HOW TO GET 55-70% INCREASED PERFORMANCE. HARBOR FREIGHT PREDATOR 3500 INVERTER GENERATOR.
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- Опубликовано: 25 апр 2021
- 2Daves #6 HOW TO:
Harbor Freight Predator 3500 Inverter Generator smooth running at approximately 25% capacity 17+ hours per day after 3 years and 1274 hours of run time. 
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Great video. I exchanged my 3500 last week and I didn’t get the warranty this time. I believe your video will be my go to maintenance info. I was able to follow you from a to z. Your subscribers took my optimism away. Lol. I couldn’t understand what the heck they were saying. I’m so glad I ran into your video. Thanks again.
We just bought a new HFP 3500 for our RV. We took a direct hit from Hurricane Ida in Larose Louisiana. This little unit is awesome. It runs our fridge, AC unit, TV, ice makes, coffee pot and all the lights. No problems at all. I am getting 9 hours run time on a full tank of fuel. I will try all your mods to see if I can increase the run time. Thanks for your video.
Hi BillyEarl. Sorry to hear of your direct hit and hope it wasn't any worse than loss of power. Your optimism tells me you and your love ones are ok. God is great.
That HF Predator is a great generator. After you do the mods make sure to add some sta-bil to the gas before pouring into the tank. I always change the oil every three or four days. The oil turns only a dark beige color even though it runs continuously between oil changes with the exception of fuel refills.
Thank you for your comment. Hope everything works out for you.
Billyearl any updates???
Great video!! I have trouble staying focused for more than a couple of minutes at a time, but was able to watch this start to finish.
Enjoyed all 32min and 36sec of this.. Thanks for the info.
Great video, lots of info. Thanks!!!
(Enjoy that cabin build. One day I hope to do the same.)
Hi Cosimo, I am glad you enjoyed our video. The cabin build has been tons of fun. Wish I had my channel when I started the build. If a cabin in the woods is what you want, then that is what you will have. If you're interested, I will tell you how I bought my land with no extra money in the bank, no equity out of my house and paid no interest to any bank, all while supporting a family of five as the sole money maker of the family. I know this sounds like a real estate infomercial scam but it's not. I then later used the same process to fund the build of my cabin.
Thank you for viewing our video and for taking the time to leave your comment. God bless.
Good video, thanks for the information. I use two of these to power our house through a 50amp generator plug. I also use them to recharge our Ecoflow delta pro system when solar can’t keep up.
Can't say enough. Great video!
Great video! Your experience was definitely a great reason to give it a video.
Hi Keven, My thoughts exactly. I'm glad you enjoyed our video. Thank you for your comment.
Thanks for the informative video. I am waiting on my new predator to arrive.
Very helpful and informative. Thanks for your input and advice.
Hi Dave, Thank you. We're glad you enjoyed our video and appreciate your comment.
Thank you awesome video. I appreciate all your information will be helpful. Best of luck.
Thank you I just bought this same Generator today I’m using it for lights in my trailer when I’m racing thanks for the insight on eliminating the crap they put on very kool you might want to think about running a high end Synthetic oil Amsoil or any Synthetic oil at the same Viscosity and a very good thing for you to do is run a Non-ethanol fuel some stations call it rec-fuel this would be a huge help also check the Stable your using and see if it treats Ethanol if not they do make one that does thanks again for the tips
Most informative video I have found about these mods! I have completed these mods on my Predator 3500 and it starts a lot easier especially when its -20°F at the time of this comment. I'm currently getting about 11 hrs of run time. It will be interesting to see if there's a difference in efficiency this weekend in the Ice Castle. Thanks for the video.
Did you find a ‘true’ gain? Or just restore it back to its newer level of performance?
Beautiful cabin!
Thank you. Excellent video.
Good Vid. Always good to take off that CARB stuff right off the bat. Chokes up engines.
Thanks so much for your time & effort.
Thank you for watching our video and for taking time to leave a comment. I hope it was worth Your time.
My 3500 has over 3000 hours of run time. They are very quite and very reliable generator!
Yes I agree on all your advice. It's that kind of good care that will keep her running a long time. Be careful talking about your exhaust mod, the gestapo EPA will bust you for sure. I love tree's too but the tree huggers will make your life miserable as well. Good job, keep em comin.👍
Thank you Will. We're glad you enjoyed the video and appreciate your comment.
