I can change the spark plug-a quick and easy job. In a well-ventilated, area away from bystanders, use pressurized, Squeeze out excess water and allow it to dry, completely. If the generator still keeps shutting off, replace the spark plug and also look for another source for the problem. Please support our sponsors and let them know you heard about their products on iRV2. Required fields are marked *. This is a website that seems to have every manual you can think of no matter the product. This mode wont operate if there is a fuel supply problem, float stuck, debris in the fuel line, or the predator 3500 battery is dead. Create an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations. Ensure enough water is in the radiator to keep the temperature down. If it is loose, oil can make its way back up the hole and out the fill spout. The troubleshooting process is the same as what we highlighted above. Predator inverter generator power issues Mission Statement: Supporting thoughtful exchange of knowledge, values and experience among RV enthusiasts. Trusted Source One reason your Predator won't start is that it has an automatic shut-off system that keeps the generator from running when it is low on fuel or oil. However, if you dont have enough information by the time you buy the device, an overload can happen at any time. (Solutions), Generator Making Popping Noises! Or the piston rings are not sealing properly and oil is making it to the combustion chamber. After cleaning, just reverse your steps and put everything back the way you found it. 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. Aside from this, the second thing that you will have to look out for is your generator being overloaded. If these solutions do not do the trick for you, you can call in a repairman and see what they find out. That situation can cause the pistons to expand and seize the engine. This will cut off the fuel supply and cause your generator to surge. It comes, as we said, over time when you do not replace your gas often enough. Users report that the Predator3500 is one of the most durable generators theyve used, which isnt by accident. This generator may be a discount model and cheaper than other brands but it is not a cheaply assembled product. Other sources will be low oil and gas in the engine. There are two fixes for this particular problem. The PREDATOR 3500W SUPER QUIET Inverter Generator is an ideal solution for RVs, home back-up and more. A sub-reddit dedicated to Harbor Freight and reviewing their tools. If oil is low, you should buy the recommended engine oil for the Predator 3500 Inverter generator and top it up until the recommended level. Circuit Globe The cause of the white smoke is that the excess oil is getting into the combustion chamber. However, if you start to raise the power production, you will experience a lot more noise. The warning light telling you the oil is low should be enough of a warning to have you fill the tank to the proper level. A loose connection on any appliance might cause your power supply to shut down. And its about room for improvement. Especially if you have no electronics experience or hate working around electricity. Hopefully your generator is working properly. Generally, the change in sound is caused by the device trying to produce more power than its rated for to match the current needs of the household. But that is not the main source for starting this unit. Given that all of this comes at a pretty reasonable price point, were big fans of the Predator 3500. The Predator generator comes with a 3- or 11 liters fuel tank, meaning a full tank will last you around 11 hours or more. Repair tips, ratings and maintenance information available as well as recommendations on how to repair and safely operate a generator in an emergency. Quick Fact: Up 10% ethanol is acceptable, but ethanol free fuel is highly recommended. This is a fuel and carb problem. We may earn a commission through products purchased using links on this page. Some repairs like filling up with gas or oil are quick and very easy. When that happens you have to use the pull cord to get the machine running. But if the interest of giving it a try to propane comes to your mind, know its possible with some limitations. And this can become a bit annoying if a nearby fuel station is not open. Many of us could potentially learn from your misfortune. The good news is that, all these causes are not permanent and can be sorted out by just a simple fix or replacement of the faulty parts. You will need to clean out the debris, flush the float bowl, clean the carb and replace any old gas with new gas. If the Generator runs but doesnt have power, it could be an issue with the windings or circuits. 2. I don't really understand what you're saying but I'll throw out some advice based on an educated guess. Notably, youll only experience the last three symptoms in modern generators if the inbuilt breaker fails. Another problem that could be the source is if the spark plug is damaged in some way. Just open the bowl drain and turn on the front panel fuel switch and give the fuel bowl a good flush. It would be best to break-in the generator properly and not over load it or lug it down on the many ac starts it would incur if you run the ac. But for running at 50% load or lower, the throttle switch can really improve the runtime of this generator. The Predator also doesn't have a fuel gauge and its small wheels make it a little difficult to move around. (TPO Roof Sealant), What Is The Cummins Fault Code SPN 3031 FMI 9? You should manually start the generator by pulling the starter cord. The low oil light goes a long way to making sure that you perform needed maintenance on time. Even at peak capacity it remains 3,500 watts. , these regulators change fluctuate voltage into constant voltage since the former can damage a power system. One recommendation is if the generator is still new and under warranty, take it back to Harbor Freight and exchange it for another one. That way, if theres a change in the sound output, you know something is amiss. Of course, before figuring out how to fix an overloaded Generac generator or some other model, you need to know what causes the overload. Actually its no wonder that this mdoel is considered to be one of the best Predator generators in a whole. My daughter has a mobile grooming trailer with a Predator 3500 Inverter generator from Harbor Freight. Even if the fuel tank is full of gas. If this is the source, you will have to disconnect the fuel line and flush out all the debris clogging up the line. 