PREDATOR 3500 GENERATOR MAINTENANCE SERVICE - BATTERY, ARRESTOR, SPARK PLUG, OIL CHANGE, AIR FILTER
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- Опубликовано: 18 янв 2020
- ✩✩Links to the items I use in this video along with more info located below - check it! Purchasing your items from my links helps me do what I do and create more content - Your help is appreciated!✩✩
BATTERY TENDER I RECOMMEND. (have a tons of these on all equipment with a battery)
amzn.to/3veMez1
YOU CAN HARD WIRE THIS PORT TO THE BATTERY FOR A CLEAN BATTERY TENDER INSTALLATION ON THE GENERATOR:
amzn.to/49OL4wl
UPGRADED IRIDIUM SPARK PLUG FOR THIS GENERATOR (will last the life of the gen)
amzn.to/3Hhw3HJ
MAGNETIC DIP STICK FOR THE 3500 (proper length)
amzn.to/3veOQNw
FLUID EXTRACTOR I USE (BIG SYRINGE) THIS ONE COST MORE FOR A REASON - BETTER SEALS AND PLASTICS
amzn.to/3IHhGwg
CHEAP EXTRACTOR THAT GETS THE JOB DONE:
amzn.to/3Pt6Aie
OIL CHANGE FUNNEL! A MUST IF YOU HAVE SOLID TABLE IN WHICH TO TIP THE GENERATOR TO DRAIN OIL. OTHERWISE, USE THE FLUID EXTRACTOR ABOVE. (good to have more than 1 of these)
amzn.to/3TkWzWI
OIL I USE FOR BREAK-IN (change at 1 hour mark to a synthetic below)
amzn.to/4bWoymP
OIL I RUN AFTER BREAK IN
Hot weather 15w40
amzn.to/49ReaL2
Cold weather 5w40
amzn.to/49WPgtD
STA-BIL FUEL STABILIZER. A MUST IF YOU DO NOT HAVE ETHANOL FREE GAS IN YOUR AREA.
amzn.to/3OyOXtY
GENERATOR COVER, WORKS PERFECTLY FOR THIS GEN!
amzn.to/3PBVgOz
All easy DIY! In this video, I cover all the general maintenance of the Harbor Freight Predator 3500w generator + other variants and private labels listed bottom of this text. This gen has served our family very well! If you want your gen to last, keep up with it. As with any mechanical device, if you do not schedule in time for maintenance, the machine will schedule maintenance for you. Put it on your schedule.
This covers any generator running a honda or honda clone hemi motor such as..
- Echo Bear Cat IG3500
- Powerhorse LC3500i
- BE i3500L
- Loncin LC3500i
- Atlas Copco P3500i
- JET JIN3500E
- DR PRO 3500i
- And of course the much loved Predator 3500
(Probably 10 other private labels too..)
✩ All Mr. Garage videos are for educational, inspirational and DIY purposes.
All items featured in my videos are purchased at normal prices and not provided to me or discounted in exchange for any services or features. I do all I can to give my experience and opinions to you to help you learn, form ideas or generate your own opinions.
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If you guys have the smaller 2000W Predator generator, check this video, it will directly apply as the predator 2000 is a Ducar internal built gen! ruclips.net/video/oQcy6dLkK6s/видео.html
Just ran mine for 167 hours straight (with break for an oil change) due to hurricane Beryl. LOVE my P3500, it ran flawlessly and did everything I needed.
Boom! One search and I found the BEST video on RUclips for p3500 maintenance! Thanks Brother
Glad it helped!
This is one of the most thorough, in-depth descriptive videos I have ever watched. Great info for the newbie or old-time who needs more tricks. Thank you for taking the time to explain the procedures in such great detail including part numbers, etc., while explaining the reasons behind why these things are important. Bravo!!
Much Appreciated! I enjoy working on this and helping others. RUclips has made a good outlet for that.
