120v items and avoid surging/overloading larger electrical items on startup.

https://www.harborfreight.com/3500-watt-super-quiet-inverter-generator-63584.html

 

[Falcon67]

Predator inverter 3500 - lots of people using these. A good racer friend runs two with the tie together kit, runs his whole big trailer, AC, etc. People are having decent luck with them. I think the only potential issue is how much fuel it holds for stand along run time. People add external tanks (boat tanks) a lot of times.

https://www.harborfreight.com/engin...att-super-quiet-inverter-generator-63584.html

If you want a step up, then Honda. You'll pay for it, but they are workhorses. Our EU7000is is a great generator. Put 400+ hours on it this year.

 

[Bretny]

How many watts is the air purifier? If less than 800w sportsman makes a "1kw" inverter generator for under $200 shipped from jet.com. i got one a few months ago to charge m18 milwaukee batterys and run a few small things. Im getting over 8.5hrs run on 0.55gal of gas.

 

[ddurrett896]

I'm a fan of Champion and they now have open frame inverter generators that cost a little less and easy to access when doing maintenance.

https://www.championpowerequipment.com/product/100302-4000-watt-digital-hybrid-open-frame-inverter/

https://www.championpowerequipment.com/product/100519-6250-watt-open-frame-inverter/

 

[jeffmattero76]

Predator inverter 3500 - lots of people using these. A good racer friend runs two with the tie together kit, runs his whole big trailer, AC, etc. People are having decent luck with them. I think the only potential issue is how much fuel it holds for stand along run time. People add external tanks (boat tanks) a lot of times.

https://www.harborfreight.com/engin...att-super-quiet-inverter-generator-63584.html

If you want a step up, then Honda. You'll pay for it, but they are workhorses. Our EU7000is is a great generator. Put 400+ hours on it this year.

Is the electricity from this generator clean enough to power sensitive appliances like a digital TV and a computer?

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[BukitCase]

"Is the electricity from this generator clean enough to power sensitive appliances"

If you mean the HF one, I doubt it - there isn't one word about clean power, THD, etc, in the manual or the ad for that unit. As big a selling point as "clean power" is these days, anybody that HAS it is almost CERTAIN to brag about it... Steve

 

[930dreamer]

We've had no problems with our HF 3500, it's used exclusively to power a vintage trailer/photo both and computer.

 

[BioNerd]

How many watts is the air purifier? If less than 800w sportsman makes a "1kw" inverter generator for under $200 shipped from jet.com. i got one a few months ago to charge m18 milwaukee batterys and run a few small things. Im getting over 8.5hrs run on 0.55gal of gas.

I bought this one, thanks!

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[wyliesdiesels]

Yeah these blackouts are gonna be a shitstorm. Luckily for us out in the valley, we have MID or TID and wont lose power.

 

[Bretny]

I bought this one, thanks!

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No problem. If you look real close the only difference between the jet/tan one and the green 2x the price sportsman is the tan one dosnt have parallel ports. I looked up the wire diagram and part numbers for the actual inverters for each. The inverter is the same. The parallel ports just connect to the 120v plug...so your paying 2x the price for an extra set of plugs that can only be used for connecting the two.

If i ever want to add a second il just makr my own cord and plug it into the 120v oulets.

You will be suprised what you can run on 800w. I was able to start and run a 5cuft chest freezer.

 

[Falcon67]

Is the electricity from this generator clean enough to power sensitive appliances like a digital TV and a computer?

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Yes, they have computers running in the trailer. Data downloads from the race car, tuning, etc. Same with our Honda, we have laptops and $$$ weather station hardware and software running in the trailer during races.

 

[JerryC]

Look at the power requirements for your electronics. Most of them have a power supply built for world wide use and can handle a wide range of voltage and frequency.
This way they can just change the power cord for whatever market they are sold in without modifying the actual unit.

 

[wyliesdiesels]

Look at the power requirements for your electronics. Most of them have a power supply built for world wide use and can handle a wide range of voltage and frequency.
This way they can just change the power cord for whatever market they are sold in without modifying the actual unit.

The voltage and frequency isnt the issue.

Its the waveform that can mess up electronics.

A modified sinewave is no bueno

 

[laser3kw]

We've had no problems with our HF 3500, it's used exclusively to power a vintage trailer/photo both and computer.

One has to wonder what a weekend hobby, that requires those items, is like. I know "Burning Man" is past so .....

 

[JerryC]

The voltage and frequency isnt the issue.

Its the waveform that can mess up electronics.

A modified sinewave is no bueno

Many consumer battery backups use modified sine waves and they have worked with electronics for a long time past. I've not run a TV or refrigerator off one, but many PC's and monitors, routers, cable modems, printers...

I have run my PC/internet equipment and big screens and refrigerators off my HF non-inverter generator.

 

[rharman]

The voltage and frequency isnt the issue.

Its the waveform that can mess up electronics.

A modified sinewave is no bueno

What about feeding a UPS (like an APC 1500) from the generator? Does the circuitry in the UPS clean things up?

 

[Xpectation]

I just bought the Harbor Freight in September. My brother has two of the Hondas and I have used one of his many times. He uses his at our family farm that has a cabin. We used the Hondas while building the family cabin and now use them as a power source for the cabin.

I hate to borrow things and live 16 miles away from that farm. But really wanted to get one for my self. But already have a 5500 watt Sears Craftsman same as a Briggs from several years back. But wanted a quite more portable generator. I did not want to shell out nearly $1000.00 for a Honda. So when HF had there's on sale for $399.00 I thought why not.