You might want to check the valve lash with that much time on it. Pretty easy to adjust. Just make sure you look at the spec carefully it could be in thousands of an inch or mm which could lead to confusion
Nice one very clear instructions.
The Sta Bil Marine 360 is a must have. I run it in all my small engines: lawnmower, snow blower, motor cycles, and Predator 3500 generator. Honestly never have any issues with my carburetors summer or winter... Its like a blue magic potion...LMAO!
Hi Pete, 100% agree. Sta Bil Oil Marine 360 keeps all my equipment running pretty smooth. I use it with my business equipment too. Thanks for leaving your comment.
I was going to ask about this. Thanks for mentioning it. I will purchase some now.
Great video!!
Just an FYI.
Not sure how much power you use from that generator, but from the looks of the extension cord you have plugged into it, it will not handle as much current as the generator outlet will allow (20amps). Depending on the distance of the extension cord, I would recommend using a minimum of #12 awg cord. Yours looks like maybe about #14 awg wires, which is only good for 15 amps.
Awesome great video
Glad you enjoyed it
TY for sharing ....
:)
Depends on the amps your drawing will affect duration on each tank, performance not necessarily caused by the filters
Nice video. I think they put it on there so you have to buy a new, but they don't want to make it obvious.
Wow, great improvement
Thank you! Cheers!
I had a car that had a charcoal filter on it from the tank. If you topped off your tank it would send fuel into the charcoal filter then into the carburetor. End result it plugged up the carb. After cleaning the carburetor and jets I installed a small fuel filter in line after the charcoal filter to the carb and ended my problem. And you can use just the cheapest little filter on the market to make it a quick fix.
Muy buen video
The charcoal one side has 2 hoses what i have to do with each one again thanks
Nice dog 🐕 house
Hey Dave, what size is your inverter hut? Do you have a video? Love your material, just found it...
Thank you for the great video brother! I just ordered a Predator 3500 from HF. I'm not sure if I want to do the mods right away or wait for a few uses. Also question about the exhaust mod. Wouldn't it burn the casing without the spark arrestor and mesh screen? Or does it exhaust directly out of the cover? I'm sure I'll know when it arrives here. Thanks again!
Also, should I and how do I ground this particular model... thanks!
Enjoyed the video my friend... I have a rv camper gonna use off grid due to seldom usage and I am looking for an appropriate inverter generator to run everything camper needs power for... I guess a 3500 will be best. I own 2 generators but have never used them... still in their boxes Predator 2500 & 8750 both portable "probably noisy" they are not inverters...May want to sell them... had them probably 5 yrs... I hope they create electricity and magnets not bad "nulled out" due to None Use "exercising the magnets"? I have been thinking about building a cabin with mostly heavy duty wooden crates tying them all together to make the walls.. not sure size of cabin yet? Maybe 50' x 50'?.... thanks so much for the tips
The charcoal filter is there to help keep the fuel vapor from evaporating into the atmosphere via the vent line..
one reason issues with charcoal unit is caused by overfilling gas tank
Where do you find parts voltage regulator
When you break it down on the top of the motor it says the run 1540 oil recommend it from the manufacturer
Hello I’m James and I have one of those generators and have done a lot of research on them first off what is causing all your problems is a wrong size jet in the carburetor try a number 68 second please never drill any holes in the case it is a ducted cooling system and is used to cool down the inverter in front of the air cleaner third use thicker oil in the summer months to help cool the engine forth cut a 1/8 inch thick piece of 1/2 inch inside diameter rubber hose and install it in between the brake disc and the axle flange and try replacing the spark plug with a NGK bpr6ix
Hello James, I too have heard that it is a jetting issue about running rich, however, don't you think by, bypassing the drainage line, as he has done in the video would help a little with it running too rich?
@@MegaKB33 rejetting is the designed way to modify fuel flow...dependent on altitude typically. I didn't watch the video but I had to see the comments after the fantastic thumbnail. =P
@@shaymcquaid I agree on the jet change to match altitude. If an engine is jetted to run good at sea level, it will not run all that great in the mountains at the 6,000 foot level I bought a Honda Quad out here on the desert at the 2,600 foot level. My cousin bought the exact same model quad from a dealer in his hometown which is at the 50 foot MSL level. When he came to my house to visit, his Quad would not run very well. We removed the carburetor and took it to my local dealer. The mechanic explained this to us and then readjusted my cousin's Quad for the altitude.