Good info. No BS. No unneeded commentary. Thank you.
My predator would not keep running. Mission critical as I am off grid and it runs my well pump. Watched this video and am now pumping water again. Thank you so much!
Awesome! So happy this helps, that is what it is all about :)
This was by far the best video I have seen on the predator or any generator. You get to the point, no needless commentary, and extremely helpful. WELL DONE!!!!
Thanks Boss!
When you pay $750 for something that others paid $3,000+ you definitely have something to smile about..... oh, THANK YOU for the battery tender suggestion
....
yes...that tender recommendation is awesome. I need to get one of those for my atv too.
Nice hack with the ramps! Well played sir....Thanks for such a well articulated intersectional video!
Damn dude, I have watched a lot of how to videos on here and that is about as good sit gets. Thank you it was really helpful for an engine novice like myself.
Great, informative video. Just bought this today and looking forward to your tips and tricks. Thanks!
Great video! I run both of mine 4-5 days a week for 8-10 hours each day to power my food truck. I have two Predator 3500s and just ordered the Firman 1201 Parallel kit so I can truly split the load between them. Now I know how to actually maintain them properly. Good job!
Appreciated - your food truck sounds awesome!
I will hire this guy to work on my equipment any day
We just purchased the 3500 watt generator. Love your tips, and we purchased the spark plug, grease and the dip stick, and also an hour meter.
Great site just found you. My predator had the same problem with fuel thanks for the tip on where to buy leaner jets.
I'm planning to get the Powerhorse 4500 which is almost identical to this Predator model. Glad I found this video which will help me maintain it!
I just want to say: "I just love your channel. " Great stuff and very informative on the generator info.👍👋
I appreciate that!
Enjoyed this very much! Thanks for all of the info!
Thanks for this video 👍💯 we just picked up the 4550 yesterday for mobile detailing/home backup. Your maintenance list should help us out a lot! 👍😎
I just sold my Honda EU2000 today and went right down and bout one one of these (rv on the way so needed more power). I am BLOWN away at the quality and how quiet it is. Hope it lasts because Im impressed.
Got the battery connector yesterday and used snippers to cut trim of the Predator cousin, the Powerhorse. This is a fantastic modification. Got the unit at the home of the Predator. One issue I noted is that when the charger block is plugged into my covered patio outlet the outlet cover of the socket doesn’t fold back far enough to accommodate the charger base. I had to use a plug extension that I use for my Christmas lights (for the same reason, to allow for a timer) to allow for the charger base. I have the excess cabling attaching to the battery curled up and tucked between the battery and the outside wall of the generator.
BTW, I stopped by the retailer for my Powerhorse and spoke to the service tech and he confirmed that the Powerhorse has only one drain tube from the carburetor and that he has to siphon fuel from the tank to drain the tank itself. I’m just going to stick with TruFuel and continue my monthly run for about 30”, only this time remembering to clean the spark arrestor. Since it stays on my patio at home it probably wouldn’t hurt to remove the spark arrestor if I wanted to avoid needing to clean it, even though it isn’t difficult to remove and brush.
Excellent video! Really appreciate it. Did all that to mine today.
Should be in good shape for the rolling blackouts this summer in Texas...
Excellent video! Subscribed. I just added all the pieces/parts to my Amazon cart. After this hunting season now I’ll know how to prep my Predator generator for storage thru the winter.
Glad it helped you out! Good stuff man :)
This is one of the best instructional videos I have ever seen! Excellent job! Thank you for taking the time to make and post it!
Glad it was helpful!
Awesome video! Thanks for such a thorough maintenance video. Had to buy this for a recent power outage and for future use with our TT and I love it!
Very welcome!
Great video,love my 3500.
I use this generator for detailing. Thank you so much for this video!!
Great video! thanks for the tips
All I can really say is ... outstanding. Thanks for a great video.
Thank you very much!
excellent video, well explained and the part number was a great addition.
thank you
Glad it was helpful!
