Predator 3500 Inverter Generator Break In for Campers | Harbor Freight

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  • čas pƙidĂĄn 21. 07. 2024
  • Unbox and Break-in the new Predator 3500 Generator from Harbor Freight. This is a super quiet unit I can't wait to use with the Winnebago Micro Minnie! We connect the battery for the electric start, fill 'er up with treated pure gas, and a quick how to on changing the oil. See why it's not a bad idea to change the 10W-30 oil after just an hour of time running this generator.
    (Amazon Paid Affiliate Link)
    Magnetic Oil Dipstick - amzn.to/3q0tHB4
    0:00 - Intro
    02:05 - Unboxing Predator 3500
    02:27 - Connect Battery
    03:30 - Fill Fuel with Unleaded Gas
    03:49 - Fill with 10W-30 Oil
    06:39 - Change Oil on Predator 3500
    🛒 - Here are the goods I mention in this video:
    Predator 3500 Inverter Generator - www.harborfreight.com/3500-wa...
    Ethanol Free Gas Station List - www.pure-gas.org/
    With 11 hours of run time at 25% load this powerful inverter generator is ideal for powering RVs, camping, supplying household emergency power and tailgating. Super-quiet power output (57 dB) makes this generator ideal for campsites. Parallel capable to double your output 30 Amp RV adapter included for easy hookup to your RV.
    Run time: 11 hours @ 25% capacity
    Super quiet -- only 57 dB
    Electronic overload protection
    212cc air-cooled OHV gas engine
    3500 starting watts, 3000 running watts
    Digital LCD Screen with low oil, overload and output light indicators
    Integrated smooth-rolling casters for portability
    (2) 120VAC grounded outlets, (1) 120VAC Twistlock Outlet, (1) DC-12V Two Pin Outlet
    Electric start for quick and easy starting
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    Hi! We are Chadwick and Ashley and we live in Colorado. We post new videos to our channel every week on Thursdays! We want to make the most of every day by getting outside to play. Make new memories today! You’ll see the adventures and the mundane moments in our family films. We upload camping videos with our new Winnebago Micro Minnie, gear ideas, and how-to videos for getting outdoors.
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Komentáƙe • 270

  • @ChadwickFamilyFilms
    @ChadwickFamilyFilms  Pƙed 3 lety +12

    What is your favorite generator for camping? Have you had success with this predator model from Harbor Freight?

    • @miked6521
      @miked6521 Pƙed 3 lety +6

      Where is the link for the dipstick. Thanks 😊

    • @TwinRoxyShred5
      @TwinRoxyShred5 Pƙed 3 lety +2

      Is there a link for the dip stick

    • @ChadwickFamilyFilms
      @ChadwickFamilyFilms  Pƙed 3 lety +1

      @@TwinRoxyShred5 here is that link - www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07VK1H6HG/

    • @ChadwickFamilyFilms
      @ChadwickFamilyFilms  Pƙed 3 lety

      @@miked6521 sorry about the delay - www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07VK1H6HG/

    • @chrissmith9798
      @chrissmith9798 Pƙed 3 lety +5

      Isn't most the interior engine parts aluminum

  • @AF-F-RV-EG
    @AF-F-RV-EG Pƙed rokem +4

    My man, we are going through a severe storm in Sacramento, California, which unearthed a giant tree that hit our powerlines, and we are without electricity for an unknown amount of time. We bought this generator, and your video was clutch! Thank you so much.

  • @coreyhammel2183
    @coreyhammel2183 Pƙed 3 lety +8

    That generator will be a game changer for future trips. The tips you shared (advantages of 1 larger generator, magnetic dipstick, using fuel stabilizer, etc.) were helpful. Looking forward to the follow-up video showing your generator in action on a camping trip.

    • @ChadwickFamilyFilms
      @ChadwickFamilyFilms  Pƙed 3 lety +2

      Thanks Corey - yeah I'm pretty excited to get to go off the grid with it soon!

  • @bryanbahling2877
    @bryanbahling2877 Pƙed rokem +3

    I went with the westinghouse 3700. It's really light and puts out a ton of juice. It's been great so far. I followed your procedure for break in, worked amazing!

  • @ThatNomadicCouple
    @ThatNomadicCouple Pƙed 3 lety +24

    We've been running the predator generator in our vanlife for a kooonngg time now. Over 5000 hours. Never used a magnetic dipstick or anything else. Completely stock. Just change the oil every 100 hours along with cleaning the spark arrestor and your ready to run! Oh, and we run regular gas. Non ethanol may be recommended if you don't use it too much and the gas is sitting in it. But we use ours everyday so the gas is always flowing.

    • @lgrunke
      @lgrunke Pƙed 3 lety +1

      I have a question for you, I bought this generator last summer, and haven't started it in months. Now it won't start. What would you say I need to do first for trouble shooting? I can't find anything online - and see you have used for a while - so thought I'd ask you! Appreciate any help (or direction to where i can get help)!! Thank you!

    • @ThatNomadicCouple
      @ThatNomadicCouple Pƙed 3 lety +1

      @@lgrunke well, the worst thing you can do to any generator is not run it. We run our daily so it helps keep the fuel and oil fresh and flowing. For yours you'll prob need to clean the carb and bowl of fuel and any but up gunk. When you store your generator for a long period of time, you should run it dry so you burn all the fuel out of the system. Then store it. Don't mess with fuel treatments / stabil. That stuff is pretty useless. If you need to keep fuel in it for whatever reason, start that thing up every other week or so to clean the system out. run it for 10-15 minutes.

    • @joshmason1003
      @joshmason1003 Pƙed 3 lety +1

      I agree with him. Stabil is useless. Startron is the best. Research it. I buy mine at academy. Parts stores sell it also I think. I let all my gas powered things sit for months and they always fire right up when using Startron. Just treat your main 5 gallon can and use it in all your gas powered things.

