If you want to know about extreme testing in electric generators, ask a Puerto Rican Maria hurricane survivor. (Predator 2000) we bringing it to the limits with a 120 days of use and still counting. Excellent and economy.
I almost bought a honda but I'm glad I didn't I got a predator 2000 for $449, and it is extremely impressive. I've used honda's before, but this little predator is the best bang for the buck.
13500 btu rv ac. However I also tested it on a 15000 btu domatic brisk 2 and it was able to do that one as well. I'm not sure if it is because it's a newer ac or what
I bought the Honda for the same task, but then purchased an Audew 500wh LIFEPO4 solar generator. I use a 100w foldable panel to recharge. ZERO background noise. Never need fuel, and much more portable. It can only do 200w AC, and 8 amp DC, but my Anytone 578 and openspot 3 can be used for days.
Never leave your Eu Honda 2000 generator in the back of your truck ,with a 3/4 inch cable in the parking lot of the Red lion inn in Elko Nv ! They cut that cable clean . Must of used a battery operated rebar cutter . But being so impressed in Colorado deer camp with the predator 3500 ,using a electric splitter .today I purchased a new predator 2000 for 499. + tax ! Hard lesson learned as my little Honda ran like a dream . + I purchased the Hercules brand ,20 v saw and impact driver ! Thanks for the you tubers reviews !
Carl Carlson , i think you hit the nail on the head with the knowing the limits. Most people don’t consider wattage and power limitations when considering generators then blame the generator for not being able to power their equipment. If you take care of the engine and use it within its limitations then you should be good. Harbor Freight generally has lower quality products but the fact is that they wouldn’t want to be in the business of selling a generator that isn’t going to hold up for what they advertise it to do, it’s not a good business practice. People can like them or not, but they do try hard to satisfy their customer base.
I purchased the Predator a few months ago I run a little Mystery Oil in the oil and in the gas. Purrs like a kitten I use Mystery Oil in my vehicles as well that'll help that thing run forever if I'm not using it I still try and start it up and let it run for 20 minutes or so when I'm not using it on a job site it is waiting to be used for a power outage not looking to power much as long as I can save $1000 of food in my fridge I'll be happy.
Just so you know Marvel Mystery oil is for older engine designs and not modern vehicles. It has 0 effect on newer vehicles and it's been proven. You say you put it in all your vehicles so unless you're driving 1950's cars and older then you're wasting your money.
Great video, very useful and easy to glean information from. I'm surprised that the predator did so well compared to the Honda. I'm a sucker for quality though so I ended up buying the Honda and love it!
Consumer Reports rated the Honda as Excellent and the Predator as Very Good. It said that if you just want to use the unit for camping or casually the Predator would be the way to go. Surprised no USB on the Predator. In any case I'd rather buy two Predators for the cost of one Honda.
I found CR to be unreliable in the past, not sure about now... but 5 of us bought "dirt" motorcycles based on their glowing review. Out of 5, only one made it past 3000 miles. For me, CR doesn't "exist". Just my 2cents.
I agree -- I made a large purchase along with 4 others based on CR's HIGH recommendation. The item was a trail bike (motorcycle) and 4 of the 5 failed at very low mileage (
Well as a former Honda technician I can tell you that the Honda is classified as a occasional use type generator not a commercial grade run all day type of thing. The Honda also has a plastic camshaft that will where quickly without frequent oil changes. I personally think the predator s are a much better deal.
I've had my Honda 2000 for 13 years, and last year my son "borrowed" it, while living in motorhome. It runs @3 hour a day now, and is still going strong. But now that I have to buy another genset, being on s/s, I'll give the predator a try. Worst case scenario, I'll trade it back for my old honda.lol!
The Honda EU2000i is 2000 peak watts/1800 run that equals 13.3 amps and not 30 amps. (Wattage/voltage=Amps). The COMPANION, not Champion has a 30amp plug but does not have 30a output. If used with another EU2000i and the parallel kit, then the 30a plug will output 30a peak and 26.6 run.
It was the Honda EU2000i Companion.. not Champion... fyi... But thanks for the video.. I was wanting to hear the sound comparison and you accomplished that!
