Manage Settings This generator's windings are connected to a rectifier which is fed into the inverter, which in turn generates the 110V output desired. Or you may have overloaded the device and drawn more power than the generator can produce. In fact, the low noise production was one of the features that users pointed to as the single most important reason to get this generator. 4. It puts out just 57dB of noise at a 25% power load. We wont be pointing out anything that is easily manageable, even if its an issue. That should clear the clog and get the generator running as it should. Just make them nice and snug so that the oil cannot get out anymore. The first thing that you should check in this case is your fuel tank. However, this is not something you should do on your own. If it was a dual fuel option, things would have been better, which is our next figured-out issue with the 3500-watt generator that is going to get discussed eventually. Predator 3500 generators are made by an American-based company Harbor Freight Tools, and predator generators use Honda-clone engines. Also, check on the condition of the breakers and fuses youre using from time to time. If not, turn everything off and disconnect the generator from all power sources. It is important to clean this part often in order to avoid major damage other than starting a fire. 5 Reasons Why Electric-Assist Makes Sense, How to Get Started With Fishing in Florida. Industry Efforts to Safeguard Propane Use, power consumption of household appliances. This way the air circulating the generator will prevent it from overheating. One is there is a compression problem and the other is the transmission is locked up. The pull handle is on the right side when looking at the machine and is housed in a recessed area. Subscribe to our e-newsletter today. But because it is not a fold-down type, you cannot completely maximize the use of 4 wheels. Harbor Freight makes all the main models and engines of the predator generators generated in China. The rocker switches handle the starting of this device and the whole setup is very easy to use. What gas is recommended for use on the Predator 3500 Inverter generator? Then you are ready to use the generator again. The fix for this problem is to drop the load demand. The rated output is 4500 watts starting power and 3600 watts running power. In that case, any damage is your own responsibility. When it comes to cleaning up your device, you have to remove the fuel and then wash the insides of your generator using special solutions. To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. Modifications are not allowed but some people do not care and make them anyways as those modifications tend to make the machine run better. Okay, it's not perfect, run at a full load the Honda is possibly quieter. There is an electronic start built into this machine and you will find it on the control panel. Your device will be running a lot hotter than usual, and the incorporated cooling fans will be unable to keep up. 2. Another name for this part is the float inlet needle. Additionally, you reduce the lifespan of your generator since its overworked. She has a problem with the overload protection activating when the load is only about 60% of the rated load. There are a number of reasons your Predator 3500 Inverter generator wont start. Continue with Recommended Cookies. Some repairs like filling up with gas or oil are quick and very easy. This company offers products at affordable prices but sometimes low-quality. The information on the oil, what type to use, and how to change the oil is on page 14 of the manual. This generator is one of the most popular inverter generators in the market as it guarantees you top notch performance throughout. This will involve calculating the power needs of your appliances so you can keep your generator running under the limit. Next, the generator may shut down on you frequently. Create an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations. www.energuide.be The predator 3500 Inverter generator wont start if there is low oil levels in the crankcase. The Predator generator comes with a 3- or 11 liters fuel tank, meaning a full tank will last you around 11 hours or more. So, if you ignore or dont notice the warning lights, the generator will automatically turn itself off to protect the engine and your electronics. They have all the parts and tools to repair quickly. The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. Predator 3500 surging - Help. Related Post: how to make portable generator power clean. How to know your generator is overloaded? You will need to clean out the debris, flush the float bowl, clean the carb and replace any old gas with new gas. Press J to jump to the feed. You should use the marked electronic start displayed on the control panel. After cleaning, just reverse your steps and put everything back the way you found it. The way to avoid this issue is to properly drain the float bowl, a part many people forget to check and empty, then store the generator. Yes, this model, like all Predator generators, does come with a list of safety features to protect you and your family. A sub-reddit dedicated to Harbor Freight and reviewing their tools. You should check the fuses as well before calling your service provider. For a generator capable of producing 3,000watts of power for hours on end, the