    • @danteerskine7678
      @danteerskine7678 Pƙed 2 lety +3

      @@ThatNomadicCouple I don't wait for the 100 hours change intervals, instead I change the oil at 50 hours or 3 months, whatever comes first cause I use mineral engine oils from SAE 40, 15w40 to 20w50. At 50 hours, the oil is already dark and mineral SAE 40 oils are not that expensive these days considering that my generator takes only 660 ml of oil

  • @Dan-or7fb
    @Dan-or7fb Pƙed 3 lety +12

    Added lawn mower wheels and added a propane fuel converter. Changed the oil at 1 hour, 5 hour, and 25 hour. Along with the magnetic dip stick I think I got all the shavings out. I clean the spark plug (ngk) every oil change and it runs like a champ.

    • @ChadwickFamilyFilms
      @ChadwickFamilyFilms  Pƙed 3 lety +2

      Awesome. Our experience too has been that as long as you maintain it, this generator works great and lasts!

  • @burntfaceman24
    @burntfaceman24 Pƙed 2 lety +48

    So just a little tip, for the future you don’t need to add stable to the fuel if it’s ethanol free. Stable is to keep ethanol fuel from attracting water and stops the formation of deposits in the fuel which can plug up the carburetors jets and or fill the bowl with ethanol deposits. And I know this because I’m an engineer who does emissions and fuel testing.

    • @2010stoof
      @2010stoof Pƙed 2 lety +5

      Actually sta bil red has nothing to do with ethanol. Even ethanol free goes bad in roughly 6 months to a year but the usually higher octane helps it to still run longer alone. Yes it will last way longer with sta bil but sta bil red doesn't have anything to do with ethanol treatment.
      The ethanol ones are 360 gold and 360 marine blue and those only push to 1 year
      So it's still smart to treat non ethanol with sta bil red. It helps it hold the octane rating.

    • @burntfaceman24
      @burntfaceman24 Pƙed 2 lety +6

      @@2010stoof Actually your wrong sir. I do fuel testing along with emissions work for a living. Using stable in fuel does almost absolutely nothing. Modern fuel is actually very refined and depending on who refined it will depend on its shelf life. For instance, if you had a 55 gallon drum full of ethanol free fuel it could stay good for about two years if it was unopened and exposed to atmospheric conditions such as water and contaminants. And believe me when I say I’ve seen some fuels come through my faculty that are so pure and clean that they barely have a smell and are so clear you can’t barely see the fuel in a full drum. Also octane has nothing to do with the quality of the fuel or its refinement quality. Stable is a junk product that shouldn’t be sold. If you are storing an engine for the winter simply run it dry if fuel, or if you think you may use it in the winter full it with rec fuel which is ethanol free and you are good to go.

    • @2010stoof
      @2010stoof Pƙed 2 lety

      @@burntfaceman24 I think you missed what I said.
      Sta bil red does nothing for ethanol fuels but MAY help extend the life of non ethanol.
      Previous comment was saying the red does something for the ethanol. It doesn't. That's all I meant.
      And unless your generator has a vented cap you can turn off, atmosphere will get in, and with any fuel water will get in. With 10% ethanol it will drag in 1 cubic inch per gallon per month. Alcohol chases away water but the ethanol alcohol seems to love to attract it and displace it into the fuel.

    • @jaderhuff81
      @jaderhuff81 Pƙed rokem +4

      How do you know someone is an engineer
? Don’t worry they’ll tell you

    • @uscg906
      @uscg906 Pƙed 11 měsĂ­ci

      Thanks FACE!

  • @kentprice9912
    @kentprice9912 Pƙed 2 lety +1

    Thanks Chadwick. Loved your video. It was clear and concise. I now have a Predator 3500 and am going to prep mine just as you did. I am additionally going to change the oil at the 5 hour and 25 hour mark as well as someone else commented. I ordered the stabil fuel stabilizer and the magnetic dip stick. Am excited to use this and feel so much safer having this for my Sonic X RV and to have around the home for emergencies. Again Great videos keep them coming!

    • @ChadwickFamilyFilms
      @ChadwickFamilyFilms  Pƙed 2 lety

      Thanks, Kent! Hope you enjoy your Predator 3500 as much as we do. We are 2 seasons in and it’s still going strong.

  • @Ray04vids
    @Ray04vids Pƙed 3 lety +2

    Great choice! Been running my 2306bhs for the last 1 1/2 years with no issues!! 👍👍👍

  • @andyb9994
    @andyb9994 Pƙed 3 lety +5

    You will love it, I have had no problems at all, it will run everything at once but I recommend shutting A/C off b4 running microwave, it does do it but puts it very close to the generators power limits, but will do it . Great generator...👍

    • @ChadwickFamilyFilms
      @ChadwickFamilyFilms  Pƙed 3 lety +1

      Thanks Andy! We have been pretty pumped with it so far even up at altitude with the stock jet. On our last trip our furnace went out so it was nice to have this to give us ac power to use a space heater.

    • @andyb9994
      @andyb9994 Pƙed 3 lety +2

      Yes they are great investments at first I wasn't sure about Harbor Freight but I got to say I love the generator..

  • @spyder000069
    @spyder000069 Pƙed 3 lety +40

    A word of caution with the magnetic dipstick. I tried one with a new generator and during the break in like a dummy I went to change the oil and twist out the dipstick. Burnt the crap out of my fingers on it. Of course the metal dipstick was the same temp as the engine casing and for some reason I didn't think about that. Wearing a pair of gloves would have prevented the burn.

    • @ChadwickFamilyFilms
      @ChadwickFamilyFilms  Pƙed 3 lety +8

      Dude - this is seriously a good tip! I have found this out already, but luckily didn't burn my fingers too bad. Since then I think I'd rather just wait for the motor to cool down a little bit. I figure the oil will still be thinned out for a while.