We have the Honda 2000i and live off grid. It now has 1200 hours on it and still runs perfectly. I run a 5k AC, 55" flatscreen, 500 watt stereo, lights and a few other things while solar does the fridge and freezer. The honda runtime off economy mode is 5.5 hours with load and 10 hours on econ mode when the ac is off. I change the oil every 100 hours or less, new plug yearly and other maintenance as required. It sits outside under partial rain cover. It was $1100 so I expect this level of quality. I am not knocking the Predator but I have my doubts that two of them would have lasted like the single Honda has....but who knows. I may try one some day.
Your right I have not found a video that puts them head to head. Can you test Predictor V.S Honda On 5,000 btu a.c unit , and how long they last . That has been a common question no videos or answers
I paralleled my Honda and Predator using the predator parallel kit. As others suggested, turned off the ECO modes and was able to run my travel trailer AC when it was 105deg outside... My only mistake at one point was forgetting to fill the Honda. Once either one of the generators stopped, the other was overloaded and internal protection shut it down. Added fuel and started them both up before turning on the AC.
Well technically the circuits were not cross coupled; each generator fed independently one side of the 30amp socket that was also from Harbor Freight (predator) version. The difficulty is determining which leg on the honda parallel circuit was common and which was hot. But in the end the both provided the needed power for the AC. Ultimately I would admit that 2 predators or 2 honda’s make for a cleaner and more harmonious system setup.
I have sold the predator a little while back but when I did have it it worked very well with no issues. It's a very well made generator and well worth the money
Appreciate your time and effort to provide the video. But... You really should have a Decibel Meter with you, for the testing of how loud the two units are. From my speaker side, it sounded like the Predator was much more loud, on ever test you did, than the Honda. You, simply telling us from your at-hand ear-shot test, is nice, but true Meter numbers don't lie!
Just by watching your Video on my iPhone, can really tell that even your Honda seem to be used more often still is better than Predator. It has that softer tone than most Honda wanna be’s. I have the EU2000i also and I do think that it’s way better than Predator. I recently purchased a Sportsman 1000, I fly a RC Helicopter model and I think the Sportsman 1000 will do a light job like charging lipos at the field. The other thing I noticed with the Predator Gen it has that clicky noise either from the motor or casing. Honda is a bit pricey but you do get what you pay for.
I like both for different reasons.. I am in uk so rhey aren't called predators here. TBH , i use the predator more. So far as flawless as honda , which You can tell has a quality history. Time will tell..
Lallie Bridges the predator has a longer run time compared to the Honda one of the reasons being that it has a bigger fuel tank and the other is that it has a smaller engine which uses less fuel if not pushed hard. I can get it to last a full night with the heater on in our camper where as the Honda I would have to go and refuel it in the morning before we would normally wake up.
If you want something that has been proven and has tons of parts and service centers available you might consider the honda. But it's going to cost about $1000 If you want something that will do the same thing as a honda but doesnt have a big aftermarket parts selection or service centers available, then go with the predator. They are typically around $450 brand new.
3 year warranty vs 90 days. That’s the difference. Some RVers in forums have had their Honda’s since 2003 that are still running like brand new and the resale holds up. A 10 year old Honda can still get $600 just $400 shy of new. No predator will have that kind of resale. Nothing wrong with a predator, but to act like it’s as good as a Honda and it’s the same quality is just ludicrous. The old saying you get what you pay for is still true today. ps the new Honda’s are 2200 Watts. Added bonus!
I bought the predator used for $300 used it for quit some time and just sold it for $350 so I actually made money on it. The resale value is better then Honda because If you buy a new predator you're only losing a $100 or so however with the Honda you will lose $300 to $400 on resale.
