Any notes on how you fixed yours?

PARDON ME, WHAT WERE YOU SAYING?





<-- knows what an 11hp Tecumseh sounds like

I heart this thread

Is the Predator 2000 really a Yamaha clone or a Honda clone?

I'd say more of a Yamaha clone based on the engine size alone. 

Being that Honda is suing I'm more inclined to lean towards Honda clone. 6 of 1 half dozen of the other though really.

Haha. Didn't know Honda was suing them. I guess that answers that. 

I got a little power meter from Amazon. This one.

I stole this from a Youtube video response...

Take it for what it is worth...

Joeak74
Joeak74
6 months ago
Great job on making the video Mike!
I have two of these generators (so I can parallel two of them) and they are incredible generators! They are a copy of the Yamaha EF2000IS, and a "Red" version of the "wen 56200i". The engine is a clone of the Yamaha EF200Is's MZ80 engine (80cc). It has a cast iron liner, forged rocker arms, and does NOT use a fuel pump like Honda's EU2000I. One less failure point. A well designed and long lasting engine.
It also has a fuel gauge like the Yamaha (i know you know this), and you CAN shut off the fuel to the carburetor and run the carburetor dry by putting the "Off, Run, Start" switch right between the "Off " and 'Run" positions. That way you never have to worry about having fuel sit in the carb and get old. This information is in the "Wen 56200I" manual. Just put it between the two positions, run it dry , and then turn it to "OFF".You can't do this with the Honda (unfortunately).
The stator is also copper wound and a quality unit. I would recommend getting a aluminum magnetic dipstick/drain tube kit for it, and an hour meter (easily installed). These are the same parts that the Yamaha EF2000IS uses.
This generator does produce a "Clean Sine Wave", and is safe for all your sensitive electronics.
One last thing... the box states 66 decibels of noise which is incorrect. It has to be a typo.  Its much less than that. This predator generator is VERY,VERY quiet.I've tested it with a basic sound meter and multiple apps downloaded on a galaxy 7s. There are no industry standards that I know of for generator decibel tests, but I believe that most tests are taken in the middle of an open field with no wind at 25 feet and ambient noise level of about 30-40 decibels. When I tested mine, I was getting 53-57 decibels 3 feet in front of the unit (esc switch on), 30-40 decibels at 25 feet away from the side of the unit (ESC switch on), and 53-57 decibels about 3 feet from the back (exhaust) side. When I would go back to the front of the unit and turn OFF the ESC switch and stand 3 feet away I would get about 62 decibels.
Obviously the more load on it the more noise produced. these readings are with the ESC ON, which is equivalent to about a quarter load (up to 400 watts) I'll update after another test at a higher load... say around 1200 watts.
I use to own a Honda EU2000IS, and they are awesome,, just not $1000 awesome. $2 a watt is ridiculous. This predator is VERY quiet, extremely durable, produces clean power, and won't break your wallet. I get just under 14 hours of run time on a tank of fuel with a 300 watt load.
One last thing i would like to add ...The Honda EU2000 is now made in (memory)Thailand or Malaysia, and the Yamaha EF2000IS is now made in China. Both made in ISO 9001compliant factories.

I had considered a similar plan but didn't follow through.

Part of my plan was to use those heavy foam workmats stapled/glued to plywood.  Cheaper than dynamat.

Update, the genny arrived in 4 days via FedEx in good shape.  It's as nice as the harbor freight in terms of fit and finish.  Colman and Westinghouse sell the same one just different colors and stickers.  I went back and ordered a second one so I have the option to run parallel.  I may purchase the 3 year assurant extended warranty after I do some research on it as eBay sells the 3 year for $19 but the item has to be new and come with a warranty.   I need to read the fine print first but you can purchase up to 30 days.  In with the manual I found a doc "US EPA CALIFORNIA EMISSION CONTROL WARRANTY STATEMENT" that says it has a two year warranty.  I can scan it tomorrow and post it up if anyone is interested.  It came with a pint of oil, funnel, dc battery charging cables, and spark plug wrench.  

Attached File

Building your own enclosure for a generator not designed with one, don’t you have to worry about heat build-up and airflow?  Or is it basically the same engine, just with no cover?

Unless I'm not understanding one or the other I think they're saying an outdoor enclosure to keep it secure and knock the sound down when it's running. Lots of YouTube videos of people building them 

Ah.  Gotcha.