I love my Predator 3500!
Great info!!! Thank You.
I use the Battery Tender on my ATV battery. It's 8 years old and always works
My uncle just changed the battery in his 2005 Suzuki Eiger for the 1st time this year... Has it on a tender anytime he isn't riding it
Outstanding. Going to buy one tonight for my camper. Thank you
Well no Genny yet. I found out I could not use the coupon which would have saved me $160, bringing the price down to $640. So the best sale price I have seen was $699. So I will just wait till the next sale. Darn it.
The money I am saving will be used to buy your kits. ;)
My kits? Amp gear? :D
Excellent video. Thanks !
You are amazing! Thanks for such a great tutorial.
Glad it was helpful!
Great video! Thanks!
Great thanks for your recommendations, MARANATHA 👍
Welcome!
I use Schaeffer's Micron Moly 30wt oil in mine. Also the Neutra fuel additive. Mine will run 14 to 15 hours on a tank. Also do 150 hour oil changes. No problems.
Those battery tenders work great. Going on 5 years on my yuasa. Generator battery and it fires right up. Highly recommend getting one.
Yes sir - only way to keep a battery is maintained... unless you enjoy replacing them often :)
@@MR_Garage thank you..
I put the wheel kit on mine getting to old to lift on back of truck..2 ramps goes up very nicely...Also nice for oil changes too.looks like a off road generator
@@TC-tw5zk I dig the wheel kits. I place my gen in my trailer when I travel and the wheel kit makes it too wide. Thinking of a custom platform someday for it.
Great job thinking of bying one thx
Thank you! I have the exact generator and haven't started it in several months. I unfortunately, didn't put the Stabil-izer i the gas, and now it won't start. I just ordered the battery thing - hoping it will start up after that! When I charge up the battery, I'll add some stabil-izer to the gas and cross my fingers! LOL THEN, do an oil change!
Thank you that's an excellent video you are on point Thank you again
Great video just what I needed
Glad I could help
Great video!
thank you for this, my man!
You bet!
Thank you. Great video
Great video thanks
Thanks Man. Mine wound only run with choke(start) on. I cleaned the exhaust screens like you said and it is good to go.
Right on!
Great video. Great Tips. I just got one of these and am super happy with how easy it is to operate, maintain and how quiet it operates. (We're neighbors-I think.)
Right on! Very good gen. And we could be - I am in Laveen. Several TT owners in our community.
Close! I'm in Tempe. Headed to cooler country this weekend. Another thing that Predator has added to their operators manual regarding fuel-they insist on using fuel stabilizer-always.
In Tempe now, small world. And I agree with them, it goes in all my fuel canisters to ensure it is in every small engine of mine ALWAYS and in the carbs prior to storage.
Very informative and much appreciated...
Glad it was helpful!
Thank you for this video
I have 2553 hours on my 1 1/2 yo Predator 3500 from HF, and I'm thinking about changing the spark plug for the first time. It's starting to surge a little bit, but when it's warm out sometimes it just shuts down and refuses to start again for a few hours. Guess I'll clean up the spark arrestor, haven't done that yet either.I have never had a battery problem w it and I don't use a tender. We just sit out in the Arizona desert in our 35 foot RV year around! Gotta keep that air filter clean. Awesome machine for the $699 I paid for it. I bought 2 at the same time, sold 1 with about 1500 hrs just because I didn't need it that bad and he wanted it pretty badly.
Awesome stuff! At bare minimum, check and adjust valve clearance at those hours. If a gen is in use constantly like yours, you never will have battery issues, that is for long term storage, usually 30 days or greater to extend the life of the battery when a tender becomes a must.
Great job!
Thanks!
This is a fantastic video. Thank you. Did want to mention that there was one thing I was curious about. I’ve let mine sit too long and want to drain the fuel but am not sure how to do it. I think if your video included that extra perk, it would be next level.