So far glad I did. It is quite handles everything my brothers Honda can. It starts on the first or second pull every time. Will it last as long as the Honda? Time will tell but I figure for what I paid if its life is only half of the Honda I will still be ahead of the game. I have other predator engines gas water pump and I put one on a garden tiller. They have been doing an excellent job for me so I have confidence in this generator also. So much so that I have been considering there 6500peak5500 watt model as well when it goes on a good sale.

 

[wyliesdiesels]

What about feeding a UPS (like an APC 1500) from the generator? Does the circuitry in the UPS clean things up?

That really depends on the UPS.

But for the ones that do, if the power is very dirty, the UPS will just keep switching to battery and eventually drain itself.

 

[finn]

I have a couple of Champion inverters, 2000w each, for the trailer. Pretty quiet and 2 of the Champions cost less than one Honda.

I have noticed that there are dozens of different brands of what look to be the same imported inverter generators, with slightly different packaging and colors on the market, at similar price points.

I wouldn’t be adverse to trying any on of them. HF isn’t your only option anymore.

 

[rd65]

I bought a HF 3500 inverter when I built my shop. Changed the oil after at 1 hour, 4 hours, then every 20. The unit is electric start and came with a battery. It now has 155 hours on it. I just ran it last weekend for 30-40 minutes to keep battery charged and fresh fuel in carb. I had last ran it in May and it fired right up. It has a nice meter on it for hours, amps, volts, etc. I don't believe the 3500 watt rating but it works good and is quiet. It is the same unit as Northern Tool and DR, it has a distinctive look to it.

 

[theoldwizard1]

That really depends on the UPS.

But for the ones that do, if the power is very dirty, the UPS will just keep switching to battery and eventually drain itself.

Not necessarily. Large (and expensive) "online" UPS convert incoming AC to DC and then back to AC so the batteries are always "online". I don't know if you would find any "home" size UPS that operate in this way.

They also sell "line conditioners" that will take out sags and spikes and "noise" in general. Again, typically not found in home units.


Some of the newer RV inverter/charger/transfer switches act very much like a UPS. You would have to investigate the "switch" time and how they deal with poor quality input power. The benefit of this type of a system, is the batteries are separate and you can have as many as you want ! 6V lead acid golf cart batteries are the cost effective solution. 24V or 48V battery banks will give you a LOT of stand by power.

 

[theoldwizard1]

My standard statement on generators.

Figure out what is the SMALLEST generator that can "get you by". No A/C (or maybe one small window shaker), a few lights, TV, Internet and refrigerator. Obviously no 240VAC loads.

If you are careful, you can live for many hours on a <3000W (peak) generator while sipping fuel !

(Conversely, for those with the big (>5000W) generators, how much fuel do you plan to have on hand and do you want to listen to that well into the night ?)

 

[slow]

My standard statement on generators.

Figure out what is the SMALLEST generator that can "get you by". No A/C (or maybe one small window shaker), a few lights, TV, Internet and refrigerator. Obviously no 240VAC loads.

If you are careful, you can live for many hours on a <3000W (peak) generator while sipping fuel !

(Conversely, for those with the big (>5000W) generators, how much fuel do you plan to have on hand and do you want to listen to that well into the night ?)

exactly why I sold my 15kw generac gas portable and bought a 2kw honda inverter. Keeps the fridge running for several days on 1 gas can.

 

[wyliesdiesels]

Not necessarily. Large (and expensive) "online" UPS convert incoming AC to DC and then back to AC so the batteries are always "online". I don't know if you would find any "home" size UPS that operate in this way.

They also sell "line conditioners" that will take out sags and spikes and "noise" in general. Again, typically not found in home units.

Some of the newer RV inverter/charger/transfer switches act very much like a UPS. You would have to investigate the "switch" time and how they deal with poor quality input power. The benefit of this type of a system, is the batteries are separate and you can have as many as you want ! 6V lead acid golf cart batteries are the cost effective solution. 24V or 48V battery banks will give you a LOT of stand by power.

yes the online/double conversion type UPSs are always on battery power however the cost of those far exceeds the budget of most users on here so i was not including them.

 

[gearhead1]

There will be blackouts in my area due to fire hazard. I need do charge some devices and or run air purifiers if the air quality drops significantly.

I can run a chord from the backyard.

The most silent it is the better. And it will be part of my prepper equipment.

Can you advice?


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A friend of mine also has a HF 3500 inverter he takes to the race track each weekend. Has had zero issues with it. I am familiar as I help start it, put it away, etc. It is easy to use.

How much has your power been off?

 

[Bretny]

I bought this one, thanks!

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Bionerd how did that little guy work out for you?

 

[Falcon67]

yes the online/double conversion type UPSs are always on battery power however the cost of those far exceeds the budget of most users on here so i was not including them.

Laptops have that "built in" and that's all we use in the trailer. No problems even back when we ran on an conventional Champion 3500. No UPS, no inverter. The big trailer has an inverter but that is mainly for the house battery and the interior LED lights. The rest is 120V - outlets, flo lights, water heater, microwave and such. I personally would not mount a "conventional" PC type unit in a car trailer. Everybody I know only uses laptops. Especially the small tire/big tire racers with progressive nitrous controllers, timing ramps, traction controls and such. The only thing that ties a computer to the trailer is if you use one of the high buck weather stations (like I use). Those require no more than about 20' of USB cable max in order to work reliably.