Predator3500 is surprisingly quiet. A loose connection on any appliance might cause your power supply to shut down. If the carb is clogged or not getting enough fuel, then the motor will continue to die on you. It will lose power if not used over a long period. One possibility is that your battery charger isnt functioning correctly. Information sub on all types of generators: home standby, Commercial, portable, RV, marine, etc. A wire got loose, shorted our or disconnected and you may have to tighten the wires or replace the switch if it has worn out. If the machine heats up too much during heavy use, the temperature gauge should be checked regularly to monitor whether it is overheating. The gas is fresh-well maybe a month old at the most- and is mid grade non-ethanol gas. Also, a struggling generator engine will produce more heat when trying to keep up with the higher power demands. The first thing that you can look out for is the coolant levels on your device. With the ESC throttle engaged, the generator can run for up to 11hours at a 25% load. For a reference, this puts the 3500 on the same noise level as a dishwasher or moderate rainfall. But whatever few issues it has, the best thing is to be aware of those. A bad choke may also cause this problem. 1 4 comments Best Add a Comment MrFixemall 1 yr. ago The worst it will do is stop making power. But if the interest of giving it a try to propane comes to your mind, know its possible with some limitations. Notably, youll only experience the last three symptoms in modern generators if the inbuilt breaker fails. The battery of the Predator 3500 inverter generator loses its charge especially when you havent used the generator for a long time. Can the Predator 3500 Be Used on Construction Sites? So, runtime is unlikely to be an issue if you opt for the Predator3500 generator. Once youre certain the generator is overloaded, heres how to troubleshoot and correct the situation. A clamp on amp meter would verify if the draw on the generator is more than allowable. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. In my opinion, the Predator 3500 is an excellent generator for the price. The coolant tank should always be kept full as this running low can cause your generator to overheat. This will ensure that your generator does not overheat even when it is under pressure. When this happens it means that something is jamming the float operation. If this simple design improvement is considered, a lot of portability-related issues would be sorted out with quick troubleshooting skills. However, if you start to raise the power production, you will experience a lot more noise. that way you will know if you can repair the problem in a matter of a minute or two. By definition, an overloaded generator means you put too much electrical load on the device. That is only a backup when you forgot to keep power in the battery. One owner said he drilled a few holes in the battery cover, the sides of the case, and the oil door. Kind of goes like this (rev, idle, rev, idle, rev). I did an up-performance on my PREDATOR 3500 by changing the factory 4 wheels for 4 HEAVY-RUBBER-STEEL WHEELS (8 1/2 INCH) with which I have a greater range of off-road movement, in addition to a HEAVY-WEIGHT HANDLE TELESCOPIC PULLING to be able to move it without much effort, in addition to changing the ORIGINAL PLASTIC OIL REFILL PLUG for an ALUMINUM REFILL PLUG WITH MAGNETIC TIP to be able to catch all the dirt remains in the chamber in addition to doing OIL CHANGE after each I use to extend its useful life and I have no complaints like others who seem total nonconformists. Continue with Recommended Cookies. Once the panel is removed, look to the lower middle area of the inside of the generator. Nevertheless, the information on how to fix an overloaded generator included above may come in handy during your ownership period, so its important to have it. Compare to. Predator inverter generator power issues Mission Statement: Supporting thoughtful exchange of knowledge, values and experience among RV enthusiasts. Meaning, Working Principle & Applications - Circuit Globe. , this forces the appliance to increase the amperage, leading to overheating. The automatic voltage regulator works on the principle of detection of errors. One of those safety features is a low fuel automatic shut-off system. Further, its important to ensure you know how much your unit can handle so that you dont overextend it. It can be fixed in a matter of minutes. Or the piston rings are not sealing properly and oil is making it to the combustion chamber. As such, running it like this can cause long-lasting and even permanent damage making the device unusable. We checked the manual and it only had an exploded parts diagram and nothing for the wiring system. This is why you have to make sure that your motorhomes batteries do not run out. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. After identifying the problem, clean it properly and empty the existing fuel. No matter which way you approach it, moving this generator around on the wheels feels awkward. Energuide. This means you can connect the Generator to other power sources. But for running at 50% load or lower, the throttle switch can really improve the runtime of this generator. A more important source would be the carburetor. The link to the instructions at Harbor Freight is found at this link. If so, you will have a hard time starting the generator. When that happens you have to use the pull cord to get the machine running. This may be a symptom of a carb that has been fed bad fuel. This will definitely help you identify the exact fuel line that is clogged. 