    • @RyanMcDonald
      @RyanMcDonald Pƙed 3 lety +5

      Its a mostly aluminum engine. What's the magnetic dipstick gonna do? ;)

    • @randymillhouse791
      @randymillhouse791 Pƙed 3 lety +1

      PPE!!!!! Good post my friend!

  • @hardtruth2039
    @hardtruth2039 Pƙed 3 lety +4

    I bought two of these for our fifth wheel and for power outages at home. They are awesome. I make sure I keep non-ethanol gas with stabil in them and use synthetic oil. I also exercise them every 30 days.
    My hack is to take the control panel off and disconnect the kill switch. Now when I turn the knob off it continues to run until the carburetor is dry and shuts down. Should prevent carb issues.

    • @ChadwickFamilyFilms
      @ChadwickFamilyFilms  Pƙed 3 lety +1

      I do the exact same as you with gas, oil, and exercising it every 30 days. Should help it last for a long time!
      That’s a clever idea about your carburetor. I’ve not heard of that idea before.

    • @rollincoal7768
      @rollincoal7768 Pƙed 3 lety +4

      Why disconnect the kill switch? Just let it run until it runs out of gas. đŸ€·

  • @victorm7274
    @victorm7274 Pƙed rokem +1

    I have the 3500 for over a year now. I use it on my 28ft 5th wheel. It now has 3450 hours. On eco mode it’s Very very very quiet and on 1 full tank of gas it last all day long. My only issue is the pull cord breaking but lucky for us it has an electric start.

  • @2010stoof
    @2010stoof Pƙed 2 lety +1

    The magnet dipsticks are great. Many have your model listed but others need to make sure they'll fit

  • @amateurcoversongs1
    @amateurcoversongs1 Pƙed rokem +2

    Thank you for posting this

  • @valleybarbell
    @valleybarbell Pƙed 3 lety +7

    so i just purchased this generator last week. I ran it 1.5 hrs and changed oil like alot of people were saying is required, i strained the oil and not 1 piece of aluminum or metal, machining shavings or particles were anywhere in the oil. I was suprised after so many videos were showing oil so full of particles. Maybe the new ones are machined better?? who knows but i am keeping this second oil in for at least 25hrs then ill change it again. I know my store was backordered from factory for a month or more. but as far as im concerned changing oil once every hour for first 3 hours is a waste. my friend bought 2 of these generator 2 years ago or so and said he did first change at 30 hours and his run perfect with over 200 hours now. just my opinion. good luck to everyone

  • @bigbass421
    @bigbass421 Pƙed 3 lety +6

    We just got one of these.. thanks for the review! I ordered the magnetic dipstick on Amazon - with free shipping to me- a Prime member- was $15.15. Got another tip- I'm buying an NGK BPR 70S spark plug- it's supposed to improve the engine's running.

    • @ChadwickFamilyFilms
      @ChadwickFamilyFilms  Pƙed 3 lety +3

      Awesome! Congrats. I’m still super happy with mine and that new ngk plug was a good idea!

    • @bigbass421
      @bigbass421 Pƙed 3 lety +1

      @@ChadwickFamilyFilms - Just a heads up- I may have misheard the other You-Tuber when he spoke of the model number of the NGK. I think a little research will get you the correct one....I see a BPR 70 S, but have seen other plug numbers recommended...Parts seem to be readily available for this, like complete carbs and kits- cheap- but try finding an intake/ air filter door! I want to drill holes in mine- but.... I only have the 90 day warranty anyway.

  • @takemetothecampfire
    @takemetothecampfire Pƙed 2 lety +2

    Nice video! Just bought one and definitely will be getting that dip stick. I have seen a few other videos that change the oil at hour 2,4, and 8. Might be a little overkill but I might at hour 2 and 4.

  • @hardtruth2039
    @hardtruth2039 Pƙed 3 lety

    I own two predator 3500’s and a firman parallel kit for our 5th wheel. But since I put the easy starts on both of my AC’s I can run both of my AC’s on one predator 3500. So now I run one and when it runs out of fuel I use the other one and let the first one cool down before refueling or doing maintenance or an oil change. I have the magnetic dipsticks in them, run synthetic mobile one oil, non-ethanol fuel with stabil for storage. I run them every 30 days for 30 minutes and they crank immediately. Great generators for the 5th wheel and the house during outages or hurricane season. I got the 2 year no questions asked warranty, you just can’t beat them.

    • @ChadwickFamilyFilms
      @ChadwickFamilyFilms  Pƙed 3 lety

      Nice to hear a good success story. I’ve debated adding the soft start to our AC, but not sure how necessary it is with our smaller trailer.

    • @mnels18
      @mnels18 Pƙed 3 lety

      How does the firman compare?

  • @LightOfChrist73
    @LightOfChrist73 Pƙed 3 lety +3

    Wow! Just bought a Predator and was looking for break in tips and lo and behold ran across a fellow Flatirons brother. Thanks for the tips my dude...

    • @ChadwickFamilyFilms
      @ChadwickFamilyFilms  Pƙed 3 lety +1

      Hey Tony! You know me dude - I was up filming your spoken word that we did on top of that mountain last summer. Cheers man. I hope you and fam are well.

    • @LightOfChrist73
      @LightOfChrist73 Pƙed 3 lety +3

      @@ChadwickFamilyFilms yessir! I was like hey I know that guy!! Lol didn’t know you had your own channel. I subscribed and will definitely check out your content. Same to you and yours....

  • @ShannonGlenda
    @ShannonGlenda Pƙed 3 lety +3

    Okay, your humor is sneaky. "Lift with your back, not your legs." Didn't even catch it for a few seconds. Nice video.

    • @ChadwickFamilyFilms
      @ChadwickFamilyFilms  Pƙed 3 lety +1

      Haha. Glad someone noticed 😉 I try to sneak little funny bits in here or there, but sometimes I think it’s only me who finds them funny.

