Harbor Freight Generators - Any Good ?

[photohoward1]

I understand the price issue Tony. Just change the oil often, don't pitt next to me unless you bring earplugs for me or get a long extension cord to hide it behind the closest building or forest.

L'shana Tova!

[properchopper]

I understand the price issue Tony. Just change the oil often, don't pitt next to me unless you bring earplugs for me or get a long extension cord to hide it behind the closest building or forest.

L'shana Tova!

H,

The HF 800 is a 2-stroke - not sure about changing the oil. No worries for AZ; I'll just plug the lipo charger wires into my nose and have Petersen comb my beard real fast

Ketiva VeChatima Tova !

[D. Newland]

Champion 1000 watt

Half the price of a Honda 1000, but, I know, 4X the Harbor Freight unit. I've seen/heard Roger's 2000 watt big brother to this one and was very impressed.

Sell 3 of your boats and get a quality unit, T! Howard will let you pit with him if you do.

I'm working on it, but I've got a real pet-peeve when it comes to cheap generators and FE racing events. Feel free to bash away.

[properchopper]

Champion 1000 watt

Half the price of a Honda 1000, but, I know, 4X the Harbor Freight unit. I've seen/heard Roger's 2000 watt big brother to this one and was very impressed.

Sell 3 of your boats and get a quality unit, T! Howard will let you pit with him if you do.




I'm working on it, but I've got a real pet-peeve when it comes to cheap generators and FE racing events. Feel free to bash away.

Dave,

I used Roger's last race at Legg. Very nice. I only was looking for info on the HF unit for me & Stephen to use at Legg during play days. During races Brad and/or Mike have biggies for us to plug into. I usually have gen access in AZ - hope that continues.

[Heaving Earth]

harbor freight anything is rubbish, but sometimes you get lucky and it works fine for many years. kinda like many of the import batteries and such we use. some batches are good, some aren't. i have bought a couple of harbor freight items, and they do the job ok, but the quality of them sucks. they were cheap tho.

[Basstronics]

For what you are looking to do why not.

They got some sort of a 30 day satisfaction guarantee. Buy it and try it. If it dont work take it back.

Just like Walmart.

[sundog]

Keep the peace, bro. Solar panels are silent, and the price has come down considerably in the last couple of years from $4 a watt to less than $1 a watt for poly's. I just upgraded my grid-tied array to 2800watts. Pays for the air conditioning and keeps the electric bill low! Now that's green I can live with.

[Darin Jordan]

Tony,

I have that generator. I paid $89.00 for it. I run Coleman Campstove fuel, which isn't inexpensive, and Redline 2-cycle synthetic oil, and have added a second muffler off of a Gas Mono to the factory muffler to help tone it down a tad. This makes it run very well, and burns very clean.

It's a tad noisy, but I think that can be rectified by adding some baffles to the intake and perhaps building a small insulated housing for the whole.

I keep it away from others, and really only use it when there isn't anything else available, but it's definitely a decent piece.

Given the choice, I'd go for a 1000 or 2000 Honda, but for the money, this works fine for me. And, it packs into small places... :)

[keithbradley]

I had one Tony (sold it to Rocstar, and from what I read a few posts up it's still working well). It worked fine for me. Started easy, quiet compared to anything near it's price range, and dirt cheap.
It's a China generator at a China price, so I'm not surprised if there are a few who have had different results, but the one I had worked as expected.

I went to a champion 1500w 4 stroke for a little more power and the convenience of using straight pump gas. The champion has worked well for me also, but it's substantially louder than the HF 2 stroke unit was. I think the people that call it loud must be comparing it to higher end generators like Honda...either that or they fitted the same model with different mufflers. I guess it's possible.

[Darin Jordan]

either that or they fitted the same model with different mufflers. I guess it's possible.

I also have a Champion 5500 that was given to me brand new by a guy who had a disabled daughter and needed something that started easier (went with a Honda electric start)...

It's VERY loud, but honestly, just like with this little one, most of the noise is generated through the intake, and just the mechanicals themselves. If you really pay attention and observe these little ones running, you can quickly identify and probaly come up with a way to dampen the vibrations, and supress the noises.

Either way, for $89.95... mine works fine for those times when I need one. I just use a long chord and try to keep it away from Newland...

Also good for getting yourself "allowed" to plug into someone elses nicer Honda?? "I brought my own generator (holding said "noisey" Harbor Freight unit), but I see you have an extra outlet..."....

[TheShaughnessy]

Hey tony what about a club generator? I already got the ok to use that 4000 watt one for the 22 but it is a lil over kill and since the low idle mode doesn't work it is loud. Not sure who else would be interested beside me you and Steven but we might be able to find a good cheap used one. Just a thought.

[properchopper]

Hey tony what about a club generator? I already got the ok to use that 4000 watt one for the 22 but it is a lil over kill and since the low idle mode doesn't work it is loud. Not sure who else would be interested beside me you and Steven but we might be able to find a good cheap used one. Just a thought.