Newbie Generator question...

[rollscanardly]

Hi, all...

I just bought a HF 3500 inverter generator, this morning. They are having a tent sale, and there was an "as is" bargain.

I asked about any warranty that came with it. I will get 5 days, and can return it with the accompanying reciept.

At first I was hesitant, but then I decided to take a chance. It'll save me about $300.00 off of their regular price.

So...I started off by adding oil (it had none in it) and gas...











My helper...



It fired up on the first pull. Purrs like a kitten....(see video).

Pretty quiet, too. With economy switch off (full throttle), it's about 80 db right at the generator.

About 12 feet away, it's about 62 db...






So, right now, I have the camper plugged in, but with just minimal draw ( radio, lights, etc.)

How crazy should I get with loading it up, without overdoing it?

I don't know much about this kind of thing.

I only have 5 days to make sure that it's performing well.

Thanks in advance...

Rich

UPDATE...

I decided to turn on more appliances. I turned on the refrigerator, the A/C full blast, the TV, basically everything except the microwave.

I was drawing 1450 watts.

How important is an earth ground? If I buy one, how long (or, how short) can it be?

Rich

[youroo]

You would "Normally" have more Time to "Put it through its Paces" varying the LOAD over a few Trips and still be "Under Warr" looks you have to do it in 4-5 Days! Good Luck! Youroo!!

[TitanMike]

Since your "warranty" is only 5 days, I'd get a couple of electric heaters and power them up with your new generator. Run a tank of gas through the unit and see if it will hold up to this test. If not, send it back. If it lasts for a full tank at near max load (probably 3-4 hours), you're good to go and got a great deal.

When done I'd probably change oil just because.

[cavie]

forget about the earth ground.

[dbledan]

Read the manual. There is a beak in period for this generator. I believe it was something like half load before 50hrs or something. I don't recall the exact numbers.

I would shoot for hitting the break in period and then change the oil and check for metal. This should give you a good idea if there are any issues with the generator. If there is lots of metal in the oil return the generator no matter how it runs.

[rollscanardly]

Originally Posted by youroo

You would "Normally" have more Time to "Put it through its Paces" varying the LOAD over a few Trips and still be "Under Warr" looks you have to do it in 4-5 Days! Good Luck! Youroo!!

I'll only be able to test it at home, so I'll try what others have suggested.

Originally Posted by TitanMike

Since your "warranty" is only 5 days, I'd get a couple of electric heaters and power them up with your new generator. Run a tank of gas through the unit and see if it will hold up to this test. If not, send it back. If it lasts for a full tank at near max load (probably 3-4 hours), you're good to go and got a great deal.

When done I'd probably change oil just because.

I happen to have 2 electric heaters that draw 1500 w. each, so that sounds like a good challenge. I agree on the oil change.

Originally Posted by cavie

forget about the earth ground.

I thought so, but I'm glad to get a concurring second opinion.

Originally Posted by dbledan

Read the manual. There is a beak in period for this generator. I believe it was something like half load before 50hrs or something. I don't recall the exact numbers.

I would shoot for hitting the break in period and then change the oil and check for metal. This should give you a good idea if there are any issues with the generator. If there is lots of metal in the oil return the generator no matter how it runs.

Well, unfortunately, the PO got to "break it in". It has 52 hrs. of run time on the meter when I bought it.

So, hopefully the PO followed the break-in instructions.

I will try the electric heater run test, and change the oil. We'll see....

Hoping for the best.

Rich

[rollscanardly]

I tried TitanMike's suggestion. Here's what happened...

I plugged in the 2 heaters and checked the power draw...



Volts...



Watts...



Amps...



So, it's a good challenge for the generator.

I went about doing misc. odds and ends on the camper, but always listening to the generator.

After 1.5 hrs., the sound changed. It ran quieter.

So, I checked the output readings again. No amps, no volts. I started getting nervous.

I told myself, ..."it's going back..I burnt something out."

Bummer....

Then, something told me to check the heaters. The heaters have overload breakers on them. They were both tripped!!

So, I re-set the breakers, and let the heaters cool off a bit. I plugged them in again. The generator kicked right up, ready for action.

So, it was the heaters that quit, not the generator.

I ran the generator all day today (Sunday), as well. It ran great.

I'm going to keep it.

Rich

[rk06382]

Originally Posted by rollscanardly

I tried TitanMike's suggestion. Here's what happened...

I plugged in the 2 heaters and checked the power draw...



Volts...



Watts...



Amps...



So, it's a good challenge for the generator.

I went about doing misc. odds and ends on the camper, but always listening to the generator.

After 1.5 hrs., the sound changed. It ran quieter.

So, I checked the output readings again. No amps, no volts. I started getting nervous.

I told myself, ..."it's going back..I burnt something out."

Bummer....

Then, something told me to check the heaters. The heaters have overload breakers on them. They were both tripped!!

So, I re-set the breakers, and let the heaters cool off a bit. I plugged them in again. The generator kicked right up, ready for action.

So, it was the heaters that quit, not the generator.

I ran the generator all day today (Sunday), as well. It ran great.

I'm going to keep it.

Rich

What was the db under load?

[TitanMike]

Originally Posted by rollscanardly

I told myself, ..."it's going back..I burnt something out."

Bummer....

Then, something told me to check the heaters. The heaters have overload breakers on them. They were both tripped!!

Kudo's for not just jumping to a conclusion when the heaters quit.

You followed the diagnosis process all the way to the end. Way too many people would have had it in the box and back to the store and wouldn't have found the tripped c/b's in the heaters until next winter when they went to use them.

[rollscanardly]

Originally Posted by rk06382

What was the db under load?

I didn't check.... But I will say that it was louder than what I posted up earlier.

I'll repeat the setup and report back...

Rich

[TitanMike]

Originally Posted by rollscanardly

I didn't check.... But I will say that it was louder than what I posted up earlier.

I'll repeat the setup and report back...

Rich

When checking sound levels just be sure to check at the same distance as the manufacturer did when they put a number on the box.

Numbers alone can be confusing. When checking sound output some condemn generators by measuring at close distances. National Park Service Reg's state 60 dba when measured at 50 feet. Even some open frame generator sets meet that standard. When comparing, it's important to use the same distances.

You may find that the 57 dba noise level advertised for the Predator will be at 50' but only when running at the reduced economy mode speed.

FWIW, the Champion 3500W Inverter is 59 dba but measured at 23 feet. Much quieter when measured at 50'

[Skyliner]

What an incredible buy! I've gotten lucky a couple of times during my life with my most recent purchase a returned pressure washer at 1/2 price.

Good luck with your generator and happy camping!