  • @djhotdogboy
    @djhotdogboy Pƙed 3 lety

    Thanks for the video and the link to the magnetic dipstick. Clicked your affiliate link and purchased!

    • @ChadwickFamilyFilms
      @ChadwickFamilyFilms  Pƙed 3 lety

      Thanks for watching and thanks for the purchase. We appreciate your support!

  • @N6EAJ
    @N6EAJ Pƙed 3 lety +6

    There is gold in them hills! With your shallow oil pan, it really did look like you were panning for gold.

    • @ChadwickFamilyFilms
      @ChadwickFamilyFilms  Pƙed 3 lety +1

      N6EAJ haha yeah sure did. If only the camera could capture what my eye could see!

  • @michaelc.ateoate979
    @michaelc.ateoate979 Pƙed 3 lety +3

    Mine has 5000 hours on it mostly run at 2000 Watts or more this thing is a beast for the money. You might read this from more people than just me but over time what happened to me was the small little spark arrestor honeycomb type thing clogged and choked out the machine. I just took mine out I run my generator inside of a little building so no risk of fire.definitely put a real spark plug in the machine mine came with a crappy one. After about hour 3000 my main jet clogged and the machine would stall out if you had a big load on it Jets easy to service and clean. Even if this thing conked out on me tomorrow I'd go buy another one.

    • @ChadwickFamilyFilms
      @ChadwickFamilyFilms  Pƙed 3 lety +2

      Great to hear this thing has worked so well for you! Yeah that mesh spark arrestor really doesn’t do anything to help the generator, just maybe prevent a fire. I have mine off as well.
      Cheers đŸ»

  • @russellhadaller3916
    @russellhadaller3916 Pƙed 11 měsĂ­ci

    I have two Honda 2800 watt! Thinking I could parallel,you can’t! Bought the 3500 predator and it’s actually quieter and I love the electric start!!

  • @killroy7114
    @killroy7114 Pƙed 2 lety

    Excellent video! Thanks

  • @yankfn
    @yankfn Pƙed 3 lety +1

    Great video. Thank you I just made my mind on what to getđŸ‘đŸ»

  • @LovingLifeHitchedUp
    @LovingLifeHitchedUp Pƙed 3 lety +2

    thankfully, we didn't need anything quite as large as that and went with the honda eu2200. have heard a lot of good things about the predator.

    • @ChadwickFamilyFilms
      @ChadwickFamilyFilms  Pƙed 3 lety +1

      Yeah that Honda will run forever. You can’t go wrong either way really.

  • @robertpatterson8643
    @robertpatterson8643 Pƙed 2 lety

    Thanks for the video, I too just made up my mind to upgrade to this same generator for my camper.

  • @chesterfieldduke3957
    @chesterfieldduke3957 Pƙed 2 lety +1

    Thanks for the video. Two questions for yall. 1) when using this at the campground, are you grounding the unit? 2) given its an inverter, bought this so I wouldn't need to worry about phones and such running off a powerbar from this unit, but I noticed in small print on the side that it says not to use with sensitive electronics. You guys plugged phones and stuff into this without a line conditioner?

  • @AMZhonestreviews
    @AMZhonestreviews Pƙed rokem +1

    Great video! Just curious, how come you did a 1 hour runtime versus an 8-hour runtime on the first go around?

  • @H-RutherfordHill
    @H-RutherfordHill Pƙed 2 lety +2

    The inverter part means is goes from AC to DC. Then it goes back to AC again. This makes it so that you can use it with sensitive electronics - laptops, tablets, TVs, appliances, etc.

  • @panzerattack41
    @panzerattack41 Pƙed 3 lety

    Solid video...thanks for sharing.

  • @garyxshorts
    @garyxshorts Pƙed 3 lety +1

    Thanks for the tips

  • @bubbatime
    @bubbatime Pƙed 2 lety +2

    I prefer two smaller 2000 watt generators. Reason being, most of the time you can get by just running one generator. The smaller units have 79-99cc engines, so less than half the size of the 212cc engine in the 3500 generator. Smaller engine = less fuel consumption. If you need more power, you start up the second generator. Its comforting knowing that I have a backup generator in case one wont start. Also, the Chinese Torch spark plugs are trash. Change it out for an NGK. I keep the Torch as a spare plug in case the NGK gets fouled. I had the metal magnetic dipsticks in mine but I didn't like how hot they got so I went back to the factory plastic dipsticks. Drain the carburetors! The bottom of the carburetor has a drain screw hooked up to a clear plastic drain line. Use the drain screw to completely drain the carburetor of fuel, so that it will start next time you use it.

  • @Beowulf-wt3kb
    @Beowulf-wt3kb Pƙed 3 lety +1

    Do you think Harbor freight will also have the magnetic dipstick? And the other tools you used to change the oil? How did you know what oils to get, And even that you had to do all this before opening it up to get the instructions.? Sorry for the dumb questions because I’m really not a mechanical type of gal so this all seems foreign to me.

  • @gunsandrotors8704
    @gunsandrotors8704 Pƙed 3 lety +2

    Ehtanol free gas wont attract moisture and gum up and clog your carb. Or you can use VP small engine fuel or Trufuel both no ethanol. Even treated ethanol gas with a stabilizer will still go bad fast...faster than you would think.

  • @jjbackwoods6700
    @jjbackwoods6700 Pƙed 3 lety +2

    Thanks for info. Breaking mine in now as I comment . Using toaster and hair dryer , fluctuating rpms for an hour then dumping oil. Definitely getting magnetic dipstick u left link for đŸ‘ŠđŸŒ

  • @Guns_N_Gears
    @Guns_N_Gears Pƙed 3 lety +18

    Been running small engines all my life (non pressure lubed), and I have never used a magnetic dipstick.
    The magnetic only picks up ferris metals, dont do anything for the 17 other metals that won't stick to the magnet. That pretty color in the pan means the engine is getting happier.
    The oil used in a small engine is supposed to suspend particulates, unlike a pressurized system.
    In my opinion, that magnetic dipstick is not needed.