1999 - 2023. How Large A Generator You Need To Run A Furnace, How To Prime a Generator and Why You Should, Why Generators Don't Need Ethanol-Free Gas, Predator 63584 3500 Watt Super Quiet Inverter Generator, Why Does My Generator Keep Shutting Off? Quick Fact: Up 10% ethanol is acceptable, but ethanol free fuel is highly recommended. In addition to the lights warning you about engine oil running low or approaching generator overload, the generator has shutoff backups for both of these problems. However, you can somehow manage without a gauge because of the low fuel shutoff and hours counter. According to the manual, the proper oil level is when it reaches the edge of the hole. Yes, there seems to be a pull handle on the 3500 with which you use to start this model. There are two fixes for this particular problem. Yes, the Generators battery is charged internally. The cause of the problem is the float in the carb or float bowl is stuck and not moving to shut the gas feed off. Also, if the required running power is 3601 watts or higher, that causes an overload as well. However, you shouldnt panic when you wake up one morning and the generator refuses to start. This leads us to the third sign that your generator is overloaded. Why The Predator 3500 Eco Mode Is Not Working? When that happens the oil runs all over the place. The Predator 3500 is designed for smaller motorhomes and it cannot handle a lot of loads. You save on fuel and still get enough power to run certain appliances. This includes, if its low on oil, out of gas, a clogged fuel valve, a dead battery, faulty low oil sensor etc. That problem may be that the cylinder was scored and oil is getting through to the combustion chamber. That said, you only do this if your overload indicator light stays off. Manufacturers indicate just how much power a generator can output, and you can find this information even before you buy a particular model. If oil is low, you should buy the recommended engine oil for the Predator 3500 Inverter generator and top it up until the recommended level. 3) Excessive heat. There should be no confusion as to which switch, dial, or knob does what since all markings are very clear and under the appropriate spot. It is a portable unit with built-in wheels and handles for moving. If this happens then you should immediately think about diagnosing the fuel valve of your inverter generator. According to This is because fresh gas will reduce the chances of the generator switching on with a hard start. Just open the bowl drain and turn on the front panel fuel switch and give the fuel bowl a good flush. If you are hesitant about trying this on your own then one recommendation is that you contact a specialist instead. Subscribe to our e-newsletter today. It is a discount generator. Below you will find a detailed description of the product, emphasizing the problems and helping with a guide to fix them. Please support our sponsors and let them know you heard about their products on iRV2. For some reason, some of the key parts do not get enough airflow and the engine can overheat, stopping the motor from running. The Predator 3500 is part of the Generators test program at Consumer Reports. Have 5 Predator 3500 Inverter/Generators in for repair. The Predator seems to be a very good generator even though it is made in China. This RV ready, PGMA compliant generator is quieter than a conversation and has CO SECURE carbon monoxide shutdown for safety. The problem may be something simple but why take the chance. There is a diagram in the manual that shows you where the oil should be at. The Predator3500 has a lot going for it. One of the most common issues that people report getting on the Predator 3500 generator is that it shuts down while they were using it. This is why you have to look at your home appliances requirements in terms of the starting and running power required. What this does is monitor your fuel tank and when the fuel level gets too low, the motor is turned off. And that's true with the predator 3500 as well. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. You can easily do this by looking at the oil level on the dipstick of the generator. There are four small wheels on the bottom of the generator, rather than two large wheels. You should ensure that the vacuum relief valve is open and unplug the outlet hose from the intake side of the clogged valve. Follow the manufacturers guidance on how much the machine can safely power. I've had mine approximately 2 years now, and the only issue I've had with mine is that it's a little hard to start in sub freezing temps. Plus, there are key safety features that protect you and this device from any electrical overload. Its also worth noting that the generator doesnt come with any fluids inside it. 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Intake side of the keyboard shortcuts filling up with gas or oil are quick and very easy to,! She has a problem with the higher power demands this browser for the wiring system CO SECURE monoxide. Shut down the way you found it are a number of reasons that may make the Predator 3500 is of.