Keep up the good work!
If you want to drain the tank too, set the gen to run and open the bowl drain screw. You will of course need a container for the old fuel to run into. You can see how to drain the bowl in my jetting video on the 3500. Only extra step is to set the gen to run (switch is also a fuel cut)
@@MR_Garage Thanks for the reply. I have since learned that there is a little screw on the side of the bowl that allows fuel to drain through a tube when the setting on run which makes it a little easier to catch. 👍
Try putting a little grease inside the socket and that will help it release. Great video! Thank you for all the info!
Awesome video. Thank You.
You are welcome!
Put a Drainzit HON1010 oil drain tube in place of the factory drain plug and it makes oil changes easy as pie, with no messes or leaks.
Damn good man thanks .
Thanks for the video! Love my predator. I’m definitely not a engine guy but find this generator very easy to maintain.
Indeed ! Easy to work on for sure. Has been a great gen for us.
Mr. Garage yes love mine!
Thanks, great video
You're welcome!
Best way to clean the spark arrestor on any small engine is a propane torch. Burns off all the carbon build up in seconds. Can also do the exhaust manifold as well. Great vid.
Thanks for the propane tip. Never will clean it again with parts cleaner.
Thank you
Awesome video! God bless from Colorado
Thanks for watching!
dude...GREAT video;
Thanks!
Great video! New Subscriber... Please keep the good maintenance videos coming...
Thanks! Will do!
Very helpful
Well done
Great video thank you for all the information. I just did pretty much everything in this video. And now for some reason when I have the knob on the start position and use the electric start it will not turn over. But when I put it in the start position it turns over perfectly with the electric start. I also live in Arizona so I am low elevation. I know higher elevation Requires you to put the knob and run and start it. Let me know what advice you can give me.
Thank you very well done. I was looking at buying this generator. Thank you.
If it helps anyone, the replacement battery model is YTX7L-BS892 and sells for about $25. It can be found just about anywhere online - I bought mine at Home Depot.
Yessir :) ruclips.net/video/BsR8ql6a1-o/видео.html
I brought my predator 3500 generator at a pawn shop I didn't know exactly what I was buying at the time I knew it was a inverter and that's what I was looking for it had 14 hours on it when I bought it I actually stole it because I only paid $350 for it at the pawn shop it has a 160 hours on it right now and it runs flawlessly I have not did any mods to it except put the bigger wheels on it so I can get it around much easier
I love the video and thank you for being so thorough. I recently purchased one of these and have been breaking it in, but noticed some minor surging at idle. Following advice from another video, I pulled and cleaned the pilot jet and re-installed it, but do you think I was smart enough to count how many rotations the idle set screw was from the carb? No. How many turns do you usually set yours at to run smoothly?
I set by RPM and use a little inductive hour meter / tach to monitor RPM or you can do it by ear.
Great video. Unit wouldn’t start with battery after a year of storage. Have it on battery minder now hoping it will condition and recharge it to a useful one. It looks like I will need to replace it and leave it on the minder. I like the upgrade suggestions and the handy tools that you mentioned. Will go and buy them this week for my unit. Thanks for all the tips.
Worst thing for a battery is to let it die over time. I would replace the battery. We have a video with the part number for the battery. After that, keep it on the battery tender / minder and it will give a really long service life!
Thank you video is the most insuring trust worthy I've seen
Should fuel be drained after use to store away
I use the 12v solar charger from HF.
Predator 3500s out there with 3000-5000 hrs on them. Might be the best thing HF sells.
Hey there I noticed in your video the spark plug you were using was a NGK BPR7EIX but the link you used was for the BR7EIX and didn’t know the difference between the two..I went out and bought the BPR7EIX but didn’t want to install it without checking.
Great video thanks for the help.
Good catch Jay, oddly it was showing the correct link and even in the search bar when clicked, but displayed the wrong plug. I generated a new link to make sure the right plug would show.
