Super quiet 3500 watt inverter generator

[sfsgm]

Originally Posted by gastan

Agreed.
57dB at 25% load vs 49dB at 100% load. Considering that a 10dB increase in sound is interpreted by the ears as being twice as loud, that 8dB difference means that most people would consider the cheapie running at 1/4 load to be almost twice as loud as the more expensive one running at full power. Run both at full power and the noise difference would be even worse.
It matters, of course, from how far away you take your measurements and I don't see that in either spec sheet. I don't know if there is a standardized test distance or not. Even though the cheapie may be considered quiet, it certainly shouldn't be classified as super quiet, IMO.

Industry standard is 23 feet.

Ratings here: https://www.generatormag.com/quiet-generator/

[Dwjackson59]

All sword fighting aside...The Harbor freight 3500 generator is as quiet as a Champion 2000 when you are just using the human ear. Both advertised as "quiet" . When stacking two 2000's to do the same job as a 3500 they seem louder. Been there, done that. For the money I'll take the Harbor freight. Ran flawless for 2 years and never a mouse complaint.

[srpender]

I have the Harbor Freight unit & I am well pleased with the noise level, performance & service availability just down the road.

[Rockwood Travelers]

Okay, seein's how I didn't get any response at all to my original questions, we'll try this.


Will a 3500 watt Harbor Freight Predator generator produce adequate amperage to power a 15,000 btu air conditioner? How 'bout a 13,500?

Is there a remote start option available for the 3500 watt Predator?


I've read that the 4500 watt Westinghouse generator cannot be allowed to get wet. Is the Predator susceptible to being damaged if allowed to get rained on?

Thanks in advance.

[Dwjackson59]

To answer "will the predator run a 15k a/c unit?" Well..I run my 13,500 with it just fine. For the 15k you may need to add a startup capacitor. Not only will it take the startup surge it will lengthen the life of the compressor motor on the a/c unit. Easy to find, easy to install.

[5picker]

Originally Posted by Rockwood Travelers

Okay, seein's how I didn't get any response at all to my original questions, we'll try this.


Will a 3500 watt Harbor Freight Predator generator produce adequate amperage to power a 15,000 btu air conditioner? How 'bout a 13,500?

Is there a remote start option available for the 3500 watt Predator?


I've read that the 4500 watt Westinghouse generator cannot be allowed to get wet. Is the Predator susceptible to being damaged if allowed to get rained on?

Thanks in advance.

MANY R/Vs with a 30a shore power connection have 15,000 BTU air conditioners and they run perfectly fine. Some also have 13,500 BTU units in them.

A 30a shore power connection is rated at 3600 watts. (30a x 120v = 3600w)
I've done the math for you.

A 15,000 BTU Air Conditioner is typically fed from a 20a breaker.
20a x 120v = 2400w
The air conditioner starts and runs perfectly fine without tripping the breaker so now you know the wattage necessary to run a 15k A/C.

A 13,500 BTU Air Conditioner is typically fed from a 15a breaker.
15a x 120v = 1800w.
Again, the air conditioner starts and runs fine without tripping the breaker and now you know the wattage necessary for a 13.5k A/C.

A 3500w generator will provide about 3000w steady. (The extra is start-up/surge loading)
A 4500w generator will provide about 3800-4000w steady.

Either generator, whether it be 3500w or 4500w, will capably run a 15k A/C or a 13.5k A/C PROVIDED you are NOT already loading the generator with other loads that decrease the available wattage to less than 2400w (for a 15k A/C unit) or 1800w. (for a 13.5k A/C unit)

As for you shouldn't get a Westinghouse generator wet... what is wet?
A light sprinkle?... a heavy downpour?... hurricane rain?
I don't think I'd want any of my generators (I have 5) out in a driving rain storm but occasionally getting sprinkled on hasn't hurt any of them so far.

I would think that premise holds true for a Predator as well.

They make generator tents and some folks have gotten creative making them on their own. This has also been discussed here in the past.

I personally do not know of a remote start feature for the Predator.

[TowPro]

Originally Posted by Rockwood Travelers

Okay, seein's how I didn't get any response at all to my original questions, we'll try this.


Will a 3500 watt Harbor Freight Predator generator produce adequate amperage to power a 15,000 btu air conditioner? .

page 2, post 38 some guy said

"in fact I think my HF3500 is quieter running my 15K AC on my motor home than my 2000 is running the 9.6K on my ex Truck camper."


and no it don't have a remote start, but I am sure someone could build one.

[nayther]

i have the Honda simply because someone made a kit with remote start, bought it that way. it wasn't cheap but it sure works bitchin.

[lilmikey_ab]

Has anyone mentioned at what distance this is measured... most manufacturers say ##decibels at 6 feet away or to the like.. .. I have the 3100 champion, from costco.. it was 800$ canadian... and at 30 ft away I can barely hear it inside the trailer, with the A/C on I don't hear it at all.. It has a 3 yr manufacturer warranty, but lets be honest, with Costco you could probably bring it back 5 yrs later & still get your money back

[Mike134]

Originally Posted by lilmikey_ab

Has anyone mentioned at what distance this is measured... most manufacturers say ##decibels at 6 feet away or to the like.. .. I have the 3100 champion, from costco.. it was 800$ canadian... and at 30 ft away I can barely hear it inside the trailer, with the A/C on I don't hear it at all.. It has a 3 yr manufacturer warranty, but lets be honest, with Costco you could probably bring it back 5 yrs later & still get your money back

23' is the distance .

[Rockwood Travelers]

Originally Posted by nayther

i have the Honda simply because someone made a kit with remote start, bought it that way. it wasn't cheap but it sure works bitchin.

Was this remote kit you speak of wireless? You mention that you bought it with the remote start "someone" made. Was it a system that someone was sharp enough to build and install themselves or was it a store bought accessory that was manufactured specifically to be installed and used on the Honda generator.

[Cowracer]

Originally Posted by Rockwood Travelers

I've read that the 4500 watt Westinghouse generator cannot be allowed to get wet. Is the Predator susceptible to being damaged if allowed to get rained on?

You can safely assume that most electrical things do not react well to rain.

Which is why I have to pay big $$$ for NEMA 4x enclosures for my outside equipment at work.

Tim

[bigmurph]

My predator/powerhorse 3500 inverter generator powers my 15k ac without hard start cap., rv fridge on 120v, dorm style fridge in outside kitchen, and a portable ice maker in 90+ temp for several days without being shut off. Does a great job. Really is an amazing generator for the money. As far as getting it wet, I would not want to have any inverter gen in the rain. They all have cooling fans that pull air through them. Because they are sealed up somewhat I think it would be more likely to suck in water to the unit than a contractor style.

[Rockwood Travelers]

Originally Posted by bigmurph

My predator/powerhorse 3500 inverter generator powers my 15k ac without hard start cap., rv fridge on 120v, dorm style fridge in outside kitchen, and a portable ice maker in 90+ temp for several days without being shut off. Does a great job. Really is an amazing generator for the money. As far as getting it wet, I would not want to have any inverter gen in the rain. They all have cooling fans that pull air through them. Because they are sealed up somewhat I think it would be more likely to suck in water to the unit than a contractor style.

Is there a plug & play remote start option available for the Predator 3500 inverter?

[bikendan]

Originally Posted by Rockwood Travelers

Is there a plug & play remote start option available for the Predator 3500 inverter?

Not yet.