    • @ChadwickFamilyFilms
      @ChadwickFamilyFilms  Pƙed 3 lety +2

      Thanks for the advice! I didn’t realize how it only picks up certain metal types.

    • @Iexpedite1
      @Iexpedite1 Pƙed 3 lety +3

      @@ChadwickFamilyFilms
      It's true that the magnet doesn't get all the metals out. However, I would be pleased to get any metal out of the oil. I always use a magnetic dipstick.

    • @matthewswinford7004
      @matthewswinford7004 Pƙed 2 lety +2

      Yes Guns N Gears, I agree. That’s why there was a lot of shiny metallic particles in his break in oil but nothing on his magnet. Bearing babbitt is non-ferrous and once it’s gone you have a problem that the magnet ain’t helping. lol

    • @Wingnut353
      @Wingnut353 Pƙed 2 lety +1

      With the amount of junk that dipstick picked up... in an hour break in, it obviously does matter. Most higher quality engines in the past this would have been a total non issue though. All of the suspended particulates in the oil... probably aren't a huge issue themselves but the metal flakes on the dip stick are an issue as they are iron.... and more abrasive then any of the non ferrite stuff in the oil.

    • @Guns_N_Gears
      @Guns_N_Gears Pƙed 2 lety +2

      @@Wingnut353 If they are so important, then why no magnet from the factory? Perhaps an oversight?
      Break in oil, is exactly that, break in oil.

  • @kevinshea8937
    @kevinshea8937 Pƙed 3 lety +2

    Thanks Chadwick Family! Not sure where you are in CO, but I've been using a very old (1980) Kohler 5KW up at my elk hunting place in Park County, elevation 10,000'. Don't forget that altitude/elevation means that you have to downrate your output.

    • @ChadwickFamilyFilms
      @ChadwickFamilyFilms  Pƙed 3 lety +2

      That’s a great reminder. Sometimes we go as high up as Leadville and it’s good to know that I can’t push it as hard up there.

    • @kevinshea8937
      @kevinshea8937 Pƙed 3 lety +1

      @@ChadwickFamilyFilms I might be off, but I think you have to downrate by 35% at 10,000', and Leadville is just over 10, 000'.

  • @dkharris111
    @dkharris111 Pƙed 2 lety +1

    Nice video. We are in the market and the Predator seems to be what we will be going with. We really wanted the dual fuel Champion but they are impossible to find.

    • @ChadwickFamilyFilms
      @ChadwickFamilyFilms  Pƙed 2 lety

      We have been super happy with our Predator, so hopefully you will be too.

  • @tommymartin2551
    @tommymartin2551 Pƙed 3 lety +5

    Dang , that is quite. đŸ‘đŸœ

  • @stevita12
    @stevita12 Pƙed rokem

    Hi Chadwick, thank you for this video. Did you ground yours? I've gotten mixed answers to this. Thank you

    • @ChadwickFamilyFilms
      @ChadwickFamilyFilms  Pƙed rokem +2

      Technically, you’re supposed to. But I never have nor do I see anyone else really doing it. So really a personal decision I guess.

  • @joelee5875
    @joelee5875 Pƙed 3 lety +4

    Has anyone tried Slick 50 in any of their generators?...just wondering.

  • @Chris-fm5oh
    @Chris-fm5oh Pƙed rokem

    is it ok to leave unattended? Like when no one is home but just a fridge and modem is plugged in while it runs.

  • @Mikeywatches
    @Mikeywatches Pƙed 11 měsĂ­ci +1

    So 2 yrs later hows it working? Have you used it much? Had anything fail?

  • @patrickwilliams7210
    @patrickwilliams7210 Pƙed 3 lety +2

    Maybe show the checking oil and fill portion a little more. That was a lil quick

  • @anthonya8200
    @anthonya8200 Pƙed 3 lety +1

    Nice vid bro

  • @dennisocampo4760
    @dennisocampo4760 Pƙed rokem

    I just got mine. How much oil does it need? Thanks!

  • @johnsartori9685
    @johnsartori9685 Pƙed 2 lety

    I run ethanol free with stabilizer in mine. I'm on my 2nd Predator bcz 1st one fell off bumper rack and was destroyed.

  • @danwalter1939
    @danwalter1939 Pƙed 2 lety

    I am just getting one of these set up. Book says to shut the load off; stopping the generator with load on will damage the generator!! Will the generator also be damaged if it runs out of gas with a fair load?

    • @ChadwickFamilyFilms
      @ChadwickFamilyFilms  Pƙed 2 lety

      It probably won’t damage the engine, but it could have negative impacts with surge on your electronics.

  • @noels.8345
    @noels.8345 Pƙed 5 měsĂ­ci

    Put oil in mine and the drain cap was off from the factory. Didn’t noticed because it was tucked away. Spilled out almost half my oil.

  • @JamesMcGillis
    @JamesMcGillis Pƙed 2 lety +8

    First rule of generators... do not run indoor, even in a garage.

  • @macbjc143
    @macbjc143 Pƙed 2 lety

    I have a 30amp camper. I am assuming it will run the air conditioner with no problem. As well as interior lights.

    • @ChadwickFamilyFilms
      @ChadwickFamilyFilms  Pƙed 2 lety +1

      Yes. Ours is 30amp camper as well and can run the AC and Microwave at the same time. It does max out the generator with both running, but it is still capable. So AC and lights is no problem.

  • @thesiteseekers7867
    @thesiteseekers7867 Pƙed 2 lety

    Hello First time watcher. I was wondering after a year what are your thoughts on the generator,,,,, Is it pretty quiet it seemed like it in the video. Does it say what the decibel output is? Thanks for the video and feedback! We are looking for one for boon docking.