Thank you, finally someone that knows what they're doing.
I have both a Yamaha inverter and was given a Predator 3500 for free. (Bad gas)
The highest hour generator I ever saw was 18,000 hrs from a friend who "lives off the grid"
it is a Yamaha.
You may want to rethink drilling holes in the case. These things are air cooled with the engine powering a fan that draws cool air from the front of the case, across both the engine and inverter and expels the hot air out the back. By drilling the holes you've created a vacuum leak that will allow the fan to draw air through those holes rather than from the front of the case. Thus, the cooling air is bypassing the engine and inverter causing them to run much hotter. Just sayin.
Nope, a gentleman on the predator group did a before and after thermal scan of the inverter which is air cooled. A few holes in the case does nothing to affect cooling of the inverter. On the flip side to this, there is no need to drill the case or vent the door of the gen is jetted properly without the one size fits all jet it comes with. I have another video for that.
Jon doe is correct. I was curious how air gets into the generator so I removed the front cover. The air intake is to the left of the wheel locking lever on the bottom. Directly above the air intake is a large heat sink with fins and a baffle built in to the front cover for cooling the electronics. When the generator is running you can feel suction in this area. Adding cooling holes to the side panels bypasses the primary air intake so now your electronic components are getting less cooling air. Maybe this doesn’t make a significant difference if the electronics don’t get that hot and/or they don’t need much cooling, but it looks like a lot of design effort went into the flow of cooling air around the electronics, generator coil, and engine.
You do not bypass by drilling holes in the case. You can leave the oil access door totally off and still have enough flow to cool the inverter as the motor can move a substantial amount of air. As stated, thermal scans have proven this / there is plenty of flow. And per my previous comment "there is no need to drill the case or vent the door of the gen is jetted properly without the one size fits all jet it comes with". This fixes any rich running conditions without any other modification as long as you do not overfill the gas tank constantly which is a whole different issue and set of symptoms.
Overall the best & most complete maintenance video I've seen for the Predator 3500. Thank you! My only 2 critiques are when you say, "I know engines..." and my mind immediately says, then why do you intentionally overfill the crankcase with oil (which leads to unnecessary increased pressure and wear) & then say to your viewers not to worry about it? The other thing I am also guilty of, and that is leaving the generator sitting unused for a, "few months nap." My father was a master mechanic and always told me an engine - any and all - should be started at least 1x/mo minimum to keep everything lubricated including seals etc (and to ensure it will work in emergencies -given it's an emergency tool and all). But like I said, I too have been guilty of letting mine sit for months between uses or such starts too. But I hope to get better (and for critical systems, like my genie, I actually have a backup generator as well as 2 short term "solar battery" systems too).
Small engines like these are splash lubricated and without a PCV valve - direct vent. There is zero extra pressure. Just some extra oil in case they consume a little between runs.
And your dad was right! Should start every few months at least, once a month even better. More for the carbs sake if not drained (should be drained of fuel with any nap) Oil and such is fully drained down rather quickly since there is no oil really in the head. Cam and crank are in the bottom of the engine (pushrod motor). Oil gets super hot in these so even 15w40 turns to water at high temps. Moment it shuts down - drains fast.
Thanks for watching!
@@MR_Garage Thanks for the clarifying info! Awesome!
Thank you.
You're welcome!
Love mine. Quite
I just want to say I know I love my generator I take very good care of it but the point is I picked it up at a pawn shop it had 25 hours on it I paid $400 for it at this current moment it has a 165 hours and I've had it for about coin on maybe 5 years now.
Great generator!
Hey Mr. Garage,
I took apart my carb about a year ago and took the ESC throttle controller off the top of it by mistake. I was wondering if you would be able to send me a video or some pictures of how it needs to be reattached to the carb. The spring and black plastic parts came apart and I am confused on how to make it work properly again. Thank you!
