Question about the harbor freight inverter generator

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Question about the harbor freight inverter generator

Posted: 6/1/2020 7:05:33 PM EDT

So there's been quite a few threads over the years here about them, general consensus seems to be for the price they work great. I was looking at the 2000w just because the price is so attractive at $479, but is that capable of running a fridge and some other minor stuff? Or is the 3500w pretty much necessary? Thanks fellas.

Posted: 6/1/2020 7:11:52 PM EDT

[#1]

I have one I bought last year. Great little generator that easily runs my chest freezer plus a refrigerator at the same time. TBO, I have not used it much, but I like to run it every few months for an hour or two. So far, no problems with it.

Posted: 6/1/2020 7:13:43 PM EDT

[#2]

I went to buy the 3500, but they were sold out. The saleman told me to buy the 2000 with a warranty, and just return it for the 3500.It has been 3 weeks now, and the 2000 has powered everything i tried.I ran a skill saw at the same time my wife was vacuuming. A huge drawback on the 3500 is the weight. I love the fact I can just throw the 2000 in the side by side, and so can my wife or kids.

Posted: 6/1/2020 7:14:11 PM EDT

[#3]

Just bought 3 of em but 2 for gifts. Haven't opened it yet but yeah, the basics. Fridge, lights, TV, etc.

Posted: 6/1/2020 7:15:58 PM EDT

[#4]

Depends on the size of the fridge. Best to check starting and running watts of the fridge.

My 2000w Predator will run half the house, but my house is 650sqft with about 1000w worth of window aircons.

Posted: 6/1/2020 7:24:10 PM EDT

[#5]

Quote History

Quoted:
I have one I bought last year. Great little generator that easily runs my chest freezer plus a refrigerator at the same time. TBO, I have not used it much, but I like to run it every few months for an hour or two. So far, no problems with it.

View Quote

Do you have the 2000 or 3500?

Posted: 6/1/2020 7:25:24 PM EDT

[#6]

Check the starting wattage of the fridge motor to figure out what your peak is and go from there.

Posted: 6/1/2020 7:28:09 PM EDT

[#7]

It will not run a dewalt miter saw, this I know.

Posted: 6/1/2020 7:28:29 PM EDT

[#8]

Quote History

Quoted:
Do you have the 2000 or 3500?

View Quote

2000W model.

Posted: 6/1/2020 7:32:13 PM EDT

[#9]

Go for the 4500w... it emits more noise and obnoxious fumes.

Attached File

Posted: 6/1/2020 7:51:34 PM EDT

[#10]

Here's an interesting story about HF and my generator: One of the first things my wife and I bought after getting married in 2014 was a 4000k generator; we bought it for the occasional power failure. It worked oK the first couple of times I fired it up; then about 2 1/2 years after purchase, it failed to start.

I didn't try to take it back as it was out of warranty. I kept it, intending to get it fixed. After I moved to Idaho last year I mentioned it to one of the floor managers at the nearby Harbor Freight in Ontario, Oregon. She told me to bring it in and she'd take care of me! I asked if there was a known fault with this generator and she sort of avoided a direct answer, saying instead that "We want to make our customers happy!"

No problem. I took the wheel kit off and swapped it out.

I've used it several times since then around the homestead. It works well enough for me.

Posted: 6/1/2020 7:57:44 PM EDT

[#11]

I have the 2000, it's okay and has been reliable but it won't run an electric hot plate without popping the
breaker. I suspect that hot plate is less than 2000 watts.

Posted: 6/1/2020 8:08:58 PM EDT

[#12]

I just bought the 3500 a few weeks ago. I was going to get the 2000 but found an online coupon for the 3500. $799 down to $699. I jumped on it. They keep going up in price, so it was easy for me.
I have a Honda 650 watt generator that I bought 25 years ago and never really used. This last October, with the PG&E power outages, I fired it up and it ran my Mom's Kenmore side by side refrigerator as well as the TV and satellite box, plus a couple of lights! The 3500 will allow me to run all that plus the furnace and other things for my Mom.

Posted: 6/1/2020 9:27:44 PM EDT

[#13]

I bought a 2000 right before all the PG&E blackouts last year and it took a shit after about 8 hours of run time. I was lucky to pick up a Honda at Home Depot otherwise all our shit would have went bad in our fridges and freezers. Everywhere in CA was sold out, I just happened to be in there first thing in the morning as a shipment came in.

The Honda has been flawless.

Posted: 6/1/2020 9:31:54 PM EDT

[#14]

I have the 3500, as well as two of their open-frame gennys. The 3500 runs the RV fine, including the AC. Have had zero problems with it.
I had the tank rust out of one of the others-bought a replacement for $50 on Ebay.

Posted: 6/1/2020 9:34:31 PM EDT

[#15]

My 2000W will run my deep freezer or fridge with power leftover for my modem/router/tv and to charge various devices. I bought an inverter generator because I read they are better for electronic stuff. It will also run my electric smoker but not the microwave. They certainly have their limits but for running power tools way out in the back 40 or whatever and if you lose power but need that pornhub fix, they are GTG. Change oil a few times in the first 20 hours.

Posted: 6/1/2020 9:49:57 PM EDT

[#16]

If the HF inverter ran on propane, I’d buy it in a heartbeat.

Sadly, it’s gasoline only.

Posted: 6/1/2020 9:52:20 PM EDT

[#17]

Quote History

Quoted:
I have the 2000, it's okay and has been reliable but it won't run an electric hot plate without popping the
breaker. I suspect that hot plate is less than 2000 watts.

View Quote

Could be something odd going on. I have a 2000W inverter and of all the weird ass things to pop the breaker, I have an older lyman case trimmer that will set it off instantly on startup. That thing should have barely any draw at all, but there you go.

It also trips my outlet breakers in my shop too. I have no idea what the problem is but I replaced it because of that...

Posted: 6/2/2020 10:08:14 AM EDT

[#18]

Quote History

Quoted:
I have the 2000, it's okay and has been reliable but it won't run an electric hot plate without popping the
breaker. I suspect that hot plate is less than 2000 watts.

View Quote

My older brother says that the 2000 won't run his ordinary power tools, like his circular saw or router. He immediately swapped it for the 4000 and is a happy camper.

Posted: 6/2/2020 11:23:45 AM EDT

[#19]

Quote History

Quoted:

My older brother says that the 2000 won't run his ordinary power tools, like his circular saw or router. He immediately swapped it for the 4000 and is a happy camper.

View Quote

Mine struggles with my worm drive circular saw.

Posted: 6/2/2020 11:30:12 AM EDT

[#20]

Get a bigger standard generator for heavy draw stuff and use a smaller inverter generator for electronics. Two is one, etc..

Posted: 6/2/2020 11:36:25 AM EDT

[#21]

The giant inverter generator thread
https://www.ar15.com/forums/general/Harbor-Freight-Inverter-Generators-NOW-OFFICIAL-BUDGET-GENERATOR-THREAD/5-2032324/

Like any generator, you need to figure out the load you want to run and size the generator accordingly.

Most household refrigerators draw a few hundred watts when running, and around 1200-1500W at compressor startup.
Read the manual or placard for your particular model for exact details.