Create an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations. You need to replace the internal components such as the alternator and regulator every three years. While producing up to 3,000watts of power, a switchable ESC throttle allows it to keep fuel efficiency as high as possible. Then it could be that your carb is running too lean. But for running at 50% load or lower, the throttle switch can really improve the runtime of this generator. If this is the source, you will have to disconnect the fuel line and flush out all the debris clogging up the line. That means that youll need to add oil to the generator before using it for the first time, which can be annoying when youre excited to use your new generator. This is actually a common generator problem and not one specific to the Predator series of machines. All this part does is prevent hot sparks from starting fires while you have your 3500 running. That should get you some peace of mind knowing you can still use your generator when you need to recharge the battery. No matter which way you approach it, moving this generator around on the wheels feels awkward. However, when it comes to gas engines, they may have to be replaced sooner due to wear and tear. If neither of these solutions work, check the oil because if the level is too low, it triggers the sensor and shuts the unit off. The link to the instructions at Harbor Freight is found at this link. This can frustrate you, especially when you are running it as an emergency power source at home. The automatic voltage regulator is used to regulate the voltage. As a result, its able to run for 11hours at a 25% load, or half a day at full power. This RV ready, PGMA compliant generator is quieter than a conversation and has CO SECURE carbon monoxide shutdown for safety. This is especially true for older models since they keep running even when overloaded. And one is the fear of voiding the warranty. What to do if the generator is overloaded. The Predator 3500 is designed for smaller motorhomes and it cannot handle a lot of loads. It has the information you want to know about so you can decide if this is the way to go when you need a generator. Spartan Chassis vs Freightliner: Whats The Difference? The most obvious possible problem would be that there is something wrong with the switch itself. It controls the voltage of the system and has the operation of the limit nearer to the steady state stability. With the ESC throttle engaged, the generator can run for up to 11hours at a 25% load. This will ensure that your generator does not overheat even when it is under pressure. I could not find an altitude rating chart for the Predator but will post them for an Onan 4000. Another name for this part is the float inlet needle. If it isnt loose, then take the plug off and look for cracks or stripped threads. Therefore, using this Inverter generator also enables you to save on fuel costs as it consumes less fuel than most of its competitors. So, that horizontal bar over the outlet panel is your only option for picking it up. The information on the oil, what type to use, and how to change the oil is on page 14 of the manual. Unsubscribe at any time. Although, if these do not work for you. , this forces the appliance to increase the amperage, leading to overheating. This is because it electronically control the throttle of the engine depending on the amount of power required by the plugged in appliances. However, the numbers are quite spot on, so some scores here. With the low oil sensor working as it should, you may not have to check the oil on a regular basis. Another website you can use is found at this link. The other is that it will reduce the number of watts sent to each electrical device and those items will not run properly. Its important to keep from overloading your generator because there are multiple problems associated with that. I did try running it with the oil door removed and it made no difference. The piston rings and the head gasket may cost a lot to replace but they are repairable problems. Therefore you are supposed to shake the generator and check whether there is any gas left in the tank. One of those safety features is a low fuel automatic shut-off system. Please support our sponsors and let them know you heard about their products on iRV2. CamperUpgrade.com is a participant of the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program it is designed to provide an aid for the websites in earning an advertisement fee by means of advertising and linking to Amazon.com products. Make sure that this is filled up with fuel. Of course, this will bring with it the cost of repair and or replacement. The only other thing we would have liked to see from this generator is run hour tracking for maintenance. If the Generator runs but doesnt have power, it could be an issue with the windings or circuits. The key one will be the start-up battery. You might not want to use this generator when youre running at full power, as it will put some unnecessary wear on the engine. The generator will now start without any problem once you have topped up oil in the crankcase. Modern generators, as we mentioned above, have circuit breakers for this eventuality. Oil can be like water and follow the easiest trail out of the engine. document.getElementById("ak_js_1").setAttribute("value",(new Date()).getTime()); OutdoorTag is reader-supported. Information sub on all types of generators: home standby, Commercial, portable, RV, marine, etc. Showing how to fix the generator overload #predator3500 #step by step For a reference, this puts the 3500 on the same noise level as a dishwasher or moderate rainfall. The Predator 3500 is designed for smaller motorhomes and it cannot handle a lot of loads. Refuel it with fresh gas. Still, there were a few other outlets we wished for on this generator. All rights reserved. We own the above generator. You never know and when you are not an expert on engines, it is best to leave this issue to the professionals. Note that there is also a pull-cord on this generator, so if the battery dies, you will have a way to start the generator. Then there is our go-to manual source. They have continued their work to improve and develop new versions of these generators. Eco mode allows the Generator to run while saving fuel and getting enough power to run home or office appliances. It is also advisable that you dispose the fuel if it has been in the gas tank for more than two months and replace it with fresh fuel. The decibel rating at 25% is only 57 but as you go higher so do those decibels. When buying a generator, always look for companies who have been making them for more than ten years to ensure that the products are manufactured to high standards. Or perhaps there is no station close to your vacation spot. Double-check to make sure everything is unplugged. No one can say for sure if running your ac is good or bad during the break-in period. There are three main places to check when you see oil leaking from your generator. Talking about this, one solution that you can go for is installing a generator in your vehicle. This model features a low oil indicator. 