I used a bpr5 just to keep the plug a little hotter, other than that everything else you said is spot on. People need to stop drilling holes in the case!!
@@jarid.orgeron hey I wanted to ask you if that spark plug is a iridium spark plug because I can't find one in iridium. On a separate topic I'm still having surging issues, I'm at 6000 feet altitude and I am having a hard time figuring out what jet size to use, any ideas
So, just out of curiosity, why did you line your oil drain pan with a grocery bag??
i was expecting modifications to gain performance based on the title, the only thing basically i saw was general maintencance. other than the bypass of the charcoal fil.
Hi Ken, I was more surprised than most after disconnecting the charcoal filter, freeing up the air filter, omitting the spark arrest and screen, upgrading the spark plug and adding stabil to the gas. I was simply trying to prevent the constant fouling of the spark plug. The immediate increase in runtime plus money saved on gas was worthy of a video to share with anyone that might have an interest.
Thank you for viewing our video and for leaving your comment.
@@Dla37zill removing the spark arrestor is illegal depending on where you are using the generator.
@@jabroni6199 I had no idea other states had generator laws. Thank you for the heads up.
@@Dla37zill it’s not specific to generators. It applies to lawn equipment as well as off road vehicles like dirt bikes and ATVs
@@jabroni6199 he doesn't sound like a Californian lol
My suspicion is that by merely removing the spark arrestor, you found the bulk of your gain. It is the culprit when it comes to bogging down and fouling the spark plug. The other things you did should be tried each and individually, to see if there is any actual merit to them. My guess is, if you stopped using sta-bil and reconnected your evaporator system, you wouldn’t notice a decrease in performance-but if you did, (then by how much), I would then re-disconnect the evap hose and test again. The spark arrester is main problem, the dirtier it gets the worse it will run, just like any small motor will. But admittedly I kind of hope I am wrong, and that there are more gains to be had-simply doing by these other simple options you posed.
You can also clean a spark arrester fairly well
@@matt45540 yes in my experience, besides just leaving it out, a propane torch will clean them up in just a few seconds.
👍
With the price of gas these days, only seemed right to share.
The carbon filter is for gas vapor recovery from gas tank. It should not get fluid gas flow into carbon filter. I have heard if you fill the gas tank to the very top, gas fluid will get sucked into the carbon filter. If you do overfill gas tank consistantly it will saturate the carbon filter.
Same thing happens to the evap system in my Subaru Legacy.
I believe that is your PCV system. The crankcase gets pressurized from blow-by (vaporized gas and oil) and needs to relive that pressure or you blow seals, gaskets..... Old cars used to just vent straight out a tube and to the atmosphere. Problem was that was smelly and not so great for the environment so they started routing those dirty vapors back into the intake so they can be burned during combustion and out the exhaust... Many newer cars that are direct injection have a problem with this system. The intake valves and seats get gummed up since there is no gasoline in the intake to clean them. It seems that this inverter filters those gases to keep things cleaner inside the engine. I can see there being a much bigger issue if you let the filter get logged down with oil and gas.
You may be correct. I know that when the PCV valve on a car gets clogged, it runs choppy similar to the way the generator ran prior to the simple modification. It's been almost 900 hours since the modifications were made and the generator still purrs like a kitten. I generally change the oil every 3 days but when I was at the cabin the first week of this month, I let it run 4 full days without an oil change yet the spark plug was completely clean and the oil barely dark. All the usual items plugged in plus an electric log splitter that ran for about 4 1/2 hours. Great little generator.
Thank you for viewing our video and for taking the time to leave a comment. God bless.
Thanks for the tips and yes, I'll try the same on my Predator 9000 and hope for the best!
Any updates????