Well I got my magnetic drain plugs and some "alternative" plugs to get rid of the "Torch" plug that is in the Pred2000.

Which plug should I use the Champion or the Denso?

Attached File

Thanks

Build your generator box.

Add a couple in-line, 6" duct fans moving air OUT & horizontally at the top of said box.
Plug them into the generator via a pig - tailed plug.

Install a couple / three soffit vents.  One over each fan and one or two down low ( for intake ).

Locate a metal, threaded floor flange on the box where it would meet up with the Benny's exhaust and add the appropriate length pipe to eject the genny's exhaust out of the box.

I built one of these for my Yamaha inverter 2800 back in '07 or '08 because the mfr said to NOT run it in the rain.

I attached the 2800 and 2' X 4' box to a 2" receiver so it would power my RV while running down the road or stationary.

Worked like a charm, but it was too heavy for one guy to install in the receiver.

Our needs changed so I disassembled the box.

Where did you get the drain plug?

From here...

https://www.amazon.com/Yamaha-Ef2000iS-Magnetic-Oil-Dipstick/dp/B004DMQ85W

They likely assume that the generator will not run out of gas and there will be some left in the tank for probably a long time before it's use again.  There's indeed no need to use stabilizers if for immediate use.   In my case, since all my gas cans have treated gasoline, all the gas fed into the generators are treated.   However, in a case like FL where I would expect to use a lot of gas right away I would not bother treating it.

I'm not so sure about that.... from the Wen manual.

That was part of the reason I dropped it.  
One side was simply a box fan lol, the opposite side half open (exhaust), two closed ends, a closed top.  I didn't feel it gained much to quiet it down with that caveman open frame design and the heat the sucker put out.

Less hassle to just buy the Champion Inverter 2800/3100

Pot growers use to build a 3 ft wall out of straw bales to help muffle sound. This directed the noise up and still allowed ventilation. Saw this at remote grow operations on farms.

e-trailer has the A-I Power 1600W/200W Inverter generator (with the 30A twistlock outlet) for $399 shipped.
This is the one that was out of stock at Home Depot.

https://www.etrailer.com/Generators/A-iPower/289-SUA2000i.html?feed=npn



This one has a Chinese motor (Senci) and is a copy of the Yamaha powered A-I Power 1600W/2000W.
Has iron cylinder sleeve.
2 year parts warranty.

Same price as the HF with a coupon.  No tax.

I hope not...

My Champion is 6 years old, but no leaks as of now.  It only has around 8 hours runtime, though, and that was just test runs and break in.

that chit has a 30A twist lock!

Does it use a fuel pump?

Will it output 30A by itself?

for some reason I'm thinking the Honda Companion does not (despite also having an L5-30R)

Don't know about a fuel pump.
Does the Yamaha have one?  If yes I'd Assume yes.
Etrailer has two vids on that genny.  They might mention it.

It puts out the same as the HF or Honda EU2000.
1600W continuous 2000W peak.
And is parallelable.
A pair of them is $799.  They come with parallel cables.

It's similar to the Honda EU2000 companion with the built in twist lock.
You can parallel it and don't need a separate combiner box for the full 26A output.
Also, if you have a 30A inlet into an interlock panel, you can hook up a single genny directly via that plug.
The Twist locks are nice because they are more secure and less likely to fall out or be kicked out.

I'm seriously toying with getting one.

ok, I did the math.

2000/120 = 16.6A.  So that's the most a single could do.  Two = 3200 running = 26.6A.  So it would have to be two to get the amps up there.

I did notice in the listing though .... 65dB.  That's 6dB higher than the Honda ... definitely moving into the 'damn, another genny is running' territory.

I looked at the A-I Power.  I'd spend the extra $100 and get the version with the real Yamaha engine ($499 at Costco.com).  Hell, just the Yamaha logo on the side must be worth $100.

In the end, I chickened out having never heard of A-Ipower or being able to find anything about the company.  Preferred Champion's 3 year warranty and lifetime support.

Same math as the Hondas or the HF/Wen, etc.

Interesting observation on the noise factor.
That places it above the HF.  It seems like a large jump though from 61dB to 65dB, over twice as loud.
I wonder if that's on eco mode or not.  I see the videos for the AI Power are a lot in European/Australian locations.
The Youtube vids comparing the HF to the Hondas show the HF is quieter.  
But that's the 3500W model and the Honda 3500W is quieter than the 2000W.