They have coupons for ot for $420 some times $399 and you can buy a 2 year warranty for $100 dollars and they will replace it with no questions asked you could throw it out a window at 100mph they will give you a New one then since it's a new you can buy another replacement plan again for that one its 100 for 2 years and 49 for 1 year but you could just keep repeating replacing it and buying new one for $100 dollars so no you cant do that with the Honda so predator beats it all day quieter cheaper and better warranty
You can get more power by paralleling small generators but I don’t see a 30 amp outlet on the predator? Can you buy a second one with a 30 amp receptacle? I read an article about paralleling a couple different model generators and the Honda you reviewed was one of them. I realized after reading that article I probably need to parallel generators. I need a lot of power but don’t want a big heavy generator, so paralleling seems to be my only option. Have you used any of the parallel setups mentioned in this article? medium.com/@sales_51101/the-overlooked-small-and-light-generator-setup-6cb832eac34d
Home Improvement Guru if you buy the predator 2000, harbor freight sell a parallel kit for them that already come with a 30amp outlet for an rv hookup. That way you can pair two predator 2000 for a total of 4000 peak watts 3200 running watts
2000watts @ 120volts =16.66amps You divide the watts by the voltage to get the amps to get 30 amps @ 120 volts you will need a 3500watt gen have a Friend that is a contractor & bought that Predator 2000 to try out it ran 5 days a week 10 hours a day it only lasted 6 mouths His Honda is over 3 years old and still Running Strong !!!
A little confused, because at the beginning you said the Honda was a little louder than the Predator. But at the end, when you ran the Honda, you said definitely a lot quieter! There is definitely some frequency spectrum of the Predator that was overloading the microphone diaphragm in your camera when you were filming, and the Honda did not cause the same raspy distortion.
Predator generators have a good reputation. The real downside is, they have a subpar 90 day warranty. So if it fails at 91 days, you're out of luck. Most inverter generators have 2-3 year warranties. I went with the Champion 1700/2000 watt inverter generator, which also has a great reputation. I picked it upon sale on Amazon for under $350.
Nice review, The predator may be a excellent generator. TIME will tell as these are used over a course of time. The Honda , Which I bought is a proven commodity and has quality parts and extensive service and parts available. The predator at this time has no parts available.
greg bombul you have a very good point greg. The predator does have one major thing going for it and that is price. But if I were to buy another generator I would probobly go with the WEN 2000 inverter. They are the same price as the predator but the wen actually has a good customer service department and I also think they carry some parts as well.
I am curious how the predator will hold up for the money they are a great deal, but I have had a few eu2000i that I have bought and sold when moving and pretty much can sell the same price as a new. That is the thing with a Honda engine they are worth it. I am tempted to buy one of the predators as a back up for camping, been doing more solar generator. I still have my big honda 3000 if the power goes out.
Honestly if you are looking for a reliable generator and money is kinda tight I would look at a used Honda. They are always for sale from 400 to 700 used in my area and parts are always available. But if you want new and shiny then the predator might be your best bet. The predator is a great little generator but it has to prove itself and it is still too new for anyone to assume that it will last a long time.
Have had my peedator for 1 1/2:years about 200hrs runs like the day i bought it. Hooked a fitting to the exhaust then silicone heater hose can run it in the back of my mini van
will edwards its quite a bit quieter. Moreover its not such a big production to just start it up and close the hatch vs pulling it out and lock it to the trailer hitch then run the cord out. In the summer i use a blower to reduce heat
Yamaha MZ80 engine...made in China. The Honda timing belt is a lifetime belt WITH REGULAR OIL CHANGES. Don't change the oil and, yes, the belts will wear prematurely.
I use my Predator to power my 12 amp electric lawn mower. The Predator runs quieter after oil changes. But yes the fuel level on the Predator is a nice feature before I use it. The electric lawn mower only ways 30lbs and very easy on gas usage while cutting the grass
@kcotte59 no, just sort of handle the mower like a carpet vacuum. Push the mower with one arm and guide the cord with the other. The cord is quite long and if needed pickup and move the generator to another location as needed, also generator can be put on a board with wheels (wagon)for easier handling. Just learn by doing and figure a system that works
It's not the "Champion" model and by itself it cannot deliver 30 Amps of power. What it is, is the "Companion" model with a 30 Amp twist lock outlet to deliver full power when you parallel it with a second EU2000.
Can these generators run a tankless water heater with nothing else plugged in? My intention is strictly for when the big one hits here in Southern Cal.; I need hot water for a shower (the only time the generator will be used for the water heater), T.V. after dinner, and refrigerator constantly (but I can unplug it from the generator when using the generator for the water heater). Wondering if anyone else after much research, bought either device for these intentions, and if so, can the 2000 series provide the minimum requirements when power is down after a big earthquake. Thanks.
