Predator Generator

[Jim Harper]

Hello kids, 

I have been having trouble with my Honda genset and am thinking about going to a Predator 5000 wat dual fuel, now 1099 at Harbor Chinese Freight.  

Does anyone have experience with one of these units, and does it require a bonding plug?

Thanks!

 

 

[Steph and Dud B]

Even though the Predators are well-regarded I would be reluctant to replace a Honda with one. Honda is the gold standard for portable generators. (We're still using our 16 year old Eu2000i.) Can your Honda be repaired, or is this a capacity problem?

[Jim Harper]

I am reluctant myself. 

It runs fine under a load but surges unless you pull the choke partway out when it is not under a load.  Very common problem.  New carb and fuel filters ($$$) did not fix the problem, so I am beginning to think I was screwed by the small engine shop.  I set it up per the manual for long term storage, and now when hurricane season is approaching, it has begun surging again.

After the 90 day warranty on the labor has expired.  Because of course.

Ethanol free gas + Stabil used exclusively and maintained every year, run every 6 weeks.  I'm doing what I am supposed to do.  

Now, as I said, it runs fine under a load.  But it USED to never surge under no load.  I want that again, please.  I spent 400 dollars, to not get it.

Honda makes it VERY hard to adjust the mixture and they deliberately set it to run lean. EPA, dontcha know.  That is the main culprit I suspect, except that it didn't surge until it was about 2 years old.

I have taken a Dremel to the "guards" around the mixture screw and can now reach it, when the engine is running, with a needle nose pliers.  Adjustments will be done soon.  Honda does not want you adjusting the mix on their engines.  Makes $$$ for their repairmen.  "Oh, you need a new carb.  Oh, you need a new circuit board."

A new Predator is 1099, no sales tax in Florida soon.  If it doesn't smooth out, I'll just buy the Predator.  400+1099 is still way less than the Honda and I will tinker with it until I can make it run.

Hence my questions about the Predator.

 

[CRM]

31 minutes ago, Jim Harper said:

It runs fine under a load but surges unless you pull the choke partway out when it is not under a load.  Very common problem.  New carb and fuel filters ($$$) did not fix the problem, so I am beginning to think I was screwed by the small engine shop.  I set it up per the manual for long term storage, and now when hurricane season is approaching, it has begun surging again.

 

Did you try pulling the idle jet out and cleaning it with a small wire and carb cleaner? 

Edit to add link to video. Helped a friend with this and it worked out great.  Simple Fix for a Surging Honda Generator

Edited 18 hours ago by CRM

[Jim Harper]

I wish it were that simple. 

At the mower shop, I don't know what they did - they just said it needed a new carb.  (OK.  But I was too stupid to ask for the old one.  Never again!)  I had a new carb put in, and I put in a new fuel valve/filter.  Tank strainer, fuel filter, debris cup, fuel inlet filter, and spark arrestor are clean.

I pulled the jet on the new carb.  Didn't need cleaning but I cleaned it.  No joy.  I have removed the blocking tabs from the carb with a Dremel and can now turn the mixture screw while the genset is running.  Like you are supposed to be able to do.  I backed it out 3/4 turn.  Some improvement.

It DOES work fine under a load, and with ECO throttle.

 

[CRM]

6 minutes ago, Jim Harper said:

I wish it were that simple. 

At the mower shop, I don't know what they did - they just said it needed a new carb.  (OK.  But I was too stupid to ask for the old one.  Never again!)  I had a new carb put in, and I put in a new fuel valve/filter.  Tank strainer, fuel filter, debris cup, fuel inlet filter, and spark arrestor are clean.

I pulled the jet on the new carb.  Didn't need cleaning but I cleaned it.  No joy.  I have removed the blocking tabs from the carb with a Dremel and can now turn the mixture screw while the genset is running.  Like you are supposed to be able to do.  I backed it out 3/4 turn.  Some improvement.

It DOES work fine under a load, and with ECO throttle.

 

If adjustments didn't fix it the only other thing I can think of is a vacuum leak and closing the choke could be compensating for it at idle. Could also just be a bad carb, but two in a row doing the same thing? 

[Jim Harper]

You'd think that for 400 dollars they could have diagnosed a vacuum leak..........

Thanks for the tip! 

If I can't get it idling smoothly I'll go the vacuum leak route.  All gaskets seem good though, hoses too.

 

Edited 14 hours ago by Jim Harper