Are you looking to purchase an inverter generator that is powerful and can be used outdoors?
When choosing a generator, it can be tough knowing where to begin. There are so many different styles and options to choose from that whittling them down can be quite difficult.
Thankfully we can help you. In this article, we will be reviewing one mid-sized inverter generator in particular, the Predator 3500. We will be going into detail about its specifications to help you decide if it is the best generator for you.
We will be talking you through all of its pros and cons too. We have done all of the research so you do not have to.
So sit back, relax, and we hope you find this review useful.
Predator Company Background
Predator Generators are popular with many and are created by a company called Harbour Freight Tools. Harbour Freight Tools is a retailer that sells discounted equipment and tools. They have their own lines of equipment and tools that include the Predator Generators.
Their tools are typically sold at a lower price because they are created by the brand and are not bought from other manufacturers. They are not lower in quality, however.
Harbour Freight Tools was founded in 1977 and was originally a family-owned business. Over the last forty years, they have grown in popularity and strength. They are best known for their discounted products and lower prices.
We have divided our review of the Predator 3500 Inverter Generator into useful specification sections for you to easily find all of the information you need.
Design
The Predator 3500 has a simple design. It is mainly black with red sides. It is a reasonably sized generator that is portable and safe to use outdoors. Given it can be used outdoors it is fairly durable.
Its specific dimensions are 22.75 x 17.3 x 20 inches. Although it is a larger generator. It can still be stored if needed. The Predator weighs a total of 110 pounds. This is fairly light for a mid-size generator. However, it still may be heavy for some users.
As it is not the lightest generator to carry, it does have four wheels built into its chassis. The wheels, although small, are durable and can travel across different terrains.
The majority of portable generators only have two wheels at the back to pull the generator along. Having four wheels makes moving the generator easier. You do not have to tip it backward on two wheels.
In addition to the wheels, there are two carry handles on the top of each side of the generator. This is great as it allows two people to carry it with ease.
t also allows you to pull the generator along. However, the Predator 3500 would benefit from having a pull up handle.
Given that it is not the lightest generator to transport, it would make this process a lot easier as the other handles are fairly low down.
Cost And Warranty
In terms of cost, the Predator 3500 is of great value for the money given that it is a mid-size generator. It is a good competitor to similar generators on the market.
It has an overall warranty of two years. In comparison to some other generators of this size and this price range, this is fairly short.
However, within the first 90 days of purchase there is a replacement guarantee should anything go wrong with the Predator.
Engine
The total power of the Predator’s engine is 3500 watts. The running watts is 3,000 and the surge watts is 3,500.
There is very little difference between the two which is great as it is easier for you to know what power capabilities this generator has.
The engine that runs the Predator is a 212cc gas engine. It is air-cooled which stops the engine and other important components from overheating and damaging.
The overall tank size is 2.6 gallons. In comparison to similar brands, this is fairly average.
In comparison to its competitors, on the whole, it is one of the more powerful generators available.
If you are looking to power multiple things at once, or things that require a significant amount of power, this would be a great option for you.
If you want more power, you can connect two of these generators by using a parallel kit. By doing this you double the power to 7000 watts, which is substantial.
By doing so you will be able to power more tools and even provide enough electricity to power things such as refrigerators and freezers for a short period.
It also has electronic overload protection for added safety when in use. The engine has an eco mode to help you save energy, and this mode is better for the environment overall.
Run Time
The run time of the Predator is particularly good.
At a quarter capacity, it can run for 11 hours. If you need power throughout the night, this is great.
As it is fuel-efficient, this allows the engine to run for longer too.
Noise Levels
Considering this is a mid-size generator, its noise levels are particularly good.
It is one of the quieter generators on the market. If you are planning to use it while camping, RVing, or at night, this is a great advantage as it will not keep you or your neighbors awake.
When it is working at its maximum capacity it will only reach 57 decibels of sound.
Ease Of Use
Overall this is a fairly easy generator to operate. It has an LCD screen that displays information.
It also has a low oil indicator which will notify you when you will need to add oil to the engine. This will help to protect your generator’s engine.
In addition to this, there are overload and output light indicators. These are all displayed on one side of the generator on a control panel.
Power Outlets
The Predator 3500 has three separate power outlets. There are two 120V grounded outlets, and one 12V DC outlet.
This outlet allows you to charge a car battery which is useful if you are using this generator while away from home.
For safety, their power outlets do have a circuit breaker just in case anything goes wrong with them.
List Of Pros And Cons
Here is a full list of all of the pros and cons of the Predator 3500 Inverter Generator.
Pros
- Reasonably priced
- Made out of good quality and durable materials
- 90-day product replacement should you come across any issues or faults
- Has four wheels to help with transportation
- Two carry handles for easy transportation
- Low levels of noise created. The Predator will only create 57 decibels of noise when working at its highest power usage
- The air-cooled engine stops the generator from overheating
- Easy to operate
- Low oil indicator which helps to protect your engine
- A more powerful generator in comparison to some of its competitors
- A great generator if you are looking to use it to power multiple things at once or things that require more electricity
- Eco-mode helps with the overall fuel consumption and is more eco friendly
- Three separate power outlets
- Safety features such as circuit breakers
Cons
- Comes with a two-year warranty. While this is reasonably good, it is less than other models of a similar size and style
- There could be a pull up handle to help with moving the generator as the handles included on the generator are on the sides of the generator itself
Summary And Where To Purchase
Overall we think that the Predator 3500 Inverter Generator is certainly worth looking into. It is reasonably priced and is a good value for the money. When you compare it to similar generators on the market that are more expensive, there is little difference.
It is a powerful generator that can be connected to a second Predator generator with a parallel kit. This is a great feature and will allow you to have double the power increasing it to 7000W. It has a good run time and would be great if you needed to power electricals through the night.
As it produces a fairly low amount of noise, it is great to use in quieter areas, or while you are camping. It is not likely to disturb you or your neighbors. It is made from durable, good quality materials.
If you were to run into any issues with this generator, it is covered by a 90-day replacement guarantee. In addition to this, the Predator 3500 comes with a two-year warranty. It is worth noting that this is less than other brands on the market, however.
This generator is easy to use and has safety features to protect you and the engine while it is in use. With its three separate power outlets, you can use multiple electricals at one time.
If you are interested in this Generator and would like to purchase the Predator 3500 Inverter, you can do so via Amazon US here.
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Jeremiah Pike
I'm an environment and energy blogger who teaches outdoor and energy enthusiasts how to be better informed when it comes to purchasing or maintaining a generator, solar panel system, or anything else related to your energy needs.