Makes the Northern Tool version (with 30A twist lock) at $599 and 52dB more attractive.
http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200623983_200623983

With 30A twist lock outlets
Honda Companion 52dB $850 (what I paid on sale)  Parallel cables extra
Northern Tool 52dB $599 Parallel cables included
A-iPower Yamaha 65dB $499 Parallel cables included
A-iPower Senci 65dB $399 Parallel cables included

Harbor Freight 61dB $399 (with coupon until the 30th) but no 30A outlet.


Hmmmmm

Harbor Freight is looking good again.
With tax it's be $440 out the door vs $400 delivered for the Ai Power.

Have mine breaking in with a 18" fan plugged in. It's pretty quiet, the fan is almost just as loud. Ordered some Sta-bil and the magnetic drain plug.

My plan from the beginning of this thread has been to get a 2nd Predator 2000 and HF's parallel box/outlet.  My first Predator seems great, very VERY quiet, broke-in fine, but really need that 30 amp outlet like the above A-iPower (Senci motor) @ 65dB for $399...no parallel kit required since it has a 30 amp twist-lock plug built in.

Still have a couple more days to jump on the HF Predator 2000 deal.  Hmmm....

I'm considering buying the HF and modifying with a 30A outlet.  

Ten decibels higher is twice as loud.  Four decibels is about 20% louder, IIRC.

Why would you need/want a 30a twistlock on a 2000w genny? Serious question.

From my post 8 posts above:
It's just like the Honda EU2000i Companion.
If you intend to hook it up to a house electrical system via an interlock or an RV, it gives you a lot of options.
If you only buy one Honda, or buy them one at a time, I'd get the Companion first.
You don't need a third piece of equipment (paralleling panel) to hook up the generators together and get the full 26A output.

Sound energy doubles every 3dB.
Perceptible changes, subjectively "louder" usually occur at 6dB increments.
3dB is theoretically "twice as loud" because it is a doubling of power.
6dB is measured as "twice as loud" because it is twice the output voltage or amplitude.
10dB is subjectively "twice as loud" - perceived as such by the ear/brain.

My Quip-all is in.    I'll be using this for some job sites, the race track, and as a loaner.  

If I have time this weekend, I'll do a side by side with my Honda EU2000i but I am fairly certain that the quip all is QUIETER in eco mode, about the same in normal mode.  This is under no load for both.  I'm impressed with the Quip-all, and hopefully it lasts longer than my one EU2000i that died after 30 hours.  

My initial impressions are that this Quip-all feels just as solid as my Honda, but the engine will tell the truth in the end. I'm fairly certain that I will be purchasing a second one.  VIDEO TO COME

Vertical video warning   This started first pull choke on with barely a pull, I was actually just seeing how much tension there was to start.  





This is also the same gen as the PowerMate 2000i Portable Inverter Generator, which gets awesome reviews.

If you're paralleling with the 30a twistlock then now you don't have a way to 30a twistlock back into your house panel...right? So, kind of a moot point?


I need to get a genny, I'm just trying to figure out what features I actually need.

Scepter RV520S gas can for the win

I think I got 5 of them thanks to ARFCOM, when they went on sale errr something.  

Not moot at all.

Single generator hook into the house with the twist lock - no adapter from 20A non locking to 30A twist lock needed.
or
Parallel with the parallel cables through the parallel ports and hook into the house with the twist lock - no parallel panel needed.
or
Parallel with a suicide cable between the 20A standard outlets and hook into the house with the twist lock - no parallel panel needed.
(That second option has some risk if the parallel cable is kicked loose since it would be live from the other still running generator).
OR
Replace the dual 20A outlet with a dual NEMA L5-15R, Parallel through the L5-15R ports with a twist lock suicide cable and hook into the house with the twist lock - no parallel panel needed.

OR
Build a multi place parallel panel, parallel the 3 generators via the twist lock into a combiner box with a 50A circuit breaker and output 39A from that box to a 50A inlet.

I like the cable security of the twist locks.

Is that the $329 one?

Yes

I have funnels, a couple of Super Easy Siphons (with the glass ball) and now I'm looking at this thing to use it with a 15 gallon HDPE drum

Thoughts?



Action Pump siphon

I use that to transfer C16 to my race car and it works great, BUT it does lose suction/siphon every now and then (I guess do to air leakage).  I wouldn't rely on it.

Thank you, sir.