Put 350 hours on it in 3.5 weeks. And it still works.
Which spark plug do you recommend for the predator 9500?
Also, what battery would you recommend for it also?
do these inverter types have fans to move the air around that enclosed case?
Fabulous video!! hardly ever use my Predator, but I just started it up and noticed it is running rough. I came in, turned on the computer and found this video. What an amazing resource. I think I have some cleaning work to do. Just like you mentioned, my battery went bad in the first year and I hardly used it. Battery guy at store suggested not leaving it hooked up to generator. Does the battery tender work when battery is hooked up to generator? Does leaving the battery unhooked solve the problem or is the battery tender a better idea? If I'm using the battery tender, can I then leave my battery hooked up to the generator. Thanks for your help.
The generator charges and maintains the battery when running. When not running, if the battery tender is plugged in, it will maintain the battery. Anytime it is not in use - keep it on the tender :)
Who makes the extra thin walled socket?
I really like my new predator generator starts easy hood for a women and very quit I live off grid and owned about every brand of generators even many Honda’s but this 1 is the best!
Thanks...............
when i get one of these i'm using the autolite racing plug i use in all my other predators. i can't recall the part number . about 5 bucks. i use them in everything , lawn mower etc...
Well...go look at that part number and let us know which one of those Autolite racing plugs works for this genny.
similar set up on my snowblower.i just suck out oil through the dipstick hole with (syphon pump,one hose in oil bucket and one in snowblower,). less mess. i know i dont get all oil out but its not a car and i do it every other year..
The smart guys get it :) And even with a car, you end up leaving 1/2qt or more in the engine when you do a change.
10X THANKS !!!
Great info. Just got mine and it's gone great so far. Loving the info on how to make it last as long as possible. For the holes you drilled in the indentions, what size bit did you use? Did you remove all foam on the back side or just make sure it's clear where it was drilled? Everyone seems to have their preferred oil other than the 10w30, why is that?
I would have to check - been ages since I drilled the case. Hindsight, properly jetting the unit is all it really needed. On oil weight, it becomes critical in super cold climates for splash lubrication engines like these. When you are in a hotter climate like I am (114F yesterday), cold weight is less important so choose what you like. I like to run a slightly heavier cold weight such as 15w40 as it quiets valvetrane noise on some engines especially at startup and overall the engine runs smoother through its warmup cycle. Again, I am in a HOT climate. If I was running the gen in winter or a very cold climate, I would use a 5w.
@@MR_Garage sounds good on all. Thanks again.
dude...just subbed- I'm trying to decide between inverter or reg. generator (for emergency /sump pump use, etc.)...any thoughts?
If only for emergency sump pump use, you could go much cheaper and buy an open frame non-inverter generator. If you had thoughts of possibly using it for your home or other sensitive electronics (think tv, computer or similar) then go inverter.
Run the engine with the stabilizer. Why did I not think about that. So obvious now that I think about it. This guy is smartt with 2 t's.
Yessir, need to get it into the carb. I talk with many that think just dumping it in the tank is all that is needed. And as I mentioned - best to always put stabilizer in your storage tanks at home. So no matter what you fill - it will already be there.
Great video! Wondering if you need to gap the NGK plugs?
You can gap iridium plugs but you have to be extremely careful and only use an arm bending tool. A slide gapper destroys them. In this case, the plug I recommend is plug and play.
Just curious if you have ever tried the Viking 4a battery maintainer instead of the battery tender 800 its only $28 from harbor freight is why I was curious.
Per the specs, I imagine it will work just fine. Most any multi-stage maintainer will work fine. I just choose to run battery tenders per my experience with them, owning many of them and never having a failure.
What do you think about a natural gas/propane conversion kit for the Predator 3500?
If that is a fuel you want to run - works perfectly fine. Slightly down on power compared to gasoline so not sure how that will affect total output on the gen. Some generators cannot produce full power on propane.