Anyone have one of the inverter models? I'm considering the 6500 watt. HF advertises inverters they claim are comparable and a lot cheaper but I'm skeptical.

I have owned a Honda EU2000I for many years now and it has always answered the bell.

What's your question?

I also had a EU2000. Great generator. I'd be skeptical of anything from Harbor Freight, especially if they are comparing it to a Honda.

^^^^^^

Well they both start with "H".....therein ends the comparison.

I use a Eu2000i on an almost daily basis for about 3 years now. I run pipelines with this thing 60+ hours a week. It takes a beating in my work truck. It has been great. The only problem I’ve had with it is the pull rope breaking a couple of times. That’s a fairly quick fix though with some para cord. Keep the oil changed and it will run great and fire up on the first pull.

I know HF has a reputation for cheap Chinese junk. But I seem to remember there generators being pretty well reviewed.

I've not heard anything bad about the hf either. They are supposedly quieter which is crazy if true.

I have two of the Honda EU2000 generators. I am actually thinking of selling them and buying a large HF generator. HF Predator generators are well liked and always get great reviews.

quote:

Originally posted by BBMW:
I know HF has a reputation for cheap Chinese junk. But I seem to remember there generators being pretty well reviewed.

They have introduced a few new product lines in the power tool areas and there is a world of difference compared to the old Chicago Tool electrics they once sold.

I see their stuff being the next Hyundai. Not too far back people claimed they were nothing but junk. Today they seem to hold their own against Honda and Toyota.

I am guessing the OP got the same HF catalog in the mails as I did today. I was contemplating giving the HF2000 a try.

IMHO, it depends on how much you will rely on the machine when you need it. I will buy HF tools when I can't justify the cost or need the quality of a more expensive item. For example, if you are without power and lose the food in the refrigerator, will it offset the cost of the Honda generator?

I bought one of the Honda EU2000i generators back in 2005. I moved with it three times in the past 12 years and rarely needed it. For Hurricane Irma, I was worried if it would start so I unboxed it, fueled it, checked the oil, and pulled the cord four times to start it. It ran for 48 hours straight when my neighbors lost power. It ran so well that three decided to buy the same model for their families. With the Honda, you get a known quality, not so sure about the Harbor Freight model.

I had to check this out as I spent 5 days without power after Irma. Didn't loose too much food, but I would have preferred a working ice box and a fan to sleep.

Amazon has these things for $999. Is that a good price? Seems a bit steep, but I have never researched.

Funny thing, I had a buddy lose power for a couple night. After power restored, he offered to trailer to me his 10Kw generator. Would likely power half my house if I had an electrician available to wire it to my breaker box.

The OP is looking at a 6500 watt unit. Comments center on the Honda 2000 which I believe is a 2000 watt. If he really needs 6500 watts, the 2000 isn't going to do him much good. I think he is looking for info on the Harbor Freight line and 6500 watts.

quote:

Originally posted by dlc444:
I had to check this out as I spent 5 days without power after Irma. Didn't loose too much food, but I would have preferred a working ice box and a fan to sleep.

Amazon has these things for $999. Is that a good price? Seems a bit steep, but I have never researched.

Funny thing, I had a buddy lose power for a couple night. After power restored, he offered to trailer to me his 10Kw generator. Would likely power half my house if I had an electrician available to wire it to my breaker box.

Forego the air conditioning and hot water heater and install 60 watt equivalant bulbs in your house and you'll be very surprized at how little power you need today. It's a benefit of all those energy conserving devices that we have in our homes today. A Refrigerator will draw 6 to 8 amps when it's running, a 34 inch LED TV draws about 1 amp, and those 60 watt equivalent led bulbs draw about 1/10 amp each. Big power items left on the list are microwave ovens and electric ranges and electric water heaters, so use a propane or charcoal grill for your cooking if you don't have a gas stove and you can probably power your entire house with just 14-20 amps of draw, or 1500 to 2200 watts. Yeah, going without hot water isn't much fun but a cold shower won't kill you.

BTW, I have gas heat, gas stove, and gas hot water heater so when the power went out here in Michigan last winter I didn't have to suffer a bit and powered my entire house with a single 14 amp circuit on my generator and never tripped the breaker once.

quote:

Originally posted by RogB:
Anyone have one of the inverter models? I'm considering the 6500 watt. HF advertises inverters they claim are comparable and a lot cheaper but I'm skeptical.

The Honda inverter/generator in that size is $4,000. Harbor Freight doesn't list one that size. Harbor Freight does list one at 3,500 watts for $700. The Honda that size, 2,800 watts runs $2,000.

Depending on what you are using it for, I'd consider running the Honda EU2000 and a companion EU2000 in parallel for 3,200 watts. The two units are easier to carry and store, plus you have the flexibility to run only one when you need less power. The two are about $2,000.

I have generators like some people have guns. Lots of them since I run a farm and lots of outbuildings aren't on the main generator backup and in winter you need to have warm water and heat. All of them are Honda. My neighbors have lots of other brands. Every winter when we have issue its inevitable I have to loan someone something or go over and fix it. This doesn't count people who get Yamaha or Kawaski, but the tractor supply champion type people. My experience is that your load will dictate if the invertor units are happy. If you are using it to start large motors (like well pumps) get a traditional one they tolerate this much better. If your loads are simple household ones like lights and refrigerators etc. then the invertors are fine with better voltage regulation. But when the powers out I don't really run anything that cares about stable voltage issues most of the loads are motors, heat elements, lights which don't give a hoot.

I know the op isn't looking for 2k gensets but take a look at the ryobi 2200w inverter generator, it was made to compete with hinda and at 600 new it does just that!

Not a generator but a fair review of Horrible Freight tools in general. Language warning.



Their tools are good for a one time use. If you have a job to do, need a tool that you will never use again, are willing to take it back for a second one because it stopped working in the middle of the job, then go for it.

RogB stay skeptical.

I have a eu1000 & 3000.
Both are great, low noise, good on gas, start first time.

Yeah, I've been looking hard at the HF "Predator 3500" inverter. They are getting great reviews, seem to be well made and are very quiet. They haven't been around that long....but supposedly Honda parts will work on them.

Recently bought the HF 2000W Gen/Inv Predator a week ago. I have to say I was pleasantly surprised at the build quality. It's quite nice. I'm waiting for a grounding kit then I'll start break in and see if I get any interference with my ham radios. I'll probably try to start and run a portable AC unit. I'm usually a gear snob, or at least my friends call me one. I'd love a Honda but it's just too damn much money compared to the predator. I'll have to share my thoughts after I've run it awhile but so far I'm loving the build quality.