Can this be hooked up to the blower in my wood burning insert to heat the house when the power is out? I was thinking of obviously running it outside and then run an extension cord through the window to plug in to the blower. I'd pack the open part of the window with insulation or bubble wrap to keep the cold air out. We get black outs and I need something for warmth without doing the whole house generator route. Anyone with suggestions?
Depending on how much watts and amps they use it might. If you say they are both portable it should but you need make sure you dont exceed the max amps and watts the generator can run.
My "older" Harbor Freight genset (2200watt model) stopped producing power this past weekend. Started it up for it's bi monthly test. It started right up, but was running up and down, green power light was blinking. It died a couple of times but it finally stayed running. 5 minutes under load it died. Started it back up. A small wet/dry vac was used to put it under load and I also used a heat gun that i've used in the past. It killed the generator. It would start back up, but it would die soon there after. No power light but it will run. Not sure I will by another HF genset again.
Harbor frieght has come a long way and there products such as the predator seem to be a good buy for the money. The predator is essentially a copy of the WEN generator which is a big name when it comes to generators. Overall I think that the predator will hold up well.
I paid $300.00 for my predator a yr ago no problems yet and love it . I am pretty sure the honda would outlast the predator , but I could buy 3 or 4 of them compared to the price of a honda . My opinion..honda way overpriced .
There is a slot in both units that you can hook up the cables to. The cable is sold seperate. That said you can only hook up the Honda to another Honda. You can't hook up a predator to a Honda.
Videos do not do the predator justice at all I can not believe how quiet it is I just got one and wow is it super quiet I have seen people commenting on other videos that the dbl is loud but it's you take 2 steps back from it and you can barely hear it running
Send2artm if you buy the $100 2 year warranty they will replace it with no questions asked you could throw it out a window at 100mph they will give you a New one then when you get the new since it's new you can buy another warranty for the new 1 again for that one its $100 for 2 years and $49 for 1 year but you could just keep repeating replacing it and buying new one for $100 dollars so no you cant do that with the Honda so predator beats it all day quieter cheaper and better warranty
@@supremeautomotive6749 So if I pay $500 plus $100 = $600 first 2 years then take it back and have it replaced every 2 years and purchase another $100 warranty in 8 years I've spent $1000. My Honda cost $1000 13 years ago where is the logic in that?
Correct - - 2000 watts / 120 VAC = 16.6AMPS Starting AMPS & 1600 watts / 120VAC = 13.3 Continuous AMPS --- One can run them in parallel and get about 26.6 Continuous AMPS..
That's why it's the Companion model. It can run standalone but it's designed to be the second Honda someone owns and run in parallel with another Honda. That way, you get double the power output, and you can access all the power through one 30 amp outlet on the Companion model.
That was a good video. But, it wasn't apples to apples. You have the Honda EU2000ic companion vs the Predator. A equal test would have been with a standard EU2000i, which I have, and the Predator. Just mentioning that fact. While the Honda is the standard that one measures against. The Predators are a super deal, very well built, and I just pulled the trigger and bought a Predator 3500 inverter generator as well. One has to keep in mind, that you get out of a piece of equipment what you put into it. Maintenance is key as well as running ethanol free fuel if you have it available in your area. I have actually ran a 8000 BTU window A/C off the little Honda 2000i, and it handled it without issue. That would be a great test of the Predator if you could put a video out of that test.
The standard EU2000i has 15 amp max. I think there may be a difference with the inverters that allows for the 30 amp outlet on the 20000ic. Or something in the alternator winding. I am not sure.
I moved up to the Ocala Nat Forest area from Miramar in 2009. Love it up here. How did you fare during Irma? We only lost the grid for 38 hours. We were lucky to say the least.
The thing is a lot of people rarely need to use one of these “daily”. If it’s just going to sit there for power outrage duty the predator will be fine.
Looks like you didnt mention the fact that the Honda comes with the 30A / 120V RV outlet and the predator does not. Harbor Freight offers a parallel hookup / RV option, but you need to buy a second generator in order to use that kit, at least I think, anyways. Do you have any updates on this comparison 4 years later? The Predator is less than half the price, so even if you did buy a second generator at $500 you’re only up to $1000, and the RV kit is $80, so with all that you’d still be below $1100, and the Honda is going for more than that, anywhere between $1130 and $1600 at a glance online as of today. I still have quality trust issues with some of Harbor Freights gear, but who doesn’t? Might be worth the investment.