3. Also, keep in mind that the average usage would be 4-5 hours for 1 day. Not all starting failures will be the fault of the device. , these regulators change fluctuate voltage into constant voltage since the former can damage a power system. The handle is not hard to grasp when inside this pocket and should be easy to pull as well. Generally, smaller generators like the 2000 should not be turned upside down or allowed to tip too far. How do I protect my appliances against power failures or power outages? Then, move on to the fuel line and cap to ensure they are all functioning and clear of debris. Overloading the device makes it overheat and once that happens it will shut down on you. As we said the pull handle is a backup system but not for when the electric starter fails but when the battery is out of power. Thats where the makers need to make some changes or say modifications. And this can become a bit annoying if a nearby fuel station is not open. There is an electronic start built into this machine and you will find it on the control panel. Or you need to flush the fuel bowl. What can you do? Yes, 100 pounds is quite lightweight to carry. The troubleshooting process is the same as what we highlighted above. There needs to be some refilling with the tank for a holiday weekend or longer vacation plans. We have tested the load for the various equipment she uses and it doesn't approach the 3000W continuous load limit. However, once you get to anything more rugged than a dirt road including grass lawns the generators wheels show their poor design. But because it is not a fold-down type, you cannot completely maximize the use of 4 wheels. The PREDATOR 3500W SUPER QUIET Inverter Generator is an ideal solution for RVs, home back-up and more. When the spark plugs get fouled, they lose the needed spark, and then the gas does not combust like it should robbing the engine of needed energy. Even if the fuel tank is full of gas. The fix for this problem is for you to use the proper sockets for each size of the bolt and tighten them up. The Predator3500 has a lot going for it. The Predator cannot be used on a construction site. This is just another protective feature incorporated into your device. How To Check The Oil On a Predator 2000 Generator? If these solutions do not do the trick for you, you can call in a repairman and see what they find out. We may earn a commission through products purchased using links on this page. Predator built the generator with a 2.6-gallon fuel tank, which provides a nice balance between runtime and compactness for the generator body. Keeping this in mind, if you are someone who was using too many electrical appliances on your generator then it might not be able to handle all this load. Recently while camped in the desert at 7000' on a day with the outside temps running in the 90's,our gen went into overload mode and I am looking for reasons why. You do not have to over-tighten as that can strip the threads if you are not careful. This leads us to the third sign that your generator is overloaded. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. Just a tap to the side of the float bowl to solve this issue, hopefully. No power in the battery means no electricity for the electrical parts. I've had mine approximately 2 years now, and the only issue I've had with mine is that it's a little hard to start in sub freezing temps. By definition, an overloaded generator means you put too much electrical load on the device. Instead, lets go for the matters that might be a reason for troubleshooting with your overall usage and purpose. However, you can somehow manage without a gauge because of the low fuel shutoff and hours counter. Youll probably want to bring a surge strip to use with the generator, too, since only having two 120-volt outlets can be pretty limiting. However, this is not something you should do on your own. The problem may be something simple but why take the chance. I need to check the AMP rating on the plugs and will report back on that. In fact, the low noise production was one of the features that users pointed to as the single most important reason to get this generator. To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. Sometimes theres an indicator light to show the machine is overloaded or the breaker has been tripped. The Harbor Freight Predator 2000 generator comes with a good reputation. There is a diagram in the manual that shows you where the oil should be at. Once you know where to look, the repairs on a Predator 3500 can be done very easily. Rodney holds a Masters degree in Arts and apart from working as a freelance writer, is a rather successful author of science fiction stories published in several literary, Propaneva is reader-supported. There is such a thing as fuel varnish and if you do not keep replacing old gas it can build up over time. Reasons as to why your Predator 3500 Inverter generator wont start and how to fix. Notably, you need to account for both the starting and the running wattages. That situation can cause the pistons to expand and seize the engine. So, when you think about predator 3500 generator problems, there is not much to complain about, honestly. Learn more about our process, How do I protect my appliances against power failures or power outages? The Predator3500 is heavy nearly 100pounds but we had mixed feelings on the adaptations that the company added to make it more portable. Once you have done this, the generator should now be able to start just fine. If your portable generator keeps powering off, it could overload, a problem with the oil, fuel, spark plugs or other mechanical issues. To learn more about this generator, just continue to read our article. When that happens you have to use the pull cord to get the machine running. Remove the access panel on the right side of the generator. make sure it has good airflow. You will have to remove the oil cap and the drain plug in order to get the proper flow needed to get all the oil out. If this happens to you, you should check all the simple sources first. Cleaning the spark plug may help and replace the coil are two solutions. For some reason, some of the key parts do not get enough airflow and the engine can overheat, stopping the motor from running. You should buy the recommended engine oil for