    • @ChadwickFamilyFilms
      @ChadwickFamilyFilms  Pƙed 2 lety

      Hi! Thanks for watching. Yes, it is pretty quiet. Mine is a little louder because I took the spark arrestor off. But in general, in terms of generators, it’s still pretty quiet. Online, it says it is 57dB, but I’ve never measured it myself.

  • @boonites
    @boonites Pƙed rokem

    Where did you get the magnetic dipstick?

  • @natashac6589
    @natashac6589 Pƙed rokem

    Hey what does the VA mean on the display?

  • @anthonymarkham321
    @anthonymarkham321 Pƙed 3 lety +2

    Thanks Great video! Also me to

  • @GeeBee86
    @GeeBee86 Pƙed 2 lety +1

    The powerhorse version is 4500 watts, comes with 2yr warranty standard, just fyi

  • @davidholm980
    @davidholm980 Pƙed 2 lety

    My hope is that these cheaper alternatives to a Honda play out in the long run, please let me know. My family has three off grid cabins in the same location, we have used other generators and water pumps in the past, currently two cabins use the Honda 7000iu with fuel injection, so no need to choke when using remote start, these are amazing generators. I have used a 3000IU for 14 years with a remote start that chokes the generator, have been through two of the remote systems as they require a cable and actuator to choke the generator and the 3000IU must be choked to start. Overall the 3000IU has been bomb proof as well as the 7000EU. I am not against these other units and would like a long term feed back from someone, but for us Honda is the long run play. These Predators are significantly less than a Honda, but do they last is my question?

    • @ChadwickFamilyFilms
      @ChadwickFamilyFilms  Pƙed 2 lety

      We’ve had ours for a year and with regular maintenance, it’s still going strong. We will see how it does over the next year or two, but I also love the “no questions asked” warranty /replacement that you can get with this one to give me that peace of mind too.

  • @OscarVius
    @OscarVius Pƙed 3 měsĂ­ci

    Can you make this remote start? I know it isn’t remote start out of the box but I have seen some people make them remote start somehow

  • @johnrodriguez1145
    @johnrodriguez1145 Pƙed 3 lety +1

    Can you tell me the different interval you used to change the oil until it was fully broken in???

    • @ChadwickFamilyFilms
      @ChadwickFamilyFilms  Pƙed 3 lety +1

      I believe I did it at about the one hour mark, then the 3 hour mark, then 10 hour mark. It’s a good idea to have medium size load on it too. Some halogen lights work good.

    • @fike301
      @fike301 Pƙed 3 lety

      Definitely won't hurt to change the oil more often than needed

  • @neilmartin2916
    @neilmartin2916 Pƙed rokem

    i love this thing it just saved my ass.

  • @keybo2128
    @keybo2128 Pƙed 2 lety

    The one I got no good it start right up an shut off sometimes when i pull it an it start its say overload headache but good video

  • @danielzielsdorf3709
    @danielzielsdorf3709 Pƙed 2 lety

    Do they make anything so you can hook up to extra gas can. Like you can with the Honda’s??

    • @ChadwickFamilyFilms
      @ChadwickFamilyFilms  Pƙed 2 lety

      Not that I am aware of, but the may be something out there for that.

  • @beccaosullivan1519
    @beccaosullivan1519 Pƙed 3 lety

    Hi, did you mix the fuel stabilizer into the gas in the gas can?

  • @stevewilams867
    @stevewilams867 Pƙed rokem

    the salmon of capistrano..... hahaha good video

  • @pamelacolley3736
    @pamelacolley3736 Pƙed rokem

    My generator keeps turning off and CO light flashes. Its pretty far from my RV and outside, so very ventilated. I see a few people disconnecting the CO sensor. But the videos are not super clear. Have you had this issue yet?

    • @ChadwickFamilyFilms
      @ChadwickFamilyFilms  Pƙed rokem

      We haven’t had that issue yet (fingers crossed). So I can’t speak one way or another about disconnecting the sensor. You could consider taking the spark arrestor off and see if that solves the issue. It may be that yours is clogged.

  • @robertbrewster6890
    @robertbrewster6890 Pƙed rokem +1

    "Inverter" means the electricity will be cleaner, not necessarily more quiet. Inverter Generators are primarily used for sensitive electronics vs regular generators which provide choppy electricity and are used for power tools and other non-sensitive motors😁👍

  • @alancalderon84
    @alancalderon84 Pƙed 3 lety

    Just saw the intro and give a subscribe n like

  • @frankvara
    @frankvara Pƙed 3 lety +1

    Hello mate... thanks for sharing... my question is where did u buy the metal deep stick? I mean with what specs did u ask for it in the stores? Im from Mexico and I'm planing to get one generator maybe I'll search for deep stick in amazon or so.
    thanks I hope you can reply me back.

    • @ChadwickFamilyFilms
      @ChadwickFamilyFilms  Pƙed 3 lety +1

      No problem this is the one I ordered and use from amazon - Motoparty For Predator 3500 Inverter Generator Magnetic Oil Dip Stick Silver www.amazon.com/dp/B07VK1H6HG/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apip_3iQEjXks3qe7T
      There are several on there that basically all do about the same thing.

    • @frankvara
      @frankvara Pƙed 3 lety

      @@ChadwickFamilyFilms cheers pal IÂŽve ordered now... nice one.

    • @WHEREVER-I-ROAM
      @WHEREVER-I-ROAM Pƙed 2 lety +1

      Dip STICK NOT (deep stickđŸ€Ł)
      Hee Hee Hee

  • @supremeautomotive6749
    @supremeautomotive6749 Pƙed 3 lety +7

    Magnetic dip stick and ZINC ADDITIVE to the oil makes the biggest difference

    • @jeremymcauliff8485
      @jeremymcauliff8485 Pƙed 3 lety +1

      Grabbed a Wen 2250i generator this spring. I ordered the magnetic dipstick and run it with full synthetic oil. I ran it 1 hour, drained the oil. Glad I did since it was glittery. Ran it 3 more hours and drained it again, much better. Currently at 8 hours and will probably drain it around 12-15 hours just to check. After that I will do the normal 25 hour change interval.