👍👍👍👍
U should never remove a spark plug out of an aluminum head while cold.. that being said you don’t want to do it while hot either.. ideally u want it about 110-140 degrees.. source ( I’m a automotive machinist and fix stripped and blown out plugs all the time with 1000s of jobs under my belt) .. just wanted to let you know bud
Hi i dont even have a generator and i found your experience helpful. I question the use of stabil when your not storing it. Do you use ethanol free fuel? Also Pinellis power products has an extended run fuel kit should you want another 6 gallon tank. Thank you for your time.
Hi Ernest, thank you for viewing our video and appreciate you taking your time to leave a comment. I use regular 87 octane gas which has 10% ethanol. I wish I could give you a better answer but I noticed that the generator got about 20% increased run time after I started using Sta-bil gas additive, then after bypassing the charcoal filter and removing the spark arrest the real bump in run time occurred which is why I decided to share my findings with everyone else, especially with the price of gas these days. Also, thank you for the heads up with extended run fuel kit. Something I've been considering for a while.
All the best to you Earnest.
2Daves
@@Dla37zill ethanol will ruin a carborator so it is good you are using stabil.
Did it get louder at all after removing the arrestor?
We have used the ruclips.net/user/postUgkxOTeIs0vv4_9B5hsmnLsk9r930uDQLu_Y for probably 30 hours with our camper and it’s been great! The noise level is really only noticeable when running the AC and other appliances like the microwave, hair dryer, or coffee pot. It’s not huge like other ones and it has wheels so even at 90lbs, I can move it!
Recheck the gap on the plug every time that wire brush will distort the gap other wise good info
Hi Daniel, excellent advice and well received. Thank you
I don't think you are supposed to adjust irridium plugs due to potential damage but I may be wrong.
If you overfill the gas tank it will also flood the charcoal canister
Have you been able to run an AC UNIT, with the 3500 Watt generator?
I run a 15k btu in my camper flawlessly . If that helps.
Hi Ronnie, sorry for the delay in my response. It depends on the size of the ac unit. A 5000-6000 BTU unit uses 400-750 watts. I don’t have need for an a/c at the cabin because it cools down to manageable temperatures during the evenings. A window fan is all that is needed.
Thank you for watching our video and for taking time to leave a comment.
Yes
Same problem with most auto mobiles. If you have troubles with filling the fuel tank.
I do remember a little Honda Civic that would trigger the shut off on the fuel pump at the gas station like it was full but usually at about 1/4 tank. Never thought of that. Too bad we can't simply remove obstructions or modify our vehicles as we do these generators.
Thank you for your comment. I hope you enjoyed our video.
I went to buy one today. At 74 years old, I couldn't even lift it! Might have to buy a 2000 instead.... Can the fuel supply be shut off, so you can drain all the gas out of the carburetor for storage?
Yes
These units will last my last one I got $18,000 hours out of it before it started to smoke and it still works
Thaat's a LOTT A HOOURRRS !!HOLY FREAKIN MACKERAL !
Hello and thanks for doing this video. I Have a few questions and comments.
First after disconnecting the both hoses from the charcoal canister should both hoses be plugged or left open. I have two HF 3500 and one is stock and the new one I planning to do the mods right away with leaning out the with jet #68
and charcoal canister hose mod. My second question where is a good place to buy new jet. Thank you
Hi Lee, thank you for viewing our video and appreciate your questions and comments. Regarding the 2 disconnected tubes, it may be prudent to use some micro mesh filter to wrap the tube I placed at the bottom of the generator housing to prevent anything from finding its way into the gas tank. Also, for the same reason, use the micro mesh filter to cover the hard plastic tube leading to the air filter which is also the second soft rubber tube I removed. Whatever material you use, make sure you don’t constrict the airflow. Both the micro mesh filter and the carburetor jet #65 can both be bought from either amazon or eBay.
All the best to you Lee,
2Daves
Lee, I forgot to mention to be sure to use gas with sta-bil. It really helps.
2Daves
Thanks for the great information. It seams funny that HF would give me a new 3500 replacment for mine that was nearly 3years old. Then some people are having problems returning them. Just a comment
6-Sigma in Phoenix Arizona they also sell on Amazon
Lee how did they givw you a new one?
So I am confused.... Some people disconnect the charcoal filter and just leave the hoses some plug them . Should they just be free or should they be plugged?