Don't be fooled, you get what you pay for! Honda is king, they are expensive but they'll probably outlast you. They are easy to service and can easily get parts, try getting parts for that Predator.
TheIrongutz while the Honda may be serviceable, that may not be the most cost-effective way. Run the Predator until it breaks and get a new one. Trying to run down parts for Harbor Freight stuff is a pain.
The Honda was a little better in my opinion, but I don't think it's better enough to justify 4 times the cost. I'm planning on starting a small business where I'll need several of these, and I have decided to go with the Predators. Thanks
I purchased a Honda eg2800i and it over heated on me. Apparently you are not supposed to operate a Honda generator at temperatures around 125 degrees Fahrenheit ambiance. Cost me another $500 to have the engine rebuilt. All with in a month of purchase I had slightly over $1,500 in the generator. Over heating is not covered in the warranty, yet is not explained in pamphlets whatsoever about ambient temperature maximums. I honestly wish I would have just purchased the Predator 3500. At least I could have just took it back to Harbor and swapped it out for a new one.
I been running my predator 10 to 15 hrs a day for the last year . No problems yet . Sure the honda would or will outlast it . But I could but 3 or 4 predators compare to the honda . Honda is a great gen . But way overpriced
@@AquaTech225 Luxury !you actually had a gas tank. my predator starts running before i turn it on, runs for 365 days a month, and meets me at the cabin door with a cup of coffee- light n sweet.
Can’t beat Honda on reliability it’s like comparing a snap on ratchet vs a harbor freight ratchet both will work but the real question is for how many years?
Understand they can be paralleled; but, cannot use the ECO mode when doing so otherwise to much imbalanced loading. Have both myself with the HF parallel kit; Predator polarizes the parallel cable to Neutral (white) and Load (red) while the Honda does not. But researched and found that on the Honda, the left parallel jack is an isolated circuit but for practical purposes is the Neutral. Before connecting both and on the Predator got 121.8 VAC out (no load) and on the Honda got 124 VAC out (no load); and when paralleled; across the NEMA 120VAC 30A plug measured 126 VAC (no load). ECO off on both generators. Will be testing the actual loading using a 15000 btu A/C on a Travel Trailer...
I saw one video where a guy was running to generators in parallel and cut one generator off after the AC was running. It's not good on it but I guess it could be done to save fuel and switch one generator to eco mode. If it'll still run on eco mode.
I use the Honda 2000 when I DJ on beaches and yachts and it's not loud at all, and I'm going to buy the predator so per the video, apparently it's not loud either.
Heres a strange difference. If you are planning a silencing enclosure the predator is a lot more difficult as the intake and exhaust for engine cooling are right next to each other on the rear. Honda has em on opposite ends. I got 3/4 into one thinking they were similar. Its on the back burner now.b
Another copper contact and a tighter connection on a three prong 30 amp twist lock plug could parallel. or Run for hours with no heat buildup on the plug.
That is true I have owned both of these and I can tell you first hand that they are both very durable but if they were priced evenly I would go with Honda hands down.
Getting a Predator for sure.. Hondas are just too expensive. The Market has Changed and Technology has caught up. You can get 2 Predators for the price of 1 Honda.. Makes it an easy Decision.
People should know that Harbor Freight does not stock very many parts for this generator. The recoil spring on my Predator 2000 generator broke, and HF does not sell the part, leaving me with an expensive boat-anchor. I bet Honda sells parts . . .
You could but the parallel inputs are different Hondas are round and the Predators square, you can make a parallel cable with an old extension cord and put another male end on it.
Wes the predator for $50 more you can get a one year no question asked just empty gas take it back give another $50 get another year, the question I have is can I run my paint sprayer because it draws a lot of amps
@@paulleavitt9316 if any small generator would run it the Honda 2200 watt generator with 18.3 amps at startup would possibly run it. It's the most amps in the small suitcase portable generators unless you parallel to lower amp generators together. Some people have run two generators for initial startup and cut off one. It's not advised and it's may be hard on the generator.