    • @nicolathonathan770
      @nicolathonathan770 Pƙed 3 lety +1

      Most of these metal particles are aluminum. The best way is to change oil more often.

    • @robertries7774
      @robertries7774 Pƙed 2 lety

      Good quality break in oil and then Amsoil with zinc. Most young people today don't even know that most oil use to have zinc in it.

    • @supremeautomotive6749
      @supremeautomotive6749 Pƙed 2 lety

      @@robertries7774 yea they don't even know what zinc is for.

  • @KiltedVeteran
    @KiltedVeteran Pƙed 2 lety

    Chadwick: "Always lift with your back, not your legs"
    Me: (Yells in spinal fusion surgery)
    đŸ€Ł

  • @macgyver515
    @macgyver515 Pƙed 3 lety

    Do you think this would power a 15k btu camper AC?

    • @ChadwickFamilyFilms
      @ChadwickFamilyFilms  Pƙed 3 lety +3

      It should. Ours is a 13.5k AC and we’ve been able to run the AC with a few other things all at the same time on the generator without issue. So you should be good (but note that high altitudes can affect the total output).

  • @johnburugu8706
    @johnburugu8706 Pƙed 2 lety

    Awesome buddy initial i thought you were the kind of brush and arrogant CZcamsrs but i was wrong, that's an awesome presentation

    • @ChadwickFamilyFilms
      @ChadwickFamilyFilms  Pƙed 2 lety

      Thanks, John. We try to be pretty down to earth, but maybe my silliness in the video thumbnail came across the wrong way.

  • @fredpacemaker6800
    @fredpacemaker6800 Pƙed 2 lety

    Can one use the (4 cycle fuel that is sold at HomeDepot?)

    • @ChadwickFamilyFilms
      @ChadwickFamilyFilms  Pƙed 2 lety

      Yes. You can. If it’s ethanol free, that’s the good stuff.

  • @kimpham7592
    @kimpham7592 Pƙed 2 měsĂ­ci

    Can I just add ethanol, free gas with no mix?

  • @michaelchase4582
    @michaelchase4582 Pƙed 3 měsĂ­ci

    The Staybil is an ethanol blocker.

  • @yeabuddy6070
    @yeabuddy6070 Pƙed 3 lety +1

    How do you hook a 30 amp rv cord to this?

    • @ChadwickFamilyFilms
      @ChadwickFamilyFilms  Pƙed 3 lety +1

      There is an adapter plug that comes with the generator when you buy it new. Or you can always buy one from Amazon as well.

  • @dodgeman338
    @dodgeman338 Pƙed 3 lety

    Where do you find the magnetic dipstick?

    • @ChadwickFamilyFilms
      @ChadwickFamilyFilms  Pƙed 3 lety

      There’s an Amazon affiliate link for it in the comments of this video. Let me know if you can’t find it for some reason. Thanks!

  • @amyalewine
    @amyalewine Pƙed 3 lety +1

    Why did you change the oil after one hour? Was that info told to you or in your generator Manuel. BTW thank you. I was going to change it after a tank of Gas.

    • @ChadwickFamilyFilms
      @ChadwickFamilyFilms  Pƙed 3 lety +2

      You could wait until a tank of gas, that is closer to what the manual says. I learned the one hour suggestion from the Facebook group and various forums. I figure since it’s just a couple bucks of conventional oil that it’s simple enough to do for helping to break it in.

    • @amyalewine
      @amyalewine Pƙed 3 lety

      @@ChadwickFamilyFilms Thank you

  • @nathanhiemstra8228
    @nathanhiemstra8228 Pƙed 2 lety

    Where did you get the magnetic dip stick!?

    • @ChadwickFamilyFilms
      @ChadwickFamilyFilms  Pƙed 2 lety

      On Amazon. There is an affiliate link in the comments of our video :)

  • @yolandaavila1036
    @yolandaavila1036 Pƙed 2 lety

    Hi how much fuel stabilizer did you Put in the gas ?

  • @spaz2064
    @spaz2064 Pƙed 2 lety

    I'm so glad he said he wS like right next to hit because I was thinking man he's really far from. The genetator

  • @mark-jx9uh
    @mark-jx9uh Pƙed 3 lety +1

    Will this run the fridge no problem if the power go's out? Ty

    • @ChadwickFamilyFilms
      @ChadwickFamilyFilms  Pƙed 3 lety

      Yep that’s no problem at all. Of course most can also run on propane too but this will save you some LP.

    • @ChadwickFamilyFilms
      @ChadwickFamilyFilms  Pƙed 3 lety

      Oh you might mean a residential fridge - yes to that too. My home fridge only pulls 3.5 amps and this gives you 25 easy

  • @huntergatherer4223
    @huntergatherer4223 Pƙed 3 lety

    That's a lot of power for camping.

    • @ChadwickFamilyFilms
      @ChadwickFamilyFilms  Pƙed 3 lety

      It is! But also necessary if we want to be able to run the AC on our travel trailer when we don’t have hookups.

  • @manueltrevino1618
    @manueltrevino1618 Pƙed 7 měsĂ­ci

    How much oil you put in there???

  • @pomeraniacoco7252
    @pomeraniacoco7252 Pƙed 3 lety

    Hi my generator won’t start after 2nd time engine oil change. Is yours working fine?

    • @ChadwickFamilyFilms
      @ChadwickFamilyFilms  Pƙed 3 lety +1

      It is. Do you think the engine is flooded? If it’s warm it doesn’t need to be in the start position. Is the battery dead?