the inverter generator and top up. If you do not want to clean, you can always buy a new air filter. Of course, before figuring out how to fix an overloaded Generac generator or some other model, you need to know what causes the overload. Is it safe to keep it running a little above it's rating, but below its peak? The fuel tank strainer needs to be checked and cleaned when dirty. It is possible that through constant use, the nuts and bolts on the engine case have worked themselves loose. This is why it makes sense to familiarize yourself with how your generator sounds while it is still new, 100% functional, and not overloaded. This usually takes place in the jets and it is not a serious problem. My main concern was damaging the windings, but then again, if you hit the peak output too long the generator shuts off to protect it. It is best to stick with the spark plug the manual recommends when you are under warranty. Required fields are marked *. A sub-reddit dedicated to Harbor Freight and reviewing their tools. If this is an issue, you can either clean the carb thoroughly or replace it with a new one. 4. 2. Yes, this is possible with the sacrifice of a few hundred watts off performance down overall. The final common problem will be generator failure. I'm gonna need to run something for 3 hours that pulls 27 amps. Replace it if it has any of those issues. When it comes to cleaning up your device, you have to remove the fuel and then wash the insides of your generator using special solutions. Generator is overloaded with nothing plugged in. Theres also the possibility of your device shutting down and seeming overloaded even when theres no appliance attached. And so, they may want to convert it into a propane runnable option. Propaneva.com. My daughter has a mobile grooming trailer with a Predator 3500 Inverter generator from Harbor Freight. Your email address will not be published. You do not need to use the pull handle to get the generator running. Typically this will involve pressing and holding the machines reset button for more than one second. Buying two of these generators isnt cheap, but its a far more economical option than buying a 7,000-watt generator if you already own one Predator generator. She has a problem with the overload protection activating when the load is only about 60% of the rated load. HF Predator 3500 Owners Please Mission Statement: Supporting thoughtful exchange of knowledge, values and experience among RV enthusiasts. Why Is My Generator Sputtering? This means that you dont have to bother ripping a pull-cord starter, which is really nice when starting the generator from cold. I do not own a clamp on AMP gauge, but have an electrician buddy that does-just not sure he has one for DC. Trusted Source If it is loose, oil can make its way back up the hole and out the fill spout. If the drain plug cant be tightened, then you would need to replace it. Kind of goes like this (rev, idle, rev, idle, rev). The predator 3500 Inverter generator wont start if there is low oil levels in the crankcase. To learn more about fixing different issues with your Predator generator, just continue to read our article. Take a few minutes to get up to speed on these DIY fixes. Next, the generator may shut down on you frequently. I don't really understand what you're saying but I'll throw out some advice based on an educated guess. Another common problem is that it may not start right away. In addition to this, the Predator 3500 is also quieter and produces lower emissions than the conventional generators. The most common source for this problem is that the carb is clogged. Don't need a DC amp meter. (Helpful Guide), What Is Freightliner J1587 Code? In this situation, the inverter has failed and will need replacing. For specific details, make sure to read your owners manual on how to start this generator. Especially if you have no electronics experience or hate working around electricity. Unplug a few items from your electrical system. Bio/Hydro Generators Geo Wind General. Predator 3500 surging - Help. This way the air circulating the generator will prevent it from overheating. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. (Ford V10 Turbo Kit Options), What Sealant Can I Use On a TPO Roof? However, with a high use rate, the tank will be able to go for a two-day period. How Do You Fix a Generator That Runs but No Power? Also, check on the condition of the breakers and fuses youre using from time to time. Energuide During this break-in period, you will have to change the oil several times. Although, keep in mind that some problems can be found on this device. So, is the Predator3500 as promising as the technical specifications and price would have you believe? A flawless thing is still not available in our sweet world. Regular checks will help you avoid that frustrating feeling when the generator doesn't start. Simply switching off some of these devices should help you in fixing the problem. The overload light is blinking but isn't solid, after 20 minutes it was having no issues keeping up and no negative signs. The worse case scenario would be that the head gasket has blown. You should also ensure that you re- fuel the generator with high quality gas so that the engine of the generator can run smoothly and efficiently. It has the information you need to know about in order to fix your generator and get it started without calling the repairman. This is a low-maintenance generator. This won't show up on a clamp on ammeter. One problem you will encounter is overheating. Continue with Recommended Cookies. If you would like to change your settings or withdraw consent at any time, the link to do so is in our privacy policy accessible from our home page.. The result is melted internal components. Check with Harbor Freight to see if there are other acceptable models you can use if you cant find these options in your area. Loss percentage should be close. Why Is My Generator Sputtering? Even if you could pick up the 100-pound generator by yourself, the weight would be strangely off-center when grabbing it by that bar. Consequently, in the example of the Generac machine, if the starting power needed for all your appliances is 4501 watts or higher, that would cause an overload. circuitglobe.com There are some common reasons why your generator keeps turning off, and the first thing to check is the wiring. Bad during the break-in period and it made no difference you have done this the! Can i use on a construction site the troubleshooting process is the float inlet needle predator 3500 overload problems! Hour tracking for maintenance clean the carb is running too lean the fix for this problem is that it not... 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