Also, you may want to consider installing a separate on/off switch (bypass the round dial). It allows you to turn the dial off (which shuts off the fuel) to shut off the fuel, the generator will depleat the carb, and die out. That way your carb is dry for longer storage. Still use Sta-Bil as it will help.
However, you still have to install an on/off switch in case you need to kill the generator for any reason faster then starving it of fuel.
I noticed you are only plugging in an extension cord. Consider getting the right plug for 30 amp socket to give you improved draw ability. May want to consider heavier gauge wire rather than an extension cord.
Lastly, for safety reasons, generators are supposed to be grounded to an Earth grounding rod. If not, you have a floating ground.
Not if you aren't energizing another load source. If just powering from the generator, it's better to have a bonded neutral than a ground rod, otherwise it can't clear faults.
Unless you are worried about lightning strikes... then I guess a ground rod could be helpful to him.
how often should I change the oil on my Predator 3500 if I am using Mobile 1oil
I'm probably going to get myself into trouble saying that I use Pennzoil and change the oil every 3 or 4 days. The generator runs continuously in between oil changes with the exception of fuel refills during the weeks I stay at my cabin and it runs like a Swiss watch. I received a few comments explaining that I should use a heavier more expensive oil during the summer months but even though it runs continuously, the oil no longer gets darker than a dark beige. When I first got it, the oil would turn black within the first 2-3 days which is why I started changing the oil every three days and continue alternating every three or four days now. I would say that as long as you're vigilant about changing the oil and cleaning the spark plug every time you change the oil, mobile 1 should be just fine but if you want an more definitive answer, you may want to refer to your owners manual for a phone number of the manufacturer or customer service.
Thank you for your comment. I hope our video was worth your time.
You should cap the port on the air cleaner cover after you removed the hose from the charcoal can, or you will suck air and dirt into your carburator with out it being filtered. Hopefully people that did this after watching your video realized that port goes through the air filter, before they ran it with that hose removed.
These home remedies seem to work but I noticed the Gentlemen in the video or no one in the comment mentioned anything about consulting the manufacturer. Just wondering if these modifications can be an improvements that the manufacturer can use or is he simply using the generator improperly in the 1st place. There were a couple of comments about overfilling the gas tank for example, And a comment about the type chord he's using and the distance. And lastly is the Box that he's keeping the generator in properly vinted, I noticed the in take vent is on the same side as the exhaust vent.
Get a 10g cord small cords can cause fires in your cabin
Try to use ethanol free gasoline if you really want it to last.
I can't make one for mine because mine has co2 detector so it just shut off 😒
You can disconnect the CO monitor. Lots of videos on this. Or, just put a piece of tape over it.
1. I highly suggest a better oil like Amsoil
2. The fuel hose mod is a great idea. I'ts nothing more than and evap system like on a car. Instead of having the hose in the bottom where fuel can run out, plumb the hose about 2 inches above the unit so it'll be above the tank. Atmospheric pressure is always better than anything. Its the EPA BS that caused all your problems.
What makes Amsoil better or different than say Mobile 1?
@@stacky512a I would prob run M1 cause I'm OCD but probably whatever is the cheapest name brand on sale would work in this engine just fine. That's pretty much what I do in my vehicle. Cheapest shit 5w30 I can find in the summer and m1 0w30 in the winter. It can get down to -40 here.
I just got my Predator 3500 and the first thing I bought was Amsoil.
@@stacky512a Nothing but the price.
Sooo many videos of people using all types of oils and sending them out for analysis. The results are always the same. Same specs oils perform so slightly differently it does not madder. Use Walmart oil it’s cheap and as good as any other oil of the same spec. I challenge anybody to prove that wrong. Marking and and ignorance lead to people thinking there is a difference.
Is it louder with the spark arrestor removed?
Austin, yes it will. It’s very easy to remove the restore, spray it with carb cleaner, then put it back on. There’s also a cone shaped screen inside the exhaust tube, do the same. Takes five minutes total, 1-2 times a year.
Never run paraphin based oils in this generator! Paraphin gets past the rings and gets burned off in spark. Ot is why you have spark plug and carbon issues!!! Quaker State and Pennsoil are paraphin based and I will NEVER EVER use them for any engine I run. Also, never fill these to the top. The gas will flow into the filter box. The filter is not for liquid. It is for fume filtration. Never modify the cases on these! You will shorten the life of the inverter as tbe ventilation is designed to draw air through the heat sync on the inverter. If it overheats, you will smoke the electronics!