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. It has to be just right for the generator to work smoothly. A quick check saves you on embarrassment at the repair shop. Try charging your batteries manually using an AC/DC adapter or a car booster pack. Meaning, Working Principle & Applications - Circuit Globe (Data Link Troubleshooting), The Predator 2000 Generator keepsShutting Off. This is where the quality control standards are set. Predator 3500 Generator - surging problem fixed! The Predator 3500 has all the basic safety features you could want. This is where replacing the breaker comes in. The Predator3500 has a lot going for it. if you are missing your owners manual, just click here to get to one. You will have to pull the plugs, clean them, re-gap them and then test the spark. If that is your problem, then check the fuel tank. Another issue that many people complain about on their generator is that it is overheating. Turn the throttle knob into the start position; once it runs, flip it back. This leads us to the third sign that your generator is overloaded. Also, a struggling generator engine will produce more heat when trying to keep up with the higher power demands. Industry Efforts to Safeguard Propane Use, power consumption of household appliances, 3,500watts surge power, 3,000watts continuous power, ESC throttle for fuel efficiency at lower power draws, LCD screen and maintenance warning lights, Very low noise production at high wattages, Relatively inexpensive 3,000-watt inverter generator, ESC throttle for increased fuel efficiency, LCD screen for monitoring output and runtime, Wheel design is not good for anything other than pavement. As such, the moment its overloaded, the circuit breaker will trip, and your device will go off. One of the most common issues that people report getting on the Predator 3500 generator is that it shuts down while they were using it. However, if you do not get a spark, then there is a problem with the engine coil. The overload light is blinking but isn't solid, after 20 minutes it was having no issues keeping up and no negative signs. You should ensure that the vacuum relief valve is open and unplug the outlet hose from the intake side of the clogged valve. Notably, generators arent supposed to run with no load since they produce power that has nowhere to go. Also, if you make modifications during the warranty period, you will probably void the warranty. As a result of its slick engineering, the generator runs at a 57-decibel noise level. It takes the fluctuates voltage and changes them into a constant voltage. To fix this problem, just hook it up to a 12-volt battery. One owner said he drilled a few holes in the battery cover, the sides of the case, and the oil door. That would require opening up your walls to find where the problem is coming from. With the built-in low oil alert, you are told when you need to add more oil. This will involve calculating the power needs of your appliances so you can keep your generator running under the limit. I'm gonna need to run something for 3 hours that pulls 27 amps. If your portable generator keeps powering off, it could overload, a problem with the oil, fuel, spark plugs or other mechanical issues. , this forces the appliance to increase the amperage, leading to overheating. This won't show up on a clamp on ammeter. Inverter and all 120 volt generators are are AC. However, you can somehow manage without a gauge because of the low fuel shutoff and hours counter. We won't send you spam. If you do not see any oil there, then you may need to add some before it gets too low. This is why it makes sense to familiarize yourself with how your generator sounds while it is still new, 100% functional, and not overloaded. A part may fail, there may be a leak somewhere, or there is a blockage somewhere in the system. (Data Link Troubleshooting), Does The Predator 3500 Have a Pull Start?, Why is My Predator 3500 Generator Surging?, Predator 3500 Electric Start Not Working, Why Does My Predator Generator Keep Dying?, Does The Predator 3500 Have An Oil Filter?, Does The Predator 3500 Have a Fuel Shut Off?, How to Clean Predator 3500 Spark Arrestor. It may have been overheated, got oil or debris to its point or the gap is wrong. For specific details, make sure to read your owners manual on how to start this generator. 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. Your email address will not be published. That will save you from doing a potentially messy job. One reason your Predator won't start is that it has an automatic shut-off system that keeps the generator from running when it is low on fuel or oil. Have 5 Predator 3500 Inverter/Generators in for repair. Also, check on the condition of the breakers and fuses youre using from time to time. The first would be the drain plug. It has several options for you to look over and select. Quick Fact: Replacement parts for Predator 3500 like battery cover, fuel strainer and more are available for purchase at Harbor Freight Tools. Press J to jump to the feed. Then there is our go-to manual source. For a generator capable of producing 3,000watts of power for hours on end, the Predator3500 is surprisingly quiet. But this is quite a fascinating option because the price point also comes with a few issues that you need to be aware of. Consequently, some modern generator models will seem overloaded because the signs of the problem are the same, i.e., the blinking indicator light and the device needing to be reset before it can function. The key one will be the start-up battery. Ever since then it hasn't cut on I've tried everything honestly hopefully I will get some help here. My daughter has a mobile grooming trailer with a Predator 3500 Inverter generator from Harbor Freight. The Predator 3500 is meant to be an ultra-quiet model suitable for use at outdoor parties without raising the ire of partiers. Spartan Chassis vs Freightliner: Whats The Difference? Just a tap to the side of the float bowl to solve this issue, hopefully. Then there is the inability to use all 4 wheels all the time. Once you figure out the exact fuel line that is clogged, you can clean it up with clean fuel and plug it back to the generator. Nevertheless, if you can confirm that it was indeed an overload, you can restart the generator. Once the device is back on, you reconnect your appliances one at a time while observing for signs of an overload. Next, the generator may shut down on you frequently. This way the air circulating the generator will prevent it from overheating. 1999 - 2023. Predator built the generator with a 2.6-gallon fuel tank, which provides a nice balance between runtime and compactness for the generator body. Check if you have a loose connection, and fix it right away. There you will find the air filter cover and you only have one screw to remove to get access to the air filter. You should also ensure that your fan is kept switched on while you are using the device to get the best possible results. Dedicated to Harbor Freight tools Link troubleshooting ), what is the source you... The radiator to keep the temperature down doesnt have power, it could be the source, you call... All of this comes at a 57-decibel noise level run with no load since they produce power that has to! 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