    • @mikepatten854
      @mikepatten854 Pƙed 3 lety

      Do you have enough oil has a Low oil shut off

  • @socal_gambler
    @socal_gambler Pƙed 3 lety

    Can I use 5w-30 weight oil?

  • @h22eh6
    @h22eh6 Pƙed 21 dnem

    How is the generator?

  • @Bitcoin-Busa
    @Bitcoin-Busa Pƙed 2 lety +1

    7:10 “Always lift with you back, not your legs” if you want to destroy your back for the rest of your life 😂

  • @rickylloyd2010
    @rickylloyd2010 Pƙed 3 lety +3

    Wen generator recommended 8 hours.do that or do it in 2 hours am breaking mine in now

    • @ChadwickFamilyFilms
      @ChadwickFamilyFilms  Pƙed 3 lety +1

      Both good times to swap that initial oil out.

    • @rickylloyd2010
      @rickylloyd2010 Pƙed 3 lety +2

      I ran mine again today for 2 hours and changed oil looked lot better than first time. Next time am waiting 24 hours then am checking the oil and spark plug.then calling it good.

  • @zoegod5504
    @zoegod5504 Pƙed 2 lety

    How much fuel stabilizer did u put

    • @ChadwickFamilyFilms
      @ChadwickFamilyFilms  Pƙed 2 lety

      I just measured it based on what the fuel stabilizer bottle said. And I put it in the gas can, not the generator, so that the gas can is ready to go when needed.

  • @juangranados311
    @juangranados311 Pƙed 3 lety

    Hey! I did exactly what you did all in this video but for some reason at cold start it starts right up and if I turn it off and then it back on it struggles to turn back up. It’s only 2.4 hours in I use it for mobile detailing and I’m considering changing the generator

    • @ChadwickFamilyFilms
      @ChadwickFamilyFilms  Pƙed 3 lety

      Did you try starting it back up in the run (not start) position? When it is in start it is pushing some gas out to start and once it’s warmed up it doesn’t need that. It could have flooded it (kind of like a trimmer)

    • @juangranados311
      @juangranados311 Pƙed 3 lety

      @@ChadwickFamilyFilms I tried both run and start. I start at run first but then it won’t start and then go to start and still doesn’t. It’s brand new only 2.4 hours and I don’t get why it does that. Maybe this can help I think I smell gas when it’s trying to turn on. But it does struggle.

    • @ChadwickFamilyFilms
      @ChadwickFamilyFilms  Pƙed 3 lety +2

      Just to clarify, once the engine is warm, you need to always start it from run, otherwise it floods the engine.
      So the first time you start, start from start, then once it’s running, switch it to run. Any time after that while it’s still warm, start from run and leave it in run.

  • @admissionsaaron
    @admissionsaaron Pƙed 2 lety

    What kind of oil did you put in after you drained the 10W30?

    • @admissionsaaron
      @admissionsaaron Pƙed 2 lety

      also, do you only ever use ethanol free gas or can you switch to other types?

    • @ChadwickFamilyFilms
      @ChadwickFamilyFilms  Pƙed 2 lety

      Mobile 1 10w30 synthetic. And I’ve only used pure gas since I get get it a couple miles from my house for not much extra $$

  • @stevemurphy2064
    @stevemurphy2064 Pƙed 2 lety

    Don’t see the link to the magnetic dip stick

    • @ChadwickFamilyFilms
      @ChadwickFamilyFilms  Pƙed 2 lety

      It’s down in the description of the video right after the first main paragraph and before the chapter markers listed out.

  • @cody5495
    @cody5495 Pƙed rokem

    Crazy! These are now $1,000

  • @MrMattMohler
    @MrMattMohler Pƙed 3 lety

    Cool vid, I just bought a 3500 and just ordered the dipstick.
    Still happy with her?

    • @ChadwickFamilyFilms
      @ChadwickFamilyFilms  Pƙed 3 lety

      Yes. Still very happy with it. As long as you maintain it (run it once a month for 30-60 minutes when not suing regularly) it will continue to reform very well. Thanks for watching!

    • @MrMattMohler
      @MrMattMohler Pƙed 3 lety

      @@ChadwickFamilyFilms
      Right on. Hey, synthetic or regular oil? Im not seeing anything, just 10w30...

    • @ChadwickFamilyFilms
      @ChadwickFamilyFilms  Pƙed 3 lety

      I used regular oil until it was “broken in” (it’s a lot cheaper that way). But then switched to synthetic after that and will use synthetic for the rest of the generator’s lifespan.

    • @MrMattMohler
      @MrMattMohler Pƙed 3 lety

      @@ChadwickFamilyFilms
      Thanks.

  • @Hondacber
    @Hondacber Pƙed 3 lety

    I like CHAMPION. There easier to get parts for. I also have a couple HONDA's to. But YES CHAMPION is an EXCELLENT choice if you want to save some money for more BEER & LIQUOR so you can drink with your new generator and not have to worry about being in the dark with no heat and no music and no refrigerator because you have no power. CHEERS !!!

    • @ChadwickFamilyFilms
      @ChadwickFamilyFilms  Pƙed 3 lety +1

      Good to hear! It seems like they make a pretty good generator too and also a good price. Thanks for sharing.

    • @Hondacber
      @Hondacber Pƙed 3 lety

      @@ChadwickFamilyFilms I have the CHAMPION DH 4000 witch runs on Propane and Gas. Model #100574

    • @Hondacber
      @Hondacber Pƙed 3 lety

      2 HONDA's model EU2200I and the EU2200I Companion.

  • @joelee5875
    @joelee5875 Pƙed 3 lety +4

    HEY!...We got foam...lol. : )

    • @tommymartin2551
      @tommymartin2551 Pƙed 3 lety

      I remember my sons helping me when they were that age . Great time. God bless y’all.