If I don't modify air flow then where should I direct air fan I attached to my doghouse? Under the generator,to the side,to both sides and under? Or just one fan blowing in one strategic spot?
55-70% increase is a bold claim
Yes, not likely possible, unless it was like deleting all the environmental stuff that makes a diesel run clean, which does greatly increase performance. I forget all the mods he did here, but if you measured the performance with clogged spark arrestor, then measured again after removal, then I suspect that this is about difference you’d find.
"I use the better oils, Quaker State and Pennzoil." Hahahahahahahahahhaha
Don't get why you run standard mineral oil in a genny that gets used so much when you're there. ABSOLUTELY you should be running 100% synthetic oil. Any good brand is fine......even Walmart or Tractor Supply house brands are good. The genny will run cooler and easier. I had a Generac whole house unit, and the warranty stated that IMMEDIATELY after the break-in period you HAD to change oil to 100% synthetic.
Much of what is suggested seems unsafe. Regular maintenance is great.
There’s a recommendation regarding value lash adjustment. Great idea.
I would suggest adjusting the carburetor air /fuel ratio, also.
Next 2daves should use the service of a small engine mechanic.
Venting fuel vapor into the engine compartment and removing the spark arrester. Then in closing this time bomb in a secondary box, seems irresponsible / dangerous.
He will be fine.
U shower with pond water??Ewe.
A $1000 solar setup would keep the basics running and actually be cheaper and more problem free to use than even the best generator
and its great during snow or cloudy days and won't run your ac.
$1000 won’t power very much at all for long. You can spend that on a single 200ah lithium battery. The problem with solar is you need a large enough battery bank to power the bare minimum like a fridge for several days in case there’s no sunshine. The batteries are where the money is.
It's an INVERTER, Why do you keep calling it a GENERATOR?
Generate these nutz...🤣
Please learn how to rejet your carburetor...you are running the engine pig rich. That's why everything is carboned up.
Buy a Honda 😁
Is there a quicker version of this ? Would be nice if you cut it to max 10 minutes most people have jobs lives and time they don’t want wasted. Left out after 4 mins and still no soluble advice given
This product is TOTAL CRAP! You will regret ever buying it.
I beg to differ. Change the oil, clean the spark arrestor, use a thick enough cord and this thing will run flawlessly.
I agree.
There has got to be one guy in every crowd that has to make a negative comment with no information to back it up. I also have this generator for my RV and have not had any problems with it at all. However, there were some design issues with the earlier units. The main problem with the charcoal canister was the fuel tank vent tube and the fact that the tank was being overfilled, or filled and then transported with the full tank. The problem with the vent tube in the tank was that it was too short. This caused fuel to splash into the tube which in turn got fuel in the canister. That caused the very problem you were having with the canister and the rich mixture. It took a while for them to figure that out. But when they did, they lengthened the tube so that the opening is now well above the maximum fill line. They also put a small screen gauge inside of the fuel filler opening with a mark that says, "Do not fill above this line". When I purchased my unit I had a choice to pick one that was returned, or pick a new one that was manufactured after about September of 2020. The returned one had the old style vent tube. But the newer ones had the modified tube. Unfortunately, your model can not be modified, so removing the Charcoal filter was the best thing you could do. Or, just don't fill the tank right up to the top. I guess Arthur missed this sentence: "Harbor Freight Predator 3500 Inverter Generator smooth running at approximately 25% capacity 17+ hours per day after 3 years and 1274 hours of run time."
I forgot to mention that the newer Generators with the extended vent tube all have fuel level gauges on top of the tank. The earlier one don't have the gauge.
Hello, I have no mechanical experience. Bought used after someone abused it. I got it running but learning to get it to run smoothly. Videos are great! Great basic unit.
"50 - 75% increased performance" - LMFAO - you aren't very good with math i take it!
They didn't think a charcoal filter was a good idea. It was an EPA requirement, just like these dumb CO detectors that fail and shutdown the generator.
I can't make one for mine because mine has co2 detector so it just shut off 😒
I used electrical tape to cover all the sniffer holes of the CO detector so it wouldn't shut off.